A friend who works at a big box retailer tells us the latest product line in music is vinyl records.
Everything old is new again, as hip bands strive for a fashionable edge and marketplace distinction. On the bandwagon are White Stripes, Jack Johnson, Elvis Costello,Vampire Weekend, Fiery Furnances, Siouxsie Sioux, Over the Rhine, Bright Eyes, Yo La Tengo, and others.
There is a sentiment that the sound of vinyl is better. "Deeper" is generally the adjective.
There's also the happenstance, with digital music, of one's entire collection crashing and vanishing, as happened to our source in this matter, who is a real computer guy and not a careless, accident-prone hack.
As music retailers at Small World Music, we are happy that artists and manufacturers are offering choices of media. The old style of merchandising was to declare one medium obsolete and unstylish in order to promote a new one.
We are big believers in the joy of wax here at Small World Music, where we have over 1,000 LPs priced at $1, and not bad ones, either. A sample:
Bruce Stringbean
Paul Robeson
Beatles
The Honeydrippers
Allman Bothers
Jerry Lee Lewis
Frank Rosolino
Heart
Lefty Frizell
Tito Rodriguez
Lynn Anderson
Paul McCartney
Procol Harum
Bob Dylan
Deep Purple
The Kinks
Rickie Lee Jones
Joe Walsh
Deep Purple
Rod Stewart
Rolling Stones
We also have plenty of premium and hard-to find things:
Led Zeppelin (first release, first pressing)
The Times They Are A-Changing, Bob Dylan, original pressing
Mitch Ryder
Charlie Parker
John Coltrane
Taj Mahal
T-Bone Walker
Muddy Waters
Tito Puente
Bob Marley
Mahlahtini and the Mahotella Queens
Sweet Honey in the Rock
Samite
Boys of the Lough
Kevin Burke
Joni Mitchell
Johnny Cash (on Sun Records)
East Flatbush Project
Sugar Hill Gang
Earl Scruggs
David Grisman
... and many more.
A special offer for Ithaca Blog readers: take 25% off all vinyl purchases this week (that's through Saturday, 5 April).
Plus a special contest offer for you vinyl know-it-alls (or talented researchers):
What is the ONLY Beatles album containing ONLY Lennon-McCartney compositions? (Hint: only the official British version was released this way - not the U.S. version.)
Answer that question correctly, and get $5.00 off any purchase in the store (CD or LP). Answer incorrectly, and get $2.50. No kidding. We just admire effort. Only one incorrect answer prize per person, however. Know what we mean?
Hope to see you soon.
Steve Burke
for Small World Music and Ithaca Blog
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Angelique Kidjo and Samite: Making Music, Aiding Africa
On Thursday 3 April, the State Theater presents two prominent African musician/activists: Samite and Angelique Kidjo.
Ms. Kidjo is a native of Benin, and Samite of Uganda.
Samite is well-known in Ithaca, where he has lived for 20 years. He plays traditional instruments and songs of his native country.
Samite has developed a national and international standing in his musical career, and also in philanthropic work. He is the founder of Musicains for World Harmony, an organization of musicians promoting peace and justice, with emphasis on displaced persons and communities. Samite himself came to the United States to escape the political turmoil of Uganda in the 1980's.
Angelique Kidjo is a vocalist with four Grammy-nominated albums. Her most recent, Djin Djin, features collaborations with Alicia Keys, Joss Stone, Carlos Santana, Ziggy Marley, and Branford Marsalis.
Ms. Kidjo is founder of the Batonga Foundation, which provides schooling for African girls through scholarships, social programs, and actual building of schools.
Ticket information for the show is available at the State Theater's web site.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Ms. Kidjo is a native of Benin, and Samite of Uganda.
Samite is well-known in Ithaca, where he has lived for 20 years. He plays traditional instruments and songs of his native country.
Samite has developed a national and international standing in his musical career, and also in philanthropic work. He is the founder of Musicains for World Harmony, an organization of musicians promoting peace and justice, with emphasis on displaced persons and communities. Samite himself came to the United States to escape the political turmoil of Uganda in the 1980's.
Angelique Kidjo is a vocalist with four Grammy-nominated albums. Her most recent, Djin Djin, features collaborations with Alicia Keys, Joss Stone, Carlos Santana, Ziggy Marley, and Branford Marsalis.
Ms. Kidjo is founder of the Batonga Foundation, which provides schooling for African girls through scholarships, social programs, and actual building of schools.
Ticket information for the show is available at the State Theater's web site.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, March 28, 2008
Weekend Activities, 28 - 30 March
Friday 3/28: At Castaways, Go Gone go and are gone early, with a 5 pm show. They are followed by a tribute to Tom Petty, by many local bands, in a benefit for the Cayuga Waterfront Trail. 9 pm.
* * *
Saturday 3/29: Tap dancing at the State Theater, with Walking In Time, featuring some of the form's greatest steppers. 8 pm.
Castaways schedules an evening with two bands in the ablative case, Millionaires of Love and Thousands of One. 9 pm.
TalkToMes at the Chapter House, 10 pm. Their new CD is available at Small World Music.
* * *
Sunday 3/30: Guitarist Kelly Birtch at brunch at the ABC, 11 am. Later that night at the cafe, Josh Dolan, at 9:30.
* * *
Saturday 3/29: Tap dancing at the State Theater, with Walking In Time, featuring some of the form's greatest steppers. 8 pm.
Castaways schedules an evening with two bands in the ablative case, Millionaires of Love and Thousands of One. 9 pm.
TalkToMes at the Chapter House, 10 pm. Their new CD is available at Small World Music.
* * *
Sunday 3/30: Guitarist Kelly Birtch at brunch at the ABC, 11 am. Later that night at the cafe, Josh Dolan, at 9:30.
Ithaca Hours in the News Recently (But Where, Exactly?)
Yesterday and today, Ithaca Blog has received scores of website hits from people looking for information about Ithaca Hours, our local currency system, with which we are affiliated as members, and which we have written about frequently.
This kind of uptick occurs pretty regularly, whenever Hours receives some big media attention. Usually, we're aware of where that attention comes from, but not this time, oddly enough.
It's good, of course, but we're a little worried that people might not be getting all the information they seek.
For the record, the official site of Ithaca Hours is http://www.ithacahours.org/. That's .org, not .com.
If you would like to ask questions live about Ithaca Hours, call here to Small World Music and speak to Stephen Burke, of the Hours Board of Directors. The phone at Small World is 607/256-0428.
This kind of uptick occurs pretty regularly, whenever Hours receives some big media attention. Usually, we're aware of where that attention comes from, but not this time, oddly enough.
It's good, of course, but we're a little worried that people might not be getting all the information they seek.
For the record, the official site of Ithaca Hours is http://www.ithacahours.org/. That's .org, not .com.
If you would like to ask questions live about Ithaca Hours, call here to Small World Music and speak to Stephen Burke, of the Hours Board of Directors. The phone at Small World is 607/256-0428.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Rod Serling Celebration at Ithaca College
"The place is here, the time is now, and the journey into the shadows that we're about to watch could be our journey."
These were the first words ever spoken on the classic television show, The Twilight Zone, and they convey the trademark mystery of author Rod Serling, greatest of all television screenwriters.
Ithaca College, where Serling taught, is hosting a celebration of his life and work this Friday and Saturday.
The highlights are a Twilight Zone marathon on Friday night: a screening of digitally remastered episodes voted most popular by an I.C. poll; and on Saturday, a table reading of a script by Serling about the racist murder of Emmett Till, considered too controversial by corporate sponsors to be aired, and never produced.
Details of these and all conference events are available at www.ithaca.edu/rhp/serling/
Submitted for your approval -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
These were the first words ever spoken on the classic television show, The Twilight Zone, and they convey the trademark mystery of author Rod Serling, greatest of all television screenwriters.
Ithaca College, where Serling taught, is hosting a celebration of his life and work this Friday and Saturday.
The highlights are a Twilight Zone marathon on Friday night: a screening of digitally remastered episodes voted most popular by an I.C. poll; and on Saturday, a table reading of a script by Serling about the racist murder of Emmett Till, considered too controversial by corporate sponsors to be aired, and never produced.
Details of these and all conference events are available at www.ithaca.edu/rhp/serling/
Submitted for your approval -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Upgrades in Dryden
The small community of Dryden has made some big strides lately in improving its quality of life.
A group of volunteers has started a community cafe in the defunct Brooklyn Diner, on Main Street in the heart of Dryden's commercial district. The effort will provide a needed gathering spot and a possible spur to downtown development.
Last week, New York State awarded a grant of $430,000 to Clarity Connect to expand broadband Internet access in the Town of Dryden. The 30 percent of Dryden residents with Internet access will increase to 95 percent.
Will these developments, with Dryden's generally low real estate prices and the the current downturn in the market, lead to a land rush in the town?
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
A group of volunteers has started a community cafe in the defunct Brooklyn Diner, on Main Street in the heart of Dryden's commercial district. The effort will provide a needed gathering spot and a possible spur to downtown development.
Last week, New York State awarded a grant of $430,000 to Clarity Connect to expand broadband Internet access in the Town of Dryden. The 30 percent of Dryden residents with Internet access will increase to 95 percent.
Will these developments, with Dryden's generally low real estate prices and the the current downturn in the market, lead to a land rush in the town?
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, March 21, 2008
A Song of When War Strikes Home
It might be kind of a school kid thing to assign significant poetic status to song lyrics. I can't help it, however, listening to a song called "Gypsy Biker" by Bruce Springsteen.
The song is a story about a soldier killed in war, presumably the current one.
The first words tell, maybe, as much of the story as needed.
Speculators made their money
On the blood you shed.
Your mother's pulled the sheets up
Off your bed.
I once heard of a contest among some writers: who could create the fullest story in the fewest words. Someone devised these five:
Baby shoes for sale. Unused.
President Bush stays mostly out of sight these days. Last week, though, he was in front of cameras, entering the sixth year of the war, still saying that the war was a good idea.
Six years into it with, as in Springsteen's portrayal, nothing but misery out of it.
The alternative, non-violence, is a philosophy taught by a figure celebrated this week.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The song is a story about a soldier killed in war, presumably the current one.
The first words tell, maybe, as much of the story as needed.
Speculators made their money
On the blood you shed.
Your mother's pulled the sheets up
Off your bed.
I once heard of a contest among some writers: who could create the fullest story in the fewest words. Someone devised these five:
Baby shoes for sale. Unused.
President Bush stays mostly out of sight these days. Last week, though, he was in front of cameras, entering the sixth year of the war, still saying that the war was a good idea.
Six years into it with, as in Springsteen's portrayal, nothing but misery out of it.
The alternative, non-violence, is a philosophy taught by a figure celebrated this week.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Weekend Doings, March 21 - 23
Friday 3/21: The Hogwashers play bona fide old-timey at Felicia's happy hour, 5:30 pm. 508 W. State St.
Kelly Birtch, guitarist extraordinaire, at Little Venice in T-burg, 6 pm.
Also in T-burg, Dustin Stuhr (of the Urban Horse Thieves) and Friends. The Pourhouse, 7 pm.
Saturday 3/22: Surf-punks The Mofos, the Chapter House, 7 pm.
GrassRoots favorite John Specker, Castaways, 9 pm.
Sunday 3/23: The Piano Creeps, featuring Mary Lorson and Kathy Ziegler, at Felicia's, 7 pm.
Worth a trip to Binghamton, to the new Night Eagle Cafe, is Susan McKeown, from Dublin, one of the most striking of traditional Irish singers. Ms. McKeown was featured in the New York Times last week, and in performance in the city (for $35). The Night Eagle is at 200 State St. in Binghamton; 617-272-4136.
And worth staying home for (or a trip to the sports bar): Cornell's women's basketball plays their first-round NCAA championship game against, gulp, the #1 ranked Connecticut Huskies. We believe the game will be broadcast on local radio, on WPIE 1160-AM, and probably on national television - either ESPN or, just as likely, CBS - because of the Huskies, a perennial power.
Have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Kelly Birtch, guitarist extraordinaire, at Little Venice in T-burg, 6 pm.
Also in T-burg, Dustin Stuhr (of the Urban Horse Thieves) and Friends. The Pourhouse, 7 pm.
Saturday 3/22: Surf-punks The Mofos, the Chapter House, 7 pm.
GrassRoots favorite John Specker, Castaways, 9 pm.
Sunday 3/23: The Piano Creeps, featuring Mary Lorson and Kathy Ziegler, at Felicia's, 7 pm.
Worth a trip to Binghamton, to the new Night Eagle Cafe, is Susan McKeown, from Dublin, one of the most striking of traditional Irish singers. Ms. McKeown was featured in the New York Times last week, and in performance in the city (for $35). The Night Eagle is at 200 State St. in Binghamton; 617-272-4136.
And worth staying home for (or a trip to the sports bar): Cornell's women's basketball plays their first-round NCAA championship game against, gulp, the #1 ranked Connecticut Huskies. We believe the game will be broadcast on local radio, on WPIE 1160-AM, and probably on national television - either ESPN or, just as likely, CBS - because of the Huskies, a perennial power.
Have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Cornell Men's Championship Season Ends
Cornell's men's basketball team lost to Stanford in the first round of the NCAA post-season tournament yesterday, 77 - 53, ending a championship season in which the Big Red went undefeated in the Ivy League.
It was a decisive loss for 14th-seeded Cornell against 3rd-seeded Stanford. Cornell's peripheral shooting game was shut down by Stanford's size, hustle, and competitive experience.
The NCAA appearance was just the third in Cornell history. With the young team returning virtually intact next season, hope for continued success remains high.
Meanwhile, Cornell's women's team plays its first-round game on Sunday night, against top-ranked Connecticut, at 7 o'clock.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
It was a decisive loss for 14th-seeded Cornell against 3rd-seeded Stanford. Cornell's peripheral shooting game was shut down by Stanford's size, hustle, and competitive experience.
The NCAA appearance was just the third in Cornell history. With the young team returning virtually intact next season, hope for continued success remains high.
Meanwhile, Cornell's women's team plays its first-round game on Sunday night, against top-ranked Connecticut, at 7 o'clock.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Big Red B-Ball Vs. 7-Foot Twins of Stanford
Cornell's men's basketball team makes its first appearance in 20 years in the NCAA post-season tournament today, in a first-round game against Stanford at 5 pm.
Cornell is seeded 14th of 16 teams in its division. Stanford is seeded third.
In academic terms, that would put Cornell in roughly the 80th percentile, and Stanford in the 20th. A big difference.
Stanford's advantage is enhanced by the playing venue of Anaheim, which means a partisan crowd and not much travel time.
The Stanford team has the unusual feature of a pair of 7-foot twins. Cornell's Jeff Foote is its only 7-footer, and in fact the only one in the Ivy League. Two on one team is bad enough, but twins seems unfair. A 7-foot guy circles you a couple of times, and you have to look around to see if it was one guy or both, and where they both are?
So much for our laser-like analysis. The game is 5 pm today, Eastern time.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Cornell is seeded 14th of 16 teams in its division. Stanford is seeded third.
In academic terms, that would put Cornell in roughly the 80th percentile, and Stanford in the 20th. A big difference.
Stanford's advantage is enhanced by the playing venue of Anaheim, which means a partisan crowd and not much travel time.
The Stanford team has the unusual feature of a pair of 7-foot twins. Cornell's Jeff Foote is its only 7-footer, and in fact the only one in the Ivy League. Two on one team is bad enough, but twins seems unfair. A 7-foot guy circles you a couple of times, and you have to look around to see if it was one guy or both, and where they both are?
So much for our laser-like analysis. The game is 5 pm today, Eastern time.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Congressman Hinchey in Ithaca to Discuss the War, Wed. 19 March
Congressman Maurice Hinchey will hold a forum in Ithaca on the war in Iraq at the war's fifth anniversary. The forum is at 6 pm, Wednesday 19 March, at the First Baptist Church in Dewitt Park. It is free and open to the public.
Hinchey has been a leading opponent of the war since its start. His presentation on Wednesday will address the economic impact of the war, which has cost $500 billion so far.
If you can't make it to the forum, you can read a statement by Hinchey in the op/ed section of the Ithaca Journal of Wed. 19 March, or in the Opinion section of the on-line Journal.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Hinchey has been a leading opponent of the war since its start. His presentation on Wednesday will address the economic impact of the war, which has cost $500 billion so far.
If you can't make it to the forum, you can read a statement by Hinchey in the op/ed section of the Ithaca Journal of Wed. 19 March, or in the Opinion section of the on-line Journal.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Cornell's Women's Basketball Wins Championship, Goes to NCAA Tournament
Cornell's women's basketball team defeated Dartmouth, 64 -47, to win the Ivy League title and advance to the NCAA playoffs.
Cornell started the game with 11 unmatched points. Dartmouth failed to score for the first six minutes.
The Big Red entered the second half leading 32-19, and went on a 12-2 run.
Jeomi Maduka, the Ivy League player of the year, and Moina Snyder each scored 14 points.
The team's 20 regular-season victories shattered its old record best of 12.
Cornell is the first team in Ivy League history to send both its women's and men's teams to the post-season in the same year.
Today, the men's team will find out where it is seeded in the post-season competition.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Cornell started the game with 11 unmatched points. Dartmouth failed to score for the first six minutes.
The Big Red entered the second half leading 32-19, and went on a 12-2 run.
Jeomi Maduka, the Ivy League player of the year, and Moina Snyder each scored 14 points.
The team's 20 regular-season victories shattered its old record best of 12.
Cornell is the first team in Ivy League history to send both its women's and men's teams to the post-season in the same year.
Today, the men's team will find out where it is seeded in the post-season competition.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Cornell Women's Basketball: Championship Bid Today, Broadcast Live
Cornell women's basketball has a chance to join the men's team in reaching the post-season NCAA tournament with today's game. It would be the first tournament appearance ever for the women's team.
The men's team had an historic season by going undefeated against Ivy League rivals in the regular season, and becoming the first team in the country to secure a post-season berth.
The women 's game, and their shot at history, will be broadcast live at 2 pm on WVBR-FM, 95.5 and 105.5 on the dial.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The men's team had an historic season by going undefeated against Ivy League rivals in the regular season, and becoming the first team in the country to secure a post-season berth.
The women 's game, and their shot at history, will be broadcast live at 2 pm on WVBR-FM, 95.5 and 105.5 on the dial.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, March 14, 2008
What's Doing, March 14 - 17
St. Patrick's Day on Monday extends the weekend a little, we reckon.
Local favorites Traonach will be out of town for the holiday, at the Turning Point casino. Karan Casey, much-beloved Gaelic chanteuse, gets only as close as Corning for the holiday, on Sunday 3/16, 3 pm, at the Cedar Arts Center (607/936-4647).
But Ithaca will have The Town Pants (Irish equivalent of "Fancy Pants", you see), purveyors of what the band calls West Coast Celtic, from Vancouver, Canada, at the Haunt, 3/17, 9 pm.
For the three days of the weekend proper, the Lost Dog Lounge cops a trifecta for the place to be.
Fri. 3/14: Jeannie Burns, of the Sisters, unveils her new band, the Jukebox Raiders, at the Lost Dog, 8 pm.
Sat. 3/15: New old-timey supergroup the Evil City String Band debuts at a Crossing Borders broadcast live performance at the Lost Dog, 8 pm. The band brings together guitarist Pat Burke, bassist Ben Gould (ex-Old Crow Medicine Show), fiddler Steve Selin, and banjo man Richie Stearns.
Sun. 3/16: Just announced, by personal visit to Small World Music, and not listed anywhere else yet, so tell your friends: Sim Redmond and Friends in acoustic performance at the Lost Dog, to benefit the TST Community School senior trip to Philadelphia. 7 pm.
See you on Cayuga Street -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Local favorites Traonach will be out of town for the holiday, at the Turning Point casino. Karan Casey, much-beloved Gaelic chanteuse, gets only as close as Corning for the holiday, on Sunday 3/16, 3 pm, at the Cedar Arts Center (607/936-4647).
But Ithaca will have The Town Pants (Irish equivalent of "Fancy Pants", you see), purveyors of what the band calls West Coast Celtic, from Vancouver, Canada, at the Haunt, 3/17, 9 pm.
For the three days of the weekend proper, the Lost Dog Lounge cops a trifecta for the place to be.
Fri. 3/14: Jeannie Burns, of the Sisters, unveils her new band, the Jukebox Raiders, at the Lost Dog, 8 pm.
Sat. 3/15: New old-timey supergroup the Evil City String Band debuts at a Crossing Borders broadcast live performance at the Lost Dog, 8 pm. The band brings together guitarist Pat Burke, bassist Ben Gould (ex-Old Crow Medicine Show), fiddler Steve Selin, and banjo man Richie Stearns.
Sun. 3/16: Just announced, by personal visit to Small World Music, and not listed anywhere else yet, so tell your friends: Sim Redmond and Friends in acoustic performance at the Lost Dog, to benefit the TST Community School senior trip to Philadelphia. 7 pm.
See you on Cayuga Street -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Ireland
Ireland, as I first knew it, was a place of work, piety, and poetry. No money. There is money now, but hopefully the things before are not entirely left behind.
I went as a 13-year old from Brooklyn, to meet relatives my grandmother had left 50 years before and not seen since. I worked on a farm for the summer.
It was a small, subsistance farm. The only money came from cream from milk from four cows. The main crop was hay.
We spent every day cutting and baling hay. The place was Sligo, the home of Yeats.
I had never heard of Yeats. But we worked in the shadow of a mountain he made famous in a poem, "Under Ben Bulben."
The landscape was beautiful. Ben Bulben was a striking presence.
As we worked, we could look miles across the valley and see dozens of others working too. At noon each day, church bells rang for the Angelus, a prayer to the Blessed Mother. Across the valley, everyone stopped all movement, and bared and bowed their heads.
Work could go long into the day, as the summer sun stays out until almost 10 p.m. that far north.
At night, there was no television to gather around, as I was used to with family at home. Instead, we read Yeats, aloud. Aunt Bridget was a retired school teacher with a great affection for him.
And we said the Rosary. Kneeling, against chairs, in a room with a stove with a peat fire, which was necessary even in summer in cold, rainy Sligo.
As I say, it was a place of piety and poetry, and no money. We ate meat once that summer, a Sunday chicken. It was stringy and not too delicious. "It's contrary," Uncle Paddy said.
Sometimes, the poverty impinged on the piety. The peat for the stove came from a bog at the foot of Ben Bulben. It was privately owned. I never met the owner. We only visited at night, with shovels and flashlights.
No doubt there is more food and heat in households now than then, with wonderful, historic economic changes in the country. Hopefully, there is still time for Yeats. And some spirit of laughing diggers.
From Yeats's "A Teller of Tales":
Let us go forth, the tellers of tales, and seize whatever prey the heart longs for, and have no fear.
Everything exists, everything is true, and the earth only a little dust under our feet.
Stephen Patrick Burke
for Ithaca Blog
I went as a 13-year old from Brooklyn, to meet relatives my grandmother had left 50 years before and not seen since. I worked on a farm for the summer.
It was a small, subsistance farm. The only money came from cream from milk from four cows. The main crop was hay.
We spent every day cutting and baling hay. The place was Sligo, the home of Yeats.
I had never heard of Yeats. But we worked in the shadow of a mountain he made famous in a poem, "Under Ben Bulben."
The landscape was beautiful. Ben Bulben was a striking presence.
As we worked, we could look miles across the valley and see dozens of others working too. At noon each day, church bells rang for the Angelus, a prayer to the Blessed Mother. Across the valley, everyone stopped all movement, and bared and bowed their heads.
Work could go long into the day, as the summer sun stays out until almost 10 p.m. that far north.
At night, there was no television to gather around, as I was used to with family at home. Instead, we read Yeats, aloud. Aunt Bridget was a retired school teacher with a great affection for him.
And we said the Rosary. Kneeling, against chairs, in a room with a stove with a peat fire, which was necessary even in summer in cold, rainy Sligo.
As I say, it was a place of piety and poetry, and no money. We ate meat once that summer, a Sunday chicken. It was stringy and not too delicious. "It's contrary," Uncle Paddy said.
Sometimes, the poverty impinged on the piety. The peat for the stove came from a bog at the foot of Ben Bulben. It was privately owned. I never met the owner. We only visited at night, with shovels and flashlights.
No doubt there is more food and heat in households now than then, with wonderful, historic economic changes in the country. Hopefully, there is still time for Yeats. And some spirit of laughing diggers.
From Yeats's "A Teller of Tales":
Let us go forth, the tellers of tales, and seize whatever prey the heart longs for, and have no fear.
Everything exists, everything is true, and the earth only a little dust under our feet.
Stephen Patrick Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day
One thinks sometimes how it would be to have magic possession - a magic wand? - to make good things happen, or keep bad things from happening. Not grand scale things, which we know is not the order of things, from God's own track record. Little things would be enough.
What if one could wave away Eliot Spitzer ever having been in public life? I was thinking today, I don't know when I first heard the phrase "high-priced prostitute ring," but I know it wasn't as a kid asking my mother how the governor was doing.
A good magic wand would make cell phone calls billable by content, the way calls used to be priced very strictly by distance. Yesterday a guy shopping in produce at Wegman's was on the phone because he was thinking about buying a lemon. Whoa. Okay. That call should cost ten dollars.
I just realize, George Carlin has a routine called "Things I Could Do Without" that is maybe too similar to these musings. I like George Carlin as much as anyone does, but I could do without being a crabby old guy like him until my time comes. I'll use the possession right now to quiet myself.
peace
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
What if one could wave away Eliot Spitzer ever having been in public life? I was thinking today, I don't know when I first heard the phrase "high-priced prostitute ring," but I know it wasn't as a kid asking my mother how the governor was doing.
A good magic wand would make cell phone calls billable by content, the way calls used to be priced very strictly by distance. Yesterday a guy shopping in produce at Wegman's was on the phone because he was thinking about buying a lemon. Whoa. Okay. That call should cost ten dollars.
I just realize, George Carlin has a routine called "Things I Could Do Without" that is maybe too similar to these musings. I like George Carlin as much as anyone does, but I could do without being a crabby old guy like him until my time comes. I'll use the possession right now to quiet myself.
peace
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Monday, March 10, 2008
Hey, Governor Spitzer: Solo Press Conference
We will all be hearing plenty about Eliot Spitzer in the next days and weeks, so let us get on and off the topic rapidly here, with one impression beyond all the obvious ones:
Hey Governor Spitzer, what's the big idea of dragging your wife to this press conference?
He nuances the entirety of the tawdry issue at hand, saying only, "I have acted in a way that violated the obligations to my family."
Meanwhile, he's still doing it - in this case, the obligation to spare his wife the shame of the public eye which he alone deserves. And he should have faced alone today.
Was there any reason for her to be there? What good did it do?
Did she insist on going?
Would you?
See you later, Eliot Spitzer, says New York State. We only wish we were advisor to Silda, so we could have said, stay home. Have a drink. Call the movers.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Hey Governor Spitzer, what's the big idea of dragging your wife to this press conference?
He nuances the entirety of the tawdry issue at hand, saying only, "I have acted in a way that violated the obligations to my family."
Meanwhile, he's still doing it - in this case, the obligation to spare his wife the shame of the public eye which he alone deserves. And he should have faced alone today.
Was there any reason for her to be there? What good did it do?
Did she insist on going?
Would you?
See you later, Eliot Spitzer, says New York State. We only wish we were advisor to Silda, so we could have said, stay home. Have a drink. Call the movers.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Cornell Men's Basketball Completes Undefeated Season
Cornell beat Princeton last night, 71 - 64, to finish undefeated in the Ivy League.
The Big Red came back from a half-time deficit for the road win.
The last Ivy League team with an undefeated seasonwas Penn, in 2003.
As Ivy League champs, Cornell now goes to the NCAA finals.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The Big Red came back from a half-time deficit for the road win.
The last Ivy League team with an undefeated seasonwas Penn, in 2003.
As Ivy League champs, Cornell now goes to the NCAA finals.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Cornell Wins Again; Undefeated Season on the Line Tonight
Cornell men's basketball visited and defeated Penn last night, 94-92, to remain unbeaten in the Ivy League, with one game to go, at Princeton tonight.
Cornell broke a string of 18 consecutive losses on Penn's home court.
Penn and Princeton are the perennial league powerhouses which, between them, have won every Ivy League championship in the past twenty years, a streak which ended when Cornell clinched the Ivy League title last week at home against Harvard.
Penn showed its strength by rallying from a 91-81 deficit in the last 33 seconds with an 11-2 run. They were unable to make a three-point attempt at the buzzer.
* * *
Small World Music (physical home of Ithaca Blog) celebrates Cornell's success with 10% off all purchases for Blog readers. Just mention the offer when you come in. And do come in. Don't jinx the team and have it all be your fault. (Like the guy on the TV show The Office, we are not superstitious; just stitious.)
Small World Music is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am - 6 pm. 614 W. State St., across the street from Kinko's, down the driveway.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Cornell broke a string of 18 consecutive losses on Penn's home court.
Penn and Princeton are the perennial league powerhouses which, between them, have won every Ivy League championship in the past twenty years, a streak which ended when Cornell clinched the Ivy League title last week at home against Harvard.
Penn showed its strength by rallying from a 91-81 deficit in the last 33 seconds with an 11-2 run. They were unable to make a three-point attempt at the buzzer.
* * *
Small World Music (physical home of Ithaca Blog) celebrates Cornell's success with 10% off all purchases for Blog readers. Just mention the offer when you come in. And do come in. Don't jinx the team and have it all be your fault. (Like the guy on the TV show The Office, we are not superstitious; just stitious.)
Small World Music is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 am - 6 pm. 614 W. State St., across the street from Kinko's, down the driveway.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Friday, March 07, 2008
What's Doing, March 7 - 9
Fri. 3/7: A reunion of sorts, we reckon, for Kevin Kinsella and Nate Richardson, each ex-John Brown's Body, at the Lost Dog Lounge. With Elisa Sciscioli. 7 pm.
Sat. 3/8: Prairie Home Companion must be a repeat tonight, because Robin and Linda Williams are here. Kennedy Hall at Cornell, 8 pm. Tickets for this Cornell Folk Song Club show are $17 at the door. Advance tickets, $15, are available at Small World Music.
Sun 3/9: Love, Janis: The Musical comes to the State Theater. 7:30 pm.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Sat. 3/8: Prairie Home Companion must be a repeat tonight, because Robin and Linda Williams are here. Kennedy Hall at Cornell, 8 pm. Tickets for this Cornell Folk Song Club show are $17 at the door. Advance tickets, $15, are available at Small World Music.
Sun 3/9: Love, Janis: The Musical comes to the State Theater. 7:30 pm.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, March 06, 2008
The Levity Effect: The Value of Play at Work
"The Levity Effect: Why It Pays to Lighten Up" is a business book due out this month that says that an active sense of humor is not just a good personal trait, but helpful for success at work.
A survey of 700 bosses shows that 98 percent say they are more likely to hire someone with a good sense of humor. A survey of workers shows that humor among bosses increases worker loyalty and productivity.
Google, the epitome of modern business success, has roller hockey games in its parking lot twice a week, and intermittent Scrabble games every day. The Lego company has scooters for workers to ride around its business park.
Albert Einstein made it pretty big in physics, and we don't know if he really said the many funny things attributed to him (Yogi Berra syndrome), but he looked like a pretty funny guy.
Willie Stargell, the beloved leader of the 1960's and 70's championship Pittsburgh Pirates, was once asked how his success as a player fit in with his affable attitude. He said, "At the beginning of the game, the umpire doesn't say " 'Work' ball."
One reason we couldn't get into the show "24" was the complete lack of humor in it. We figured Jack Bauer could have gotten a lot further a lot easier by making guys laugh than biting their necks out. The guy never relaxed. Look at James Bond, on the other hand. Top-notch spy; wry guy.
Everyone who has ever done public speaking knows the cardinal rule: start off with a joke. Or at least some levity. When they're laughing, they're listening. Something to think about in a world where laughing and listening are sometimes hard to find.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
A survey of 700 bosses shows that 98 percent say they are more likely to hire someone with a good sense of humor. A survey of workers shows that humor among bosses increases worker loyalty and productivity.
Google, the epitome of modern business success, has roller hockey games in its parking lot twice a week, and intermittent Scrabble games every day. The Lego company has scooters for workers to ride around its business park.
Albert Einstein made it pretty big in physics, and we don't know if he really said the many funny things attributed to him (Yogi Berra syndrome), but he looked like a pretty funny guy.
Willie Stargell, the beloved leader of the 1960's and 70's championship Pittsburgh Pirates, was once asked how his success as a player fit in with his affable attitude. He said, "At the beginning of the game, the umpire doesn't say " 'Work' ball."
One reason we couldn't get into the show "24" was the complete lack of humor in it. We figured Jack Bauer could have gotten a lot further a lot easier by making guys laugh than biting their necks out. The guy never relaxed. Look at James Bond, on the other hand. Top-notch spy; wry guy.
Everyone who has ever done public speaking knows the cardinal rule: start off with a joke. Or at least some levity. When they're laughing, they're listening. Something to think about in a world where laughing and listening are sometimes hard to find.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Los Lobos Comes (Back) to Ithaca
Legendary Cali-Mexi rock band Los Lobos comes to the State Theater on Wed. 5 March in a show that is sure to raise the roof and blast away winter doldrums.
Los Lobos headlined at GrassRoots in 2004 and played perhaps the rockingest Festival set ever. Their encore featured "Cinnamon Girl," for crying out loud.
Tomorrow's show is notable for the stellar opening act, James Hunter. Hunter headlined a show at the State last year. He is a veteran British singer and guitarist (years with Van Morrison's band), who made a sensation with a soulful album called "People Gonna Talk" that brought comparisons to Sam Cooke. Hunter is playing at the intimate Turning Point club in Piermont, NY later this month, where he has already sold out two shows at $65 a ticket.
There are still good tickets available for this performance. Check the State Theater's website for information.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Los Lobos headlined at GrassRoots in 2004 and played perhaps the rockingest Festival set ever. Their encore featured "Cinnamon Girl," for crying out loud.
Tomorrow's show is notable for the stellar opening act, James Hunter. Hunter headlined a show at the State last year. He is a veteran British singer and guitarist (years with Van Morrison's band), who made a sensation with a soulful album called "People Gonna Talk" that brought comparisons to Sam Cooke. Hunter is playing at the intimate Turning Point club in Piermont, NY later this month, where he has already sold out two shows at $65 a ticket.
There are still good tickets available for this performance. Check the State Theater's website for information.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Small World Music Celebrates Cornell Basketball
We had a great time at Cornell's Newman Center Saturday night, watching Big Red's men's basketball become the first team to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament this year. Cornell beat Harvard 86-53, to remain undefeated in the Ivy League.
It was good old-fashioned rah-rah fun in the sold-out, small arena. It was also an unbelievable old-fashioned bargain. We went with three friends as part of a "Foursome" packet: 4 tickets, 4 franks, 4 sodas, 4 popcorns, total $20. Not to mention free parking.
To reciprocate, and celebrate, at Small World Music, we will offer 10% off all purchases for as long as Cornell keeps winning. They don't play again until Friday, so the offer lasts at least that long.
Just mention the Ithaca Blog offer when you come in.
By the way, we have free parking too. No hot dogs, but free parking...down the driveway at 614 W. State St.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
It was good old-fashioned rah-rah fun in the sold-out, small arena. It was also an unbelievable old-fashioned bargain. We went with three friends as part of a "Foursome" packet: 4 tickets, 4 franks, 4 sodas, 4 popcorns, total $20. Not to mention free parking.
To reciprocate, and celebrate, at Small World Music, we will offer 10% off all purchases for as long as Cornell keeps winning. They don't play again until Friday, so the offer lasts at least that long.
Just mention the Ithaca Blog offer when you come in.
By the way, we have free parking too. No hot dogs, but free parking...down the driveway at 614 W. State St.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Cornell Basketball Clinches Ivy Championship, Gains Tournament Berth
Cornell's men's basketball became the first team in the nation to secure a spot in this year's NCAA tournament, clinching the Ivy League championship with a home win over Harvard last night.
Harvard has not won a road game this year. The Crimson lead by 5 points early, until Cornell tied at 11, then went on a 34-9 run the rest of the half.
Cornell played its bench for much of the second half. All 15 players on the active roster played at least 4 minutes in front of a full house witnessing basketball history at the Newman Center.`
Cornell is undefeated against Ivy League rivals, with two road games to go. On Friday 7 March, Cornell plays at Penn, attempting to end an 18-game losing streak there.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Harvard has not won a road game this year. The Crimson lead by 5 points early, until Cornell tied at 11, then went on a 34-9 run the rest of the half.
Cornell played its bench for much of the second half. All 15 players on the active roster played at least 4 minutes in front of a full house witnessing basketball history at the Newman Center.`
Cornell is undefeated against Ivy League rivals, with two road games to go. On Friday 7 March, Cornell plays at Penn, attempting to end an 18-game losing streak there.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, February 29, 2008
What's Doing, Feb. 29 - March 2
Friday 2/29: Richie Stearns, Pat Burke, and Steve Selin play happy hour at Felicia's. The configuration is a preview of the new Evil City String Band (with bassist Ben Gould, who does not appear tonight), which is meant to be a permanent thing, with a CD out before long. 5:30 pm.
Saturday 3/1: Gadje plays gypsy music at the ABC Cafe, 10 pm. Across the street, at the same time, J-san and the Analogue Sons are at the Chapter House.
Sunday 3/2: Dan Zanes brings his "Woodstock for kids" to the State Theater, 3 pm. Adults $20, kids and seniors $15.
Aro Veno plays a midday show at the Common Ground, from 3 - 5 pm, featuring material from her new CD, Barefoot in the Grapes. At 5:00, there is a special $5 linguine and meatballs dinner with salad and soup.
The Hogwarshers at Maxie's, 7:30 pm.
Have a good weekend -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Saturday 3/1: Gadje plays gypsy music at the ABC Cafe, 10 pm. Across the street, at the same time, J-san and the Analogue Sons are at the Chapter House.
Sunday 3/2: Dan Zanes brings his "Woodstock for kids" to the State Theater, 3 pm. Adults $20, kids and seniors $15.
Aro Veno plays a midday show at the Common Ground, from 3 - 5 pm, featuring material from her new CD, Barefoot in the Grapes. At 5:00, there is a special $5 linguine and meatballs dinner with salad and soup.
The Hogwarshers at Maxie's, 7:30 pm.
Have a good weekend -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Cornell Basketball Season: Chance to Clinch This Weekend
Undefeated in the Ivy League, Cornell's men's basketball hosts Dartmouth on Friday and Harvard on Saturday with a chance to clinch the league championship.
Cornell is poised to become the first Ivy League champion other than Penn or Princeton in twenty years.
Harvard is an accredited school located in New England. Among its graduates is George W. Bush, who completed an advanced program there.
Dartmouth is reportedly a United States college, although no one has ever seen it or can name any of its faculty or graduates.
Both games are at 7 pm. Tickets are only $6 and available by phone from 254-BEAR. Seating is general admission.
Steve "Sportsbeat" Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Cornell is poised to become the first Ivy League champion other than Penn or Princeton in twenty years.
Harvard is an accredited school located in New England. Among its graduates is George W. Bush, who completed an advanced program there.
Dartmouth is reportedly a United States college, although no one has ever seen it or can name any of its faculty or graduates.
Both games are at 7 pm. Tickets are only $6 and available by phone from 254-BEAR. Seating is general admission.
Steve "Sportsbeat" Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Starbucks' Espresso Taste Test
We stopped at Starbucks this morning, after a trip to the post office, mostly to see if the baristas were sporting armbands (see yesterday's I.Blog post). They weren't. We were a little disappointed, actually.
We figured as long as we were there, we would check out their operations.
An old rule in quickie restaurant reviews is that the plainest thing on the menu will tell a lot about a place.
We decided to try the espresso, which is not as plain as coffee, except in Italy, where it is favored over cups of coffee, because it is faster to drink (hence the name). It requires a little expertise to make, and has a certain lore about it, and important details to its presentation.
For instance, when you order it to stay (really the only way it should be ordered, since to-go espresso will be stone cold before long), do they serve it the way they should, in a proper porcelain shot cup? Or in a dimwit giganto paper cup?
We are happy to report that we were served the drink properly, in a standard espresso cup, on a saucer.
It looked right, and tasted fine as we threw it back. No bitterness and no burnt taste. That's good; but we thought, after leaving, that the taste was actually pretty negligible. Two blocks away, the drink was a dim memory.
The reason for the worldwide Starbucks closing yesterday was to provide a refresher course for the baristas and managers in product, serving, and overall Starbucks experience. Company chiefs said they were concerned about "watering down," which was probably not meant literally. Ironically, though, that's a literal description of what we got.
It is a tough thing to have both surprise and sameness as corporate goals. We will bet on sameness at Starbucks in the end.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
We figured as long as we were there, we would check out their operations.
An old rule in quickie restaurant reviews is that the plainest thing on the menu will tell a lot about a place.
We decided to try the espresso, which is not as plain as coffee, except in Italy, where it is favored over cups of coffee, because it is faster to drink (hence the name). It requires a little expertise to make, and has a certain lore about it, and important details to its presentation.
For instance, when you order it to stay (really the only way it should be ordered, since to-go espresso will be stone cold before long), do they serve it the way they should, in a proper porcelain shot cup? Or in a dimwit giganto paper cup?
We are happy to report that we were served the drink properly, in a standard espresso cup, on a saucer.
It looked right, and tasted fine as we threw it back. No bitterness and no burnt taste. That's good; but we thought, after leaving, that the taste was actually pretty negligible. Two blocks away, the drink was a dim memory.
The reason for the worldwide Starbucks closing yesterday was to provide a refresher course for the baristas and managers in product, serving, and overall Starbucks experience. Company chiefs said they were concerned about "watering down," which was probably not meant literally. Ironically, though, that's a literal description of what we got.
It is a tough thing to have both surprise and sameness as corporate goals. We will bet on sameness at Starbucks in the end.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Coffeehouse Doings and Goings Downtown
We're sorry to note the closing of Juna's coffeehouse on the Commons. Juna's was a locally-owned place that took a hit when Starbucks came to the Hilton hotel, about 500 feet away.
Meanwhile, Starbucks is closing world-wide for three hours this evening, for a franchise seminar of some type. A newspaper in England speculated that it was to teach them how to make coffee.
Some time back, the Onion satirical newspaper ran a piece about Starbucks that emerges now as comically prescient. They had Starbucks closing early one day, shuttering its windows, to prepare for "Phase 2" of their organizational mission. Baristas would appear the next day with logo armbands and a robotic but purposeful demeanor.
Does life follow art? We'll know tomorrow. If you go for a look, note that the Starbucks here has two egresses, in case you need to escape.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Meanwhile, Starbucks is closing world-wide for three hours this evening, for a franchise seminar of some type. A newspaper in England speculated that it was to teach them how to make coffee.
Some time back, the Onion satirical newspaper ran a piece about Starbucks that emerges now as comically prescient. They had Starbucks closing early one day, shuttering its windows, to prepare for "Phase 2" of their organizational mission. Baristas would appear the next day with logo armbands and a robotic but purposeful demeanor.
Does life follow art? We'll know tomorrow. If you go for a look, note that the Starbucks here has two egresses, in case you need to escape.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Monday, February 25, 2008
John Hiatt and Lyle Lovett
We normally don't post on Mondays, but there have been a lot of hits on our site for John Hiatt-Lyle Lovett State Theater Review, so we will try quickly to oblige.
If you missed it, of course, you missed it. The show was a complete sell-out: within days of its announcement.
There was a big sense of anticipation to the night. The proceedings were a little more refined than normal, perhaps reflecting the status of these stars. It wasn't quite hushed (there were calls for requests, and shouts of love), but you got the feeling no one wanted to miss a word or moment.
Lovett and Hiatt sat knee-to-knee on a well-lit stage. They alternated songs, not chiming in much together, although Hiatt sang harmony on three or four of Lovett's numbers, and played lead on a few.
The interchange came mostly between songs, when they conversed. Lovett informally adopted the role of emcee, with questions for Hiatt about his life, upbringing, and work. Hiatt talked about an overweight childhood, stealing a Ford Thunderbird at age 14 (inspiration for a well-known song), his early career opening for John Lee Hooker, John Hammond, and others, when he hitchhiked between gigs to save money, his big break playing Fender Telecaster for Ry Cooder's band in the early 1980's, and sleeping in the bed the Dalai Lama slept in, at La Tourelle last night.
Lovett spoke some about his father, his Lutheran upbringing, his own worst misstep as a child (letting a cow out of his uncle's barn), early days in Texas and introduction to Nashville as a star in the late 1980's, and an early influence: a music teacher who came to Texas from Ithaca. Lovett said it was his first trip to Ithaca, "and I hope not my last."
It was a charming performance. Both men seemed impeccably humble, despite their stardom. Their conversation was introspective but engaging. They were funny. They were nice.
Seeing Lovett sing live, and unadorned, added a large dose of personality and soulfulness to his music. His voice is fine, but ordinarily does not convey much emotion, at least not of a revelatory type. Last night there was heart to the well-shaped notes.
Hiatt, on the other hand, has a gutteral but wailing voice that makes the ordinary sound eerie. His guitar playing is forceful and filled with feeling. Towards the end of the show he left his heart, one felt, with a lover's song pleading and promising faith. It would make a perfect wedding song, if it wasn't so real.
They finished their encore with the prison worksong, "Ain't No More Cane." They played for almost three hours, without a break. The set list of their last show, in Albany, was considerably less. It was the aura and the ambience of the State Theater that brought more, we think. Maybe, too, the Dalai Lama's bed.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
If you missed it, of course, you missed it. The show was a complete sell-out: within days of its announcement.
There was a big sense of anticipation to the night. The proceedings were a little more refined than normal, perhaps reflecting the status of these stars. It wasn't quite hushed (there were calls for requests, and shouts of love), but you got the feeling no one wanted to miss a word or moment.
Lovett and Hiatt sat knee-to-knee on a well-lit stage. They alternated songs, not chiming in much together, although Hiatt sang harmony on three or four of Lovett's numbers, and played lead on a few.
The interchange came mostly between songs, when they conversed. Lovett informally adopted the role of emcee, with questions for Hiatt about his life, upbringing, and work. Hiatt talked about an overweight childhood, stealing a Ford Thunderbird at age 14 (inspiration for a well-known song), his early career opening for John Lee Hooker, John Hammond, and others, when he hitchhiked between gigs to save money, his big break playing Fender Telecaster for Ry Cooder's band in the early 1980's, and sleeping in the bed the Dalai Lama slept in, at La Tourelle last night.
Lovett spoke some about his father, his Lutheran upbringing, his own worst misstep as a child (letting a cow out of his uncle's barn), early days in Texas and introduction to Nashville as a star in the late 1980's, and an early influence: a music teacher who came to Texas from Ithaca. Lovett said it was his first trip to Ithaca, "and I hope not my last."
It was a charming performance. Both men seemed impeccably humble, despite their stardom. Their conversation was introspective but engaging. They were funny. They were nice.
Seeing Lovett sing live, and unadorned, added a large dose of personality and soulfulness to his music. His voice is fine, but ordinarily does not convey much emotion, at least not of a revelatory type. Last night there was heart to the well-shaped notes.
Hiatt, on the other hand, has a gutteral but wailing voice that makes the ordinary sound eerie. His guitar playing is forceful and filled with feeling. Towards the end of the show he left his heart, one felt, with a lover's song pleading and promising faith. It would make a perfect wedding song, if it wasn't so real.
They finished their encore with the prison worksong, "Ain't No More Cane." They played for almost three hours, without a break. The set list of their last show, in Albany, was considerably less. It was the aura and the ambience of the State Theater that brought more, we think. Maybe, too, the Dalai Lama's bed.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, February 22, 2008
What's Doing, Feb. 22 - 24
Fri. 2/22: Some of the scarcest real estate in town is space at Felicia's Atomic Lounge when there is first-rate happy hour music, like tonight, with Chad Crumm and friends. 508 W. State St., 5:30 pm.
Sat. 2/23: Ithaca modern old-timey music abounds tonight, with the Chicken Chokers at Castaways at 9 pm, and Boy With A Fish at the Chapter House at 10.
The Nields bring their sisterly harmonies and catchy folk-rock tunes to Goldwin Smith Hall at 8 pm for a Cornell Folk Song Club show. Discounted advance tickets at Small World Music.
Sun. 2/24: Plenty of cash and luck might score you a spare ticket outside the State Theater for tonight's Lyle Lovett - John Hiatt show, long since sold out. (Just thought we'd mention, two consecutive sells-out for the resurgent State, after Taj Mahal last night.)
If that's not happening, Juge Greenspun is, at Maxie's, 7:30.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Sat. 2/23: Ithaca modern old-timey music abounds tonight, with the Chicken Chokers at Castaways at 9 pm, and Boy With A Fish at the Chapter House at 10.
The Nields bring their sisterly harmonies and catchy folk-rock tunes to Goldwin Smith Hall at 8 pm for a Cornell Folk Song Club show. Discounted advance tickets at Small World Music.
Sun. 2/24: Plenty of cash and luck might score you a spare ticket outside the State Theater for tonight's Lyle Lovett - John Hiatt show, long since sold out. (Just thought we'd mention, two consecutive sells-out for the resurgent State, after Taj Mahal last night.)
If that's not happening, Juge Greenspun is, at Maxie's, 7:30.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wegman's Celebrates 20 Years in Ithaca
Wegman's supermarket, the bulwark of big-time food retailing on S. Meadow St. , is celebrating its 20th anniversary in Ithaca this week.
Wegman's started in 1916 in Rochester as a family operation called the Rochester Food and Vegetable Company. It remains family-run and privately-held, with 70 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia.
The company has been recognized for retailing excellence by the Food Network cable channel, which named it "Best Grocery Store" in 2007. For six consecutive years, Wegman's has appeared in the top 10 of Fortune magazine's annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" list.
Longtime Ithacans can recall food shopping in the days before Wegman's as drab and occasionally disgusting. It was a must, for instance, to open all packaged meats once home to check the flip side for grayness.
A business recruiter in Ithaca told us this week that a visit to Wegman's is a recommended stop for job candidates from cities such as New York and Boston.
The store will celebrate tomorrow, Saturday 23 Feb., with cake and a DJ in the store from 2 - 4 pm.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wegman's started in 1916 in Rochester as a family operation called the Rochester Food and Vegetable Company. It remains family-run and privately-held, with 70 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia.
The company has been recognized for retailing excellence by the Food Network cable channel, which named it "Best Grocery Store" in 2007. For six consecutive years, Wegman's has appeared in the top 10 of Fortune magazine's annual "100 Best Companies to Work For" list.
Longtime Ithacans can recall food shopping in the days before Wegman's as drab and occasionally disgusting. It was a must, for instance, to open all packaged meats once home to check the flip side for grayness.
A business recruiter in Ithaca told us this week that a visit to Wegman's is a recommended stop for job candidates from cities such as New York and Boston.
The store will celebrate tomorrow, Saturday 23 Feb., with cake and a DJ in the store from 2 - 4 pm.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Taj Mahal at State Theater, 21 February: Tickets Going, Going,...
There are still some tickets available right now for Taj Mahal's show at the State Theater tonight, and they might hold some for sale at the door, but it looks like it will be a sell-out for the legendary blues guy.
The State has featured some remarkably renowned artists of late. The Lyle Lovett - John Hiatt show sold out within days.
Take a look at the State's website to check upcoming shows, and not get shut out. There will be a large rumble soon for the upcoming Los Lobos show.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The State has featured some remarkably renowned artists of late. The Lyle Lovett - John Hiatt show sold out within days.
Take a look at the State's website to check upcoming shows, and not get shut out. There will be a large rumble soon for the upcoming Los Lobos show.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Lunar Eclipse Tonight, Wed. 20 Feb.
A full eclipse of the moon occurs tonight, beginning at 8:43 and peaking about 2 hours later.
It should be readily observable, if the night is relatively cloudless. There is a chance of snow in the northeast that could obscure the sight.
The moon will fall into the shadow of the Earth. It will not disappear from sight, but will be visible by the light of the Earth's atmosphere, in reddish hues.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
It should be readily observable, if the night is relatively cloudless. There is a chance of snow in the northeast that could obscure the sight.
The moon will fall into the shadow of the Earth. It will not disappear from sight, but will be visible by the light of the Earth's atmosphere, in reddish hues.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Cornell Basketball in Spotlight
Usually, basketball in central New York means Syracuse. This year, the Orange have to make room for the Big Red of Cornell, who are attracting attention with undefeated conference play so far in the Ivy League.
A Cornell championship would be the first in the Ivy League by a team other than perennial powerhouses Penn and Princeton since 1988 (when Cornell won).
An article in today's New York Times notes that Cornell always has the most grueling travel schedule in the league, due to geographic remoteness. This past weekend, the Big Red had road games on consecutive nights at Harvard and Dartmouth.
The Times article should interest even non-sport fans in Ithaca. The on-line version features a slide show presentation, with details about life at Cornell in particular and Ithaca in general. The team stops at Aiello's in Whitney Point for lunch, for example. The paper reports that the team eats "$348 worth of chicken Parmesan."
Cornell's next two games are versus Ivy rivals Yale and Brown, at home. Yale is this Friday, and Brown this Saturday, at 7 pm. Tickets will be scarce, but the game is broadcast on radio on WPIE 1160-am.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
A Cornell championship would be the first in the Ivy League by a team other than perennial powerhouses Penn and Princeton since 1988 (when Cornell won).
An article in today's New York Times notes that Cornell always has the most grueling travel schedule in the league, due to geographic remoteness. This past weekend, the Big Red had road games on consecutive nights at Harvard and Dartmouth.
The Times article should interest even non-sport fans in Ithaca. The on-line version features a slide show presentation, with details about life at Cornell in particular and Ithaca in general. The team stops at Aiello's in Whitney Point for lunch, for example. The paper reports that the team eats "$348 worth of chicken Parmesan."
Cornell's next two games are versus Ivy rivals Yale and Brown, at home. Yale is this Friday, and Brown this Saturday, at 7 pm. Tickets will be scarce, but the game is broadcast on radio on WPIE 1160-am.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Monday, February 18, 2008
Welcome, Teachers, to Ithaca - and to Small World Music
This is "Welcome, Teachers" week in Ithaca, with about 2,000 teachers expected to spend vacations here, enjoying the large promotional campaign put on by our town and Chamber of Commerce.
Education and tourism are important in Ithaca. So is music. So we wish to join the festivities here at Small World Music by offering 10% off all purchases to Ithaca's esteemed guests.
Just identify yourself as part of the campaign when you come visit. Small World Music is open 11 am - 6 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. We're at 614 W. State Street, six blocks west of the Commons, down the driveway.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Education and tourism are important in Ithaca. So is music. So we wish to join the festivities here at Small World Music by offering 10% off all purchases to Ithaca's esteemed guests.
Just identify yourself as part of the campaign when you come visit. Small World Music is open 11 am - 6 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. We're at 614 W. State Street, six blocks west of the Commons, down the driveway.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Friday, February 15, 2008
Free Calendars from Putumayo Music at Small World Music
The ides of February is Calendar Liberation Day at Small World Music, via Putumayo World Music, our music company friends who have sent us a load of promotional calendars which we are giving away, along with some music sampler CD's from Putumayo.
It's a nice calendar. It's how we found out today is Nirvana Day (see previous post).
Come in and get yours. Small World Music is at 614 W. State St., down the driveway. Hours are 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sundays and Mondays.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
It's a nice calendar. It's how we found out today is Nirvana Day (see previous post).
Come in and get yours. Small World Music is at 614 W. State St., down the driveway. Hours are 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sundays and Mondays.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Lots of Local Music, 15 - 17 Feb.
Lots of big names in local music perform this weekend.
Fri. 2/15: They hardly need more publicity for this gig, as they pack it past capacity regularly, but Burke and Bone play Felicia's Atomic Lounge at Happy Hour. 508 W. State St.
Sat 2/16: In what's billed as a Valentine's Day Show at the Lost Dog on S. Cayuga St.: Sim Redmond Band, Richie Stearns, and Crow Greenspun. 7 pm.
Donna the Buffalo with Keith Frank and band at Castaways. 8 pm.
Overnight sensations Candypants and the Sutras, at the Chapter House, 10 pm.
Sun. 2/17: Keith Frank at the Rongo in Trumansburg. 6 pm.
Mustard's Retreat at Bound for Glory at Anabel Taylor Hall. First set at 8:30 pm.
Have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Fri. 2/15: They hardly need more publicity for this gig, as they pack it past capacity regularly, but Burke and Bone play Felicia's Atomic Lounge at Happy Hour. 508 W. State St.
Sat 2/16: In what's billed as a Valentine's Day Show at the Lost Dog on S. Cayuga St.: Sim Redmond Band, Richie Stearns, and Crow Greenspun. 7 pm.
Donna the Buffalo with Keith Frank and band at Castaways. 8 pm.
Overnight sensations Candypants and the Sutras, at the Chapter House, 10 pm.
Sun. 2/17: Keith Frank at the Rongo in Trumansburg. 6 pm.
Mustard's Retreat at Bound for Glory at Anabel Taylor Hall. First set at 8:30 pm.
Have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Jimmy Breslin's New Book, "The Good Rat"
It is a great occasion for any reader, particularly New York readers, when Jimmy Breslin writes something new. His new book, The Good Rat, was released this month. It's a true story of the demise of the Mafia and changing times in the streets of New York.
The saying goes that change is the only constant in New York. No one gets it right like Breslin, who has been writing the life of the city for four decades.
For "Sopranos" fans lamenting the end of the TV series, this book could help, although what it really does is show the contrivance of the show, where stereotyped scenes and weird turns of plot were deemed necessary to provide drama. Breslin shows that the deepest dramas in life come from the most mundane circumstances, with desperation at the root. He relieves the tension with humor that is both deadpan and sparkling.
The Good Rat is available at the Bookery in the Dewitt Mall, a great local outfit that accepts local coin, Ithaca Hours.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The saying goes that change is the only constant in New York. No one gets it right like Breslin, who has been writing the life of the city for four decades.
For "Sopranos" fans lamenting the end of the TV series, this book could help, although what it really does is show the contrivance of the show, where stereotyped scenes and weird turns of plot were deemed necessary to provide drama. Breslin shows that the deepest dramas in life come from the most mundane circumstances, with desperation at the root. He relieves the tension with humor that is both deadpan and sparkling.
The Good Rat is available at the Bookery in the Dewitt Mall, a great local outfit that accepts local coin, Ithaca Hours.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Feb. 15: Happy Nirvana Day, and Weekend Contest
Today, 15 Feb., is celebrated by Buddhists as Nirvana Day, commemorating the death of the Buddha at age 80, as he reached Enlightenment: the end of rebirth, and beginning of peace.
Ironic, isn't it, that yesterday the Western world had St. Valentine's Day, a tribute to longing and desire as flames of life, while today Buddhists celebrate the exact opposite, the cessation of desire, as the source of happiness.
Well, it strikes us as ironic, anyway. It also strikes us as ironic that the Bee Gees and Missing Persons both had songs called "Words", but the songs are very different.
Here's our weekend contest. Tell us your preference, Valentine's Day or Nirvana Day. Desire or none. Bee Gees or Missing Persons. Cheesecake or cannoli. We don't care what it is. Enlighten us. No kidding.
We'll select a random entry as winner of a $10 gift certificate to Small World Music. Post a reply here at Ithaca Blog, or write Small World Music at sworldmu@twcny.rr.com.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Ironic, isn't it, that yesterday the Western world had St. Valentine's Day, a tribute to longing and desire as flames of life, while today Buddhists celebrate the exact opposite, the cessation of desire, as the source of happiness.
Well, it strikes us as ironic, anyway. It also strikes us as ironic that the Bee Gees and Missing Persons both had songs called "Words", but the songs are very different.
Here's our weekend contest. Tell us your preference, Valentine's Day or Nirvana Day. Desire or none. Bee Gees or Missing Persons. Cheesecake or cannoli. We don't care what it is. Enlighten us. No kidding.
We'll select a random entry as winner of a $10 gift certificate to Small World Music. Post a reply here at Ithaca Blog, or write Small World Music at sworldmu@twcny.rr.com.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
If Music Be the Food of Love: Valentine's Day Sale at Small World Music
"If music be the food of love, play on; Give me excess of it...", says Duke Orsino in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.
We second that emotion, as that other great poet, Smokey Robinson, says. So at Small World Music, through Valentine's Day, we are offering Ithaca Blog readers 10% off all purchases.
Duke Orsino was a guy who liked a bargain. He continues,
"O spirit of love! how quick and fresh art thou,
That, notwithstanding thy capacity
Receiveth as the sea, nought enters there,
Of what validity and pitch soe'er,
But falls into abatement and low price... " (emphasis ours)
... Sounds like he's talking about us. And again, when he concludes,
"... it alone is high fantastical."
We hope to see you soon.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
We second that emotion, as that other great poet, Smokey Robinson, says. So at Small World Music, through Valentine's Day, we are offering Ithaca Blog readers 10% off all purchases.
Duke Orsino was a guy who liked a bargain. He continues,
"O spirit of love! how quick and fresh art thou,
That, notwithstanding thy capacity
Receiveth as the sea, nought enters there,
Of what validity and pitch soe'er,
But falls into abatement and low price... " (emphasis ours)
... Sounds like he's talking about us. And again, when he concludes,
"... it alone is high fantastical."
We hope to see you soon.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Valentine's Day Tip for the Unattached
Here's our once-a-year foray into the realm of lonelyheart's blogging.
Valentine's Day: worst day of the year for the unattached. Right?
Wrong. Day of biggest opportunity.
Here's the simple gimmick: on Feb. 14, wear black. Black slacks, black pullover, black jacket.
At work, at the bar after work, at any place conducive to conversation, you are now wearing a calling card that announces your situation, and your intention to improve it.
You say good morning to the office superstar, or good evening to the most fascinating-looking person in the bar, and mention that they are not wearing black on Valentine's Day, which means they must be attached. Black on Valentine's Day, you explain, is the uniform of the bereft. Say "of the losers" if you think self-effacement will help. You congratulate them on their status and wish them luck.
The rest of the script is up to you.
If you want to invite us to the wedding, great.
Be good & have fun -
Dr. Love
for Ithaca Blog
Valentine's Day: worst day of the year for the unattached. Right?
Wrong. Day of biggest opportunity.
Here's the simple gimmick: on Feb. 14, wear black. Black slacks, black pullover, black jacket.
At work, at the bar after work, at any place conducive to conversation, you are now wearing a calling card that announces your situation, and your intention to improve it.
You say good morning to the office superstar, or good evening to the most fascinating-looking person in the bar, and mention that they are not wearing black on Valentine's Day, which means they must be attached. Black on Valentine's Day, you explain, is the uniform of the bereft. Say "of the losers" if you think self-effacement will help. You congratulate them on their status and wish them luck.
The rest of the script is up to you.
If you want to invite us to the wedding, great.
Be good & have fun -
Dr. Love
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, February 08, 2008
Weekend Shows, Feb. 8 - 10
Fri. 2/8: Scythian was a hit at GrassRoots Festival, with an exuberant, multicultural sound reflecting a new style of Celtic music, of the modern immigrant (not emigrant) Ireland. Tonight at Castaways, 9 pm.
Sat. 2/9: Colleen Kattau, another GrassRoots favorite, and Kelly Birtch, an extraordinary guitarist, perform for the Crossing Borders series, Upstairs at Pancho Villa, 602 W. State St., 9 pm.
Kaplan-Shaw Blues Trio play both original and classic blues. At the Rongo in T-burg, 9 pm.
Sun. 2/10: At ABC Cafe's brunch, keyboardist Michael Stark, recent Ithaca Times cover boy. Performance starts 11 am; go earlier for a seat.
Jennie Stearns returns to Felicia's Atomic Lounge, 508 W. State St., 7 pm.
Johnny Dowd, Kim Caso, and Richie Stearns get together for an evening of down-home helter-skelter at Maxie's, 635 W. State St., 7:30 pm. (Richie was just here at Small World Music, read this, and suggested instead, "hillbilly helter-skelter." Your call. )
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Sat. 2/9: Colleen Kattau, another GrassRoots favorite, and Kelly Birtch, an extraordinary guitarist, perform for the Crossing Borders series, Upstairs at Pancho Villa, 602 W. State St., 9 pm.
Kaplan-Shaw Blues Trio play both original and classic blues. At the Rongo in T-burg, 9 pm.
Sun. 2/10: At ABC Cafe's brunch, keyboardist Michael Stark, recent Ithaca Times cover boy. Performance starts 11 am; go earlier for a seat.
Jennie Stearns returns to Felicia's Atomic Lounge, 508 W. State St., 7 pm.
Johnny Dowd, Kim Caso, and Richie Stearns get together for an evening of down-home helter-skelter at Maxie's, 635 W. State St., 7:30 pm. (Richie was just here at Small World Music, read this, and suggested instead, "hillbilly helter-skelter." Your call. )
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Amy Goodman Interview in Progressive Magazine
The current issue of Progressive magazine features a cover story/interview with radio journalist Amy Goodman, the first we have ever seen. It is well-crafted and informative, and not fawning, which is probably a difficult stance, as Ms. Goodman is unequivocally the bravest, most scrupulous and principled, and simply best journalist in America.
Ms. Goodman hosts Democracy Now!, a fiercely independent radio and television news show. "Speaking Truth to Power" and "The Exception to the Rulers" are mottos and guiding tenets of the show, which has aired since 1996.
The powers that Democracy Now! fights are not just corporate and political, but other media. As she says in the Progressive interview,
The media act as megaphone for those in power ... In the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq, the Democrats joined with Republicans in authorizing war. The media overwhelmingly presented that point of view, the pro-war position, even though most people in this country were opposed to the war.
When other media cover, for instance, the issue of waterboarding, they interview career politicians who speak in semantics and give rationales for what common sense says is a deplorable and ineffectual practice. Ms. Goodman, instead, interviews a victim of the practice:
On Democracy Now, we've just interviewed Henri Alleg, the French journalist who was in Algeria, now in his eighties, who describes waterboarding as if it were yesterday. Because when you yourself are tortured, you never forget. He described what it meant to feel like he was suffocating, not "simulated drowning" but actually drowning.
Ms. Goodman has made two public appearances in Ithaca, to overflow crowds, most recently at Ithaca College. On the air she gives the impression of a hard-working and well-prepared journalist. In person, speaking rather than interviewing, she imparts an aspect of actual genius, not just for her command of facts and her ability to interpret and explain, but for a dissident view of politics and society - as Newton and Einstein had dissident views of physics, Darwin of biology, Picasso of painting, Miles Davis of music, James Joyce of literature, etc. - that can only come from genius (as an attribute, not an accolade), and can cause revolutionary change.
Democracy Now can be heard in Ithaca weekdays at 9 a.m. on WEOS, 88.1 FM.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Ms. Goodman hosts Democracy Now!, a fiercely independent radio and television news show. "Speaking Truth to Power" and "The Exception to the Rulers" are mottos and guiding tenets of the show, which has aired since 1996.
The powers that Democracy Now! fights are not just corporate and political, but other media. As she says in the Progressive interview,
The media act as megaphone for those in power ... In the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq, the Democrats joined with Republicans in authorizing war. The media overwhelmingly presented that point of view, the pro-war position, even though most people in this country were opposed to the war.
When other media cover, for instance, the issue of waterboarding, they interview career politicians who speak in semantics and give rationales for what common sense says is a deplorable and ineffectual practice. Ms. Goodman, instead, interviews a victim of the practice:
On Democracy Now, we've just interviewed Henri Alleg, the French journalist who was in Algeria, now in his eighties, who describes waterboarding as if it were yesterday. Because when you yourself are tortured, you never forget. He described what it meant to feel like he was suffocating, not "simulated drowning" but actually drowning.
Ms. Goodman has made two public appearances in Ithaca, to overflow crowds, most recently at Ithaca College. On the air she gives the impression of a hard-working and well-prepared journalist. In person, speaking rather than interviewing, she imparts an aspect of actual genius, not just for her command of facts and her ability to interpret and explain, but for a dissident view of politics and society - as Newton and Einstein had dissident views of physics, Darwin of biology, Picasso of painting, Miles Davis of music, James Joyce of literature, etc. - that can only come from genius (as an attribute, not an accolade), and can cause revolutionary change.
Democracy Now can be heard in Ithaca weekdays at 9 a.m. on WEOS, 88.1 FM.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Lynne Jackier, Drop-In Center Leader, Voted Peacemaker of the Year
A letter from Will Fudeman to the Journal on Monday reminded us of an item we meant to note in Ithaca Blog: the Peacemaker Award that went this year to Lynne Jackier, the longtime ( now emerita) director of the Drop-In Children's Center.
The award is presented annually on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by the Community Dispute Resolution Center.
We re-print here a lightly edited version of Will's letter. Will mentions a fundraising effort for the Drop-In Center which Small World Music happily supports:
In her brief comments after receiving the Peacemaker Award from CDRC at the Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast on Jan. 19, Lynne Jackier directed our attention to the teachers who work with young children for low salaries and the uncertain finances of the Drop-In Children's Center which she worked so hard to create.
We can support the Center by making tax deductible donations to Drop-In Children's Center, 506 First Street, Ithaca NY 14850.
We can also purchase the double-CD, "Families Are a Rainbow" - with songs for families from many Ithaca-area musicians. The set includes great performances from Radio London, Mamadou Diabate, Fe Nunn, Mbusi, the Horseflies, Joday Kessler, Tom Knight, Jeremy Werbin, and others. It's an ideal gift for families all over.
The album is available at Ithaca Guitar Works, Small World Music, and from the Center.
Please choose to support the center, which supports families and young children in our community.
Let us note that the full purchase price, $19.95, for the 2-CD set goes to the Center in its entirety.
For our farther-flung Ithaca Blog readers, please note that we are happy to fill mail orders. Postage will cost an additional $2. Residents of New York state will also need to include $1.60 NYS sales tax. Write to us at sworldmu@twcny.rr.com, or phone Small World Music at 607/256-0428.
Thanks for the reminder, Will, and congratulations, Lynne.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
The award is presented annually on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by the Community Dispute Resolution Center.
We re-print here a lightly edited version of Will's letter. Will mentions a fundraising effort for the Drop-In Center which Small World Music happily supports:
In her brief comments after receiving the Peacemaker Award from CDRC at the Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast on Jan. 19, Lynne Jackier directed our attention to the teachers who work with young children for low salaries and the uncertain finances of the Drop-In Children's Center which she worked so hard to create.
We can support the Center by making tax deductible donations to Drop-In Children's Center, 506 First Street, Ithaca NY 14850.
We can also purchase the double-CD, "Families Are a Rainbow" - with songs for families from many Ithaca-area musicians. The set includes great performances from Radio London, Mamadou Diabate, Fe Nunn, Mbusi, the Horseflies, Joday Kessler, Tom Knight, Jeremy Werbin, and others. It's an ideal gift for families all over.
The album is available at Ithaca Guitar Works, Small World Music, and from the Center.
Please choose to support the center, which supports families and young children in our community.
Let us note that the full purchase price, $19.95, for the 2-CD set goes to the Center in its entirety.
For our farther-flung Ithaca Blog readers, please note that we are happy to fill mail orders. Postage will cost an additional $2. Residents of New York state will also need to include $1.60 NYS sales tax. Write to us at sworldmu@twcny.rr.com, or phone Small World Music at 607/256-0428.
Thanks for the reminder, Will, and congratulations, Lynne.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Obama Landslide in City of Ithaca
Barack Obama won a landslide vote in the city of Ithaca in the Democratic presidential primary, with over two-thirds of the vote over New York senator Hillary Clinton.
Voter turnout was exceptional, with almost 50% of registered Democrats voting.
Ithaca Blog will attempt to reach Obama campaign coordinators in Ithaca to discuss what the overwhelming victory might mean for Obama's campaign strategy.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Voter turnout was exceptional, with almost 50% of registered Democrats voting.
Ithaca Blog will attempt to reach Obama campaign coordinators in Ithaca to discuss what the overwhelming victory might mean for Obama's campaign strategy.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Tuesday Evening, 5 Feb.: There's Still Time to Vote
There's an old cynical bromide about voting that says don't do it, it only encourages them.
Like most cynicism, it doesn't help anything, except a lazy conscience. The applicable bromide, we think, is vote, and let them know you are paying attention.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Like most cynicism, it doesn't help anything, except a lazy conscience. The applicable bromide, we think, is vote, and let them know you are paying attention.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Happy Mardi Gras
We are certainly on proverbial New Orleans time by wishing everyone a happy Mardi Gras day as it is technically almost over. Nonetheless: laissez les bon temps roulez, cheres.
If you ever want to leave the U.S. without a passport, just go to New Orleans. We'll never forget entering the New Orleans' Louis Armstrong Airport for the first time, and hearing not regular airport muzak around us, but "Hey Pocky Way" by the Neville Brothers.
The Big Easy can also exist as a state of mind. We can help provide the accoutrements for that at Small World Music, where we have New Orleans music at 10% off this week. Professor Longhair, the Nevilles, Irma Thomas, Balfa Toujours, Keith Frank, Louis Armstrong, all them cats and kittens.
Red beans and ricely,
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
If you ever want to leave the U.S. without a passport, just go to New Orleans. We'll never forget entering the New Orleans' Louis Armstrong Airport for the first time, and hearing not regular airport muzak around us, but "Hey Pocky Way" by the Neville Brothers.
The Big Easy can also exist as a state of mind. We can help provide the accoutrements for that at Small World Music, where we have New Orleans music at 10% off this week. Professor Longhair, the Nevilles, Irma Thomas, Balfa Toujours, Keith Frank, Louis Armstrong, all them cats and kittens.
Red beans and ricely,
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Another Pedestrian Hit on Court and Washington Streets
Yesterday a pedestrian in the crosswalk at Court and Washington Streets was struck by a vehicle and hospitalized with head injuries. Last year a man was killed by a vehicle at the same intersection.
The intersection is not a particularly busy one. The cause seems to be a rampant hurriedness and lack of care by drivers in the city in general, as we wrote in a posting in Ithaca Blog last week. We called for more diligent enforcement of traffic laws by the police, a call we are sorry to have to repeat so soon.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The intersection is not a particularly busy one. The cause seems to be a rampant hurriedness and lack of care by drivers in the city in general, as we wrote in a posting in Ithaca Blog last week. We called for more diligent enforcement of traffic laws by the police, a call we are sorry to have to repeat so soon.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, February 01, 2008
Goings-On About Town, Feb. 1 - 3
Friday 2/1: The Small Kings play street-corner-style rocking jug and folk music at Uncle Joe's, 302 W. Green St., 6 pm.
Alash Ensemble Throat Singers from Tuva in a free show at Barnes Hall at Cornell, 7:30 pm.
Saturday 2/2: Ani Difranco at the State Theater. Selling out fast. 8 pm.
Lou and Peter Berryman write and sing funny songs. Very literate and entertaining, and should definitely be seen. The Cornell Folk Song Club presents, at Goldwin Smith Hall at Cornell. Advance tickets available at Small World Music.
Sunday 2/3: Folk singers Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen challenge the NFL in a free show at Bound For Glory, Anabel Taylor Hall at Cornell.
Alash Ensemble Throat Singers from Tuva in a free show at Barnes Hall at Cornell, 7:30 pm.
Saturday 2/2: Ani Difranco at the State Theater. Selling out fast. 8 pm.
Lou and Peter Berryman write and sing funny songs. Very literate and entertaining, and should definitely be seen. The Cornell Folk Song Club presents, at Goldwin Smith Hall at Cornell. Advance tickets available at Small World Music.
Sunday 2/3: Folk singers Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen challenge the NFL in a free show at Bound For Glory, Anabel Taylor Hall at Cornell.
Foul Weather Thwarts Chicken Meals
The inclement weather has lead to the cancellation of today's chicken meal benefit for Love Know No Bounds, the New Orleans relief group (see yesterday's Ithaca Blog posting).
The event is re-scheduled for next Friday, 8 February.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The event is re-scheduled for next Friday, 8 February.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, January 31, 2008
For Pedestrian Safety: Enforce Traffic Laws
The Ithaca Times runs a thoughtful piece this week about growth in Ithaca, the attendant increase in vehicular traffic, and increased danger to pedestrians.
The problem is real. But it isn't complex.
The solution is simple: enforce traffic laws against speeding, and running red lights and stop signs.
Cars and pedestrians could co-exist if drivers were less hurried and more careful. They're not, for two main reasons:
1. Traffic patterns in town, especially with the lack of co-ordination of traffic signals, make driving downtown not just slow, but frustrating to the point of road rage. Thus, angry drivers speed through town, and through red lights, all but oblivious to the incidental reality of pedestrians.
2. Traffic laws are not enforced, so you will not punished for this kind of illegal and unsafe driving.
Reason 1 is hard to change. But Reason 2 is easy, and changing this situation will change the other.
Think about how many times you have done 40 in a 30-mph zone in the city (no? - how about on Rt. 13?), or barreled through a red light (intersection of State and Fulton?). How many tickets have you gotten? How many would it take to change your behavior?
Right. Me too. Not many.
A few months ago, two blocks from Small World Music, a pedestrian got hit at the intersection of Seneca and Fulton by a driver who was speeding on Seneca to try to make the ill-timed light, and made a left from Seneca into Fulton without signaling, all the while looking up at the changing light, never glancing at the pedestrian in the crosswalk. I know because I was the pedestrian.
Enforcing the traffic laws is an important role for the police department. It shouldn't be arduous. It should actually even be profitable.
The Times article gave the phone number for Tim Logue, transportation engineer for the city, for comments on these issues: 274-6535.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The problem is real. But it isn't complex.
The solution is simple: enforce traffic laws against speeding, and running red lights and stop signs.
Cars and pedestrians could co-exist if drivers were less hurried and more careful. They're not, for two main reasons:
1. Traffic patterns in town, especially with the lack of co-ordination of traffic signals, make driving downtown not just slow, but frustrating to the point of road rage. Thus, angry drivers speed through town, and through red lights, all but oblivious to the incidental reality of pedestrians.
2. Traffic laws are not enforced, so you will not punished for this kind of illegal and unsafe driving.
Reason 1 is hard to change. But Reason 2 is easy, and changing this situation will change the other.
Think about how many times you have done 40 in a 30-mph zone in the city (no? - how about on Rt. 13?), or barreled through a red light (intersection of State and Fulton?). How many tickets have you gotten? How many would it take to change your behavior?
Right. Me too. Not many.
A few months ago, two blocks from Small World Music, a pedestrian got hit at the intersection of Seneca and Fulton by a driver who was speeding on Seneca to try to make the ill-timed light, and made a left from Seneca into Fulton without signaling, all the while looking up at the changing light, never glancing at the pedestrian in the crosswalk. I know because I was the pedestrian.
Enforcing the traffic laws is an important role for the police department. It shouldn't be arduous. It should actually even be profitable.
The Times article gave the phone number for Tim Logue, transportation engineer for the city, for comments on these issues: 274-6535.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Fried Chicken Meals to Benefit New Orleans, Friday 1 Feb.
With Mardi Gras looming, you can help relief efforts for New Orleans this Friday, Feb. 1, by helping yourself to a southern-style fried chicken lunch or dinner from the Teen Program at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center, in association with the relief group Love Knows No Bounds.
The carry-out meals are available at lunch from 11 - 2, and at dinner from 4 - 6, at GIAC, on the corner of W. Court and N. Albany Streets. The meal-up consists of fried chicken, rice and beans, vegetable, roll, and brownie. The cost is $8, or 3 for $20.
Delivery is available at lunch time for orders of 6 or more. Call Sean Norman, 279-5030.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The carry-out meals are available at lunch from 11 - 2, and at dinner from 4 - 6, at GIAC, on the corner of W. Court and N. Albany Streets. The meal-up consists of fried chicken, rice and beans, vegetable, roll, and brownie. The cost is $8, or 3 for $20.
Delivery is available at lunch time for orders of 6 or more. Call Sean Norman, 279-5030.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Political and Musical Bandwagon: 10% Off all Rally Musicians' CDs at Small World Music
At Ithaca Blog, we do not necessarily feel fully committed to the candidacy of Barack Obama. We are still hoping for an independent run by Christopher Walken.
But we are greatly in favor of political activism in general, and admire the efforts of the local musicians behind the rally and concert for Senator Obama at the State Theater on Friday 1 February.
Ithaca Blog has gotten many site visits about the rally. So many, in fact, that we wonder if there is a misapprehension that Sen. Obama is appearing. For the record: Sen. Obama is not appearing.
It is planned as a great night of local community activism and music. We are climbing on the bandwagon this way: with an offer of 10% off all CDs by the musicians performing at the rally. They are: Sim Redmond Band, Samite, Richie Stearns, Hank Roberts, Jeb Puryear, Uniit, Kevin Kinsella, and Crow Greenspun.
We hope to see you soon.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
But we are greatly in favor of political activism in general, and admire the efforts of the local musicians behind the rally and concert for Senator Obama at the State Theater on Friday 1 February.
Ithaca Blog has gotten many site visits about the rally. So many, in fact, that we wonder if there is a misapprehension that Sen. Obama is appearing. For the record: Sen. Obama is not appearing.
It is planned as a great night of local community activism and music. We are climbing on the bandwagon this way: with an offer of 10% off all CDs by the musicians performing at the rally. They are: Sim Redmond Band, Samite, Richie Stearns, Hank Roberts, Jeb Puryear, Uniit, Kevin Kinsella, and Crow Greenspun.
We hope to see you soon.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Monday, January 28, 2008
Kennedys Welcome Obama to the Family
Everyone remembers the famous insult to Dan Quayle by Lloyd Bentsen when the two ran for vice president in 1988 and, in a televised debate, Quayle compared his relative youth and inexperience to that of John F. Kennedy in 1960.
Bentsen said:
Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy.
Yesterday in the New York Times, Caroline Kennedy essentially said that Barack Obama is a Jack Kennedy, in an opinion piece called "A President Like My Father."
In formally endorsing Obama, she writes:
It isn't that the other candidates are not experienced or knowledgeable. But this year, that might not be enough. We need a change in the leadership of this country - just as we did in 1960.
Ms. Kennedy cites Obama's record of advocacy for the poor, and his ability to inspire, particularly the young.
In the closest allusion to her father, she writes,
I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it.
She concludes,
I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president - not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.
Within hours of Ms. Kennedy's endorsement, Senator Edward Kennedy also formally endorsed Obama, despite years of friendship and political alliance with Hillary Clinton. Both Kennedys will appear with Obama today in Washington at a rally at American University, where President Kennedy gave an historic speech on peace and disarmament on 10 June, 1963.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Bentsen said:
Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy.
Yesterday in the New York Times, Caroline Kennedy essentially said that Barack Obama is a Jack Kennedy, in an opinion piece called "A President Like My Father."
In formally endorsing Obama, she writes:
It isn't that the other candidates are not experienced or knowledgeable. But this year, that might not be enough. We need a change in the leadership of this country - just as we did in 1960.
Ms. Kennedy cites Obama's record of advocacy for the poor, and his ability to inspire, particularly the young.
In the closest allusion to her father, she writes,
I want a president who understands that his responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve it.
She concludes,
I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them. But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president - not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans.
Within hours of Ms. Kennedy's endorsement, Senator Edward Kennedy also formally endorsed Obama, despite years of friendship and political alliance with Hillary Clinton. Both Kennedys will appear with Obama today in Washington at a rally at American University, where President Kennedy gave an historic speech on peace and disarmament on 10 June, 1963.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, January 25, 2008
Musical Riches This Weekend
The State Theater presents a powerhouse doubleheader over two nights, Friday and Saturday.
Friday: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the legendary vocal group from South Africa, sing spiritual songs that are simple and real, and work songs that are inspiring and uplifting.
Ladysmith made their first major impact in the U.S. refining - if not defining - the sound of Paul Simon's "Graceland" in 1986, with the hit songs "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" and "Homeless." The ensemble has performed for Pope John Paul II, and accompanied Nelson Mandela when he received the Nobel Prize for peace. Showtime at the State is 8 pm.
Saturday: Indy star Neko Case. Ms. Case disdains labels of alt-country rocker or power-pop chanteuse for, in her words, "a rock and roll Six Flags of fun." Her 2006 release, "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood," has won wide praise.
Ms. Case is fronting her own band, after long collaboration with others, most notably the New Pornographers. Saturday's show at the State is her first appearance in Ithaca, though she has shared bills in Europe with the Johnny Dowd Band, and JDB's drummer Brian Wilson played on "Fox Confessor." The 8 pm show opens with Eric Bachmann, founding member of the 90's band Archers of Loaf.
It's probably also not too late (nor too early) to get tickets for the State's third big show of the week, guitar icon Richard Thompson, on Wednesday the 30th.
Other shows:
Friday, Billy Eli at the Pourhouse in Trumansburg.
Saturday, Thousands of One have a CD release party at Castaways.
Sunday, the ABC Cafe has Kelly Birtch at brunch (11 am), and Jairo van Lunteren with the Piano Creeps at 9:30 pm. Local Irish greats Traonach appear on Bound For Glory, in Anabel Taylor Hall , a free show starting at 8:30 pm.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the legendary vocal group from South Africa, sing spiritual songs that are simple and real, and work songs that are inspiring and uplifting.
Ladysmith made their first major impact in the U.S. refining - if not defining - the sound of Paul Simon's "Graceland" in 1986, with the hit songs "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes" and "Homeless." The ensemble has performed for Pope John Paul II, and accompanied Nelson Mandela when he received the Nobel Prize for peace. Showtime at the State is 8 pm.
Saturday: Indy star Neko Case. Ms. Case disdains labels of alt-country rocker or power-pop chanteuse for, in her words, "a rock and roll Six Flags of fun." Her 2006 release, "Fox Confessor Brings the Flood," has won wide praise.
Ms. Case is fronting her own band, after long collaboration with others, most notably the New Pornographers. Saturday's show at the State is her first appearance in Ithaca, though she has shared bills in Europe with the Johnny Dowd Band, and JDB's drummer Brian Wilson played on "Fox Confessor." The 8 pm show opens with Eric Bachmann, founding member of the 90's band Archers of Loaf.
It's probably also not too late (nor too early) to get tickets for the State's third big show of the week, guitar icon Richard Thompson, on Wednesday the 30th.
Other shows:
Friday, Billy Eli at the Pourhouse in Trumansburg.
Saturday, Thousands of One have a CD release party at Castaways.
Sunday, the ABC Cafe has Kelly Birtch at brunch (11 am), and Jairo van Lunteren with the Piano Creeps at 9:30 pm. Local Irish greats Traonach appear on Bound For Glory, in Anabel Taylor Hall , a free show starting at 8:30 pm.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Congressman Jim Walsh, Republican from Syracuse, To Retire After 10 Terms
Next time you think voting and other political action might not mean much, remember this day: the day Congressman Jim Walsh quit.
Representing a wide swath of central New York, Walsh has been as strong a shoo-in incumbent as you'll find. Just three years ago, he won re-election with 91% of the vote.
In 2006, however, he was challenged by Dan Maffei, an ex-aide to Patrick Moynihan and Charles Rangel. The margin of victory this time was razor-thin, at 3,400 votes, and not determined until ten days after the election.
Until that race, Walsh was in lockstep with the Bush administration across the board, including the war in Iraq. The election sent Walsh a message. He moved away from Bush on the war, and actually opposed the surge last year.
But it was too little too late. Maffei will run again this year, and Walsh saw the handwriting on the wall.
"I've never seen anything like it," Walsh said of his change in fortune. "There was a real tide in the country, and it was tough to buck for all of us. It was very anti-war, and very anti-President Bush, in upstate New York. Two years ago, I had no opponent. Go figure."
We admire Mr. Walsh for his candor in stating his reasons for retirement. (There was, of course, some of the usual balderdash about wanting to spend more time with his family.) Perhaps the attendant frankness was meant as a wake-up call to his party. It also serves as an affirmation for political activists. Your voice matters.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Representing a wide swath of central New York, Walsh has been as strong a shoo-in incumbent as you'll find. Just three years ago, he won re-election with 91% of the vote.
In 2006, however, he was challenged by Dan Maffei, an ex-aide to Patrick Moynihan and Charles Rangel. The margin of victory this time was razor-thin, at 3,400 votes, and not determined until ten days after the election.
Until that race, Walsh was in lockstep with the Bush administration across the board, including the war in Iraq. The election sent Walsh a message. He moved away from Bush on the war, and actually opposed the surge last year.
But it was too little too late. Maffei will run again this year, and Walsh saw the handwriting on the wall.
"I've never seen anything like it," Walsh said of his change in fortune. "There was a real tide in the country, and it was tough to buck for all of us. It was very anti-war, and very anti-President Bush, in upstate New York. Two years ago, I had no opponent. Go figure."
We admire Mr. Walsh for his candor in stating his reasons for retirement. (There was, of course, some of the usual balderdash about wanting to spend more time with his family.) Perhaps the attendant frankness was meant as a wake-up call to his party. It also serves as an affirmation for political activists. Your voice matters.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Grace Lee Boggs on Barack Obama - and Us
Today on Democracy Now, Amy Goodman interviewed Grace Lee Boggs, the 92-year old political activist and community organizer.
Ms. Boggs spoke of the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King - which, 40 years after his assassination, are strikingly pertinent in this time of war, eroding civil liberties, and impending economic crisis.
Ms. Boggs sees promise in the candidacy of Barack Obama. But on her web site (http://www.boggscenter.org/), she warns against too much faith in leaders in our political system, infested as it is with corporate dollars. She writes:
The new energies being unleashed by Barack Obama hold great promise. In his person and prose Obama embodies the achievements of the movements of the 20th century and the hope that we can become the change we want to see in the 21st century.
To build the movement for change will not be easy. The challenges we face demand profound changes not only in our institutions but in ourselves. To become part of the solution, we must recognize that we are a large part of the problem.
That means we can't leave it all to Obama. Instead of being followers of a charasmatic leader, we must be the leaders we've been looking for. This is the best way to make Obama less vulnerable to corporate funders and lobbyists.
* * *
We have to create the momentum for these changes at the grassroots level. Instead of being seduced by Wal-Mart's low prices, refusing to acknowledge that these bargains exist because multi-national corporations outsource U.S. jobs to Chinese sweatshops, we need to create local sustainable economies that not only reduce carbon emissions, but provide more opportunities for our young people to be of use. Instead of viewing success in terms of more consumer goods, we need to devise more ways to live simply and cooperatively, thereby not only making it possible for more people to simply live, but also discovering positive and even joyful ways to grapple with our own increasing economic hardships.
Obama can become a great president only if we become a great people. We must grow together.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Ms. Boggs spoke of the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King - which, 40 years after his assassination, are strikingly pertinent in this time of war, eroding civil liberties, and impending economic crisis.
Ms. Boggs sees promise in the candidacy of Barack Obama. But on her web site (http://www.boggscenter.org/), she warns against too much faith in leaders in our political system, infested as it is with corporate dollars. She writes:
The new energies being unleashed by Barack Obama hold great promise. In his person and prose Obama embodies the achievements of the movements of the 20th century and the hope that we can become the change we want to see in the 21st century.
To build the movement for change will not be easy. The challenges we face demand profound changes not only in our institutions but in ourselves. To become part of the solution, we must recognize that we are a large part of the problem.
That means we can't leave it all to Obama. Instead of being followers of a charasmatic leader, we must be the leaders we've been looking for. This is the best way to make Obama less vulnerable to corporate funders and lobbyists.
* * *
We have to create the momentum for these changes at the grassroots level. Instead of being seduced by Wal-Mart's low prices, refusing to acknowledge that these bargains exist because multi-national corporations outsource U.S. jobs to Chinese sweatshops, we need to create local sustainable economies that not only reduce carbon emissions, but provide more opportunities for our young people to be of use. Instead of viewing success in terms of more consumer goods, we need to devise more ways to live simply and cooperatively, thereby not only making it possible for more people to simply live, but also discovering positive and even joyful ways to grapple with our own increasing economic hardships.
Obama can become a great president only if we become a great people. We must grow together.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
"Barack the Vote" Concert and Rally, 1 Feb., State Theater
A stellar amalgam of local musicians perform at the State Theater on Friday 1 February in a benefit concert for Barack Obama.
"Barack the Vote" features the Sim Redmond Band, Jeb Puryear of Donna the Buffalo, Richie Stearns, Hank Roberts, Kevin Kinsella, Uniit, Crow Greenspun, and what is billed as "a special guest performance" by Samite.
There is a suggested donation of $10, taken at the door; there are no tickets per se.
Doors will open for a rally at 6 pm. The concert will start at 7.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
"Barack the Vote" features the Sim Redmond Band, Jeb Puryear of Donna the Buffalo, Richie Stearns, Hank Roberts, Kevin Kinsella, Uniit, Crow Greenspun, and what is billed as "a special guest performance" by Samite.
There is a suggested donation of $10, taken at the door; there are no tickets per se.
Doors will open for a rally at 6 pm. The concert will start at 7.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, January 18, 2008
Sale on Sounds of "Light In Winter" at Small World Music
Ithaca Blog's home base, Small World Music, is a little removed from the center of action of the Light In Winter festival here in our West End location, but we want to invite visitors (and residents) to take the 6-block trip west of the Commons and the State Theater to find music of festival performers Hugh Masekela, Cyro Baptista, Water Bear, Reggie Carpenter, et al., as well as performers you might see around town this weekend, such as Richie Stearns, Gabriel Tavares, Kevin Kinsella, and Bill Staines.
Mention this posting, and get 10% off all purchases.
Small World Music is at 614 W. State St., down the driveway. While in the neighborhood, check out the other great businesses within a block or two: Gimme Coffee, GreenStar Coop, Sparrow's Wines, Finger Lakes Beverages (fancy beer & soda), Maxie's restaurant, Tuff Soul clothes, and Taste of Thai Express.
Small World Music is open 11 am - 6 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sundays and Mondays.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog & Small World Music
Mention this posting, and get 10% off all purchases.
Small World Music is at 614 W. State St., down the driveway. While in the neighborhood, check out the other great businesses within a block or two: Gimme Coffee, GreenStar Coop, Sparrow's Wines, Finger Lakes Beverages (fancy beer & soda), Maxie's restaurant, Tuff Soul clothes, and Taste of Thai Express.
Small World Music is open 11 am - 6 pm, Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sundays and Mondays.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog & Small World Music
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Weekend, 18 - 20 January
As usual but even moreso, there's too much fun in Ithaca this weekend, focused on the big Light in Winter Festival, but with platesful more around town and campi as college life resumes.
Light in Winter is bringing back a couple of big international bands from recent GrassRoots Festivals: Hugh Masekela, the South African superstar who was the bust-out act last summer (at age 64 or so), and Cyro Baptista & Beat the Donkey, from Brazil and other locales, who were the heroes of the 2006 Festival with inspired music and costumed, prop-filled, slightly lunatic merriment after the worst day of rain (and washed-out performances) in GrassRoots history. It was also, of course, the day of greatest resurgence, with Baptista leading the charge.
Masekela performs at Cornell's venerable, refurbished Bailey Hall on Saturday, 8 pm. Baptista plays amidst similar grandeur downtown at the State Theater, Sunday at 8.
Friday night, Castaways hosts reggae legend Clinton Fearon, a founding member of the Gladiators. Kevin Kinsella, erstwhile frontman for John Brown's Body, opens with what we believe to be a committed new band. Break a leg, Kevin.
Saturday night, local heroes Gabriel Tavares and Richie Stearns get together at the Lost Dog at 8 pm, and the Butane Variations fire up at the Chapter House at 10.
Sunday night, folk music great Bill Staines returns to open another season for Bound For Glory at Anabel Taylor Hall. First set for the free show starts at 8:30, but you will need to arrive early for a seat for this one, no matter what else is going on in town. Bill will get the love.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Light in Winter is bringing back a couple of big international bands from recent GrassRoots Festivals: Hugh Masekela, the South African superstar who was the bust-out act last summer (at age 64 or so), and Cyro Baptista & Beat the Donkey, from Brazil and other locales, who were the heroes of the 2006 Festival with inspired music and costumed, prop-filled, slightly lunatic merriment after the worst day of rain (and washed-out performances) in GrassRoots history. It was also, of course, the day of greatest resurgence, with Baptista leading the charge.
Masekela performs at Cornell's venerable, refurbished Bailey Hall on Saturday, 8 pm. Baptista plays amidst similar grandeur downtown at the State Theater, Sunday at 8.
Friday night, Castaways hosts reggae legend Clinton Fearon, a founding member of the Gladiators. Kevin Kinsella, erstwhile frontman for John Brown's Body, opens with what we believe to be a committed new band. Break a leg, Kevin.
Saturday night, local heroes Gabriel Tavares and Richie Stearns get together at the Lost Dog at 8 pm, and the Butane Variations fire up at the Chapter House at 10.
Sunday night, folk music great Bill Staines returns to open another season for Bound For Glory at Anabel Taylor Hall. First set for the free show starts at 8:30, but you will need to arrive early for a seat for this one, no matter what else is going on in town. Bill will get the love.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Alex Haley, Ithaca's Chronicler of Dr. Martin Luther King
Ithacans can take local pride on Martin Luther King Day in the contribution by Alex Haley, the late author and native of Ithaca, to the historical literature on Dr. King .
Mr. Haley conducted the longest interview ever given by Dr. King. The interview was published by Playboy magazine in January 1965.
The piece serves as a contemporaneous account by Dr. King of his work, not as an historic enterprise which would inevitably recast society, but as a daily struggle with tactics, alliances, and inspiration, without sureness of success or even safety.
The interview can be read online in a setting unbefitting of its status, shall we say, in the archives of the website of Playboy magazine. It is also available in printed anthologies of Alex Haley's work.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Mr. Haley conducted the longest interview ever given by Dr. King. The interview was published by Playboy magazine in January 1965.
The piece serves as a contemporaneous account by Dr. King of his work, not as an historic enterprise which would inevitably recast society, but as a daily struggle with tactics, alliances, and inspiration, without sureness of success or even safety.
The interview can be read online in a setting unbefitting of its status, shall we say, in the archives of the website of Playboy magazine. It is also available in printed anthologies of Alex Haley's work.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Rain and the Coffeehouse
The answer to our quiz about whether people patronize coffeehouses more, less, or no differently on gloomy, rainy days (as it was last Friday, the day of the quiz) is, according to Gimme Coffee barista Sid: differently, but the same.
Differently in that fewer people visit, but those who do visit longer. So although the traffic is lighter, it is more robust, to use a couple of coffee terms. The result for the coffeehouse is that the dollar volume of business is about the same, rain or shine.
The randomly-selected winner of a $10 gift certificate to Small World Music is Jeremiah, who did not actually venture a guess, but rhapsodized poetically about the beauty of rain, and its ability to bring people together. It reminded us of John Lennon's paean on the subject, circa 1967.
Everything's the same,
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Differently in that fewer people visit, but those who do visit longer. So although the traffic is lighter, it is more robust, to use a couple of coffee terms. The result for the coffeehouse is that the dollar volume of business is about the same, rain or shine.
The randomly-selected winner of a $10 gift certificate to Small World Music is Jeremiah, who did not actually venture a guess, but rhapsodized poetically about the beauty of rain, and its ability to bring people together. It reminded us of John Lennon's paean on the subject, circa 1967.
Everything's the same,
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, January 11, 2008
Ithaca Hours on Google Video, from Italy
Even those of us who help run Ithaca Hours, and do a lot of business with Hours, are surprised sometimes at the extent of interest in our local currency around the country and the world.
The latest instance (a long one) is a video posted by a group of filmmakers who visited Ithaca from Italy last month. As they continue work on the final product (they say preparing the Italian subtitles is the hardest part), they are posting rough footage on Google Video.
Part 1, up now, is an interview done here at Small World Music, with the president of Hours' Board of Directors, who also happens to own Small World Music, and also writes Ithaca Blog, and is also yours truly.
The interview is over an hour, and not even close family figures to watch the whole thing, and I haven't, either. But if you are interested in seeing a bit of what people from rather far off want to know about un esempio di moneta locale complentare, you can check www.video.google.com, and simply search for "Ithaca Hours," or what the filmmakers are officially (as of now) calling "What Is Ithaca Hours?"
Future installments will feature GreenStar Co-op, ABC Cafe, and Alternatives Federal Credit Union.
- Stephen Burke
The latest instance (a long one) is a video posted by a group of filmmakers who visited Ithaca from Italy last month. As they continue work on the final product (they say preparing the Italian subtitles is the hardest part), they are posting rough footage on Google Video.
Part 1, up now, is an interview done here at Small World Music, with the president of Hours' Board of Directors, who also happens to own Small World Music, and also writes Ithaca Blog, and is also yours truly.
The interview is over an hour, and not even close family figures to watch the whole thing, and I haven't, either. But if you are interested in seeing a bit of what people from rather far off want to know about un esempio di moneta locale complentare, you can check www.video.google.com, and simply search for "Ithaca Hours," or what the filmmakers are officially (as of now) calling "What Is Ithaca Hours?"
Future installments will feature GreenStar Co-op, ABC Cafe, and Alternatives Federal Credit Union.
- Stephen Burke
Weekend Quiz: Rain and the Desire for Coffee
We resurrect a moribund Ithaca Blog tradition today with a weekend quiz.
We thought of the question this morning on the way to work. It's rainy and lousy and we decided to stop at Gimme Coffee, down West State Street from Small World Music, for a Midnight Rider, you know, a little treat for ourselves beyond the barbaric coffee we personally brew.
We wondered, does the coffee shop do better business on rainy days, with people who think like us, coming in specially to treat themselves? Or does business suffer when it rains? Or, does the rain have no effect?
Ponder and respond and you become eligible for a $10 gift certificate to Small World Music, selected at random. Every entry is eligible, not just correct ones, because it is not quite a right and wrong kind of question, although we did get a pretty definitive answer from Sid at Gimme, which we will reveal on Monday, along with the contest winner.
Post a response here, or send it to Small World Music, at sworldmu@twcny.rr.com.
cheers
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
We thought of the question this morning on the way to work. It's rainy and lousy and we decided to stop at Gimme Coffee, down West State Street from Small World Music, for a Midnight Rider, you know, a little treat for ourselves beyond the barbaric coffee we personally brew.
We wondered, does the coffee shop do better business on rainy days, with people who think like us, coming in specially to treat themselves? Or does business suffer when it rains? Or, does the rain have no effect?
Ponder and respond and you become eligible for a $10 gift certificate to Small World Music, selected at random. Every entry is eligible, not just correct ones, because it is not quite a right and wrong kind of question, although we did get a pretty definitive answer from Sid at Gimme, which we will reveal on Monday, along with the contest winner.
Post a response here, or send it to Small World Music, at sworldmu@twcny.rr.com.
cheers
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Big Music All Around Ithaca in January
We had some visitors from Queens last weekend who marveled at all there is to do in Ithaca, particularly in music.
What are you talking, we said, compared to New York?
They said yeah but, in New York there is schlepping. Here, yous have it all very nice in one nice neighborhood (our city being the equivalent of a small city neighborhood, I suppose).
They're right. We have music at the Lost Dog, Castaways, the ABC, the Haunt, the Chapter House, and most splendidly the State Theater. Our guests loved the idea of eating dinner at Diamonds, Moosewoods, or any of another dozen restaurants, up until 5 minutes to show time, then strolling a block to the big venue.
So you shouldn't miss out, here are some of the big shows playing in town through January.
Spider John Koerner, with the Chicken Chokers. Castaways, Thursday 10 Jan.
The following are all at the State:
GrassRoots Festival sensation Cyro Baptista and Beat the Donkey, Sun. 20 Jan.
South African legends Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Fri. 25 Jan.
Neko Case, Sat. 26 Jan.
Why isn't Richard Thompson as venerated as Eric Clapton? Because he's funnier? A rare opportunity to see this great guitarist and creative force, Wed. 30 Jan.
At Small World Music, we have recordings by all these fine people (CDs and LPs), including some hard-to-find things, and some used inventory in good condition at nice prices. Come see; you won't be sorry.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
What are you talking, we said, compared to New York?
They said yeah but, in New York there is schlepping. Here, yous have it all very nice in one nice neighborhood (our city being the equivalent of a small city neighborhood, I suppose).
They're right. We have music at the Lost Dog, Castaways, the ABC, the Haunt, the Chapter House, and most splendidly the State Theater. Our guests loved the idea of eating dinner at Diamonds, Moosewoods, or any of another dozen restaurants, up until 5 minutes to show time, then strolling a block to the big venue.
So you shouldn't miss out, here are some of the big shows playing in town through January.
Spider John Koerner, with the Chicken Chokers. Castaways, Thursday 10 Jan.
The following are all at the State:
GrassRoots Festival sensation Cyro Baptista and Beat the Donkey, Sun. 20 Jan.
South African legends Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Fri. 25 Jan.
Neko Case, Sat. 26 Jan.
Why isn't Richard Thompson as venerated as Eric Clapton? Because he's funnier? A rare opportunity to see this great guitarist and creative force, Wed. 30 Jan.
At Small World Music, we have recordings by all these fine people (CDs and LPs), including some hard-to-find things, and some used inventory in good condition at nice prices. Come see; you won't be sorry.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Politician's Work is Never Done, or At Least Not Done Well
The political strife and violence in the Middle East has galvanized George Bush's rapt attention, or at least reached his awareness. The White House announces that he is taking his first trip as president to the region, to see what the heck the hubbub's all about.
He's in office seven years, with one to go.
He spends a lot of time on his bike and treadmill, they say. His heart rate is reportedly 48 beats per minute, which is very low, although one suspects it might actually be much lower, as blood is necessary in the head for brain function.
You or I could never be guilty of waiting seven years on our job to start some of our most important work, because we wouldn't stay hired a fraction of that time.
Actual work is not a big requirement for politicians in our system. The other night in the New Hampshire debates, the candidates were asked to cite something - anything - they accomplished in office. Ex-Senator John Edwards said he helped write a bill for health rights, although as Hillary Clinton noted, the bill didn't pass. Senator Barack Obama said he helped sponsor legislation to forbid politicians from sitting down when they eat meals with lobbyists. No kidding, that's what he said when asked for a political achievement.
Because politicians are indebted to corporate sponsors, their actual job is not to make big things happen, but to keep them from happening. This is why all the talk about change, lately, is actually quite pertinent, although none of these candidates is talking about real change, because it is not in their interest, by any means.
Try to think of something positive (don't even think about monumental) that any current politician has achieved. What have New York's senators done to stop the war in Iraq? They made it possible in the first place, because it was the easiest thing to do, and it would at least make money for people they knew, and they didn't know anyone who would have to fight. What has our current president ever done? What did the previous one ever do? Clinton tried to implement health care, but when that proved difficult, he stopped.
Al Gore became a leader only after he left electoral politics. That shows something fundamental is wrong with the system.
Fundamentally, it's money. Things won't change until we change a system where money and the status quo always come first, and working for the interests of ordinary people comes last.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
He's in office seven years, with one to go.
He spends a lot of time on his bike and treadmill, they say. His heart rate is reportedly 48 beats per minute, which is very low, although one suspects it might actually be much lower, as blood is necessary in the head for brain function.
You or I could never be guilty of waiting seven years on our job to start some of our most important work, because we wouldn't stay hired a fraction of that time.
Actual work is not a big requirement for politicians in our system. The other night in the New Hampshire debates, the candidates were asked to cite something - anything - they accomplished in office. Ex-Senator John Edwards said he helped write a bill for health rights, although as Hillary Clinton noted, the bill didn't pass. Senator Barack Obama said he helped sponsor legislation to forbid politicians from sitting down when they eat meals with lobbyists. No kidding, that's what he said when asked for a political achievement.
Because politicians are indebted to corporate sponsors, their actual job is not to make big things happen, but to keep them from happening. This is why all the talk about change, lately, is actually quite pertinent, although none of these candidates is talking about real change, because it is not in their interest, by any means.
Try to think of something positive (don't even think about monumental) that any current politician has achieved. What have New York's senators done to stop the war in Iraq? They made it possible in the first place, because it was the easiest thing to do, and it would at least make money for people they knew, and they didn't know anyone who would have to fight. What has our current president ever done? What did the previous one ever do? Clinton tried to implement health care, but when that proved difficult, he stopped.
Al Gore became a leader only after he left electoral politics. That shows something fundamental is wrong with the system.
Fundamentally, it's money. Things won't change until we change a system where money and the status quo always come first, and working for the interests of ordinary people comes last.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Wegman's Quits Smoking
Ever get a funny feeling walking through the supermarket, with all the advertising about health, and then walking past the counter where they sell cigarettes, to kill you?
Well, it won't happen anymore at Wegman's. This week, the supermarket chain announced it is quitting the tobacco business, ending cigarette sales at all its stores.
Not because the business isn't profitable, but because it isn't right.
The company will also start smoking cessation programs for its employees.
Wegman's is a privately-owned, regional chain with more latitude for such decisions than corporate chains. (See our previous posting on the value of independent businesses.)
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Well, it won't happen anymore at Wegman's. This week, the supermarket chain announced it is quitting the tobacco business, ending cigarette sales at all its stores.
Not because the business isn't profitable, but because it isn't right.
The company will also start smoking cessation programs for its employees.
Wegman's is a privately-owned, regional chain with more latitude for such decisions than corporate chains. (See our previous posting on the value of independent businesses.)
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Corporate Takeovers of "Natural" Companies: Bert's Bees Sold for $1 Billion
American consumers who want to buy from small, principled businesses have to be pretty nimble these days. Bert's Bees, the Maine maufacturer of natural health and beauty products, is the latest such business to sell out to a corporation: to the bleach company Clorox, for almost a billion dollars ($913 million).
Colgate-Palmolive recently paid $100 million for Tom's of Maine, the pioneering maker of natural toothpastes and deodorants.
Multinational food giant Unilever bought the Ben & Jerry's ice cream company in 2000. The founders are no longer involved in the company's daily operations.
Cascadian Farms and Muir Glen are makers of organic frozen and canned products now owned by General Mills.
Perhaps the local food movement that has developed in recent years ("local is the new organic") will extend to sellers as well as growers, as this trend of corporate takeovers continues. Part of the issue in the "small is beautiful" movement has always been about control, not just about quality, of food and consumer goods.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Colgate-Palmolive recently paid $100 million for Tom's of Maine, the pioneering maker of natural toothpastes and deodorants.
Multinational food giant Unilever bought the Ben & Jerry's ice cream company in 2000. The founders are no longer involved in the company's daily operations.
Cascadian Farms and Muir Glen are makers of organic frozen and canned products now owned by General Mills.
Perhaps the local food movement that has developed in recent years ("local is the new organic") will extend to sellers as well as growers, as this trend of corporate takeovers continues. Part of the issue in the "small is beautiful" movement has always been about control, not just about quality, of food and consumer goods.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Anti-War Censorship in the ABC TV Debate
Don't expect to hear any strong talk about getting out of Iraq on the Democratic debate on ABC tonight. Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel, the two candidates advocating the most rapid end to the occupation, have been excluded.
The ostensible reason is that the two have insufficient followings. Still, it seems important to have at least one representative of an anti-war view that is held by a large number of Americans.
Coincidentally, or perhaps not, the four invited candidates are all beneficiaries of campaign money from the Disney corporation, owner of ABC.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The ostensible reason is that the two have insufficient followings. Still, it seems important to have at least one representative of an anti-war view that is held by a large number of Americans.
Coincidentally, or perhaps not, the four invited candidates are all beneficiaries of campaign money from the Disney corporation, owner of ABC.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, January 04, 2008
Sign of Change in Iowa
In our Blog entry yesterday, we cast a jaundiced eye at the willingness of Iowans to vote for anyone but a mainstream Protestant white man, no matter what they said to pollsters.
We said we would be surprised to be wrong. With the Republicans, we were right. The Democrats surprised us. Happily so.
Obama's triumph came from a huge turnout of devoted partisans. That's great. Those voters made history. They showed a desire for change, and a willingness to work for it.
Can idealism and activism actually defeat prejudice and old power structures this year? The vote in Iowa is a sign of change.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
We said we would be surprised to be wrong. With the Republicans, we were right. The Democrats surprised us. Happily so.
Obama's triumph came from a huge turnout of devoted partisans. That's great. Those voters made history. They showed a desire for change, and a willingness to work for it.
Can idealism and activism actually defeat prejudice and old power structures this year? The vote in Iowa is a sign of change.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Predictions for Iowa: Edwards and Huckabee
Our prediction for the winners of tonight's Iowa presidential caucuses: John Edwards and Mike Huckabee.
Our rationale? Simple. They are the most prominent mainstream Christian white guys.
A few years ago, when it seemed possible that Hillary Clinton and Condoleeza Rice could be the 2008 Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, Dave Chappelle had a joke. "Do you know who the winner of that election would be? Ralph Nader. By a landslide."
Right now, the polls say the Iowa races are too close to call. That's because there aren't a lot of people in Iowa who will tell a pollster they are unlikely to vote for a woman, a black, a Mormon, or an Italian Catholic from New York City. Sorry, Hillary, Barack, Mitt, and Rudy.
We won't mind being wrong, but we will be surprised.
See you tomorrow!
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Our rationale? Simple. They are the most prominent mainstream Christian white guys.
A few years ago, when it seemed possible that Hillary Clinton and Condoleeza Rice could be the 2008 Democratic and Republican presidential candidates, Dave Chappelle had a joke. "Do you know who the winner of that election would be? Ralph Nader. By a landslide."
Right now, the polls say the Iowa races are too close to call. That's because there aren't a lot of people in Iowa who will tell a pollster they are unlikely to vote for a woman, a black, a Mormon, or an Italian Catholic from New York City. Sorry, Hillary, Barack, Mitt, and Rudy.
We won't mind being wrong, but we will be surprised.
See you tomorrow!
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Working, Not Just Wishing, for a Happy New Year
We had a brief time away from Ithaca Blog for the holiday, and also from Ithaca, and got some perspective on what is especially good about our town, and how to maintain it.
The main thing, probably, is to get involved. Ithaca is flush with innovative organizations that improve the quality of life in this town and serve as a model for others. They all would benefit from your involvement:
- the Cancer Resource Center provides free services and support to people with cancer or recovering from cancer. They also have information and services for cancer screening and protection. The environment is low-key and friendly. They are located at 612 W. State Street.
- Loaves and Fishes transcends the idea of a soup kitchen in providing high-quality meals free of charge every day in a community setting at St. John's Episcopal Church. The setting is not one of a charity so much as a gathering spot and resource center where people are welcomed to take care of their needs, but also to explore, with others, how they can help themselves, and others. It is a potent environment. A simple first step to finding out about it is to go eat there. We guarantee you will be impressed.
- Ithaca Hours is a local currency system that circulates, to date, over $100,000 in local money to help individuals bring more money into their lives, by working for local money which they can spend with other people and businesses. Hours publishes a directory, a "local yellow pages" (it is also on line, at http://www.ithacahours.org/) of hundreds of participants who do artwork, healing (Cayuga Medical Center is a member organization, among many others), construction, landscaping, painting, Internet providing, financial and other professional services, website production, yoga instruction, and much more.
Prominent participating businesses include GreenStar Coop, ABC Cafe, Alternatives Federal Credit Union, Ithaca Bakery, the Bookery, Lightlink, Small World Music, Sparrow's Wines and Liquors, Finger Lakes Beverages, Maxie's, Ithaca Guitar Works, and others - local businesses that realize that a local currency helps them compete with out-of-town chains. You can join and get listed in the directory for $10, for which you will also get 2 Ithaca Hours, worth US$20, to start. So you make money right away, and get involved with one of the world's leading independent currency systems, creating a new vision of money, based on sharing, not scarcity.
- the State Theater is a beautiful and venerable theater in the heart of downtown which is probably the finest venue for popular music between New York City and Toronto. Even in wintry, school-recessed January, they're presenting major acts: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Neko Case, and Richard Thompson (and in Febrauary, Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt; and Medeski, Martin, and Wood). You can contribute by buying a ticket, being wowed in an environment that is both palace and living room, and doing it often.
- Love Know No Bounds is a grassroots group that is not only bringing very real relief to stricken neighborhoods in New Orleans, but working to create an official Sister City relationship between Ithaca and New Orleans' 7th Ward.
- Ithaca has a vital downtown that is the envy of upstate New York. Every time you come downtown to eat or shop, you are supporting municipal health and combating car culture and its sprawl.
So it's not necessarily all work. But it works like work. Come outside, and get involved. Good fortune to you, and us all, in 2008.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The main thing, probably, is to get involved. Ithaca is flush with innovative organizations that improve the quality of life in this town and serve as a model for others. They all would benefit from your involvement:
- the Cancer Resource Center provides free services and support to people with cancer or recovering from cancer. They also have information and services for cancer screening and protection. The environment is low-key and friendly. They are located at 612 W. State Street.
- Loaves and Fishes transcends the idea of a soup kitchen in providing high-quality meals free of charge every day in a community setting at St. John's Episcopal Church. The setting is not one of a charity so much as a gathering spot and resource center where people are welcomed to take care of their needs, but also to explore, with others, how they can help themselves, and others. It is a potent environment. A simple first step to finding out about it is to go eat there. We guarantee you will be impressed.
- Ithaca Hours is a local currency system that circulates, to date, over $100,000 in local money to help individuals bring more money into their lives, by working for local money which they can spend with other people and businesses. Hours publishes a directory, a "local yellow pages" (it is also on line, at http://www.ithacahours.org/) of hundreds of participants who do artwork, healing (Cayuga Medical Center is a member organization, among many others), construction, landscaping, painting, Internet providing, financial and other professional services, website production, yoga instruction, and much more.
Prominent participating businesses include GreenStar Coop, ABC Cafe, Alternatives Federal Credit Union, Ithaca Bakery, the Bookery, Lightlink, Small World Music, Sparrow's Wines and Liquors, Finger Lakes Beverages, Maxie's, Ithaca Guitar Works, and others - local businesses that realize that a local currency helps them compete with out-of-town chains. You can join and get listed in the directory for $10, for which you will also get 2 Ithaca Hours, worth US$20, to start. So you make money right away, and get involved with one of the world's leading independent currency systems, creating a new vision of money, based on sharing, not scarcity.
- the State Theater is a beautiful and venerable theater in the heart of downtown which is probably the finest venue for popular music between New York City and Toronto. Even in wintry, school-recessed January, they're presenting major acts: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Neko Case, and Richard Thompson (and in Febrauary, Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt; and Medeski, Martin, and Wood). You can contribute by buying a ticket, being wowed in an environment that is both palace and living room, and doing it often.
- Love Know No Bounds is a grassroots group that is not only bringing very real relief to stricken neighborhoods in New Orleans, but working to create an official Sister City relationship between Ithaca and New Orleans' 7th Ward.
- Ithaca has a vital downtown that is the envy of upstate New York. Every time you come downtown to eat or shop, you are supporting municipal health and combating car culture and its sprawl.
So it's not necessarily all work. But it works like work. Come outside, and get involved. Good fortune to you, and us all, in 2008.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Monday, December 24, 2007
New Year's Eve Festivities in Ithaca
Note from December 2008: engine searches for "ithaca new years" and the like have been leading to this page rather than the current one, in 2008. Check there for current info.)
It's still a week away, but we have been getting a lot of inquiries about New Year's Eve action in Ithaca. Here's what we know.
Felicia's Atomic Lounge gets the ball dropping early with a two-hour program of live show tune performance. From 6:30 - 8:30. After that, it's drink specials and whatever can happen in a room full of drinking people after two hours of show tunes. No cover.
The Sonic Planet radio program hosts a performance by gypsy band Gadje at the ABC Cafe, followed by a DJed dance party that figures to be strong on the big-beat world music. Doors open at 9, and Gadje will play at 10. There wil be food and drink available. Admission is $5, or one-half Ithaca Hour.
The Sim Redmond Band will be at Castaways, with Kevin Kinsella. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 9 pm.
Maxie's rolls up the carpet in the Breeze Room to make room for dancing, to DJ music. No cover charge; age 21-plus after 11 pm. The restaurant also has a special NYE Prix Fixe menu. Call for information and reservations: 272-4136.
In Trumansburg, Mudcat and Blue Sky Mission Club play at the Rongo. $5 cover. 9 pm.
cheers -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
It's still a week away, but we have been getting a lot of inquiries about New Year's Eve action in Ithaca. Here's what we know.
Felicia's Atomic Lounge gets the ball dropping early with a two-hour program of live show tune performance. From 6:30 - 8:30. After that, it's drink specials and whatever can happen in a room full of drinking people after two hours of show tunes. No cover.
The Sonic Planet radio program hosts a performance by gypsy band Gadje at the ABC Cafe, followed by a DJed dance party that figures to be strong on the big-beat world music. Doors open at 9, and Gadje will play at 10. There wil be food and drink available. Admission is $5, or one-half Ithaca Hour.
The Sim Redmond Band will be at Castaways, with Kevin Kinsella. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. 9 pm.
Maxie's rolls up the carpet in the Breeze Room to make room for dancing, to DJ music. No cover charge; age 21-plus after 11 pm. The restaurant also has a special NYE Prix Fixe menu. Call for information and reservations: 272-4136.
In Trumansburg, Mudcat and Blue Sky Mission Club play at the Rongo. $5 cover. 9 pm.
cheers -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, December 21, 2007
Weekend Activities, Dec. 21-23
Fri. 12/21: Urban Horse Thieves are the bill for a Christmas party at Micawber's. 6 pm.
DJ Nicky Wood brings his Ultimate Dance Party to Pancho Villa, 602 W. State St. We were at a private party with Nicky as DJ last week and people got wacky. Showtime 9 pm.
Sat. 12/22: Jsan & the Analogue Sons at the Chapter House, 10 pm.
Sun. 12/23: It was misreported in some media as occuring yesterday, but the Burns Sisters Holiday Show is Sunday, 3 pm, at the Lost Dog Lounge. Another show has just been added for Sunday evening, starting at 6 pm.
Jairo Van Lunteren at Felicia's Lounge, with guests Johnny Dowd and Jeb Puryear. 7 pm.
And don't forget, music fans, Small World Music is open every day between now and Christmas.
614 W. State St., down the driveway, 11 am - 6 pm.
Have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
DJ Nicky Wood brings his Ultimate Dance Party to Pancho Villa, 602 W. State St. We were at a private party with Nicky as DJ last week and people got wacky. Showtime 9 pm.
Sat. 12/22: Jsan & the Analogue Sons at the Chapter House, 10 pm.
Sun. 12/23: It was misreported in some media as occuring yesterday, but the Burns Sisters Holiday Show is Sunday, 3 pm, at the Lost Dog Lounge. Another show has just been added for Sunday evening, starting at 6 pm.
Jairo Van Lunteren at Felicia's Lounge, with guests Johnny Dowd and Jeb Puryear. 7 pm.
And don't forget, music fans, Small World Music is open every day between now and Christmas.
614 W. State St., down the driveway, 11 am - 6 pm.
Have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Extra Days Open at Small World Music
For our faithful I. Blog readers who are also faithful Small World Music shoppers (or thinking about it), we want to let you know that Small World Music will be open every day from now through Christmas, foregoing our usual Sunday & Monday closed days.
If you need music for the holidays, we are much more accessible than the mall (there will be a non-stop traffic jam on Triphammer Road from now through late Monday), and of course much more rikki-tik, in every way.
Pull into the driveway and park a few leg-lengths from our front door. Park on the street and you are still just 90 feet away. There is plenty of good music inside. We are also directly across the street from Finger Lakes Beverage, a very nice beer and soda store, if those things are on your shopping list.
We hope to see you soon. Open from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Steve Burke
for I. Blog and Small World Music
If you need music for the holidays, we are much more accessible than the mall (there will be a non-stop traffic jam on Triphammer Road from now through late Monday), and of course much more rikki-tik, in every way.
Pull into the driveway and park a few leg-lengths from our front door. Park on the street and you are still just 90 feet away. There is plenty of good music inside. We are also directly across the street from Finger Lakes Beverage, a very nice beer and soda store, if those things are on your shopping list.
We hope to see you soon. Open from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Steve Burke
for I. Blog and Small World Music
Preserve Your Downtown: Shop There
The director of the Ithaca Downtown Partnership, Gary Ferguson, writes in this week's Ithaca Times, "There 's a generation of people, many in their 20s and 30s, who grew up without a downtown in their lives."
We're fortunate, having one here. It's filled with great shops and restaurants, surrounded by ample parking structures, and centered by a pedestrian mall which frequently hosts entertainment and community events.
Ferguson describes Ithaca's downtown as a rarity in our region, and the envy of other cities. He notes that "Out-of-area visitors are the fastest-growing segment of the downtown marketplace. People from greater Rochester and the Binghamton areas are coming to Ithaca with increasing frequency. Why? It is not because they seek traditional national retailers. They have plenty of those. Rather, they seek the experiential shopping and unique quality that our Ithaca shops have to offer."
At a time when even venerable locales such as Times Square and Harlem are losing their identities to national corporate businesses, Ithaca is still Ithaca. Help keep it intact, with your presence and support.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
We're fortunate, having one here. It's filled with great shops and restaurants, surrounded by ample parking structures, and centered by a pedestrian mall which frequently hosts entertainment and community events.
Ferguson describes Ithaca's downtown as a rarity in our region, and the envy of other cities. He notes that "Out-of-area visitors are the fastest-growing segment of the downtown marketplace. People from greater Rochester and the Binghamton areas are coming to Ithaca with increasing frequency. Why? It is not because they seek traditional national retailers. They have plenty of those. Rather, they seek the experiential shopping and unique quality that our Ithaca shops have to offer."
At a time when even venerable locales such as Times Square and Harlem are losing their identities to national corporate businesses, Ithaca is still Ithaca. Help keep it intact, with your presence and support.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Tidings of Comfort and Joy Verifiable
Don't worry if you feel happy at the holidays. It turns out to be normal.
Despite occasional warnings from health professionals about the stresses of gift-giving and get-togethers (and the cinematic image of jittery Jimmy Stewart careening towards the Bedford Falls bridge on Christmas Eve in "It's A Wonderful Life"), studies show that suicide rates approach an annual low in December.
Researchers speculate that nearness to loved ones counters not only whatever stress the holidays might hold, but also the ancillary ailment of Seasonal Affective Disorder, a depressive syndrome brought on by the short days of winter.
So don't hesitate to turn on your love light for friends and family this season. You're doing them quantifiable medical good. Yourself, too.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Despite occasional warnings from health professionals about the stresses of gift-giving and get-togethers (and the cinematic image of jittery Jimmy Stewart careening towards the Bedford Falls bridge on Christmas Eve in "It's A Wonderful Life"), studies show that suicide rates approach an annual low in December.
Researchers speculate that nearness to loved ones counters not only whatever stress the holidays might hold, but also the ancillary ailment of Seasonal Affective Disorder, a depressive syndrome brought on by the short days of winter.
So don't hesitate to turn on your love light for friends and family this season. You're doing them quantifiable medical good. Yourself, too.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Send a Truckload of Relief to New Orleans for Xmas
Love Know No Bounds, Ithaca's grassroots volunteer group bringing relief to post-hurricane New Orleans, is sending its ninth truckload of materials and workers to the city's Seventh Ward this holiday season.
The group is soliciting help with a fundraising concert Sunday, 16 Dec., starting at 2 pm, at the Haunt.
Participating musicians include Richie Stearns, Hubcap, Chad Crumm, Burke and Bone, Vitamin L, Jairo van Lunteren, and others.
Admission is $10 and all proceeds go to the continuing relief effort. Part of LKNB's work is to establish a long-term, sister city relationship between Ithaca and the Seventh Ward. Information is available at www.renew-orleans.org.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The group is soliciting help with a fundraising concert Sunday, 16 Dec., starting at 2 pm, at the Haunt.
Participating musicians include Richie Stearns, Hubcap, Chad Crumm, Burke and Bone, Vitamin L, Jairo van Lunteren, and others.
Admission is $10 and all proceeds go to the continuing relief effort. Part of LKNB's work is to establish a long-term, sister city relationship between Ithaca and the Seventh Ward. Information is available at www.renew-orleans.org.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Those Low Prices at Wal-Mart
The National Labor Committee reports that Christmas ornaments sold at Wal-Mart come from a Chinese manufacturer with 12- and 13-year old workers who are brought with false promises to urban factories from remote rural areas, systematically cheated of wages, and used on overnight shifts of 10 to 15 hours, 7 days a week.
Meanwhile, in the United States, a California court ruled that a case alleging bias towards women workers at Wal-Mart can go forth as a class-action lawsuit covering more than a million women claiming over a billion dollars in illegally withheld wages and benefits.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Meanwhile, in the United States, a California court ruled that a case alleging bias towards women workers at Wal-Mart can go forth as a class-action lawsuit covering more than a million women claiming over a billion dollars in illegally withheld wages and benefits.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Less-Hard Times at the Holiday Post Office
We do many mailings at all times for Small World Music at the post office on Tioga Street, and realized yesterday that at Christmas time many novice mailers are there, having a bad time. So here are a few tips for better post office trips.
1. Leave early rather than hurrying. Actually, this applies always. Hurrying takes a maximum of one-third off your time. Maximum. Usually much less. And hurrying creates stress, occasional injury, and feelings of hatred which, although situational, can become habitual.
2. Carry your postings in a large bag that you can carry on your shoulder or back, rather than by hand. It keeps you from having to hold them in your arms on line, which is likely to be a long time. Last night, the line at closing time was 30 minutes long - no lie. And it leaves your hands free for tip #3, which is ...
3. Bring something to read. Yesterday I knocked off two sections of the Sunday NY Times, showing the guy in front of me how to fold the Times in eighths, like the subway strap-hanger I was for years, which enables you to read the big broadsheet with only one hand. Of course, the post office does not lurch, so this is not really necessary. But it's good to stay in practice.
Follow these simple tips, and you will have an okay and productive time, and appreciate the hard work of the mail clerks, rather than yelling at them, as one woman did, for not staying open as late as Fed Ex. Don't do that, it's gauche.
Peaceful holidays -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
1. Leave early rather than hurrying. Actually, this applies always. Hurrying takes a maximum of one-third off your time. Maximum. Usually much less. And hurrying creates stress, occasional injury, and feelings of hatred which, although situational, can become habitual.
2. Carry your postings in a large bag that you can carry on your shoulder or back, rather than by hand. It keeps you from having to hold them in your arms on line, which is likely to be a long time. Last night, the line at closing time was 30 minutes long - no lie. And it leaves your hands free for tip #3, which is ...
3. Bring something to read. Yesterday I knocked off two sections of the Sunday NY Times, showing the guy in front of me how to fold the Times in eighths, like the subway strap-hanger I was for years, which enables you to read the big broadsheet with only one hand. Of course, the post office does not lurch, so this is not really necessary. But it's good to stay in practice.
Follow these simple tips, and you will have an okay and productive time, and appreciate the hard work of the mail clerks, rather than yelling at them, as one woman did, for not staying open as late as Fed Ex. Don't do that, it's gauche.
Peaceful holidays -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, December 07, 2007
#1 Shopping Tip: Small World Music
We're not neutral, but we wouldn't be helping anybody if we didn't recommend our humble CD store, Small World Music (physical home of Ithaca Blog, at 614 W. State St.) as a unique and bargain-laden spot for holiday gifts.
Minding money is a must at holiday time, no matter how gleeful a giver one might be. Here's how we expressed it in an ad in GreenLeaf, GreenStar Co-op's monthly newsletter:
Music is your affordable choice for holiday gifts with emotional content! Books are solitary, candles burn away, but music is shared, and lasts. Small World Music has the newest releases, hard-to-find items, gift certificates, everything you need, including prompt special ordering. Everything always below list price. Plenty of good, used inventory, too, at bargain prices. Two blocks from GreenStar, 614 W. State St., Tuesday - Saturday 11 am - 6 pm. 256-0428.
We are also pleased by brief praise in this week's Ithaca Times holiday shopping section, which said,
It's easy to forget Small World Music, because it's so tucked away, but it's your best bet when searching for music that falls in the category of world/folk/jazz/rock.
That's a pretty big category, we reckon, but we should note that we have lots of new, mainstream music, too, such as Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Talib Kweli, Madeline Peyroux, and Amy Winehouse, and old favorites such as Charlie Brown's Christmas.
There's more information about Small World Music in sideboard ads here on Ithaca Blog. We hope to see you and to help you towards a happy holiday.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Minding money is a must at holiday time, no matter how gleeful a giver one might be. Here's how we expressed it in an ad in GreenLeaf, GreenStar Co-op's monthly newsletter:
Music is your affordable choice for holiday gifts with emotional content! Books are solitary, candles burn away, but music is shared, and lasts. Small World Music has the newest releases, hard-to-find items, gift certificates, everything you need, including prompt special ordering. Everything always below list price. Plenty of good, used inventory, too, at bargain prices. Two blocks from GreenStar, 614 W. State St., Tuesday - Saturday 11 am - 6 pm. 256-0428.
We are also pleased by brief praise in this week's Ithaca Times holiday shopping section, which said,
It's easy to forget Small World Music, because it's so tucked away, but it's your best bet when searching for music that falls in the category of world/folk/jazz/rock.
That's a pretty big category, we reckon, but we should note that we have lots of new, mainstream music, too, such as Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Talib Kweli, Madeline Peyroux, and Amy Winehouse, and old favorites such as Charlie Brown's Christmas.
There's more information about Small World Music in sideboard ads here on Ithaca Blog. We hope to see you and to help you towards a happy holiday.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog and Small World Music
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Senator Al Franken
We prefaced yesterday's posting about Brad Pitt and his new project to build houses in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans with the requisite remark about the widespread silliness of celebrity culture in the U.S., before going on to describe Mr. Pitt's admirable use of his resources.
Today we note another exception to the rule of celebrity vapidity, with the announced candidacy of Al Franken for Senator in his home state of Minnesota.
Mr. Franken is a renowned comic writer and performer, with a long personal history of political activism leading to this candidacy. Unlike Stephen Colbert's candidacy for president, which Mr. Colbert hopes to have sponsored by Doritos, Franken's is serious.
Of course, some observers disparage Franken's suitability for public office, based on his career. But Franken is intelligent (a Harvard graduate) and articulate. He is also funny, and we don't see why that should be disqualifying. If anything, it should be requisite.
One wonders why Mr. Franken's critics are not concerned instead with traits such as greedy, arrogant, mendacious, calculating, hard-hearted, or soft-headed, which one finds rampant among politicians.
I once saw a picture of Al Gore at a party balancing a broom on his chin. If he had done such nifty parlor tricks on the campaign trail in 2000 - or, maybe, had Al Franken writing some of his material (I mean, speeches) - he might have picked up some of the class clown votes which were crucial to Bush's win.
We wish Al Franken success.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Today we note another exception to the rule of celebrity vapidity, with the announced candidacy of Al Franken for Senator in his home state of Minnesota.
Mr. Franken is a renowned comic writer and performer, with a long personal history of political activism leading to this candidacy. Unlike Stephen Colbert's candidacy for president, which Mr. Colbert hopes to have sponsored by Doritos, Franken's is serious.
Of course, some observers disparage Franken's suitability for public office, based on his career. But Franken is intelligent (a Harvard graduate) and articulate. He is also funny, and we don't see why that should be disqualifying. If anything, it should be requisite.
One wonders why Mr. Franken's critics are not concerned instead with traits such as greedy, arrogant, mendacious, calculating, hard-hearted, or soft-headed, which one finds rampant among politicians.
I once saw a picture of Al Gore at a party balancing a broom on his chin. If he had done such nifty parlor tricks on the campaign trail in 2000 - or, maybe, had Al Franken writing some of his material (I mean, speeches) - he might have picked up some of the class clown votes which were crucial to Bush's win.
We wish Al Franken success.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Brad Pitt Announces Housing Effort for New Orleans
It's not usually worthwhile paying much attention to celebrities, but it is in the case of Brad Pitt and New Orleans.
This week, the actor announced a project to build affordable, environmentally-advanced housing in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, where many remain homeless even on the verge of the third Christmas since Hurricane Katrina.
The project, called Make It Right, commissioned 13 architectural firms to design 1,200-square-foot housing that can be built for $150,000 a unit, with green elements to reduce upkeep costs, and architectural features to respond to threats of flooding.
Mr. Pitt, with longstanding affection for New Orleans and an interest in architecture, has pledged $5 million to the project, and is soliciting support from philanthropies, businesses, and the public.
The project website, http://www.makeitrightnola.org/, has opportunities for contributing by "adopting" a low-flush toilet, a tree, a solar panel, a portion of a house, or a house, or by buying merchandise such as clothing and bags for Christmas giving.
Locally in Ithaca, the group Love Knows No Bounds provides development help to the Seventh Ward of New Orleans, and welcomes involvement and donations: http://www.loveknowsnobounds.org/.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
This week, the actor announced a project to build affordable, environmentally-advanced housing in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, where many remain homeless even on the verge of the third Christmas since Hurricane Katrina.
The project, called Make It Right, commissioned 13 architectural firms to design 1,200-square-foot housing that can be built for $150,000 a unit, with green elements to reduce upkeep costs, and architectural features to respond to threats of flooding.
Mr. Pitt, with longstanding affection for New Orleans and an interest in architecture, has pledged $5 million to the project, and is soliciting support from philanthropies, businesses, and the public.
The project website, http://www.makeitrightnola.org/, has opportunities for contributing by "adopting" a low-flush toilet, a tree, a solar panel, a portion of a house, or a house, or by buying merchandise such as clothing and bags for Christmas giving.
Locally in Ithaca, the group Love Knows No Bounds provides development help to the Seventh Ward of New Orleans, and welcomes involvement and donations: http://www.loveknowsnobounds.org/.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)