The Sunday New York Times magazine today features a piece on Cayuga Pure Organics, our local growers of beans and grains whose products are the rage of restaurants and farmers markets in the big city.
We've written about CPO before here. Their products are amazingly good, and available in Ithaca at GreenStar Co-op.
The co-op gets a generic mention in the Times piece, as does a particular local tacqueria that orders 500 pounds plus of CPO's beans per week.
Congratulations to Dan, Adrian, Anne, Eric and Tycho, and thanks for the great work.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wednesday Morning: Fire on the Commons
There was a fire this morning on the Commons, in the Petrune building on the north side of the middle of the mall.
We are directly across from the building. Reports are there are no injuries. Exterior damage is minimal. Interior is probably moderate, mostly smoke damage.
At the moment, the middle of the Commons is closed, but fire crews are packing up and preparing to leave, so re-opening is probably imminent.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
We are directly across from the building. Reports are there are no injuries. Exterior damage is minimal. Interior is probably moderate, mostly smoke damage.
At the moment, the middle of the Commons is closed, but fire crews are packing up and preparing to leave, so re-opening is probably imminent.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Saturday, October 09, 2010
Happy Birthday
As you might have noticed, Google noticed, and much of the world remembers, it seems, that today is John Lennon's birthday. He would have been 70.
Of course, he is noted for his music, his peace activism, and his energy and humor, all great. For us, though, one of the most important things about him was his writing.
Lennon wrote two books in the mid-1960s: "In His Own Write" and "A Spaniard in the Works." They were books of short comic vignettes, absurd and playful, with drawings. They showed influences of Lewis Carroll, James Thurber, and even James Joyce.
They were the first books I ever owned. I got them when I was 10 or so. I had to send away for them. Maybe there were bookstores in Manhattan that sold them, but there weren't in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.
I treasured them, I guess. I enjoyed them and learned from them.
Lennon was a big inspiration to me. I started a newspaper at school in 6th grade because I knew he had.
I imagine his was better. I remember reading a weather forecast he wrote for it. "Today will be Muggy," he wrote. "Followed by Tuggy, Wuggy, Thuggy, and Fuggy."
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Of course, he is noted for his music, his peace activism, and his energy and humor, all great. For us, though, one of the most important things about him was his writing.
Lennon wrote two books in the mid-1960s: "In His Own Write" and "A Spaniard in the Works." They were books of short comic vignettes, absurd and playful, with drawings. They showed influences of Lewis Carroll, James Thurber, and even James Joyce.
They were the first books I ever owned. I got them when I was 10 or so. I had to send away for them. Maybe there were bookstores in Manhattan that sold them, but there weren't in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.
I treasured them, I guess. I enjoyed them and learned from them.
Lennon was a big inspiration to me. I started a newspaper at school in 6th grade because I knew he had.
I imagine his was better. I remember reading a weather forecast he wrote for it. "Today will be Muggy," he wrote. "Followed by Tuggy, Wuggy, Thuggy, and Fuggy."
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Fighting Cancer Locally, at the Cancer Resource Center's Walkathon/Race
Most of us, probably, have had our lives touched by cancer.
In Ithaca, we are blessed to have the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, a not-for-profit group offering services to people with cancer.
One of the best ways to help the Cancer Resource Center is to support their annual Walkathon/5K Race. The 17th annual event happens this year on Saturday 23 October, in Cass Park.
Pre-registration is available on-line at CRC's web site, www.crcfl.org. Registration the day of the race, at 10 a.m., is at 9 a.m. The event happens rain or shine.
If you are not a runner, or even that much of a walker, there will be music and other activities at the site. You can sponsor runners. You can buy a t-shirt. Or you can simply make a donation.
Please contact the Center for more information on how to help.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
In Ithaca, we are blessed to have the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes, a not-for-profit group offering services to people with cancer.
One of the best ways to help the Cancer Resource Center is to support their annual Walkathon/5K Race. The 17th annual event happens this year on Saturday 23 October, in Cass Park.
Pre-registration is available on-line at CRC's web site, www.crcfl.org. Registration the day of the race, at 10 a.m., is at 9 a.m. The event happens rain or shine.
If you are not a runner, or even that much of a walker, there will be music and other activities at the site. You can sponsor runners. You can buy a t-shirt. Or you can simply make a donation.
Please contact the Center for more information on how to help.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, September 27, 2010
Apple Harvest Festival, Ithaca Commons, Fri. 1 Oct. - Sun 3 Oct.
A reminder that agriculture is Tompkins County's second-largest industry comes this weekend with the 28th Annual Downtown Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival.
The festival stretches from Friday noon til dusk on Sunday.
Favorable weather this season has produced a crop with exceptional flavor, growers say. Dozens of varieties will be available for sale on the Commons, along with cider and pies.
The family-friendly festival also includes amusements such as magic, belly dance, an Iron Chef competition, pie-eating contests, and a Ferris wheel.
Over a dozen bands provide music. On Saturday, at Dewitt Park, a First People's Festival celebrates Iroquois and other indigenous culture of the region. The State Theater hosts a concert by children's performer Dan Zanes , at noon.
More information is available from the Downtown Ithaca Alliance at www.downtownithaca.com.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The festival stretches from Friday noon til dusk on Sunday.
Favorable weather this season has produced a crop with exceptional flavor, growers say. Dozens of varieties will be available for sale on the Commons, along with cider and pies.
The family-friendly festival also includes amusements such as magic, belly dance, an Iron Chef competition, pie-eating contests, and a Ferris wheel.
Over a dozen bands provide music. On Saturday, at Dewitt Park, a First People's Festival celebrates Iroquois and other indigenous culture of the region. The State Theater hosts a concert by children's performer Dan Zanes , at noon.
More information is available from the Downtown Ithaca Alliance at www.downtownithaca.com.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, September 20, 2010
Commons Finds You Can't Partly Quit Smoking
Six weeks after its start, the city of Ithaca has declared the partial ban of smoking on the Commons a failed experiment, and decided to ban smoking on the pedestrian mall entirely.
The partial ban prohibited smoking in the center of the Commons, near the pavilion and the playground. But the result was not to reduce smoking, only to relocate smokers into smaller areas, intensifying second-hand smoke in these areas to intolerable levels for passers-by and adjacent businesses.
Outdoor dining in the smoking areas fell off to next to nothing. Businesses in the smoking areas were forced to keep doors closed. Fights between non-smokers and smokers - about the borders and other issues - were daily, if not hourly, and spirited, when not vituperative or even violent.
Our business, Small World Music, inside Autumn Leaves Books, is on the border of the smoking/non-smoking areas. Originally we supported the partial ban (see our July 28 post here on Ithaca Blog), but can attest first-hand to the failure.
We support the ban, and commend city officials for so quickly recognizing and fixing the failed policy.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The partial ban prohibited smoking in the center of the Commons, near the pavilion and the playground. But the result was not to reduce smoking, only to relocate smokers into smaller areas, intensifying second-hand smoke in these areas to intolerable levels for passers-by and adjacent businesses.
Outdoor dining in the smoking areas fell off to next to nothing. Businesses in the smoking areas were forced to keep doors closed. Fights between non-smokers and smokers - about the borders and other issues - were daily, if not hourly, and spirited, when not vituperative or even violent.
Our business, Small World Music, inside Autumn Leaves Books, is on the border of the smoking/non-smoking areas. Originally we supported the partial ban (see our July 28 post here on Ithaca Blog), but can attest first-hand to the failure.
We support the ban, and commend city officials for so quickly recognizing and fixing the failed policy.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Sunday, September 19, 2010
New York Pizzeria and the NFL
We went to Trumansburg today to help out at a benefit there, but with another, non-altruistic motive: to bring home a pie (large, of course) from New York Pizzeria.
Of course there is plenty of pizza in Ithaca and we like all of it nicely, but NY Pizzeria's is the best in the region, we think. We looked forward to stocking our freezer with a box of this rarefied product.
Imagine our shock and chagrin to find, at 2 p.m. (on our way home), that NYP does not open until 4 p.m. on Sundays.
We understand about day of rest, and all that. Still, we wonder what gives - this time of year, when the NFL provides televised spectacles all Sunday, starting at 1 p.m.
It seems to us that Sunday starting at 1 p.m. is probably the prime pizza-buying time of the week.
Not that we sit around and watch the NFL much, although we wish we did. But we look at it a little, and when we do, see plenty of ads for Papa John's pizzeria, and also frozen varieties.
It's bad enough that you have to watch these cheesy (ha) ads, but then not to have a flavorful and authentic alternative to their cruddy products? It's unfortunate.
Not for us to tell the NYP people how to run their shop. But they do name themselves after the city that never sleeps. Where is the "if I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere" spirit when it comes to day-long game-day pizza?
As a non-resident of the famously proud town, I'll keep my nose out of T-burg's business, beyond this. But I think it is time for a sit-down, or even a walk-and-talk over there, you know what I'm saying?
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Of course there is plenty of pizza in Ithaca and we like all of it nicely, but NY Pizzeria's is the best in the region, we think. We looked forward to stocking our freezer with a box of this rarefied product.
Imagine our shock and chagrin to find, at 2 p.m. (on our way home), that NYP does not open until 4 p.m. on Sundays.
We understand about day of rest, and all that. Still, we wonder what gives - this time of year, when the NFL provides televised spectacles all Sunday, starting at 1 p.m.
It seems to us that Sunday starting at 1 p.m. is probably the prime pizza-buying time of the week.
Not that we sit around and watch the NFL much, although we wish we did. But we look at it a little, and when we do, see plenty of ads for Papa John's pizzeria, and also frozen varieties.
It's bad enough that you have to watch these cheesy (ha) ads, but then not to have a flavorful and authentic alternative to their cruddy products? It's unfortunate.
Not for us to tell the NYP people how to run their shop. But they do name themselves after the city that never sleeps. Where is the "if I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere" spirit when it comes to day-long game-day pizza?
As a non-resident of the famously proud town, I'll keep my nose out of T-burg's business, beyond this. But I think it is time for a sit-down, or even a walk-and-talk over there, you know what I'm saying?
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, September 13, 2010
Seeing Signs For No Fracking
We had some friends from Brooklyn here for the weekend. Sunday we enjoyed the Porchfest in Fall Creek.
Most Ithacans probably take for granted the creativity behind such an event. Our friends didn't. They were impressed by the do-it-yourselfness and sociability.
As we strolled the neighborhood, what also came to light is the political activism in Ithaca. Alongside the "Porchfest" signs on many porches were "No Fracking" signs on lawns.
Our friends didn't know what this was. A quick explanation brought no flicker of recognition. But the next time they hear of it - which they inevitably will, downstate - they will remember.
The signs are a good way to spread the word about the dangers of hydraulic fracturing in our area. They are available for a $5 donation from the Shaleshock group organizing opposition to fracking.
Shaleshock's office space is in the Peace and Justice Center, on the 3rd floor 115 The Commons (in Autumn Leaves Books).
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Most Ithacans probably take for granted the creativity behind such an event. Our friends didn't. They were impressed by the do-it-yourselfness and sociability.
As we strolled the neighborhood, what also came to light is the political activism in Ithaca. Alongside the "Porchfest" signs on many porches were "No Fracking" signs on lawns.
Our friends didn't know what this was. A quick explanation brought no flicker of recognition. But the next time they hear of it - which they inevitably will, downstate - they will remember.
The signs are a good way to spread the word about the dangers of hydraulic fracturing in our area. They are available for a $5 donation from the Shaleshock group organizing opposition to fracking.
Shaleshock's office space is in the Peace and Justice Center, on the 3rd floor 115 The Commons (in Autumn Leaves Books).
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Friday, September 10, 2010
Rhinefest and Porchfest Weekend, Sept. 11 & 12
Ithaca is a festive place, and this weekend brings two newish but seemingly entrenched celebrations of Ithaca neighborhoods, one past and one present.
On Saturday, the 2nd annual Rhinefest honors the historic West End waterfront district, once a rough and tumble area known ironically as the Rhine. The festival features costumed street theater, a silent movie hall, an antique car show, and lake cruises. In the evening there is a "speakeasy" recreation at Castaways, featuring musical group the Bill Murray Experience.
On Sunday, the 4th annual Porchfest brings local musicians out of their houses and onto their porches for performance. More than 70 musical acts participate in the event, scheduled from 1 to 5:30 p.m., in the Fall Creek and Northside neighborhoods.
After the ambulatory listening, there will be picnics, and more music, in the Auburn Street triangle park.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
On Saturday, the 2nd annual Rhinefest honors the historic West End waterfront district, once a rough and tumble area known ironically as the Rhine. The festival features costumed street theater, a silent movie hall, an antique car show, and lake cruises. In the evening there is a "speakeasy" recreation at Castaways, featuring musical group the Bill Murray Experience.
On Sunday, the 4th annual Porchfest brings local musicians out of their houses and onto their porches for performance. More than 70 musical acts participate in the event, scheduled from 1 to 5:30 p.m., in the Fall Creek and Northside neighborhoods.
After the ambulatory listening, there will be picnics, and more music, in the Auburn Street triangle park.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, August 30, 2010
Labor Day Picnic at Stewart Park
The Tompkins County Workers Center sponsors its 27th annual Labor Day picnic at Stewart Park next Monday, 6 September, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
TCWC provides beverages, ice cream, and a cook-out that includes vegetarian fare.
There are speakers, awards, games for children, and music by local hip-hop artists, Gunpoets.
For more information, call the Workers Center, 269-0409.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
TCWC provides beverages, ice cream, and a cook-out that includes vegetarian fare.
There are speakers, awards, games for children, and music by local hip-hop artists, Gunpoets.
For more information, call the Workers Center, 269-0409.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Cuomo Wants It Both Ways, Three Ways
Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic candidate for New York governor, came to Ithaca last week and proved a politician, but no leader.
At least two hundred people turned out for his appearance, on a weekday morning. The main issue was the proposed drilling for gas with toxic chemicals, called fracking, in our area by corporations such as Halliburton.
Cuomo tries to have it both ways on the issue. He does not oppose fracking. Unless, he says, it is unsafe. But he does not say what he thinks about safety issues, nor what he would do to ensure safety.
Mr. Cuomo met some boistrous criticism here in activist Ithaca. On the issue of activism, he also tries to have it both ways. He lauded his critics. Activism is "so important," he said. But not important enough to let anyone speak at his meeting - not even to ask a question.
That is the third way Mr. Cuomo tries to have it both ways. He styles himself an anti-politician, while his tactics are those of the ultimate hack.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
At least two hundred people turned out for his appearance, on a weekday morning. The main issue was the proposed drilling for gas with toxic chemicals, called fracking, in our area by corporations such as Halliburton.
Cuomo tries to have it both ways on the issue. He does not oppose fracking. Unless, he says, it is unsafe. But he does not say what he thinks about safety issues, nor what he would do to ensure safety.
Mr. Cuomo met some boistrous criticism here in activist Ithaca. On the issue of activism, he also tries to have it both ways. He lauded his critics. Activism is "so important," he said. But not important enough to let anyone speak at his meeting - not even to ask a question.
That is the third way Mr. Cuomo tries to have it both ways. He styles himself an anti-politician, while his tactics are those of the ultimate hack.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Friday, August 20, 2010
Independent Record Label In Ithaca
Angry Mom Records, Ithaca's independent vinyl and CD store, is creating a record label for local artists of note.
The new label celebrates its first releases with a concert by its artists at the Chapter House, Saturday 21 August.
AwesomeAwesomes, BLOW!, and Johnny Dowd will perform.
The event begins at 9:45 p.m.
More details are available on Angry Mom's page on Facebook, and in this week's Ithaca Times.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The new label celebrates its first releases with a concert by its artists at the Chapter House, Saturday 21 August.
AwesomeAwesomes, BLOW!, and Johnny Dowd will perform.
The event begins at 9:45 p.m.
More details are available on Angry Mom's page on Facebook, and in this week's Ithaca Times.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Andrew Cuomo Meeting (Demonstration?), Thurs. 19 August
Danny Burns, a prominent community activist in Ithaca, reports that Andrew Cuomo, candidate for governor in New York, is a supporter of chemical gas drilling in upstate New York, and that Cuomo will visit Ithaca on a campaign tour on Thursday, 19 August.
It is a good opportunity for upstaters to demonstrate their opposition to the drilling planned by Halliburton and other energy corporations.
According to Danny, Cuomo's visit is scheduled for 10 a.m. in the Women's Community Building.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
It is a good opportunity for upstaters to demonstrate their opposition to the drilling planned by Halliburton and other energy corporations.
According to Danny, Cuomo's visit is scheduled for 10 a.m. in the Women's Community Building.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Saturday, August 07, 2010
New Poetry Magazine For Ithaca?
Recently we read again, after many years, a book of poems by an old teacher of ours at Cornell, and realized after a while that the poems stunk, although we still like the guy all right.
We figure everyone has bad as well as good poems in them, and it is good to get them out, either way.
Our old teacher might have been suffering compared to Yeats, whom we had been reading, and is always good, whether you know Irish mythology or not. We don't, but admire how his poems sound, and the fact that he seems to be trying to say things, not hide things.
We have a friend in Ithaca who is a serious poet, by which we mean hard-working, and he is planning a new poetry magazine, which is laudable, and while it might seem anachronistic, we hope and trust it isn't.
We think that poetry is poised to make a comeback, as peoples' attention might swing back from the Internet. The Internet is not going away, and is fine, but it tends to favor and feature the new and immediate, rather than the lasting.
Poetry lasts. It does not need a link. Its link is the mind.
We don't want to jinx our friend's project any more than we already have. We will keep you posted on the prospects for the new magazine as they come around.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
We figure everyone has bad as well as good poems in them, and it is good to get them out, either way.
Our old teacher might have been suffering compared to Yeats, whom we had been reading, and is always good, whether you know Irish mythology or not. We don't, but admire how his poems sound, and the fact that he seems to be trying to say things, not hide things.
We have a friend in Ithaca who is a serious poet, by which we mean hard-working, and he is planning a new poetry magazine, which is laudable, and while it might seem anachronistic, we hope and trust it isn't.
We think that poetry is poised to make a comeback, as peoples' attention might swing back from the Internet. The Internet is not going away, and is fine, but it tends to favor and feature the new and immediate, rather than the lasting.
Poetry lasts. It does not need a link. Its link is the mind.
We don't want to jinx our friend's project any more than we already have. We will keep you posted on the prospects for the new magazine as they come around.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Roller Derby "Wheel-A-Thon" Benefit, Sat. 31 July
Women's roller derby returns to Cass Park this Saturday with a benefit bout featuring Ithaca's new BlueStockings team, mentored by the veteran Suffer Jets.
So far this season, Ithaca teams have played their home bouts in Cortland. Renovations to their true home in Cass Park are now complete.
Special pre-bout events include a group jaunt from the Waterfront Trail, at 5 pm, to Cass Park, with the squads. Bike, skate, roll or stroll with the teams, their publicity says.
At 5:30 there's a Chicken BBQ Tailgate Party. Your $10 donation for dinner benefits the Meals On Wheels program, distributing food to the elderly and housebound.
Music is provided by the Johnny Russo Trio.
Angry Mom Records/Small World Music, 115 The Commons (in the basement of Autumn Leaves Books) are proud sponsors of the Suffer Jets and BlueStockings. We are exclusive sellers of their wide array of fine merchandise.
For more information, see www.ithacarollerderby.com.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog and Small World Music
So far this season, Ithaca teams have played their home bouts in Cortland. Renovations to their true home in Cass Park are now complete.
Special pre-bout events include a group jaunt from the Waterfront Trail, at 5 pm, to Cass Park, with the squads. Bike, skate, roll or stroll with the teams, their publicity says.
At 5:30 there's a Chicken BBQ Tailgate Party. Your $10 donation for dinner benefits the Meals On Wheels program, distributing food to the elderly and housebound.
Music is provided by the Johnny Russo Trio.
Angry Mom Records/Small World Music, 115 The Commons (in the basement of Autumn Leaves Books) are proud sponsors of the Suffer Jets and BlueStockings. We are exclusive sellers of their wide array of fine merchandise.
For more information, see www.ithacarollerderby.com.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog and Small World Music
Outdoor Bans on Smoking Start August 1
Beginning this Sunday, 1 August, the city of Ithaca begins a ban on smoking on central areas of the pedestrian mall Commons, and in Cass and Stewart Parks.
We own a business on the Commons (Angry Mom Records/Small World Music, in the basement of Autumn Leaves Books), and applaud the move. We think it's the right thing to do, in terms of creating a clean environment and promoting health.
We don't think it will hurt business any. You can't smoke in the Pyramid Mall, either.
We are happy with the idea of no cigarette butts littering the Commons. We once heard that it takes 7 years for a cigarette butt to disintegrate, although we do not know who watched it.
A few years ago, our friend Rafiki was helping us move. We got out of the car and went to my building. Rafiki stopped at the entrance.
"You go ahead. I'll be right up," he said. "I'm going to smoke."
"It's alright," I said. "You can smoke inside. It's February." It was cold.
"That's alright," he said. "I'm used to smoking between buildings and cars."
Now, in Ithaca, it gets a little harder. But a little better.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
We own a business on the Commons (Angry Mom Records/Small World Music, in the basement of Autumn Leaves Books), and applaud the move. We think it's the right thing to do, in terms of creating a clean environment and promoting health.
We don't think it will hurt business any. You can't smoke in the Pyramid Mall, either.
We are happy with the idea of no cigarette butts littering the Commons. We once heard that it takes 7 years for a cigarette butt to disintegrate, although we do not know who watched it.
A few years ago, our friend Rafiki was helping us move. We got out of the car and went to my building. Rafiki stopped at the entrance.
"You go ahead. I'll be right up," he said. "I'm going to smoke."
"It's alright," I said. "You can smoke inside. It's February." It was cold.
"That's alright," he said. "I'm used to smoking between buildings and cars."
Now, in Ithaca, it gets a little harder. But a little better.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
"GrassRoots Preview" on Ithaca Commons, Wed. 21 July
Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band will perform free on the Ithaca Commons as a "GrassRoots Festival Preview."
The performance is scheduled for Wednesday 21 July, from 6 - 8 p.m.
Keith Frank, from Lafayette, Louisiana, a leading figure in zydeco music, is a stalwart of the GrassRoots Festival, now in its 20th year.
Mr. Frank first performed at GrassRoots 19 years ago, as a young boy playing guitar in a band lead by his father, accordionist Preston Frank.
Keith Frank has returned to GrassRoots each year since. As a young man he took up accordion, the lead instrument in zydeco, and began fronting his own ensemble.
Mr. Frank will appear multiple times throughout the four days of the festival, from Thursday through Sunday.
Other performers of note at the festival include Merle Haggard, on Thursday; African musician Oliver Mtukudzi, on Friday; and reggae legend Burning Spear, a contemporary of Bob Marley, on Saturday.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
The performance is scheduled for Wednesday 21 July, from 6 - 8 p.m.
Keith Frank, from Lafayette, Louisiana, a leading figure in zydeco music, is a stalwart of the GrassRoots Festival, now in its 20th year.
Mr. Frank first performed at GrassRoots 19 years ago, as a young boy playing guitar in a band lead by his father, accordionist Preston Frank.
Keith Frank has returned to GrassRoots each year since. As a young man he took up accordion, the lead instrument in zydeco, and began fronting his own ensemble.
Mr. Frank will appear multiple times throughout the four days of the festival, from Thursday through Sunday.
Other performers of note at the festival include Merle Haggard, on Thursday; African musician Oliver Mtukudzi, on Friday; and reggae legend Burning Spear, a contemporary of Bob Marley, on Saturday.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Last Few Days For Cheaper GrassRoots Tickets
Online ticket sales for the GrassRoots Festival have ceased.
Advance tickets, which are cheaper by about $20 than tickets at the gate, will be available for the next few days at Autumn Leaves Books, Ithaca Bakery Collegetown Bagels, Ithaca Guitar Works, and a couple of other places that don't come to mind, but you can find at GrassRoots web site.
Don't wait, because if a particular locale runs out, they will probably not be replenished at this late date.
Outlets will generally not reserve tickets for you via a phone call. First come, first served, is generally the rule.
Also, you will need to pay by cash or check; not charge card.
Of course, the benefit is cheaper price than at the gate ; plus, avoiding a long line there.
See you at the show -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Advance tickets, which are cheaper by about $20 than tickets at the gate, will be available for the next few days at Autumn Leaves Books, Ithaca Bakery Collegetown Bagels, Ithaca Guitar Works, and a couple of other places that don't come to mind, but you can find at GrassRoots web site.
Don't wait, because if a particular locale runs out, they will probably not be replenished at this late date.
Outlets will generally not reserve tickets for you via a phone call. First come, first served, is generally the rule.
Also, you will need to pay by cash or check; not charge card.
Of course, the benefit is cheaper price than at the gate ; plus, avoiding a long line there.
See you at the show -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
New Radio Plays on the Commons, Friday 9 July
WITH-FM radio, 90.1 on the dial, continues its evolution into Ithaca's own public radio station, after years for 90.1 as a re-transmission site for Geneva's WEOS.
WITH will broadcast live from the Ithaca Commons this Friday, 9 July, starting at 9 a.m., into the afternoon.
The broadcast will feature live performances by members of Donna the Buffalo, at noon; Mary Lorson, 12:30; Dave Davies, 1:15; and Johnny Dowd and Hubcap, after 4 p.m. (The station will interrupt the Ithaca fun for its regular broadcast of World Cafe from 2 til 4 p.m.)
Festivities will include a drawing for tickets for the GrassRoots Festival, wines from local vineyards, and food from local farms and businesses.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
WITH will broadcast live from the Ithaca Commons this Friday, 9 July, starting at 9 a.m., into the afternoon.
The broadcast will feature live performances by members of Donna the Buffalo, at noon; Mary Lorson, 12:30; Dave Davies, 1:15; and Johnny Dowd and Hubcap, after 4 p.m. (The station will interrupt the Ithaca fun for its regular broadcast of World Cafe from 2 til 4 p.m.)
Festivities will include a drawing for tickets for the GrassRoots Festival, wines from local vineyards, and food from local farms and businesses.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Monday, July 05, 2010
My Final Childhood Complaint About the Weather
When we were kids, in the midst of heat-wave days like today, we would moan, as kids will about things they don't like and can't control, which is many or most things, of course.
Something like hot weather is a wonderful topic, because your parents don't like it either, and your complaining makes it worse, which helps you a little.
I'm thinking about this as I am trying to write (have been writing) about growing up in postal zone 3, Brooklyn, New York.
To my friends here in Ithaca I can say that as bad as the heat might be here today, it is much, much worse in inner-city New York (or inner-city anywhere, I guess), where there are few trees for shade, little open space, and certainly no water; and concrete and asphalt, which comprise your natural environment, store heat all day and release it at night.
It is a perfect setting for a child to splay on a couch, or a living room floor, and moan. "Mom, it's so hot" is wonderfully evocative and little embellishment is needed.
In our house, however, it was not as fun as it could have been, as my parents were such succinct debaters. "Stop whinging," my mother would say, disarming you with her command of language not strictly English, so far as we knew.
My father, in my recollection, was worse. My mother's parents were from Ireland (thus her enriched vocabulary), but my father was just as robustly Irish-Catholic.
"Dad, it's so hot," I said to him one day.
He looked at me thoughtfully but with utter lack of emotion. And he said,
"It's hotter in Hell."
They gave me pause to think, those two, and as you see, still do.
You can see further at another blogspot here on Blogger.com, called brooklyn3newyork.blogspot.com.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
Something like hot weather is a wonderful topic, because your parents don't like it either, and your complaining makes it worse, which helps you a little.
I'm thinking about this as I am trying to write (have been writing) about growing up in postal zone 3, Brooklyn, New York.
To my friends here in Ithaca I can say that as bad as the heat might be here today, it is much, much worse in inner-city New York (or inner-city anywhere, I guess), where there are few trees for shade, little open space, and certainly no water; and concrete and asphalt, which comprise your natural environment, store heat all day and release it at night.
It is a perfect setting for a child to splay on a couch, or a living room floor, and moan. "Mom, it's so hot" is wonderfully evocative and little embellishment is needed.
In our house, however, it was not as fun as it could have been, as my parents were such succinct debaters. "Stop whinging," my mother would say, disarming you with her command of language not strictly English, so far as we knew.
My father, in my recollection, was worse. My mother's parents were from Ireland (thus her enriched vocabulary), but my father was just as robustly Irish-Catholic.
"Dad, it's so hot," I said to him one day.
He looked at me thoughtfully but with utter lack of emotion. And he said,
"It's hotter in Hell."
They gave me pause to think, those two, and as you see, still do.
You can see further at another blogspot here on Blogger.com, called brooklyn3newyork.blogspot.com.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca NY Blog
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