Friday 8/10: The Haunt continues its diverse and energetic programming with Kaplan-Shaw Blues Band at 6:30, and a dj-hosted salsa dance party ("Salsa, Salsa, y Mas Salsa") at 10.
Keeping pace, Castaways also has a blues band early, 505 Blues, at 5 p.m., and a nighttime show, at 9:30, featuring local boys the Fuzz Brothers, and IY.
Saturday 8/11: Don't miss what is likely to be a peak week at the Farmer's Market. Tomatoes? Corn? Peaches? Find out starting at 9 a.m.
Black Castle brings its popular 21st century reggae to the Chapter House, 10 p.m.
Sunday 8/12: ABC Cafe has one of the best Sunday brunches in town (Cafe Dewitt has the other) ; ABC also has live music for your brunching pleasure. Kitchen Chair is a 2-woman ensemble of guitar and fiddle. Performance starts at 11, but be warned, tables start filling up with the ravenous pretty nicely by 10.
On the right side of Nashville, there was Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton; Ernest Tubb and Loretta Lynn; and of course Johnny Cash and June Carter. On the wrong side, there are Johnny Dowd and Kim Sherwood Caso. Felicia's Atomic Lounge, 7 pm.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Drop-In Center Gets Funding, Avoids Closing
In the spirit, perhaps, of it takes a county to raise a child, the Tompkins County Legislature last night allocated $50,000 to the Drop-In Children's Center to prevent the Center from closing.
The Drop-In Children's Center provides child care on a sliding scale for up to 84 children, including 18 slots left open for emergency drop-in services.
The Center has pressing financial needs from an expansion in 2005, and an increase in service to low-income families paying on the lower end of the sliding scale fee structure.
Dozens of people came to the meeting to advocate for the funding, which passed by a 9-5 vote.
County Chair Tim Joseph explained that the county has the necessary funding available in its contingency fund, which exists to aid in emergency situations.
The Center has operated in Ithaca's northside neighborhood since the 1970's, when it started as a parents' cooperative. Today it is run by a professional staff, with opportunities for parents to work for child care credit.
The Center still has another $50,000-plus in debt, and community help is still crucial.
The Center has a fundraising CD set, "Families Are a Rainbow," produced by local musicians. The 2-CD set costs $19.95, and is available at Small World Music. 100% of the purchase price goes to the Center. The compilation recording includes songs by The Horse Flies, Mamadou Diabate, Amy Glicklich, Annie and Amelia Burns, Mbusi, Tom Knight, Cornerstone, Vitamin L, Radio London, and others.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The Drop-In Children's Center provides child care on a sliding scale for up to 84 children, including 18 slots left open for emergency drop-in services.
The Center has pressing financial needs from an expansion in 2005, and an increase in service to low-income families paying on the lower end of the sliding scale fee structure.
Dozens of people came to the meeting to advocate for the funding, which passed by a 9-5 vote.
County Chair Tim Joseph explained that the county has the necessary funding available in its contingency fund, which exists to aid in emergency situations.
The Center has operated in Ithaca's northside neighborhood since the 1970's, when it started as a parents' cooperative. Today it is run by a professional staff, with opportunities for parents to work for child care credit.
The Center still has another $50,000-plus in debt, and community help is still crucial.
The Center has a fundraising CD set, "Families Are a Rainbow," produced by local musicians. The 2-CD set costs $19.95, and is available at Small World Music. 100% of the purchase price goes to the Center. The compilation recording includes songs by The Horse Flies, Mamadou Diabate, Amy Glicklich, Annie and Amelia Burns, Mbusi, Tom Knight, Cornerstone, Vitamin L, Radio London, and others.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Saturday, August 04, 2007
What, Now We Shouldn't Drink Bottled Water?
W.C. Fields wouldn't have this problem. He never drank water, he once said, because of the things fish do in it.
Of course, W.C. was no paragon of health, and we know that drinking plenty of fresh, clean water is an excellent health habit.
But Americans today are drinking four billion gallons of water a year in store-bought, individual-serving bottles, and the commercial water industry is turning into an environmental health hazard.
Water bottles are a petroleum-based product. It takes 1.5 million barrels of oil to make the water bottles Americans use each year. That's as much fuel as 100,000 cars use.
It also takes a lot of fuel to transport those billions of pounds of water from the source, to the distributor, to the retailer, to the consumer.
Unlike beer and soda, bottled water is exempt from deposit and redemption programs. Almost 80 percent are thrown away rather than recycled.
It's a lot of waste simply for the convenience of a bottle. In most places, commercial water is not superior to the water from the tap. In fact, in many cases it is water from the tap.
It's also a waste of money. Someone choosing commercial water for their eight recommended servings a day will spend well over $1,000 a year. The same amount of tap water costs less than a dollar.
This summer, San Francisco prohibited its city agencies and departments from spending money on bottled water. The mayor noted that the city's municipal water is "some of the most pristine on the planet."
Then, of course, there are the larger geo-political issues of private companies potentially seeking to buy up sources of this most necessary, public resource for commercial gain.
So don't be like W.C., but also don't believe the rap, or fall into the trap. Instead, turn on the tap.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Of course, W.C. was no paragon of health, and we know that drinking plenty of fresh, clean water is an excellent health habit.
But Americans today are drinking four billion gallons of water a year in store-bought, individual-serving bottles, and the commercial water industry is turning into an environmental health hazard.
Water bottles are a petroleum-based product. It takes 1.5 million barrels of oil to make the water bottles Americans use each year. That's as much fuel as 100,000 cars use.
It also takes a lot of fuel to transport those billions of pounds of water from the source, to the distributor, to the retailer, to the consumer.
Unlike beer and soda, bottled water is exempt from deposit and redemption programs. Almost 80 percent are thrown away rather than recycled.
It's a lot of waste simply for the convenience of a bottle. In most places, commercial water is not superior to the water from the tap. In fact, in many cases it is water from the tap.
It's also a waste of money. Someone choosing commercial water for their eight recommended servings a day will spend well over $1,000 a year. The same amount of tap water costs less than a dollar.
This summer, San Francisco prohibited its city agencies and departments from spending money on bottled water. The mayor noted that the city's municipal water is "some of the most pristine on the planet."
Then, of course, there are the larger geo-political issues of private companies potentially seeking to buy up sources of this most necessary, public resource for commercial gain.
So don't be like W.C., but also don't believe the rap, or fall into the trap. Instead, turn on the tap.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, August 03, 2007
Weekend Picks, Aug. 3 & 4: Battle of the Bars
The focus on local entertainment this weekend is not so much on the artists, but the venues, as the Haunt holds its heralded Re-Opening (without having ever actually closed), and Castaways aims to keep pace, with a large roster of performers each night.
It will be interesting to see where Thousands of One actually go, as both venues are claiming them on Friday night. The Haunt is also advertising Kevin Kinsella, and Mbusi, and Castaways Rising Sun, Yacouba Diarra, Eliot Rich, and Ezekiel.
On Saturday, Castaways lists Thousands of One again, with Void Union. The 9 pm show is billed as a benefit for the Multicultural Resource Center. The Haunt throws in the towel in the T. of One stakes, with Fairway and Seth Feldman.
The Chapter House weighs in on Saturday, with a rare show by Plastic Nebraska.
Urban Horse Thieves perform outdoors at Taughannock Park's lovely Saturday night series, at 7 pm. Admission is free, but parking is $5.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
It will be interesting to see where Thousands of One actually go, as both venues are claiming them on Friday night. The Haunt is also advertising Kevin Kinsella, and Mbusi, and Castaways Rising Sun, Yacouba Diarra, Eliot Rich, and Ezekiel.
On Saturday, Castaways lists Thousands of One again, with Void Union. The 9 pm show is billed as a benefit for the Multicultural Resource Center. The Haunt throws in the towel in the T. of One stakes, with Fairway and Seth Feldman.
The Chapter House weighs in on Saturday, with a rare show by Plastic Nebraska.
Urban Horse Thieves perform outdoors at Taughannock Park's lovely Saturday night series, at 7 pm. Admission is free, but parking is $5.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Local Organic Flowers From Three Sisters Farm
Funny how people will stop into a coffee bar, or bar, or bakery to buy themselves a treat they deserve, but don't often treat themselves to flowers.
Maybe it is the relative inaccessibility of the commodity, or maybe it's just an unfamiliar notion.
Whatever the reason, Three Sisters Farm is hoping to change it.
Three Sisters Farm is beginning retail sale of flower bouquets that are grown locally and organically. They will be at the Farmers Market on Thursdays, from 3 - 7 pm.
Mary Loehr of Three Sisters answered a few questions from Ithaca Blog.
Ithaca Blog: Where is Three Sisters Farm?
Mary: We grow the flowers on Snyder Hill Road, on land that we rent.
IB: Is it strictly flowers?
Mary: No - we have a vegetable farm, a CSA with 25 or so subscribers. I read an excellent book, "The Organic Flower Farmer," and began growing flowers for subscribers. We still have space for subscribers, and enough to sell retail, hence Farmers Market.
IB: And Three Sisters is an organic flower farm.
Mary: Yes. Flowers are a huge source of pesticide use. Buying local and organic is safer for all involved. In our case, it's a chance for people to support a woman-owned, small organic farm.
Mary's partners in Three Sisters Farm are Aro Veno, Rebecca Nellenback, and Amy Garbincus. They plan to be at Farmers Market on Thursdays through September.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Maybe it is the relative inaccessibility of the commodity, or maybe it's just an unfamiliar notion.
Whatever the reason, Three Sisters Farm is hoping to change it.
Three Sisters Farm is beginning retail sale of flower bouquets that are grown locally and organically. They will be at the Farmers Market on Thursdays, from 3 - 7 pm.
Mary Loehr of Three Sisters answered a few questions from Ithaca Blog.
Ithaca Blog: Where is Three Sisters Farm?
Mary: We grow the flowers on Snyder Hill Road, on land that we rent.
IB: Is it strictly flowers?
Mary: No - we have a vegetable farm, a CSA with 25 or so subscribers. I read an excellent book, "The Organic Flower Farmer," and began growing flowers for subscribers. We still have space for subscribers, and enough to sell retail, hence Farmers Market.
IB: And Three Sisters is an organic flower farm.
Mary: Yes. Flowers are a huge source of pesticide use. Buying local and organic is safer for all involved. In our case, it's a chance for people to support a woman-owned, small organic farm.
Mary's partners in Three Sisters Farm are Aro Veno, Rebecca Nellenback, and Amy Garbincus. They plan to be at Farmers Market on Thursdays through September.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
"Respect Yourself": Stax Records Documentary on PBS Tonight
The "Great Performances" series on public television tonight airs "Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story." If you know the Stax story, you know how much you will enjoy its depiction. If you don't, you owe it to yourself to find out.
Stax Records was a homegrown label from Memphis in the 1960's with such stars as Otis Redding, Booker T. and the MGs, Sam and Dave, Isaac Hayes, the Staples Singers, and many others. It was a fledgling operation run by friends and colleagues who believed in their ability to produce good music and compete in that era's heady marketplace of radio, records, and performance.
Motown, its more famous, less funky counterpart in Detroit, eclipsed Stax with enormous success courting the young white audience. Stax never consciously courted any market, except the market for good, soulful music. While never disparaging commercial success, with Stax the mission was, first, the music.
The mission was also social. Stax operated out of a renovated, abandoned movie house in a racially mixed downtown area. Segregation was law at the time, but Stax ignored it. Blacks and whites worked together in every aspect of the business.
The triumphs were profound, though fleeting, with the death of Otis Redding, Stax's biggest star, in an airplane crash in 1967 at age 26 (he died before the release of his biggest hit, "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay"), and a subsequent series of business downturns. But the artistic and social triumphs live on, as recounted in this important and exciting documentary.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Stax Records was a homegrown label from Memphis in the 1960's with such stars as Otis Redding, Booker T. and the MGs, Sam and Dave, Isaac Hayes, the Staples Singers, and many others. It was a fledgling operation run by friends and colleagues who believed in their ability to produce good music and compete in that era's heady marketplace of radio, records, and performance.
Motown, its more famous, less funky counterpart in Detroit, eclipsed Stax with enormous success courting the young white audience. Stax never consciously courted any market, except the market for good, soulful music. While never disparaging commercial success, with Stax the mission was, first, the music.
The mission was also social. Stax operated out of a renovated, abandoned movie house in a racially mixed downtown area. Segregation was law at the time, but Stax ignored it. Blacks and whites worked together in every aspect of the business.
The triumphs were profound, though fleeting, with the death of Otis Redding, Stax's biggest star, in an airplane crash in 1967 at age 26 (he died before the release of his biggest hit, "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay"), and a subsequent series of business downturns. But the artistic and social triumphs live on, as recounted in this important and exciting documentary.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Travelogue: The Irish Kingdom in the Northeast Catskills
We snuck away for another brief vacation this past weekend, and therefore have nothing to report about Ithaca, until we get back into the swing of things, and there seems to be a lot to cover, between southwest development, water sources, the November elections, etc.
What we have to offer right now is a description of the section of New York northeast of Catskills Park. That's where we went, and had never been before. If you're like us, you're curious about places you've never been, especially places so close and yet so far, so here is the story on the area.
We went there for a big gathering of high school and college friends who still stick together, after decades. Two of our gang just bought 90 remote acres, and it was big enough for our group; with about 100 of us attending, we had about an acre apiece. Of course, most of the action took place on a central parcel where, among other things, a stage was built. We like to perform.
The area altogether is remote. The main thing of note is a large ski operation in Windham. We were just north of there, in a town called Durham, where there is a notable Irish cultural center, with music performances and classes.
Probably the most notable thing of all is the Irish identity of the area. It is like a living, Irish theme park. There are signposts in Gaelic, shamrocks on business signs, and a lot of restaurants and motels called Hogan's, Gavin's, Mickey's, the Four Green Fields, and like that. People have brogues.
Our motel-keeper said that, for decades, Irish from New York City have been attracted to the rural, rolling hills there, similar to the home landscape. We suspect they were also attracted by land prices cheaper than on the southern side of Catskills Park, which is much closer to the city.
The relative inaccessibility seems to have kept the area from much snazzy development. There are miniature golf courses galore, from the 1950's it seems, and unrefurbished since then. We played at one called Supersonic Fun Park, which also had go-karts and a batting cage. It was nestled in trees and it had an ice cream parlor where they had egg creams for $1.65, and Proudly Sold Sealtest Ice Cream. It was not too crowded and it was not too expensive, either, believe me.
We passed a water park called Zoom Flume that seemed circa 1972 or so, was also hard to find, among thick trees, and looked like relatively supersonic fun. We could see that there were not long lines, which is the bane of most modern theme parks.
There were very few exotic places to eat - like, none. Each town semed to have one Italian and one Chinese restaurant, and that was exotic as it got.
Primarily, this is a place of high hills, wistful vistas, and what you might call peace and quiet. There are no traffic jams (there are few, if any, traffic lights in most towns). The area is unwired and untowered. Do not assume the presence of a telephone in your motel room - ask.
It is three hours from Ithaca, on mostly small roads. You take 79 East to Whitney Point, to 206 East, to Interstate 88 East. The easiest, though not most direct route is to stay on 88 to Cobleskill, to 145 South. That takes you there.
It is a trip not far in distance, but pleasantly distant in aspect. It is also quaint in price. We stayed at a servicable place called the Rose Motel for $65. It was clean, quiet, friendly, and had a small swimming pool. The depiction of a rose, not a shamrock, on their sign makes it easy to find.
Stephen (Patrick) Burke
for Ithaca Blog
What we have to offer right now is a description of the section of New York northeast of Catskills Park. That's where we went, and had never been before. If you're like us, you're curious about places you've never been, especially places so close and yet so far, so here is the story on the area.
We went there for a big gathering of high school and college friends who still stick together, after decades. Two of our gang just bought 90 remote acres, and it was big enough for our group; with about 100 of us attending, we had about an acre apiece. Of course, most of the action took place on a central parcel where, among other things, a stage was built. We like to perform.
The area altogether is remote. The main thing of note is a large ski operation in Windham. We were just north of there, in a town called Durham, where there is a notable Irish cultural center, with music performances and classes.
Probably the most notable thing of all is the Irish identity of the area. It is like a living, Irish theme park. There are signposts in Gaelic, shamrocks on business signs, and a lot of restaurants and motels called Hogan's, Gavin's, Mickey's, the Four Green Fields, and like that. People have brogues.
Our motel-keeper said that, for decades, Irish from New York City have been attracted to the rural, rolling hills there, similar to the home landscape. We suspect they were also attracted by land prices cheaper than on the southern side of Catskills Park, which is much closer to the city.
The relative inaccessibility seems to have kept the area from much snazzy development. There are miniature golf courses galore, from the 1950's it seems, and unrefurbished since then. We played at one called Supersonic Fun Park, which also had go-karts and a batting cage. It was nestled in trees and it had an ice cream parlor where they had egg creams for $1.65, and Proudly Sold Sealtest Ice Cream. It was not too crowded and it was not too expensive, either, believe me.
We passed a water park called Zoom Flume that seemed circa 1972 or so, was also hard to find, among thick trees, and looked like relatively supersonic fun. We could see that there were not long lines, which is the bane of most modern theme parks.
There were very few exotic places to eat - like, none. Each town semed to have one Italian and one Chinese restaurant, and that was exotic as it got.
Primarily, this is a place of high hills, wistful vistas, and what you might call peace and quiet. There are no traffic jams (there are few, if any, traffic lights in most towns). The area is unwired and untowered. Do not assume the presence of a telephone in your motel room - ask.
It is three hours from Ithaca, on mostly small roads. You take 79 East to Whitney Point, to 206 East, to Interstate 88 East. The easiest, though not most direct route is to stay on 88 to Cobleskill, to 145 South. That takes you there.
It is a trip not far in distance, but pleasantly distant in aspect. It is also quaint in price. We stayed at a servicable place called the Rose Motel for $65. It was clean, quiet, friendly, and had a small swimming pool. The depiction of a rose, not a shamrock, on their sign makes it easy to find.
Stephen (Patrick) Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, July 27, 2007
Weekend Picks, July 27 - 29
Friday, July 27: Traonach, who are leading a burgeoning of Celtic music in this area, play a free, happy hour gig at Felicia's Atomic Lounge. In the enchanting alleyway, 5:30 pm.
Two (more) free shows, up east hill. The Burns Sisters perform at 6:30 at the Cornell Business and Technology Park, on Brown Road, near the airport. The Destination plays at 7:30 on Cornell's Arts Quad.
Saturday, 28 July: The Sim Redmond Band plays at Taughannock State Park. $5 to park, otherwise free. Prepare for a rare, slight traffic jam at the entrance on Rt. 89!
Sunday, 29 July: Johnny Russo, Ithaca's ambassador of jazz, will play at the Farmer's Market, 11 am. Pick up a copy of Johnny's new CD. Also, a Jollyburger, Ithaca's newest meatless taste sensation. Tell them Ithaca Blog sent you.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Two (more) free shows, up east hill. The Burns Sisters perform at 6:30 at the Cornell Business and Technology Park, on Brown Road, near the airport. The Destination plays at 7:30 on Cornell's Arts Quad.
Saturday, 28 July: The Sim Redmond Band plays at Taughannock State Park. $5 to park, otherwise free. Prepare for a rare, slight traffic jam at the entrance on Rt. 89!
Sunday, 29 July: Johnny Russo, Ithaca's ambassador of jazz, will play at the Farmer's Market, 11 am. Pick up a copy of Johnny's new CD. Also, a Jollyburger, Ithaca's newest meatless taste sensation. Tell them Ithaca Blog sent you.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Standing Room Only for "St. Patrick's Four" Film
Last night's showing of a new documentary on the St. Patrick's Four, the Iraq war protesters from Ithaca, drew a capacity crowd to Cinemapolis, despite a lack of advertising for the event.
An extended run seems like a good idea. Ithaca Blog has contacted Cinemapolis but has not received a reply. We will let you know as soon as we do. Meanwhile, if you want to see it, consider calling them, too.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
An extended run seems like a good idea. Ithaca Blog has contacted Cinemapolis but has not received a reply. We will let you know as soon as we do. Meanwhile, if you want to see it, consider calling them, too.
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
"St. Patrick's Four" Film at Cinemapolis, Tonight (Only)
It is late notice, but Ithaca Blog just received word that tonight, Cinemapolis will host a screening of a new film about the St. Patrick's Four, the Iraq war protesters from Ithaca.
The film will screen at 7:15.
On March 17, 2003 - St. Patrick's Day - four anti-war protesters engaged in civil disobedience against the impending invasion of Iraq at a military recruitment station in Ithaca. The four were exonerated by a hung jury at trial in Ithaca, but were subsequently brought up on the same charges in federal court in Binghamton, where they were again found innocent of the most serious criminal charges, but imprisoned for lesser ones.
The film tells their story, and examines the rights of non-violence advocates to protest meaningfully in our democracy.
Ithaca Blog will report on possible future showings of the film.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
The film will screen at 7:15.
On March 17, 2003 - St. Patrick's Day - four anti-war protesters engaged in civil disobedience against the impending invasion of Iraq at a military recruitment station in Ithaca. The four were exonerated by a hung jury at trial in Ithaca, but were subsequently brought up on the same charges in federal court in Binghamton, where they were again found innocent of the most serious criminal charges, but imprisoned for lesser ones.
The film tells their story, and examines the rights of non-violence advocates to protest meaningfully in our democracy.
Ithaca Blog will report on possible future showings of the film.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Monday, July 23, 2007
GrassRoots 2007 Breakout Artist
Reporting back from GrassRoots Festival:
We love GrassRoots as much as anyone, and appreciate with amazement how, for four days, the Trumansburg Fairgrounds becomes a beautiful, intensified reflection of this creative, loving community.
We also appreciate how four days of camping can rekindle your love for your bed, your routine, and porcelain.
The most exciting thing each year at the festival is to see who the breakout artist will be. In the past two years it has been the Avett Brothers and Musafir. This year it was no newcomer, but Hugh Masekela, the veteran jazz trumpeter from South Africa.
Most people who know Masekela at all will know him for his sole hit song, from the 1960's, "Grazing In the Grass." But his performance Saturday night showed him to be a consummate composer, bandleader, trumpeter, singer, stage presence, and ambassador of world music.
Masekela's playing, and even moreso his voice, had the strength and passion of someone decades younger. Our friend and keen appraiser of such things, Hollywood Joe, said, "It was like hearing Miles Davis and James Brown, at the top of their game, in one person."
Masekela enthralled the crowd with stories of defeating aparetheid in South Africa. He performed "Mandela," his anthem to his friend.
He elicited laughter with casually risque stage patter, and enthusiasm with talk of togetherness and love.
It was a great performance - and a lesson that newness, freshness, and impact are not provinces exclusively of the young.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
We love GrassRoots as much as anyone, and appreciate with amazement how, for four days, the Trumansburg Fairgrounds becomes a beautiful, intensified reflection of this creative, loving community.
We also appreciate how four days of camping can rekindle your love for your bed, your routine, and porcelain.
The most exciting thing each year at the festival is to see who the breakout artist will be. In the past two years it has been the Avett Brothers and Musafir. This year it was no newcomer, but Hugh Masekela, the veteran jazz trumpeter from South Africa.
Most people who know Masekela at all will know him for his sole hit song, from the 1960's, "Grazing In the Grass." But his performance Saturday night showed him to be a consummate composer, bandleader, trumpeter, singer, stage presence, and ambassador of world music.
Masekela's playing, and even moreso his voice, had the strength and passion of someone decades younger. Our friend and keen appraiser of such things, Hollywood Joe, said, "It was like hearing Miles Davis and James Brown, at the top of their game, in one person."
Masekela enthralled the crowd with stories of defeating aparetheid in South Africa. He performed "Mandela," his anthem to his friend.
He elicited laughter with casually risque stage patter, and enthusiasm with talk of togetherness and love.
It was a great performance - and a lesson that newness, freshness, and impact are not provinces exclusively of the young.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday, July 20, 2007
Ithaca Blog on Vacation
Ithaca Blog will be on vacation, or at least hiatus, until after the GrassRoots Festival.
Thanks and see you soon -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thanks and see you soon -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Decline of Stewart Park Reaches Notice of Ithaca Journal
We were happy to see the Ithaca Journal's piece today about the decline of Stewart Park and possible remedies. A similar piece ran in Ithaca Blog on 29 June ("Stewart Park: Big Park, Lean Budget").
The Journal noted, as we did here, that the park's decline is largely a matter of fiscal priorities.
We bet that the city pays a lot more maintaining parking areas, for example, than Stewart Park. The park runs on an annual budget of less than $100,000. That's labor, materials - everything.
Of course, it you don't maintain parking lots and garages, they get run down, and more expensive to fix, eventually. But the same is true with the park.
If there was insufficient money in the budget to maintain parking areas, we would simply raise their budgets so they wouldn't fall into disrepair. We should do the same for Stewart Park.
The time, it would seem, is now. We look forward to the Journal following this story in the months leading up to city elections, as we will in Ithaca Blog.
Stephen Burke
The Journal noted, as we did here, that the park's decline is largely a matter of fiscal priorities.
We bet that the city pays a lot more maintaining parking areas, for example, than Stewart Park. The park runs on an annual budget of less than $100,000. That's labor, materials - everything.
Of course, it you don't maintain parking lots and garages, they get run down, and more expensive to fix, eventually. But the same is true with the park.
If there was insufficient money in the budget to maintain parking areas, we would simply raise their budgets so they wouldn't fall into disrepair. We should do the same for Stewart Park.
The time, it would seem, is now. We look forward to the Journal following this story in the months leading up to city elections, as we will in Ithaca Blog.
Stephen Burke
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
GrassRoots Tickets Information For the Last-Minute Buyer
1. Today (Tuesday, 17 July), GrassRoots Festival advance sale weekend tickets are still available at Small World Music., 614 W. State St., 256-0428. We are open until 6 pm.
Tickets may still be available here tomorrow. But at some point GrassRoots people will be here to collect them. We open at 11 am.
2. Advance sale weekend tickets are $85.
3. Weekend tickets sold at the gate cost $110.
4. Cash or check is necessary for advance sales purchase. (There is an ATM at Alternatives Credit Union, down the street from Small World Music.)
5. Tickets for individual days are not available in advance. They must be purchased at the gate.
6. Tickets are no longer available on the GrassRoots web site. It is too late for orders to be processed. There is good info at the site, though, including programs for all 4 days: www.grassrootsfest.org.
see you there -
Steve Burke
Tickets may still be available here tomorrow. But at some point GrassRoots people will be here to collect them. We open at 11 am.
2. Advance sale weekend tickets are $85.
3. Weekend tickets sold at the gate cost $110.
4. Cash or check is necessary for advance sales purchase. (There is an ATM at Alternatives Credit Union, down the street from Small World Music.)
5. Tickets for individual days are not available in advance. They must be purchased at the gate.
6. Tickets are no longer available on the GrassRoots web site. It is too late for orders to be processed. There is good info at the site, though, including programs for all 4 days: www.grassrootsfest.org.
see you there -
Steve Burke
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Ithaca Weekend: More Free Shows, 13 and 14 July
Summer is the time for fine music in splendid settings, for free. There were three nice shows last weekend; and this weekend, too.
Friday the 13th: Chad Crumm and Friends at Felicia's Atomic Lounge, 518 W. State St., 5:30 pm. Chad is one of the seminal architects of that elusive "Ithaca Sound" (cf. Horseflies, Donna the Buffalo, Johnny Dowd). A Happy Hour show in the elegant alleyway between Felicia's and Gimme Coffee.
Traonach is the reigning Celtic band of Ithaca, and well beyond (see previous Blog posting, "Ithaca, Capital of Celtic Music?"). They do a free show on the Cornell Arts Quad at 7:30 pm. Bring picnic & outdoor accoutrements.
Saturday 7/14: The Crow Greenspun Band play their original folk-rock-soul-hip hop at Taughannock Falls. $5 to park, otherwise free. Another picnic opportunity. Finger Lakes Wines for sale by the bottle or glass, or BYOE. 7 pm.
What's not to enjoy -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday the 13th: Chad Crumm and Friends at Felicia's Atomic Lounge, 518 W. State St., 5:30 pm. Chad is one of the seminal architects of that elusive "Ithaca Sound" (cf. Horseflies, Donna the Buffalo, Johnny Dowd). A Happy Hour show in the elegant alleyway between Felicia's and Gimme Coffee.
Traonach is the reigning Celtic band of Ithaca, and well beyond (see previous Blog posting, "Ithaca, Capital of Celtic Music?"). They do a free show on the Cornell Arts Quad at 7:30 pm. Bring picnic & outdoor accoutrements.
Saturday 7/14: The Crow Greenspun Band play their original folk-rock-soul-hip hop at Taughannock Falls. $5 to park, otherwise free. Another picnic opportunity. Finger Lakes Wines for sale by the bottle or glass, or BYOE. 7 pm.
What's not to enjoy -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Ithaca Hours on NPR's "Morning Edition"
"Morning Edition" on National Public Radio ran a segment this morning on Ithaca's local currency, Ithaca Hours.
"Ithaca, N.Y. Forms Currency For Local Use" is the title of the segment. The reporter visits Small World Music, Autumn Leaves Books, and Littletree Orchard's booth at the Farmers Market, all of which accept Hours, and Starbucks, which doesn't.
You can hear it by visiting http://www.npr.org/. Find out more about Hours by visiting http://www.ithacahours.org/.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
"Ithaca, N.Y. Forms Currency For Local Use" is the title of the segment. The reporter visits Small World Music, Autumn Leaves Books, and Littletree Orchard's booth at the Farmers Market, all of which accept Hours, and Starbucks, which doesn't.
You can hear it by visiting http://www.npr.org/. Find out more about Hours by visiting http://www.ithacahours.org/.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
GrassRoots Tickets Are Available at Advance Sale Price!
GrassRoots Festival tickets are available for sale at a discounted, advance-sale price, despite contradictory information around town.
Advance sale tickets are $85 for the 4-day festival, which starts on Thursday, 19 July.
Tickets at the gate are $110.
The confusion apparently stems from the fact that advance sales on-line from the GrassRoots website will stop on Wednesday, 11 July, since the festival can't guarantee on-time processing past then.
But tickets will be available at outlets around town, until they run out, which they won't necessarily, but it is a good idea not to wait until the last day (or last few days, even).
There's a lot of festival info at http://www.grassrootsfest.org/, or feel free to call us here at Small World Music/Ithaca Blog, at 256-0428. We have tickets for sale here and are open 11 am - 6 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
Steve Burke
GrassRoots Festival tickets are available for sale at a discounted, advance-sale price, despite contradictory information around town.
Advance sale tickets are $85 for the 4-day festival, which starts on Thursday, 19 July.
Tickets at the gate are $110.
The confusion apparently stems from the fact that advance sales on-line from the GrassRoots website will stop on Wednesday, 11 July, since the festival can't guarantee on-time processing past then.
But tickets will be available at outlets around town, until they run out, which they won't necessarily, but it is a good idea not to wait until the last day (or last few days, even).
There's a lot of festival info at http://www.grassrootsfest.org/, or feel free to call us here at Small World Music/Ithaca Blog, at 256-0428. We have tickets for sale here and are open 11 am - 6 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.
Steve Burke
Friday, July 06, 2007
Weekend Picks: Three Free Shows, July 6 - 8
Three great shows, one each night, all free.
Friday 6 July: The Contradictions play fiddle-based old-timey tunes in a free show on the Arts Quad at Cornell. 7:30 pm.
Saturday 7 July: The Burns Sisters play their heralded brand of folk-rock-country, heavy on the harmony, in a free show (except for parking) at Taughannock Falls State Park. 7 pm.
Sunday 8 July: Ithaca's sweetheart, Mary Lorson, leads her band Saint Low in at Maxie's restaurant, 6 pm.
Have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Friday 6 July: The Contradictions play fiddle-based old-timey tunes in a free show on the Arts Quad at Cornell. 7:30 pm.
Saturday 7 July: The Burns Sisters play their heralded brand of folk-rock-country, heavy on the harmony, in a free show (except for parking) at Taughannock Falls State Park. 7 pm.
Sunday 8 July: Ithaca's sweetheart, Mary Lorson, leads her band Saint Low in at Maxie's restaurant, 6 pm.
Have fun -
Steve Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Open Letter to Friends and Readers on Independence Day
We, and a few other people, got an e-mail message from our friend Nick on Independence Day, about the latest blatant malfeasance of the Bush administration, in the Scooter Libby case.
Like a lot of people we know, Nick would like to see impeachment proceedings against Bush and Cheney. In the realm of things we can control, Nick was calling for diligent citizenry on Independence Day - and beyond, of course - as our democratic prerogatives are beseiged by officials who find them inconvenient.
We wrote back to Nick with emphatic empathy, with similar thoughts on the subject. We thought we'd open that letter here to Ithaca Blog readers, as it explains a bit what we are trying to do on this site:
Nick,
I agree completely, that our country is threatened by our own officials, subverting our laws.
In the Libby case, which stems from the war in Iraq, we see that the administration lied to the U.N., to intelligence officials, to the press, and to American law enforcement.
When found guilty in a court of law, they commute their own sentences, and close the case.
I'm glad you took the time to write. It's important for all of us to talk about what we see. Otherwise we get caught in the apathy and hopelessness of thinking no one else notices or cares.
Fifteen years ago I was in Washington preparing for a career in journalism. What I found there among the media were a lot of people of middling ability and ambition who were primarily interested in easy work, in corporate jobs, rather than careers dedicated to serving the public with intellect and nerve.
While I thought about leaving, I talked to an older reporter and teacher. He said, "Steve, if you want to know the truth, don't talk to the government. Talk to your neighbors." It was like a grade-B movie scene: get out, kid, while you can. There's still time for you.
So I got out. He was right. Look at our own senator today, Hillary Clinton. Obviously a person of great intelligence and skill. But when we needed her leadership on the question of war, she ducked. She hid. She says now she didn't know enough then to know the war was wrong. Who was she listening to? Who was she talking to? Not to me or my neighbors. We all knew. That's what my teacher was telling me. Your neighbors can see the truth and will tell the truth. Your leaders might see the truth, but they won't tell you.
Now I'm trying to do my litle bit with Ithaca Blog. We write about local things, but also larger issues. I try to write in a way that respects the truth as the ultimate goal. I try to do it in a way that repects the reader - no rants or raves here. No foul language. Using whatever skill I can muster in trying to see, think, and talk straight.
Do me a favor and tell your friends about the Blog. Maybe together, the little bit we each do will be magnified and make a difference.
Meanwhile, take heart and have faith and find pleasure in the effort.
Steve
Like a lot of people we know, Nick would like to see impeachment proceedings against Bush and Cheney. In the realm of things we can control, Nick was calling for diligent citizenry on Independence Day - and beyond, of course - as our democratic prerogatives are beseiged by officials who find them inconvenient.
We wrote back to Nick with emphatic empathy, with similar thoughts on the subject. We thought we'd open that letter here to Ithaca Blog readers, as it explains a bit what we are trying to do on this site:
Nick,
I agree completely, that our country is threatened by our own officials, subverting our laws.
In the Libby case, which stems from the war in Iraq, we see that the administration lied to the U.N., to intelligence officials, to the press, and to American law enforcement.
When found guilty in a court of law, they commute their own sentences, and close the case.
I'm glad you took the time to write. It's important for all of us to talk about what we see. Otherwise we get caught in the apathy and hopelessness of thinking no one else notices or cares.
Fifteen years ago I was in Washington preparing for a career in journalism. What I found there among the media were a lot of people of middling ability and ambition who were primarily interested in easy work, in corporate jobs, rather than careers dedicated to serving the public with intellect and nerve.
While I thought about leaving, I talked to an older reporter and teacher. He said, "Steve, if you want to know the truth, don't talk to the government. Talk to your neighbors." It was like a grade-B movie scene: get out, kid, while you can. There's still time for you.
So I got out. He was right. Look at our own senator today, Hillary Clinton. Obviously a person of great intelligence and skill. But when we needed her leadership on the question of war, she ducked. She hid. She says now she didn't know enough then to know the war was wrong. Who was she listening to? Who was she talking to? Not to me or my neighbors. We all knew. That's what my teacher was telling me. Your neighbors can see the truth and will tell the truth. Your leaders might see the truth, but they won't tell you.
Now I'm trying to do my litle bit with Ithaca Blog. We write about local things, but also larger issues. I try to write in a way that respects the truth as the ultimate goal. I try to do it in a way that repects the reader - no rants or raves here. No foul language. Using whatever skill I can muster in trying to see, think, and talk straight.
Do me a favor and tell your friends about the Blog. Maybe together, the little bit we each do will be magnified and make a difference.
Meanwhile, take heart and have faith and find pleasure in the effort.
Steve
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Libby Case: Justice is Blind-Sided
The New York Times says President Bush's commutation of the jail sentence of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby "came as a surprise."
Maybe not, if one considers the president's earliest words about the case in the right light.
Libby was sentenced to prison for lying to a grand jury about leaks from the administration that were designed to punish Joseph Wilson, an early critic of the war in Iraq, and intimidate other critics. The leaks revealed the identity of Wilson's wife, Valerie Plame, as an undercover agent of the CIA.
Early in the investigation, on Sept. 30, 2003, President Bush commented on the proceedings:
"There's leaks in the executive branch; there's leaks in the legislative branch. There's just too many leaks. And if there is a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is. And if the person has violated the law, the person will be taken care of."
Mr. Bush was true to his word. Mr. Libby was taken care of.
Usually, according to Justice Department standards, "requests for commutation generally are not accepted unless and until a person has begun serving that sentence," which Mr. Libby hasn't, and are generally not granted to those appealing their convictions, which Mr. Libby is.
Margaret Colgate Love, the pardon lawyer at the Justice Department for most of the 1990s, said, "I can't think of a recent commutation that was granted before at least some prison time was served."
Additionally, cooperation with prosecutors is an important consideration in granting commutation. It seems clear that in this case, past non-cooperation is the requirement, and its continuation the goal.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
Maybe not, if one considers the president's earliest words about the case in the right light.
Libby was sentenced to prison for lying to a grand jury about leaks from the administration that were designed to punish Joseph Wilson, an early critic of the war in Iraq, and intimidate other critics. The leaks revealed the identity of Wilson's wife, Valerie Plame, as an undercover agent of the CIA.
Early in the investigation, on Sept. 30, 2003, President Bush commented on the proceedings:
"There's leaks in the executive branch; there's leaks in the legislative branch. There's just too many leaks. And if there is a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is. And if the person has violated the law, the person will be taken care of."
Mr. Bush was true to his word. Mr. Libby was taken care of.
Usually, according to Justice Department standards, "requests for commutation generally are not accepted unless and until a person has begun serving that sentence," which Mr. Libby hasn't, and are generally not granted to those appealing their convictions, which Mr. Libby is.
Margaret Colgate Love, the pardon lawyer at the Justice Department for most of the 1990s, said, "I can't think of a recent commutation that was granted before at least some prison time was served."
Additionally, cooperation with prosecutors is an important consideration in granting commutation. It seems clear that in this case, past non-cooperation is the requirement, and its continuation the goal.
Stephen Burke
for Ithaca Blog
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