LABOR, ARTS, EVENTS, ACTIVISM, LOCAL HISTORY, YOUR LETTERS, FUN STUFF!
[This is the SECOND OF TWO MESSAGES MONTHLY sent to 7,278 Ithaca area residents]
**********
FIFTEEN READERS OF THIS ISSUE HAVE WON GIFT
CERTIFICATES with Ithaca
Bakery ($5), Viva Taqueria ($5), Cinemapolis/Fall Creek
Pictures (2 tickets), Ithaca Fine
Chocolates (4-pack), Gimme!
Coffee (1# coffee), Oasis
Grocery ($5), ($6), Sparrow's Wines ($10), Ten Thousand
Villages ($10), ABC
Cafe ($10), Acorn
Designs ($7.50), Toko
Imports ($5), Dinosaur
Drygoods ($10), White
Lotus Home ($10), Surya Incense (pkg), The Yoga Corner
(free class).
WINNING EMAILS (randomly selected by computer) ARE NOTED AT ithacanews.org
Winners reply sending their mailing address.
*********
300 FREE LOCAL CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE--ADD YOURS! Sell, Buy, Swap, Give Away, Rent, Find Work, Ask for Help, Offer Help, Link, Meet, Tell the Town! ANNOUNCE YOUR GARAGE SALE.
************
FEATURED EVENTS
NEWFIELD COVERED BRIDGE ICE CREAM SOCIAL 7/26, 2-5pm. Barbershop quartet, etc.
COMPOST WITH CONFIDENCE at Community Gardens every last Saturday (June-October) noon-1pm. 7/26. Adam Michaelides 272-2292
HOOLA HOOPATHON 7/26, 3-8pm, DeWitt Park. Circus, puppets, music; this editor gets bodypainted w/Ithaca History. Fundraiser for See Spot Community Art Space.
ITHACA CHILDREN'S GARDEN PAINT OUT 7/26, noon- 2pm at Ithaca Farmers Market. Free--art supplies provided. "Fun afternoon exploring the vibrant world of plants. Let the riotous colors, amazing shapes, & wonderful sounds & fragrances of flowers, fruits, & veggies at the Market inspire you. Display your creations on the instant Bee Line Gallery before you take them home. Lemonade & munchies provided." Leigh MacDonald 272-2292 [email protected]
ITHACA FILM FESTIVAL 7/26 at Fall Creek Pictures. 30 films: Kitchen Theatre Company 7/27 & 28; 8/3 & 4 at 8:30pm. $5.00 HOURS accepted.
SPEAK OUT! 7/29, 8-10 pm. See Spot Community Art Space. 108 the Commons. "Bring your poetry, short prose, or songs to share in a progressive, super-chill environment. Donations appreciated." 277-7560.
ITHACA TEXTILE ARTS GUILD ANNUAL EXHIBIT: Reception 7/29, 5-7:00pm. Gallery Tuesday-Saturday 11am-3pm.
CURB YOUR CAR MEETING 7/31, 4pm, Old Jail conference room.
WORLD WALK FOR BREASTFEEDING 8/1, 5pm honors World
Breastfeeding Week w/walk from Dewitt Park to the Commons. Following
the Walk: silent auction at Dewitt Park, items donated by local
businesses.
---"Theme is Breastfeeding in a Globalised World - For Peace &
Justice. Human milk is a remarkable & renewable resource,
& breastfeeding's positive effect on mothers & babies
remains despite political changes, climactic conditions &
environmental factors.
---"Walkers will be raising money to support La Leche League of Ithaca
& La Leche League International. The money raised will buy
books for our lending library, fund our meeting space at the Women's
Community Building, & help Leaders attend area conferences." Elizabeth
272-3643
STATE OF THE ART GALLERY presents "Artists/Teachers and their Students." Reception 8/1, 5-8pm, 120 W State St. Thurs 12-6pm, Fri 12-8pm, Sat/Sun 12-5pm. 277-1626.
EVENING AMBLE 8/2, 7-9 PM: Evening Amble at the Stevenson Forest Preserve in Enfield. Led by Betsy Darlington. From Rt. 79 between Ithaca and Watkins Glen, go south on Rt. 327. At the curve to the southeast, turn right on Trumbull Corners Road. The preserve parking area is located approximately 1Øù2 mile down the road, on the right. Bring flashlight!
NORTHSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD NATIONAL NIGHT OUT CELEBRATION 8/5, 6-9pm, Conway Park (Cascadilla & Madison). Live music, free food, crafts, games, fun. Cultural Food Table (dish to pass).
SUMATIC UMBRA 8/6, 8pm. See Spot Community Art Space. 108 the Commons. Acoustic independent rock. $3. 277-7560.
FARM CITY DAY 8/16, 11am-4pm, Jerry Dell Farm, Sims Hill Road, Dryden. "Visit an organic dairy farm! Don't miss a wagon ride tour featuring the farm's rotational grazing practices. Explore and enjoy the wide range of agriculture-related exhibits & hands-on demonstrations: big farm machinery, farm stewardship, a pedal tractor pull, milk mustaches, free milk, lots of farm animals. Silent Auction benefits Tompkins County's Ag in the Classroom program. Debbie Teeter 272-2292.
BOAT TOUR FEATURES GEOLOGY OF CAYUGA LAKE Tiohero Tours offers guided boat tours exploring the lake's role in Ithaca's extraordinary geology. Narrated by PRI Director Dr. Warren Allmon, the 3-hour trip describes the ancient seas that once covered Central New York, glaciers that carved local gorges & the Lake, & the impact of the Lake's geology today. 6- 9pm, 7/25, 8/16. Tickets $25 adults, $23 seniors, $15 children 5-12, free under 5. Tours 6pm from Ithaca Boating Center, 435 Old Taughannock Blvd. Reservations: 697-0166 HOURS accepted.
MUSEFEST (8/29-31) TICKETS FREE ONLINE
************
ITHACA WAR & PEACE REPORT
LOCAL PEACE CORPS REUNION 7/27, noon-2pm, 522 N. Aurora St. Dish to pass. [email protected]
YOUTH ACTION SUMMER series: all 6-8pm at GIAC (318
N. Albany). Free w/dinner.
* 7/29&31: DIRECT ACTION! : The hows and whys of direct action
* 8/5&7: ART & MUSIC in ACTIVISM!: Make radical patches
and rise up singing!
* 8/12&14: STRATEGIC CAMPAIGNING!: Putting all the skills
together into a real campaign! Bria or Jennie 255-7293 [email protected]
ITHACA FAIR TRADE COALITION 7/30, 7-9pm, First Floor Conference Room, Old Jail Building, 125 E. Court St. "We plan to continue our consumer education w/ speakers, teach-ins, film festival, holiday Fair Trade shopping event, to promote local businesses selling fair trade, to work w/ local government to pass Fair Trade resolutions. 255-7293 [email protected]
PEACE POTLUCK on first Saturday of month (8/2). Perry City Friends (Quakers) at Perry City Meeting House, Route 227 in Perry City. Dish to pass 5:30pm; discussion 7pm. 387-9046.
THIRD ANNUAL PROGRESSIVE FESTIVAL 9/6, noon-10pm on the Commons. "Please prepare posters and literature for your tables, ask your organization(s) to participate, spread the word to all. Theme: "Act Like it's a Globe, Not an Empire." To participate as speaker, musician, poet, performing artist: Heidi Tremaine
"DEMOCRACY NOW!" ON WSKG? online petition asking WSKG to air this program: Also contact Gregory Keeler WSKG Community Advisory Board
MICHELLE BERRY FOR COUNCIL CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF FUNDRAISER 7/28 7-9 p.m., Lost Dog Cafe, 106 S. Cayuga St. Performances by Annie Burns, John Simon, & Michelle Berry, The Hippy Harlem Band (Jhakeem Haltom, Afro-Latin Percussion and Jake Roberts, guitar). HOURS accepted. 256-2123 michelleberryforcouncil.org
*********
ITHACA BUSINESS NEWS
WHITE LOTUS FUTONS begins manufacturing in Ithaca. "White Lotus hopes to employ as many Ithacans as possible to craft natural fiber mattresses by hand-- w/out toxic chemicals, w/out strip-mined steel springs, w/out polluting heavy machinery. Want to work for us? Speak w/Astra at Farmer's Market." --Theodore Casparian
REGIONAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS "The figures for June are in & they aren't pretty." --Elia Kacapyr
SAVE UP TO 40 PERCENT OF ENERGY COSTS &
INCREASE HOME VALUE: Energy Star program offers home assessments: "For
a fully-deductible testing fee, the contractor will inspect your home
using advanced testing technologies & provide a detailed report
on recommended improvements."
---"Since almost 75% of NYS housing units were built before 1970 when
heating fuel was very low & energy efficiency was a low
priority, most homes in the state are grossly under-insulated," says
Joe Laquatra, housing & energy expert. "Adding insulation to a
house & sealing air leaks in the walls, ceilings &
floors are relatively inexpensive ways to save energy."
---List of
approved contractors
ITHACA HEALTH FUND EXPANDS PAYMENTS AGAIN: now pays $200 for physical therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, etc when prescribed following broken bone, emergency stitches, burns. See payments made
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Chamber of Commerce Mixer 8/13, 5-7pm, The Computing Center (15 Thornwood Dr at TC Airport). $5 advance registration 273-7080; $10 at door. HOURS accepted.
AURORA, NEW YORK, SEEKS BIG BOX BAN: "A citizens
group in Aurora has fought off Wal-Mart twice, first in 1996 &
again in 2000. Now, w/rumors circulating that the company may return
for a third attempt, Aurora Citizens for Smart Growth is pushing for a
permanent law banning stores over 55,000 square feet. That's about
one-third the size of the stores Wal-Mart previously proposed.
---"'The village is getting to be so vibrant. It seems we've turned a
corner, & one big-box could suck the life out of everything
done in the last five years,' said Sara Herrmann, a town Planning Board
member.
BIG BOX STORES DRAIN CITY REVENUE, STUDY FINDS: "Big box retail, shopping centers, & fast-food restaurants cost taxpayers more than they produce in revenue, according to a fiscal impact analysis in Barnstable, Massachusetts. The study, conducted by Tischler & Associates, compares the tax revenue generated by different kinds of residential & commercial development w/the actual cost of providing public services for each land use. The study found that big box retail generates a net annual deficit of $468 per 1,000 ft2. Shopping centers likewise produce an annual drain of $314 per 1,000 ft2. By far the most costly type of development, according to the study, are fast-food restaurants, which have a net annual cost of $5,168 per 1,000 square feet." This matches the results of other studies. Suburbanization drains as well.
LOCAL STORES CREATE TRIPLE THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY OF CHAINS: "When you spend $100 at Borders Books & Music, your purchase creates only $13 worth of local economic activity. That same $100 spent at locally-owned book or record store generates $45. That's the conclusion of a new study conducted by Civic Economics & published by Livable City in Austin, Texas. The study, 'Economic Impact Analysis: A Case Study,' examines the local economic impact of two of Austin's venerable independent businesses---Waterloo Records, widely considered to be the best music store in the nation, & Book People, a beloved, 32-year-old bookstore. The study compares their contributions to the local economy w/ the economic return the community would receive from a typical Borders store."
**************
AMAZING ITHACA HISTORY
* July 26, 1900: First AUTOMOBILE SALESMAN.
Practical demonstration of the horseless steam carriage are conducted
along Seneca St. There were already three such machines in town.
* July 27, 1940: First use of an INCUBATOR, upon birth of Alice Marie
Mulks, 3 lbs 14 oz.
* July 28, 1959: Statewide GAMBLING INVESTIGATION begins here with
interrogation of 38 local people regarding cards, dice, "numbers,"
bookmaking & pool tickets.
* July 29, 1884: Season's SECOND BLOOM of an apple tree, on E. Green
St.
* July 30, 1876: Wealthy social worker & novelist Marietta
Benchley meets "with poorer parents of working classes, in her orchard,
to discuss the best means of educating children & managing
homes."
* July 31, 1937: Two movies showing at State Theater are endorsed by
the ITHACA BETTER FILMS COUNCIL. They are "The Good Earth" &
"The Way Back." Also playing but not endorsed was "Between Two Women"
(a dramatic eternal triangle within hospital walls!) at the Strand.
* August 1, 1976: County's first residential SOLAR-HEATED WATER SYSTEM
installed by Elson Glover at his Slaterville Rd. home.
* August 2, 1907: "Hod" Smith challenges Ithaca Journal editors to a
DUEL for saying he wore dirty clothes. Pistols at ten feet.
AMAZING ITHACA HISTORY CALENDAR: 400 stories from Ithaca's past: 17"x 22" at Autumn Leaves Used Books, Bookery, Tompkins County Museum. $10. HOURS accepted.
*************
EDITORIAL: OPEN LETTER TO THE NEXT MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL:
---Great cultural challenges face Ithaca's liberals &
conservatives alike, as environmental & financial realities
force us to create a new American Way of Life. It's become utopian
nonsense to believe that America will progress by continuing to expand
population, pollution, suburbs & landfills. We cannot succeed
personally while the nation fails. Therefore we'll need to rebuild
Ithaca as an intentional community, meeting needs through
community-based businesses, nonprofit organizations & co-ops.
Certainly Ithacans need livable wages, but we as urgently need a
livable community where abundance is secured more by mutual aid than by
money.
---HERE THEN ARE PRINCIPLES FOR NEW CITY MANAGEMENT:
---1. Environmental repair (soil, water, air), natural beauty &
fairly-compensated creative labor are foundations of personal success,
public health & durable economic progress,
---2. "Economic development" which damages the environment, slowly or
rapidly, is not development but decay.
---3. Big-box chain stores exemplify economic decay by:
*****A. promoting destructive consumerism
*****B. expanding car-dependent commerce
*****C. undermining community-based enterprise & creativity
*****D. removing local wealth to corporate headquarters
---4. Community-based initiatives are preferred which plug leaks in the
local economy, meet basic needs, reward local creativity, repair the
environment, link Ithacans in systems of mutual aid.
---5. Examples of such beneficial enterprises, policies &
programs include community-wide insulation and energy efficiency
installations; photovoltaics, wind & hydroelectric (where no
damage to natural flow); nonprofit co-op housing; senior/youth
cohousing; nonprofit food processing facilities for regional harvests,
edible parks; community-supported agriculture; preventive/holistic
health/dental clinics; health funds; community currency, local stock
exchanges, import replacement programs, re-use warehouses; bike lanes
& paths; fixed rail trollies; composting toilets; local venture
capital for the above; progressive taxation (including local income tax
& local-option gasoline tax); instant runoff voting; education
for the
above.
---6. The first American cities to systematically install all these
will prosper.
---7. Civil liberties are essential to social harmony. Police are
subordinate to civil authority. Public expression is at least as
necessary as public order.
---"8. The interests of City Hall (larger staff & salaries,
greater control via centralized technologies, acquiescence to corporate
demands) often conflict w/ community preferences above.
---9. Reform of Ithaca's City Planning Dept & DPW are necessary
to facilitate the above.
**************
YOUR LETTERS
"As a result of the increase in the number of our
consumers, the Food Pantry is in desperate need of more grocery bags.
Due to the economy, the grocery stores are no longer donating grocery
bags. Thank you for your support! Every little bag counts!" --Linda Cox
--------
"Here's an idea for you: integrate a trolley line
into the plans for the Southwest development. The trolleys could run on
their own right-of-way alongside the road, thus making the trolley
faster than driving when traffic is backed up. The line could then run
via State Street to the Commons. Also check out some of the new
narrow-gauge light rail designs, such as the SlimTram."
--Steve Gaarder
--------
"I read this
story. It persuaded me that monorail systems are a good idea.
Do you suppose they have anything to offer to the Ithaca area?" --Lucy
---[REPLY] The narrow valley of Ithaca has reached its capacity to move
cars. Progress requires us to install practical alternatives which
require less space.
--------
"Always enjoy keeping current on Ithaca via your
NEWS from my exile here in California. I get back to town once a month
for a sanity re-charge, however.
---"Enjoyed the letter from Baghdad. It always amazed me that Pres.
Bush didn't request the American people to reach out to the beleagured
Iraqi people by sending CARE packages of food & living
essentials (as during and after WWII). Not that I would have expected
him to do it out of compassion but what good PR he would have garnered
if his handlers had had him do that. I guess he thought Halliburton
could fix everything. So, months later the Iraqi people still struggle
to survive & I know of no pipeline set up where we can donate
supplies. Might this be an opportunity to start something like this in
Ithaca? Is a system in place I haven't heard of?" --Bill Brothers
---[REPLY] Two Ithacans have been delivering medicine to Iraq: [email protected]
--------
"I was wondering where you heard that Kucinich
might be bailing out to run for Senate. I have been researching the
candidates for my website & have not found much mention of this
possibility anywhere, & am definitely interested in finding any
proof of it as I would like to know how much energy to put into a
Kucinich campaign." --Ben Regenspan
---[REPLY] That Kucinich would use the Presidential race to raise his
profile for a Senate race was suggested by Howie Hawkins at the NYS
Green Gathering last month in Freeville. I agree. While Kucinich is an
excellent candidate, he will be marginalized by the Democratic
establishment-- they would put no money into him even were he to start
winning primaries. Kucinich is savvy enough to know this & may
likely file for a Senate campaign before that deadline.
--------
"I attempted to find a DVD of "Queer as Folk"
Season 1 (Showtime Gay/Lesbian Television Series) at the Lansing
Hollywood Video. I was told I could find it at the Rte. 13 location but
not in Lansing. I asked the counter person why it was not available
& if it is a content issue. I was told that the Lansing store
was too small to carry a full inventory. Hmmm...how big is a DVD? I
have not been back to either location." --Lisa LeHew
--------
"So what's the lowdown on the mayoral candidates?
The thing I read in the IT seemed to indicate that all of them hate the
6-Point Plan, which seems like a necessary condition for
acceptability." --Benj
--[REPLY] Rejection of the Six Point Plan shows that a candidate for
Mayor or Council understands that big box stores lose money &
that building wider roads merely brings more traffic.
--------
"Kucinich is the only candidate who does not
support the death penalty. He is consistent in his support of the
progressive agenda. I think it would be very interesting to approach
him and ask him if he would be interested in reaching out to the greens
and asking for the support of the party. If he does this early on in
the campaign, he could make a tremendous impact. By the way, my 85 year
old mother is supporting his cadidacy." --Katie Williams
---[REPLY] Kucinich has been asked to accept the Green Presidential
candidacy but has declined.
--------
""I too believe that the Greens need to run strong
[for the Presidency] because we have everyone's attention as having a
major impact in the 2000 race. I don't believe that the Greens will
have substantially more votes than we had in 2000, but we need to
demonstrate that we are here to stay. I personally think that Bush will
trounce the Democrats in the coming election, & the Greens
won't be an electoral factor but we can be a major social factor." --Ed
Dodge
--------
"Have you seen this 'Cost of War' counter?"
--Michael Pastore
--------
"Could you also subscribe me to your newsletter? My mom lives in Ithaca & I am up there all the time." --Justin
*********
The Women's Community Building seeks healing arts practitioners to teach classes. Gay Huddle 272-1247, Monday-Thursday, 10am-2:30pm. Ithaca's Integrative Community Wellness Center, 100 W. Seneca St. 256-7316
CHILDREN'S DANCE LESSONS: 4 for $ 10.00. HOURS accepted.
ITHACA SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS meet 8:30-10pm Tuesdays at Senior Citizens Center. Beginners welcome too.
*********
Thanks to Homer & Jane at LIGHTLINK for reliable internet services.
*********
EDITOR: [email protected]
ITHACA COMMUNITY NEWS HOME PAGE W/BACK ISSUES
LABOR, ARTS, EVENTS, ACTIVISM, LOCAL HISTORY, YOUR LETTERS, FUN STUFF!
[This is the SECOND OF TWO MESSAGES MONTHLY sent to 7,278 Ithaca area residents]
**********
FIFTEEN READERS OF THIS ISSUE HAVE WON GIFT CERTIFICATES with
Ithaca Bakery
($5), Viva Taqueria ($5), Cinemapolis/Fall
Creek Pictures (2 tickets), Ithaca Fine
Chocolates (4-pack), Gimme!
Coffee (1# coffee), Oasis
Grocery ($5), ($6), Sparrow's Wines ($10), Ten Thousand
Villages ($10), ABC
Cafe ($10), Acorn
Designs ($7.50), Toko
Imports ($5), Dinosaur
Drygoods ($10), White
Lotus Home ($10), Surya Incense (pkg), The Yoga Corner
(free class).
WINNING EMAILS (randomly selected by computer) ARE NOTED AT ithacanews.org
Winners reply sending their mailing address.
*********
300 FREE LOCAL CLASSIFIED ADS ONLINE--ADD YOURS! Sell, Buy, Swap, Give Away, Rent, Find Work, Ask for Help, Offer Help, Link, Meet, Tell the Town! ANNOUNCE YOUR GARAGE SALE.
************
FEATURED EVENTS
NEWFIELD COVERED BRIDGE ICE CREAM SOCIAL 7/26, 2-5pm. Barbershop quartet, etc.
COMPOST WITH CONFIDENCE at Community Gardens every last Saturday (June-October) noon-1pm. 7/26. Adam Michaelides 272-2292
HOOLA HOOPATHON 7/26, 3-8pm, DeWitt Park. Circus, puppets, music; this editor gets bodypainted w/Ithaca History. Fundraiser for See Spot Community Art Space.
ITHACA CHILDREN'S GARDEN PAINT OUT 7/26, noon- 2pm at Ithaca Farmers Market. Free--art supplies provided. "Fun afternoon exploring the vibrant world of plants. Let the riotous colors, amazing shapes, & wonderful sounds & fragrances of flowers, fruits, & veggies at the Market inspire you. Display your creations on the instant Bee Line Gallery before you take them home. Lemonade & munchies provided." Leigh MacDonald 272-2292 [email protected]
ITHACA FILM FESTIVAL 7/26 at Fall Creek Pictures. 30 films: Kitchen Theatre Company 7/27 & 28; 8/3 & 4 at 8:30pm. $5.00 HOURS accepted.
SPEAK OUT! 7/29, 8-10 pm. See Spot Community Art Space. 108 the Commons. "Bring your poetry, short prose, or songs to share in a progressive, super-chill environment. Donations appreciated." 277-7560.
ITHACA TEXTILE ARTS GUILD ANNUAL EXHIBIT: Reception 7/29, 5-7:00pm. Gallery Tuesday-Saturday 11am-3pm.
CURB YOUR CAR MEETING 7/31, 4pm, Old Jail conference room.
WORLD WALK FOR BREASTFEEDING 8/1, 5pm honors World
Breastfeeding Week w/walk from Dewitt Park to the Commons. Following
the Walk: silent auction at Dewitt Park, items donated by local
businesses.
---"Theme is Breastfeeding in a Globalised World - For Peace &
Justice. Human milk is a remarkable & renewable resource,
& breastfeeding's positive effect on mothers & babies
remains despite political changes, climactic conditions &
environmental factors.
---"Walkers will be raising money to support La Leche League of Ithaca
& La Leche League International. The money raised will buy
books for our lending library, fund our meeting space at the Women's
Community Building, & help Leaders attend area conferences." Elizabeth
272-3643
STATE OF THE ART GALLERY presents "Artists/Teachers and their Students." Reception 8/1, 5-8pm, 120 W State St. Thurs 12-6pm, Fri 12-8pm, Sat/Sun 12-5pm. 277-1626.
EVENING AMBLE 8/2, 7-9 PM: Evening Amble at the Stevenson Forest Preserve in Enfield. Led by Betsy Darlington. From Rt. 79 between Ithaca and Watkins Glen, go south on Rt. 327. At the curve to the southeast, turn right on Trumbull Corners Road. The preserve parking area is located approximately 1Øù2 mile down the road, on the right. Bring flashlight!
NORTHSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD NATIONAL NIGHT OUT CELEBRATION 8/5, 6-9pm, Conway Park (Cascadilla & Madison). Live music, free food, crafts, games, fun. Cultural Food Table (dish to pass).
SUMATIC UMBRA 8/6, 8pm. See Spot Community Art Space. 108 the Commons. Acoustic independent rock. $3. 277-7560.
FARM CITY DAY 8/16, 11am-4pm, Jerry Dell Farm, Sims Hill Road, Dryden. "Visit an organic dairy farm! Don't miss a wagon ride tour featuring the farm's rotational grazing practices. Explore and enjoy the wide range of agriculture-related exhibits & hands-on demonstrations: big farm machinery, farm stewardship, a pedal tractor pull, milk mustaches, free milk, lots of farm animals. Silent Auction benefits Tompkins County's Ag in the Classroom program. Debbie Teeter 272-2292.
BOAT TOUR FEATURES GEOLOGY OF CAYUGA LAKE Tiohero Tours offers guided boat tours exploring the lake's role in Ithaca's extraordinary geology. Narrated by PRI Director Dr. Warren Allmon, the 3-hour trip describes the ancient seas that once covered Central New York, glaciers that carved local gorges & the Lake, & the impact of the Lake's geology today. 6- 9pm, 7/25, 8/16. Tickets $25 adults, $23 seniors, $15 children 5-12, free under 5. Tours 6pm from Ithaca Boating Center, 435 Old Taughannock Blvd. Reservations: 697-0166 HOURS accepted.
MUSEFEST (8/29-31) TICKETS FREE ONLINE
************
ITHACA WAR & PEACE REPORT
LOCAL PEACE CORPS REUNION 7/27, noon-2pm, 522 N. Aurora St. Dish to pass. [email protected]
YOUTH ACTION SUMMER series: all 6-8pm at GIAC (318 N.
Albany). Free w/dinner.
* 7/29&31: DIRECT ACTION! : The hows and whys of direct action
* 8/5&7: ART & MUSIC in ACTIVISM!: Make radical patches
and rise up singing!
* 8/12&14: STRATEGIC CAMPAIGNING!: Putting all the skills
together into a real campaign! Bria or Jennie 255-7293 [email protected]
ITHACA FAIR TRADE COALITION 7/30, 7-9pm, First Floor Conference Room, Old Jail Building, 125 E. Court St. "We plan to continue our consumer education w/ speakers, teach-ins, film festival, holiday Fair Trade shopping event, to promote local businesses selling fair trade, to work w/ local government to pass Fair Trade resolutions. 255-7293 [email protected]
PEACE POTLUCK on first Saturday of month (8/2). Perry City Friends (Quakers) at Perry City Meeting House, Route 227 in Perry City. Dish to pass 5:30pm; discussion 7pm. 387-9046.
THIRD ANNUAL PROGRESSIVE FESTIVAL 9/6, noon-10pm on the Commons. "Please prepare posters and literature for your tables, ask your organization(s) to participate, spread the word to all. Theme: "Act Like it's a Globe, Not an Empire." To participate as speaker, musician, poet, performing artist: Heidi Tremaine
"DEMOCRACY NOW!" ON WSKG? online petition asking WSKG to air this program: Also contact Gregory Keeler WSKG Community Advisory Board
MICHELLE BERRY FOR COUNCIL CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF FUNDRAISER 7/28 7-9 p.m., Lost Dog Cafe, 106 S. Cayuga St. Performances by Annie Burns, John Simon, & Michelle Berry, The Hippy Harlem Band (Jhakeem Haltom, Afro-Latin Percussion and Jake Roberts, guitar). HOURS accepted. 256-2123 michelleberryforcouncil.org
*********
ITHACA BUSINESS NEWS
WHITE LOTUS FUTONS begins manufacturing in Ithaca. "White Lotus hopes to employ as many Ithacans as possible to craft natural fiber mattresses by hand-- w/out toxic chemicals, w/out strip-mined steel springs, w/out polluting heavy machinery. Want to work for us? Speak w/Astra at Farmer's Market." --Theodore Casparian
REGIONAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS "The figures for June are in & they aren't pretty." --Elia Kacapyr
SAVE UP TO 40 PERCENT OF ENERGY COSTS & INCREASE HOME
VALUE: Energy Star program offers home assessments: "For a
fully-deductible testing fee, the contractor will inspect your home
using advanced testing technologies & provide a detailed report
on recommended improvements."
---"Since almost 75% of NYS housing units were built before 1970 when
heating fuel was very low & energy efficiency was a low
priority, most homes in the state are grossly under-insulated," says
Joe Laquatra, housing & energy expert. "Adding insulation to a
house & sealing air leaks in the walls, ceilings &
floors are relatively inexpensive ways to save energy."
---List of
approved contractors
ITHACA HEALTH FUND EXPANDS PAYMENTS AGAIN: now pays $200 for physical therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, etc when prescribed following broken bone, emergency stitches, burns. See payments made
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Chamber of Commerce Mixer 8/13, 5-7pm, The Computing Center (15 Thornwood Dr at TC Airport). $5 advance registration 273-7080; $10 at door. HOURS accepted.
AURORA, NEW YORK, SEEKS BIG BOX BAN: "A citizens group in
Aurora has fought off Wal-Mart twice, first in 1996 & again in
2000. Now, w/rumors circulating that the company may return for a third
attempt, Aurora Citizens for Smart Growth is pushing for a permanent
law banning stores over 55,000 square feet. That's about one-third the
size of the stores Wal-Mart previously proposed.
---"'The village is getting to be so vibrant. It seems we've turned a
corner, & one big-box could suck the life out of everything
done in the last five years,' said Sara Herrmann, a town Planning Board
member.
BIG BOX STORES DRAIN CITY REVENUE, STUDY FINDS: "Big box retail, shopping centers, & fast-food restaurants cost taxpayers more than they produce in revenue, according to a fiscal impact analysis in Barnstable, Massachusetts. The study, conducted by Tischler & Associates, compares the tax revenue generated by different kinds of residential & commercial development w/the actual cost of providing public services for each land use. The study found that big box retail generates a net annual deficit of $468 per 1,000 ft2. Shopping centers likewise produce an annual drain of $314 per 1,000 ft2. By far the most costly type of development, according to the study, are fast-food restaurants, which have a net annual cost of $5,168 per 1,000 square feet." This matches the results of other studies. Suburbanization drains as well.
LOCAL STORES CREATE TRIPLE THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY OF CHAINS: "When you spend $100 at Borders Books & Music, your purchase creates only $13 worth of local economic activity. That same $100 spent at locally-owned book or record store generates $45. That's the conclusion of a new study conducted by Civic Economics & published by Livable City in Austin, Texas. The study, 'Economic Impact Analysis: A Case Study,' examines the local economic impact of two of Austin's venerable independent businesses---Waterloo Records, widely considered to be the best music store in the nation, & Book People, a beloved, 32-year-old bookstore. The study compares their contributions to the local economy w/ the economic return the community would receive from a typical Borders store."
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AMAZING ITHACA HISTORY
* July 26, 1900: First AUTOMOBILE SALESMAN. Practical
demonstration of the horseless steam carriage are conducted along
Seneca St. There were already three such machines in town.
* July 27, 1940: First use of an INCUBATOR, upon birth of Alice Marie
Mulks, 3 lbs 14 oz.
* July 28, 1959: Statewide GAMBLING INVESTIGATION begins here with
interrogation of 38 local people regarding cards, dice, "numbers,"
bookmaking & pool tickets.
* July 29, 1884: Season's SECOND BLOOM of an apple tree, on E. Green
St.
* July 30, 1876: Wealthy social worker & novelist Marietta
Benchley meets "with poorer parents of working classes, in her orchard,
to discuss the best means of educating children & managing
homes."
* July 31, 1937: Two movies showing at State Theater are endorsed by
the ITHACA BETTER FILMS COUNCIL. They are "The Good Earth" &
"The Way Back." Also playing but not endorsed was "Between Two Women"
(a dramatic eternal triangle within hospital walls!) at the Strand.
* August 1, 1976: County's first residential SOLAR-HEATED WATER SYSTEM
installed by Elson Glover at his Slaterville Rd. home.
* August 2, 1907: "Hod" Smith challenges Ithaca Journal editors to a
DUEL for saying he wore dirty clothes. Pistols at ten feet.
AMAZING ITHACA HISTORY CALENDAR: 400 stories from Ithaca's past: 17"x 22" at Autumn Leaves Used Books, Bookery, Tompkins County Museum. $10. HOURS accepted.
*************
EDITORIAL: OPEN LETTER TO THE NEXT MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL:
---Great cultural challenges face Ithaca's liberals &
conservatives alike, as environmental & financial realities
force us to create a new American Way of Life. It's become utopian
nonsense to believe that America will progress by continuing to expand
population, pollution, suburbs & landfills. We cannot succeed
personally while the nation fails. Therefore we'll need to rebuild
Ithaca as an intentional community, meeting needs through
community-based businesses, nonprofit organizations & co-ops.
Certainly Ithacans need livable wages, but we as urgently need a
livable community where abundance is secured more by mutual aid than by
money.
---HERE THEN ARE PRINCIPLES FOR NEW CITY MANAGEMENT:
---1. Environmental repair (soil, water, air), natural beauty &
fairly-compensated creative labor are foundations of personal success,
public health & durable economic progress,
---2. "Economic development" which damages the environment, slowly or
rapidly, is not development but decay.
---3. Big-box chain stores exemplify economic decay by:
*****A. promoting destructive consumerism
*****B. expanding car-dependent commerce
*****C. undermining community-based enterprise & creativity
*****D. removing local wealth to corporate headquarters
---4. Community-based initiatives are preferred which plug leaks in the
local economy, meet basic needs, reward local creativity, repair the
environment, link Ithacans in systems of mutual aid.
---5. Examples of such beneficial enterprises, policies &
programs include community-wide insulation and energy efficiency
installations; photovoltaics, wind & hydroelectric (where no
damage to natural flow); nonprofit co-op housing; senior/youth
cohousing; nonprofit food processing facilities for regional harvests,
edible parks; community-supported agriculture; preventive/holistic
health/dental clinics; health funds; community currency, local stock
exchanges, import replacement programs, re-use warehouses; bike lanes
& paths; fixed rail trollies; composting toilets; local venture
capital for the above; progressive taxation (including local income tax
& local-option gasoline tax); instant runoff voting; education
for the
above.
---6. The first American cities to systematically install all these
will prosper.
---7. Civil liberties are essential to social harmony. Police are
subordinate to civil authority. Public expression is at least as
necessary as public order.
---"8. The interests of City Hall (larger staff & salaries,
greater control via centralized technologies, acquiescence to corporate
demands) often conflict w/ community preferences above.
---9. Reform of Ithaca's City Planning Dept & DPW are necessary
to facilitate the above.
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YOUR LETTERS
"As a result of the increase in the number of our consumers,
the Food Pantry is in desperate need of more grocery bags. Due to the
economy, the grocery stores are no longer donating grocery bags. Thank
you for your support! Every little bag counts!" --Linda Cox
--------
"Here's an idea for you: integrate a trolley line into the
plans for the Southwest development. The trolleys could run on their
own right-of-way alongside the road, thus making the trolley faster
than driving when traffic is backed up. The line could then run via
State Street to the Commons. Also check out some of the new
narrow-gauge light rail designs, such as the SlimTram."
--Steve Gaarder
--------
"I read this
story. It persuaded me that monorail systems are a good idea.
Do you suppose they have anything to offer to the Ithaca area?" --Lucy
---[REPLY] The narrow valley of Ithaca has reached its capacity to move
cars. Progress requires us to install practical alternatives which
require less space.
--------
"Always enjoy keeping current on Ithaca via your NEWS from my
exile here in California. I get back to town once a month for a sanity
re-charge, however.
---"Enjoyed the letter from Baghdad. It always amazed me that Pres.
Bush didn't request the American people to reach out to the beleagured
Iraqi people by sending CARE packages of food & living
essentials (as during and after WWII). Not that I would have expected
him to do it out of compassion but what good PR he would have garnered
if his handlers had had him do that. I guess he thought Halliburton
could fix everything. So, months later the Iraqi people still struggle
to survive & I know of no pipeline set up where we can donate
supplies. Might this be an opportunity to start something like this in
Ithaca? Is a system in place I haven't heard of?" --Bill Brothers
---[REPLY] Two Ithacans have been delivering medicine to Iraq: [email protected]
--------
"I was wondering where you heard that Kucinich might be
bailing out to run for Senate. I have been researching the candidates
for my website & have not found much mention of this
possibility anywhere, & am definitely interested in finding any
proof of it as I would like to know how much energy to put into a
Kucinich campaign." --Ben Regenspan
---[REPLY] That Kucinich would use the Presidential race to raise his
profile for a Senate race was suggested by Howie Hawkins at the NYS
Green Gathering last month in Freeville. I agree. While Kucinich is an
excellent candidate, he will be marginalized by the Democratic
establishment-- they would put no money into him even were he to start
winning primaries. Kucinich is savvy enough to know this & may
likely file for a Senate campaign before that deadline.
--------
"I attempted to find a DVD of "Queer as Folk" Season 1
(Showtime Gay/Lesbian Television Series) at the Lansing Hollywood
Video. I was told I could find it at the Rte. 13 location but not in
Lansing. I asked the counter person why it was not available &
if it is a content issue. I was told that the Lansing store was too
small to carry a full inventory. Hmmm...how big is a DVD? I have not
been back to either location." --Lisa LeHew
--------
"So what's the lowdown on the mayoral candidates? The thing I
read in the IT seemed to indicate that all of them hate the 6-Point
Plan, which seems like a necessary condition for acceptability." --Benj
--[REPLY] Rejection of the Six Point Plan shows that a candidate for
Mayor or Council understands that big box stores lose money &
that building wider roads merely brings more traffic.
--------
"Kucinich is the only candidate who does not support the
death penalty. He is consistent in his support of the progressive
agenda. I think it would be very interesting to approach him and ask
him if he would be interested in reaching out to the greens and asking
for the support of the party. If he does this early on in the campaign,
he could make a tremendous impact. By the way, my 85 year old mother is
supporting his cadidacy." --Katie Williams
---[REPLY] Kucinich has been asked to accept the Green Presidential
candidacy but has declined.
--------
""I too believe that the Greens need to run strong [for the
Presidency] because we have everyone's attention as having a major
impact in the 2000 race. I don't believe that the Greens will have
substantially more votes than we had in 2000, but we need to
demonstrate that we are here to stay. I personally think that Bush will
trounce the Democrats in the coming election, & the Greens
won't be an electoral factor but we can be a major social factor." --Ed
Dodge
--------
"Have you seen this 'Cost
of War' counter?" --Michael Pastore
--------
"Could you also subscribe me to your newsletter? My mom lives in Ithaca & I am up there all the time." --Justin
*********
The Women's Community Building seeks healing arts practitioners to teach classes. Gay Huddle 272-1247, Monday-Thursday, 10am-2:30pm. Ithaca's Integrative Community Wellness Center, 100 W. Seneca St. 256-7316
CHILDREN'S DANCE LESSONS: 4 for $ 10.00. HOURS accepted.
ITHACA SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS meet 8:30-10pm Tuesdays at Senior Citizens Center. Beginners welcome too.
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Thanks to Homer & Jane at LIGHTLINK for reliable internet services.
*********
EDITOR: [email protected]
ITHACA COMMUNITY NEWS HOME PAGE W/BACK ISSUES