LABOR, ACTIVISM, PEACE, ECOLOGY, BUSINESS, HEALTH, YOUR LETTERS
********************************
COMMUNITY BENEFIT CONCERT 12/20 at 7:30pm at
Unitarian church for the children of San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala, with
Amy Glicklich, Tenesi, Sim Redmond, Jennie and Richie Stearns, Hank
Roberts, Soulstice, Jeb Puryear, Jed Greenberg, Tom Gilbert (from Donna
the Buffalo), David Gould & Nate Richardson, The Grady Girls,
Paso Fino, Nikolai Ruskin-- $10 - $20 suggested donation.
---Amy Glicklich
and Tenesi will be returning to Guatemala this winter to record a CD
with 600 children singing the traditional songs of their village.
Proceeds from this concert will help fund the CD project. Upon
completion of the CD, 100% of the CD sales will go directly to the
children of San Lucas Toliman, their school and their community. "
*************
Fourth Annual RUTABAGA CURLING CONTEST --Come "root" for your favorites!
Last Day of 2001 Ithaca Farmer's Market,
Saturday, 12/22 will host the Fourth Annual Rutabaga Curling
(Hurling) Contest. "Loosely based on the world renowned
sports of Curling and Bocci... Rutabaga hurling was conceived of in
1999. Current rules basically consist of contestants rolling their
rutabaga as close as possible to a point of the market floor from a
distance of approximately 100 feet." Steve Sierigk, founder of the
event, as well as a market vendor who operates Acorn Designs states,
"The Market was nearly empty one day, we were bored and we began to
hurl vegetables."
---"The growing curiosity in this truly Ithacan sport has lead to the
interest of a Boston radio show, "Only a Game" on WBUR Radio to cover
the event at the closing day of 2001 Ithaca Farmer's Market. A nominal
registration fee is charged, and the competition is limited to the
first 50 registrants. Participants may bring their own rutabaga, as
rutabagas that are provided tend to go fast. Register at the Farmer's
Market on the day of the event between 9-11:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies
begin at 12 Noon. Contact Steve Sierigk at the International Rutabaga
Hurling Federation 387-3424.
*************
LIVING WAGE FOR PARAPROFESSIONALS now supported by
25 local groups: B.A.C. Local 8 NY, Catholic Charities of Tompkins
County, Center for Religion, Ethics & Social Policy (CRESP),
Citizens Planning Alliance, Cornell Organization for Labor Action
(COLA), Drop-In Children's Center, Ithaca Catholic Worker, Ithaca
Coalition for Global Justice (The Sharks), Ithaca Democratic Socialists
of America, Ithaca Friends Meeting (Quakers), Ithaca HOURS, Ithaca
Paraprofessionals Association (IPA), Jesus Only Apostolic Church of
God, Justice for All, Latino Civic Association, Midstate Central Labor
Council, Painters District Council #4, Service Employees Inter. Union
(SEIU) 200United Teamsters Local 317, Tompkins County Democratic Party,
Tompkins County Human Rights Commission, Tompkins County Green Party,
UAW Local 2300, Working Families Party.
---To add your group: Carl
Feuer
*************
TOMPKINS COUNTY COMMUNITY LISTSERVS. Citizens are now able to organize politically and socially with less reliance on conventional media, through dozens of online discussion groups. Here are samples (please send more):
COMMUNITY HEALTH INFORMATION ALLIANCE: [email protected]
subscribe ithacahealth-l
FINGER LAKES
CYCLING CLUB
ITHACA AMATEUR
ASTRONOMERS
ITHACA COLLEGE BOSTON ALUMNI CLUB (466 members)
ITHACA KNITNET
[email protected]
message: ithacaknitnet-l (first name, last name)
ITHACA SMALL
BUSINESS ALLIANCE: "to discuss new business ideas,
troubleshoot technical problems, form new business networks and develop
strategic relationships between member businesses."
ITHACA
SHARKS (anti-globalization) ORIGAMI: Finger
Lakes Paper Folders (FLAP):
SUSTAINABLE
ITHACA: organizing to make Ithaca less reliant on fossil
fuels, and more economically and environmentally self-reliant:
*************
HANDMADE HOLIDAY MARKET at Autumn Leaves Used Books Event Space, 115 The Commons, 12/22 noon-8pm; 12/23/ noon-5pm. Several vendors accept HOURS.
UNIQUE STOCKING STUFFER: Purchase Ithaca HOURS as
change at GreenStar
Co-op and give them with a list of
Commons
businesses accepting HOURS
Eateries
accepting HOURS
and Heath
Fund healers accepting HOURS
See all HOUR
notes issued
HOURS are also fine tax-deductible gifts for over 60 local groups which have gotten HOUR grants.
*************
DIDGERIDOO PLAYERS wanted for Winter Solstice event: Amanda 256-3662
*************
FUNDRAISER FOR SEE-SPOT ART GALLERY: 12/22 at 7:30pm. Four bands. $6.00 or HOURS. "No drinking, no drugs, no stupidity." FULL BODY PAINTING in window, 3pm.
*************
SEE MAP OF THE NIGHT SKY FROM YOUR BACKYARD: Go to www.geocode.com/eagle and type in your address, to get your precise longitude and latitude. Then enter these at YourSky You'll be able to zoom in on the night sky, any night, with constellations labelled, exactly as seen from where you stand. You'll even see your horizon line!
*************
57% CHANCE OF WHITE CHRISTMAS in Ithaca, according to 1970-2000 stats. This is down from 66% probability according to 1876-1976 records.
*************
"WILD MUSHROOMS CALENDAR 2002," featuring magnificent watercolors of Ithaca-area fungi by Carl Whittaker. Sales ($16.00) begin January 2 at Home Dairy, See-Spot Gallery or from the artist, 203 College Avenue, Ithaca 14850 ($18.00 postpaid. 273-8025. Ithaca HOURS accepted. See sample at website.
*************
FIRST FRIDAYS (social gathering for professionals of color) New Years Eve Format Monday,ØùDecember 31, 2001, at Gables Inn, Ithaca, (Formerly Turbacks Restaurant): (607) 273-0034 (call to RSVP) 919 Route 13 South, justØù2 miles south of Buttermilk Falls State Park. The Gables is an Elegant, unmistakably Pink Victorian building on the left-side of the road if you are headed South.
Semi-Formal Attire, Live Jazz over a bountiful
buffet dinner, Complimentary midnight champagne toast with party favors
Breakfast buffet after the New Year: Bacon, eggs, grits, coffee,
Complimentary local taxi rides beginning at 3 am.
*Dj spinning the music your mamma loved, you were conceived by,
andØùgrew up on: The Isley Brothers, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Earth
Wind and Fire, James Brown, and today's hottest Soul, R&B and
popular Hip-hop hits.
$25/ person; $45/ couple; $135/ couple with room
accommodations
RSVP: Joseph
Smith: 273-3582 Ext. 840
*************
AMAZING ITHACA HISTORY!
* December 19, 1856: First record of a JEWISH
resident. Caroline Cohen dies in childbirth, aged 26.
* December 20, 1820: Law enacted for tolling of STEEPLE BELL when
anyone dies. Bell is struck 9 times if deceased was an adult male, 7
times if adult female, 5 if a boy, 3 if girl, infant one.
* December 20, 1911: "PROTECT YOURSELF, BUY A REVOLVER," advertises
Treman, King & Co. "As a matter of precaution these days,
everyone should carry a revolver. What an appropriate and welcome
present a revolver would be this Christmas!"
* December 21, 1876: Kids too poor to expect Christmas presents gaze
eagerly through store windows, shouting: "I choose this!" "Oh, you can
have that!"
* December 22, 1954: Morse Chain and Machinists Local 1607 sign
contract for a PENSION PLAN. Employees 65 or older may retire
immediately.
* December 23, 1898: Public school students are 1464 MINUTES TARDY
during the past month.
* December 23, 1926: A SECRET ROOM below the basement of a 100-year-old
home at 113 E. Seneca St is accidentally discovered during remodeling.
Stairs led from beneath the basement to the floor of the room, which
was 12 feet square and 5 feet high.
* December 24, 1946: Christmas lighting contest is won by Don Jones,
532 W Clinton St, for his back-lit window painting of the Nativity,
done with show card paint and detergent.
* December 25, 1882: After hiding in wait for Santa, youngster asks
next morning, "Momma, does Santa Claus wear hoop skirts?"
* December 26, 1910: Antonio Morrow sells his girlfriend Marie Antonio
for $200. She flees with Sebastian Onofiro.
* December 27, 1887: ITHACA STREET RAILWAY (electric trolley) begins
passenger service, along State St. 250 volts direct current, top speed
15mph.
* December 27, 1907: Annual police report records arrests of 277
LABORERS and ONE MANUFACTURER.
*************
YOUR LETTERS
"I appreciate receiving your news letter. I
received several emails from community members interested in serving on
the Multicultural Resource Center Board. Thank you for passing this
information along to others, and thanks for doing this work." --Audrey
Cooper
--------
"Are you familiar with FEDCO? It's a cooperative
in Maine thatprovides all sorts of garden/farm stuff, everything from
seeds to trees to gloves. They usually offer the biggest discounts.
I've got a group of folks together who place fairly large orders with
the company. Do you think anyone on your list would be interested?" --BZ Marranca
--------
"Salaam to all: Your website People of
Afghanistan is why I never given up on the American people,
and I ask my friends not to. I have trust in the morality of this
people who is making good gestures in spite of the onslaught of the
media on his mind. I understand very well how you can be a good people
with a bad foreign policy.
---"In these highly charged days, and when I see incredible bombs
falling on my people, I have no grudge in my heart towards the American
people. After all, they are victims of oppression and deception as much
as I am. I make a clear separation between Americans and American
government policies. I denounce violence period, especially when it
leads to the devastation of unarmed population. I wish you peace,
prosperity, happiness and harmony with the rest of the world. Amen."
--Abdul Halabi
--------
"This is my first newsletter - it's AWESOME!!!"
--Leslie Zucker
--------
"Please add my address to those who receive Ithaca
Community News. Thanks," --Karen
--------
"I am an Ithaca College student and I recently
started a non-profit online resource for independent musicians, media
makers, and activists at http://www.diyrevolution.com.
It's an underground, subversive yellow pages. It is separated into
local areas to encourage alternative thought flourishing on a local
level but you can also search internationally and get in touch with
people from all over the globe. It would be great if you could put this
in your email and get some local people involved if they wish to be be.
Cheers," --Jesse
Mann
--------
"I really enjoy receiving the ITHACA COMMUNITY
NEWS, always look forward to upcoming events and facts about the area.
I am an enthusiatic fan of the AMAZING ITHACA HISTORY, my absolute
favorite part." --Lenora Quvus
--------
"Where do you get your Ithaca Facts? They are
great!" --M.
---[REPLY] They're from my Amazing Ithaca History Calendars,
1976 & 1978. Most days are illustrated.
--------
"This a very good and smart site. I appreciate
your effort and hope with you for world peace. I'll let my friends know
that we have friends here in the States who understand our suffer and
are doing something to end. thank you." (from a Palestinian)
--------
"A heads up - If local environmentalists are truly
interested in making sure the Town of Ithaca will manage growth in an
environmentally responsible way, NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT! The Town is
about to release a new draft zoning ordinance and map. This is the
point where people who are really committed to protecting our community
need to organize and make sure that the Town of Ithaca change its
longstanding pro-developmentland use policies to policies that are
pro-environment.
---"The decision to grant Widewaters permission to build isn't being
made now. It was made decades ago, when the land was zoned for
development. The same type of environmental time bombs could be planted
in the new Town of Ithaca zoning ordinance, unless the environmental
community becomes actively engaged NOW." --(name withheld by request)
--------
"Anyone thinking of installing wind power needs to
consider the damaging implications for birds, one Sierra Club
publication has called wind generators "cuisinarts" for birds. Any high
tower with guy wires, television, phone, etc. will yield a harvest of
dead birds to anyone who walks the ground beneath it with their eyes
open. Wind generators with their wide vanes are that much worse than
towers. For more info try doing a search with windpower+birds or
windpower+audubon." --Mary L. White
---[REPLY] New windmills, like Savonius Rotors, and others framed in
buildings, are ending collisions with birds. See www.awea.org
and the letter below:
--------
"I saw in the December newsletter that Steve Smith
is interested in Wind Power. I work for ETM Solarworks [Ithaca HOURS
accepted], that installed the solar system on the library and has
installed several solar electric systems, wind generators, and solar
hot water systems in the area. ETM is located in Endicott and I cover
the Ithaca area. Could you put me in touch with Steve or let him know
about me? Any chance there could be a little blurb about ETM in the
newsletter sometime so that people would know that there are people
doing this in the Ithaca area?" --Erick Smith
--------
"A good friend of ours would like to give us a
car. We do not want to own it, but would like to see if we can get a
car-share program organized. After doing some research into other
successful car-share programs, we realize that it would be best if the
car was actally owned by a non-profit. It is nearly impossible to
insure the car with multiple drivers that are not from the same
household. And the person who officially owns the car would be taking
on a huge liability risk. Other car-share programs have gotten around
this by giving the car to a non-profit and buying
commercial/institutional insurance. Do you know of an organization that
might be interested in being a sponsor for a car-share program. They
would have to be a legal 501(c)3 with the accompanying tax-privaleges.
I think that there are a lot of people in town who could benefit from
it, and the town could certainly benefit from not having as many cars!"
--Kimberly
---[REPLY] Certainly agree. There are dozens of local groups whose
members could share cars. The first which comes to mind is the Women's
Opportunity Center, which helps women rebuild their lives after
domestic upheaval. 272-1520
--------
"Thank You Community Newsletter! In response to
the wanted ad in one of the Nov. issues, [wanted houses, porches, etc.
to hang peace banners and earth flags] I have been moved at the
overwhelming and empowering response of individuals and families
joyfully willing to hang peace banners on their homes. We now have a
whole committee helping me fulfill the orders. And if You are one of
those persons still waiting for a banner, we have not forgotten You.
~with peace" --Ilonka
--------
"There is a new publication dealing with prisons and policing in New York State. Upstate Prison Response was created to serve as a forum for open dialogue (rather than a particular political agenda) on prisons and policing, and a means of connecting people working on these issues both inside and outside prisons. We here at Upstate Prison Response are looking for submissions as well as other kinds of involvement." --Leila or UPR Newsletter
*************
MATH EXHIBIT & FAIR: "GO FIGURE!" at Tompkins County Public Library 1/5/02 -- 10am- 1pm. "Children ages 2 through 7 years old and their families are invited to get a first look at Go Figure! -- a national traveling exhibit that introduces early math concepts such as sorting and measuring through kid-sized environments inspired by familiar children's books. Kids and their families can also have lots of other math-related fun with local math lovers too! Multicultural math, mazes, and games and stories."
*************
CONCERNED ABOUT ATTACKS ON CIVIL LIBERTIES? Thanks to the Ithaca lawyers who have announced their services for Arabic peoples called by the FBI.
Learn more from People for the
American Way
"Defend
the Constitution" campaign:
*************
"DEMOCRACY NOW" will now be seen on Ithaca Community Access Television, Channel 78, M-F 6-8pm & 9- 11pm This weekday radio/tv program is so popular in Ithaca that host Amy Goodman spoke for several hours to a squeezing-room-only audience here, three years ago. Found also at 89.7 FM WEOS M-F 9am- 11am.
*************
CAYUGA CAMERA CLUB -- for owners of any and all cameras.
*************
ADOPTIONS:
ADOPT-A-SHELF PROGRAM is ready to go at the Tompkins County Public Library. Volunteers are needed to maintain good order of the collection in all areas. Volunteers may select, or will be assigned, a section and will become responsible for keeping it in good order. Volunteers are encouraged to choose whatever kind of schedule best fits their own availability. The First 50 volunteers joining the Adopt-A-Shelf Program will receive Charter Member Certificates!
This volunteer opportunity may appeal to organizations, student groups, families, businesses, and/or individuals. Efforts will be recognized with signage posted within the Library. --Gay Huddle, Volunteer Coordinator 272-4557 Ext. 226
"PLEASE ADOPT OUR 9 MONTH OLD PUPPY; he's very fun and friendly; mostly Black Lab mix. Free to good home." 257-4036
*************
Special to Ithaca Community News: Report on the Business Assessment District, by David Nutter.
*************
WINTER SOLSTICE BUTOH DANCE performance in the Cascadilla Gorge off Linn St. 12/ 21 at noon. "It will be forty minutes and there will be a celebration afterwards; bring your drums and bells; it's free!" --Sareanda
*************
ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND UNION LABOR UNITED:
Healing the divide between labor unions and environmentalists, the AFL-CIO passed its first-ever resolution on urban sprawl and smart growth last week at its national convention in Las Vegas. Sent by Tony DelPlato of the Tompkins Cortland Labor Council, who says that "smart growth brings more construction jobs than conventional growth." 70 labor unions (including 10 construction unions) belong to the TC Labor Council, and the AFL-CIO is athe Labor Council's parent organization.
The resolution is printed in full, since it addresses Ithaca's greatest public issues-- jobs, taxes, schools, public health, racism, housing and our environment:
URBAN SPRAWL AND SMART GROWTH: AFL-CIO Resolution #16:
WHEREAS the issues of urban
sprawl and smart growth have become major public and political issues,
as demonstrated by the recent passage of hundreds of ballot
initiatives, ordinances and laws; and Whereas urban sprawl strains all
working families by creating overly-long commuting times, fueling air
pollution responsible for skyrocketing children's asthma rates,
creating a lack of affordable housing near jobs, eroding public
services, and denying workers a choice about how to get to work; and
WHEREAS sprawling big-box retailers such as
Wal-Mart undermine unionized neighborhood grocery retailers that
provide family-supporting wages and benefits; and
WHEREAS unionized, inner-city hospitals have been
disproportionately shut down, partly because of the concentration of
inner-city poverty caused by sprawl; and
WHEREAS the abandonment of our cities, caused by
sprawl, undermines their tax base and thereby harms the quality of
public services, which in turn creates pressure for privatization of
those services; and
WHEREAS the same tax-base erosion is a fundamental
cause of school funding inequities and classroom crowding, which fuel
pressure for school vouchers; and
WHEREAS the rise of "edge cities" on the fringe of
urban areas has harmed the collective bargaining strength of janitorial
and building maintenance unions and dispersed the hospitality industry,
harming the wages of restaurant and hotel employees; and
WHEREAS sprawling development on urban fringes
creates new jobs beyond public transit grids, leaving commuters no
choice about how to get towork, and undermining public transit
ridership; and
WHEREAS anti-union manufacturers flee cities for
outlying areas as part of their union-avoidance strategies, making jobs
inaccessible for many people who need them most, including dislocated
workers who have been victimized by deindustrialization and NAFTA; and
WHEREAS many other unions have suffered as a
direct result of the disinvestments, corporate flight, and tax-base
erosion caused by sprawl; and
WHEREAS many unions have long worked to defend
urban institutions that benefit all working families; and
WHEREAS unions of transit workers have for decades
advocated to improve public transportation that improves air quality
and gives working families a commuting choice; and
WHEREAS many locals of the United Food &
Commercial Workers have joined community coalitions against Wal-Mart
and other anti-union "big box" retailers; and
WHEREAS the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust has
used Building Trades pension-fund investments to construct tens of
thousands of units of low-and moderate-income housing, helping address
America's affordable housing crisis; and
WHEREAS many other central labor bodies and state
labor federation have long advocated for policies now collectively
called "smart growth," such as affordable housing, better public
transit, school rehabilitation, and the reclamation of brownfields; and
WHEREAS organized labor rightfully deserves credit
for these many achievements, but has so far been largely overlooked in
this national debate; and
WHEREAS "smart growth" is an ambiguous and
evolving term that applies to several different kinds of policies, and
many competing interest group are now seeking to define it;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the AFL-CIO
authorize and direct its leadership to actively engage in the emerging
public and political debates surrounding urban sprawl and smart growth,
asserting labor's rightful role in the national debate about the future
of America's cities for the benefit of all working families. --------
Here in Tompkins County, the CITIZENS' PLANNING ALLIANCE welcomes tax-deductible donations (including Ithaca HOURS) for its work to promote labor-environment-friendly development options. Box 816, Ithaca 14851
*************
According to Jesse Strock, The U.S. Forest Service (Paul Brewster) has just selected the NO DRILL alternative for the Finger Lakes National Forest!
The FINGER LAKES NATIONAL FOREST DRILLING DEBATE got prominent coverage in the New York Times recently. Here are the first few paragraphs:
"THE FOREST, THE TREES AND THE GAS BELOW" 12/6/01 By Neela Banerjee
HECTOR, N.Y. - A quilt of forgotten apple orchards
and tangled pastures, the Finger Lakes National Forest, the only
national forest in New York, is an anonymous 25 square miles in the
lush woodlands upstate, and a speck compared with the vast acres of
wilderness in the West.
---Yet over the last year, the national forest and villages around it,
like Hector, have been engulfed by the same disputes about opening
federal lands to oil and natural gas drilling that have swirled around
places like Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
---Several companies seek to tap the estimated 16 billion cubic feet of
gas below the Finger Lakes forest - a small reservoir that could,
according to the United States Forest Service, provide energy for 20
years to the 33,000 residents of Seneca County, where part of the
forest lies.
---Congress recently approved a one- year moratorium on drilling here,
but the Forest Service, which favors limited drilling, is proceeding
with an environmental study and expects to decide within the next two
weeks whether the forest should eventually be opened to gas production.
******
CANCELLATIONS:
MRC OPEN HOUSE CANCELLED "After much deliberation The Multicultural Resource Center is cancelling the Open House, previously scheduled for 12/21, until January or February 2002. Due to the Holiday season, we realize that everyone is extremely busy, some of you may be travelling, and there are other commitments."
TARGET STORES is frustrated here but not gone. To thank them for not building across the street from Buttermilk Falls State Park, send email to Target Stores.
************
The ITHACA HEALTH FUND is considering adding more categories of payment and increasing the size of current payments. Still for $100/year, from Box 362, Ithaca 14851.
************
SEE PAST 21 ISSUES OF ITHACA COMMUNITY NEWS
GOT NEWS? Please send to [email protected]
LABOR, ACTIVISM, PEACE, ECOLOGY, BUSINESS, HEALTH, YOUR LETTERS
********************************
COMMUNITY BENEFIT CONCERT 12/20 at 7:30pm at Unitarian church
for the children of San Lucas Toliman, Guatemala, with Amy Glicklich,
Tenesi, Sim Redmond, Jennie and Richie Stearns, Hank Roberts,
Soulstice, Jeb Puryear, Jed Greenberg, Tom Gilbert (from Donna the
Buffalo), David Gould & Nate Richardson, The Grady Girls, Paso
Fino, Nikolai Ruskin-- $10 - $20 suggested donation.
---Amy Glicklich
and Tenesi will be returning to Guatemala this winter to record a CD
with 600 children singing the traditional songs of their village.
Proceeds from this concert will help fund the CD project. Upon
completion of the CD, 100% of the CD sales will go directly to the
children of San Lucas Toliman, their school and their community. "
*************
Fourth Annual RUTABAGA CURLING CONTEST --Come "root" for your favorites!
Last Day of 2001 Ithaca
Farmer's Market, Saturday, 12/22 will host the Fourth Annual Rutabaga
Curling (Hurling) Contest. "Loosely based on the world
renowned sports of Curling and Bocci... Rutabaga hurling was conceived
of in 1999. Current rules basically consist of contestants rolling
their rutabaga as close as possible to a point of the market floor from
a distance of approximately 100 feet." Steve Sierigk, founder of the
event, as well as a market vendor who operates Acorn Designs states,
"The Market was nearly empty one day, we were bored and we began to
hurl vegetables."
---"The growing curiosity in this truly Ithacan sport has lead to the
interest of a Boston radio show, "Only a Game" on WBUR Radio to cover
the event at the closing day of 2001 Ithaca Farmer's Market. A nominal
registration fee is charged, and the competition is limited to the
first 50 registrants. Participants may bring their own rutabaga, as
rutabagas that are provided tend to go fast. Register at the Farmer's
Market on the day of the event between 9-11:30 a.m. Opening ceremonies
begin at 12 Noon. Contact Steve Sierigk at the International Rutabaga
Hurling Federation 387-3424.
*************
LIVING WAGE FOR PARAPROFESSIONALS now supported by 25 local
groups: B.A.C. Local 8 NY, Catholic Charities of Tompkins County,
Center for Religion, Ethics & Social Policy (CRESP), Citizens
Planning Alliance, Cornell Organization for Labor Action (COLA),
Drop-In Children's Center, Ithaca Catholic Worker, Ithaca Coalition for
Global Justice (The Sharks), Ithaca Democratic Socialists of America,
Ithaca Friends Meeting (Quakers), Ithaca HOURS, Ithaca
Paraprofessionals Association (IPA), Jesus Only Apostolic Church of
God, Justice for All, Latino Civic Association, Midstate Central Labor
Council, Painters District Council #4, Service Employees Inter. Union
(SEIU) 200United Teamsters Local 317, Tompkins County Democratic Party,
Tompkins County Human Rights Commission, Tompkins County Green Party,
UAW Local 2300, Working Families Party.
---To add your group: Carl
Feuer
*************
TOMPKINS COUNTY COMMUNITY LISTSERVS. Citizens are now able to organize politically and socially with less reliance on conventional media, through dozens of online discussion groups. Here are samples (please send more):
COMMUNITY HEALTH INFORMATION ALLIANCE: [email protected]
subscribe ithacahealth-l
FINGER LAKES
CYCLING CLUB
ITHACA AMATEUR
ASTRONOMERS
ITHACA COLLEGE BOSTON ALUMNI CLUB (466 members)
ITHACA KNITNET
[email protected]
message: ithacaknitnet-l (first name, last name)
ITHACA SMALL
BUSINESS ALLIANCE: "to discuss new business ideas,
troubleshoot technical problems, form new business networks and develop
strategic relationships between member businesses."
ITHACA
SHARKS (anti-globalization) ORIGAMI: Finger
Lakes Paper Folders (FLAP):
SUSTAINABLE
ITHACA: organizing to make Ithaca less reliant on fossil
fuels, and more economically and environmentally self-reliant:
*************
HANDMADE HOLIDAY MARKET at Autumn Leaves Used Books Event Space, 115 The Commons, 12/22 noon-8pm; 12/23/ noon-5pm. Several vendors accept HOURS.
UNIQUE STOCKING STUFFER: Purchase Ithaca HOURS as
change at GreenStar
Co-op and give them with a list of
Commons
businesses accepting HOURS
Eateries
accepting HOURS
and Heath
Fund healers accepting HOURS
See all HOUR
notes issued
HOURS are also fine tax-deductible gifts for over 60 local groups which have gotten HOUR grants.
*************
DIDGERIDOO PLAYERS wanted for Winter Solstice event: Amanda 256-3662
*************
FUNDRAISER FOR SEE-SPOT ART GALLERY: 12/22 at 7:30pm. Four bands. $6.00 or HOURS. "No drinking, no drugs, no stupidity." FULL BODY PAINTING in window, 3pm.
*************
SEE MAP OF THE NIGHT SKY FROM YOUR BACKYARD: Go to www.geocode.com/eagle and type in your address, to get your precise longitude and latitude. Then enter these at YourSky You'll be able to zoom in on the night sky, any night, with constellations labelled, exactly as seen from where you stand. You'll even see your horizon line!
*************
57% CHANCE OF WHITE CHRISTMAS in Ithaca, according to 1970-2000 stats. This is down from 66% probability according to 1876-1976 records.
*************
"WILD MUSHROOMS CALENDAR 2002," featuring magnificent watercolors of Ithaca-area fungi by Carl Whittaker. Sales ($16.00) begin January 2 at Home Dairy, See-Spot Gallery or from the artist, 203 College Avenue, Ithaca 14850 ($18.00 postpaid. 273-8025. Ithaca HOURS accepted. See sample at website.
*************
FIRST FRIDAYS (social gathering for professionals of color) New Years Eve Format Monday,ØùDecember 31, 2001, at Gables Inn, Ithaca, (Formerly Turbacks Restaurant): (607) 273-0034 (call to RSVP) 919 Route 13 South, justØù2 miles south of Buttermilk Falls State Park. The Gables is an Elegant, unmistakably Pink Victorian building on the left-side of the road if you are headed South.
Semi-Formal Attire, Live Jazz over a bountiful buffet dinner,
Complimentary midnight champagne toast with party favors Breakfast
buffet after the New Year: Bacon, eggs, grits, coffee, Complimentary
local taxi rides beginning at 3 am.
*Dj spinning the music your mamma loved, you were conceived by,
andØùgrew up on: The Isley Brothers, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Earth
Wind and Fire, James Brown, and today's hottest Soul, R&B and
popular Hip-hop hits.
$25/ person; $45/ couple; $135/ couple with room
accommodations
RSVP: Joseph
Smith: 273-3582 Ext. 840
*************
AMAZING ITHACA HISTORY!
* December 19, 1856: First record of a JEWISH resident.
Caroline Cohen dies in childbirth, aged 26.
* December 20, 1820: Law enacted for tolling of STEEPLE BELL when
anyone dies. Bell is struck 9 times if deceased was an adult male, 7
times if adult female, 5 if a boy, 3 if girl, infant one.
* December 20, 1911: "PROTECT YOURSELF, BUY A REVOLVER," advertises
Treman, King & Co. "As a matter of precaution these days,
everyone should carry a revolver. What an appropriate and welcome
present a revolver would be this Christmas!"
* December 21, 1876: Kids too poor to expect Christmas presents gaze
eagerly through store windows, shouting: "I choose this!" "Oh, you can
have that!"
* December 22, 1954: Morse Chain and Machinists Local 1607 sign
contract for a PENSION PLAN. Employees 65 or older may retire
immediately.
* December 23, 1898: Public school students are 1464 MINUTES TARDY
during the past month.
* December 23, 1926: A SECRET ROOM below the basement of a 100-year-old
home at 113 E. Seneca St is accidentally discovered during remodeling.
Stairs led from beneath the basement to the floor of the room, which
was 12 feet square and 5 feet high.
* December 24, 1946: Christmas lighting contest is won by Don Jones,
532 W Clinton St, for his back-lit window painting of the Nativity,
done with show card paint and detergent.
* December 25, 1882: After hiding in wait for Santa, youngster asks
next morning, "Momma, does Santa Claus wear hoop skirts?"
* December 26, 1910: Antonio Morrow sells his girlfriend Marie Antonio
for $200. She flees with Sebastian Onofiro.
* December 27, 1887: ITHACA STREET RAILWAY (electric trolley) begins
passenger service, along State St. 250 volts direct current, top speed
15mph.
* December 27, 1907: Annual police report records arrests of 277
LABORERS and ONE MANUFACTURER.
*************
YOUR LETTERS
"I appreciate receiving your news letter. I received several
emails from community members interested in serving on the
Multicultural Resource Center Board. Thank you for passing this
information along to others, and thanks for doing this work." --Audrey
Cooper
--------
"Are you familiar with FEDCO? It's a cooperative in Maine
thatprovides all sorts of garden/farm stuff, everything from seeds to
trees to gloves. They usually offer the biggest discounts. I've got a
group of folks together who place fairly large orders with the company.
Do you think anyone on your list would be interested?" --BZ Marranca
--------
"Salaam to all: Your website People of
Afghanistan is why I never given up on the American people,
and I ask my friends not to. I have trust in the morality of this
people who is making good gestures in spite of the onslaught of the
media on his mind. I understand very well how you can be a good people
with a bad foreign policy.
---"In these highly charged days, and when I see incredible bombs
falling on my people, I have no grudge in my heart towards the American
people. After all, they are victims of oppression and deception as much
as I am. I make a clear separation between Americans and American
government policies. I denounce violence period, especially when it
leads to the devastation of unarmed population. I wish you peace,
prosperity, happiness and harmony with the rest of the world. Amen."
--Abdul Halabi
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"This is my first newsletter - it's AWESOME!!!" --Leslie
Zucker
--------
"Please add my address to those who receive Ithaca Community
News. Thanks," --Karen
--------
"I am an Ithaca College student and I recently started a
non-profit online resource for independent musicians, media makers, and
activists at http://www.diyrevolution.com.
It's an underground, subversive yellow pages. It is separated into
local areas to encourage alternative thought flourishing on a local
level but you can also search internationally and get in touch with
people from all over the globe. It would be great if you could put this
in your email and get some local people involved if they wish to be be.
Cheers," --Jesse
Mann
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"I really enjoy receiving the ITHACA COMMUNITY NEWS, always
look forward to upcoming events and facts about the area. I am an
enthusiatic fan of the AMAZING ITHACA HISTORY, my absolute favorite
part." --Lenora Quvus
--------
"Where do you get your Ithaca Facts? They are great!" --M.
---[REPLY] They're from my Amazing Ithaca History Calendars,
1976 & 1978. Most days are illustrated.
--------
"This a very good and smart site. I appreciate your effort
and hope with you for world peace. I'll let my friends know that we
have friends here in the States who understand our suffer and are doing
something to end. thank you." (from a Palestinian)
--------
"A heads up - If local environmentalists are truly interested
in making sure the Town of Ithaca will manage growth in an
environmentally responsible way, NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT! The Town is
about to release a new draft zoning ordinance and map. This is the
point where people who are really committed to protecting our community
need to organize and make sure that the Town of Ithaca change its
longstanding pro-developmentland use policies to policies that are
pro-environment.
---"The decision to grant Widewaters permission to build isn't being
made now. It was made decades ago, when the land was zoned for
development. The same type of environmental time bombs could be planted
in the new Town of Ithaca zoning ordinance, unless the environmental
community becomes actively engaged NOW." --(name withheld by request)
--------
"Anyone thinking of installing wind power needs to consider
the damaging implications for birds, one Sierra Club publication has
called wind generators "cuisinarts" for birds. Any high tower with guy
wires, television, phone, etc. will yield a harvest of dead birds to
anyone who walks the ground beneath it with their eyes open. Wind
generators with their wide vanes are that much worse than towers. For
more info try doing a search with windpower+birds or
windpower+audubon." --Mary L. White
---[REPLY] New windmills, like Savonius Rotors, and others framed in
buildings, are ending collisions with birds. See www.awea.org
and the letter below:
--------
"I saw in the December newsletter that Steve Smith is
interested in Wind Power. I work for ETM Solarworks [Ithaca HOURS
accepted], that installed the solar system on the library and has
installed several solar electric systems, wind generators, and solar
hot water systems in the area. ETM is located in Endicott and I cover
the Ithaca area. Could you put me in touch with Steve or let him know
about me? Any chance there could be a little blurb about ETM in the
newsletter sometime so that people would know that there are people
doing this in the Ithaca area?" --Erick Smith
--------
"A good friend of ours would like to give us a car. We do not
want to own it, but would like to see if we can get a car-share program
organized. After doing some research into other successful car-share
programs, we realize that it would be best if the car was actally owned
by a non-profit. It is nearly impossible to insure the car with
multiple drivers that are not from the same household. And the person
who officially owns the car would be taking on a huge liability risk.
Other car-share programs have gotten around this by giving the car to a
non-profit and buying commercial/institutional insurance. Do you know
of an organization that might be interested in being a sponsor for a
car-share program. They would have to be a legal 501(c)3 with the
accompanying tax-privaleges. I think that there are a lot of people in
town who could benefit from it, and the town could certainly benefit
from not having as many cars!" --Kimberly
---[REPLY] Certainly agree. There are dozens of local groups whose
members could share cars. The first which comes to mind is the Women's
Opportunity Center, which helps women rebuild their lives after
domestic upheaval. 272-1520
--------
"Thank You Community Newsletter! In response to the wanted ad
in one of the Nov. issues, [wanted houses, porches, etc. to hang peace
banners and earth flags] I have been moved at the overwhelming and
empowering response of individuals and families joyfully willing to
hang peace banners on their homes. We now have a whole committee
helping me fulfill the orders. And if You are one of those persons
still waiting for a banner, we have not forgotten You. ~with peace" --Ilonka
--------
"There is a new publication dealing with prisons and policing in New York State. Upstate Prison Response was created to serve as a forum for open dialogue (rather than a particular political agenda) on prisons and policing, and a means of connecting people working on these issues both inside and outside prisons. We here at Upstate Prison Response are looking for submissions as well as other kinds of involvement." --Leila or UPR Newsletter
*************
MATH EXHIBIT & FAIR: "GO FIGURE!" at Tompkins County Public Library 1/5/02 -- 10am- 1pm. "Children ages 2 through 7 years old and their families are invited to get a first look at Go Figure! -- a national traveling exhibit that introduces early math concepts such as sorting and measuring through kid-sized environments inspired by familiar children's books. Kids and their families can also have lots of other math-related fun with local math lovers too! Multicultural math, mazes, and games and stories."
*************
CONCERNED ABOUT ATTACKS ON CIVIL LIBERTIES? Thanks to the Ithaca lawyers who have announced their services for Arabic peoples called by the FBI.
Learn more from People for the
American Way
"Defend
the Constitution" campaign:
*************
"DEMOCRACY NOW" will now be seen on Ithaca Community Access Television, Channel 78, M-F 6-8pm & 9- 11pm This weekday radio/tv program is so popular in Ithaca that host Amy Goodman spoke for several hours to a squeezing-room-only audience here, three years ago. Found also at 89.7 FM WEOS M-F 9am- 11am.
*************
CAYUGA CAMERA CLUB -- for owners of any and all cameras.
*************
ADOPTIONS:
ADOPT-A-SHELF PROGRAM is ready to go at the Tompkins County Public Library. Volunteers are needed to maintain good order of the collection in all areas. Volunteers may select, or will be assigned, a section and will become responsible for keeping it in good order. Volunteers are encouraged to choose whatever kind of schedule best fits their own availability. The First 50 volunteers joining the Adopt-A-Shelf Program will receive Charter Member Certificates!
This volunteer opportunity may appeal to organizations, student groups, families, businesses, and/or individuals. Efforts will be recognized with signage posted within the Library. --Gay Huddle, Volunteer Coordinator 272-4557 Ext. 226
"PLEASE ADOPT OUR 9 MONTH OLD PUPPY; he's very fun and friendly; mostly Black Lab mix. Free to good home." 257-4036
*************
Special to Ithaca Community News: Report on the Business Assessment District, by David Nutter.
*************
WINTER SOLSTICE BUTOH DANCE performance in the Cascadilla Gorge off Linn St. 12/ 21 at noon. "It will be forty minutes and there will be a celebration afterwards; bring your drums and bells; it's free!" --Sareanda
*************
ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND UNION LABOR UNITED:
Healing the divide between labor unions and environmentalists, the AFL-CIO passed its first-ever resolution on urban sprawl and smart growth last week at its national convention in Las Vegas. Sent by Tony DelPlato of the Tompkins Cortland Labor Council, who says that "smart growth brings more construction jobs than conventional growth." 70 labor unions (including 10 construction unions) belong to the TC Labor Council, and the AFL-CIO is athe Labor Council's parent organization.
The resolution is printed in full, since it addresses Ithaca's greatest public issues-- jobs, taxes, schools, public health, racism, housing and our environment:
URBAN SPRAWL AND SMART GROWTH: AFL-CIO Resolution #16:
WHEREAS the issues of urban sprawl and
smart growth have become major public and political issues, as
demonstrated by the recent passage of hundreds of ballot initiatives,
ordinances and laws; and Whereas urban sprawl strains all working
families by creating overly-long commuting times, fueling air pollution
responsible for skyrocketing children's asthma rates, creating a lack
of affordable housing near jobs, eroding public services, and denying
workers a choice about how to get to work; and
WHEREAS sprawling big-box retailers such as Wal-Mart
undermine unionized neighborhood grocery retailers that provide
family-supporting wages and benefits; and
WHEREAS unionized, inner-city hospitals have been
disproportionately shut down, partly because of the concentration of
inner-city poverty caused by sprawl; and
WHEREAS the abandonment of our cities, caused by
sprawl, undermines their tax base and thereby harms the quality of
public services, which in turn creates pressure for privatization of
those services; and
WHEREAS the same tax-base erosion is a fundamental
cause of school funding inequities and classroom crowding, which fuel
pressure for school vouchers; and
WHEREAS the rise of "edge cities" on the fringe of
urban areas has harmed the collective bargaining strength of janitorial
and building maintenance unions and dispersed the hospitality industry,
harming the wages of restaurant and hotel employees; and
WHEREAS sprawling development on urban fringes
creates new jobs beyond public transit grids, leaving commuters no
choice about how to get towork, and undermining public transit
ridership; and
WHEREAS anti-union manufacturers flee cities for
outlying areas as part of their union-avoidance strategies, making jobs
inaccessible for many people who need them most, including dislocated
workers who have been victimized by deindustrialization and NAFTA; and
WHEREAS many other unions have suffered as a direct
result of the disinvestments, corporate flight, and tax-base erosion
caused by sprawl; and
WHEREAS many unions have long worked to defend urban
institutions that benefit all working families; and
WHEREAS unions of transit workers have for decades
advocated to improve public transportation that improves air quality
and gives working families a commuting choice; and
WHEREAS many locals of the United Food &
Commercial Workers have joined community coalitions against Wal-Mart
and other anti-union "big box" retailers; and
WHEREAS the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust has
used Building Trades pension-fund investments to construct tens of
thousands of units of low-and moderate-income housing, helping address
America's affordable housing crisis; and
WHEREAS many other central labor bodies and state
labor federation have long advocated for policies now collectively
called "smart growth," such as affordable housing, better public
transit, school rehabilitation, and the reclamation of brownfields; and
WHEREAS organized labor rightfully deserves credit
for these many achievements, but has so far been largely overlooked in
this national debate; and
WHEREAS "smart growth" is an ambiguous and evolving
term that applies to several different kinds of policies, and many
competing interest group are now seeking to define it;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the AFL-CIO
authorize and direct its leadership to actively engage in the emerging
public and political debates surrounding urban sprawl and smart growth,
asserting labor's rightful role in the national debate about the future
of America's cities for the benefit of all working families. --------
Here in Tompkins County, the CITIZENS' PLANNING ALLIANCE welcomes tax-deductible donations (including Ithaca HOURS) for its work to promote labor-environment-friendly development options. Box 816, Ithaca 14851
*************
According to Jesse Strock, The U.S. Forest Service (Paul Brewster) has just selected the NO DRILL alternative for the Finger Lakes National Forest!
The FINGER LAKES NATIONAL FOREST DRILLING DEBATE got prominent coverage in the New York Times recently. Here are the first few paragraphs:
"THE FOREST, THE TREES AND THE GAS BELOW" 12/6/01 By Neela Banerjee
HECTOR, N.Y. - A quilt of forgotten apple orchards and
tangled pastures, the Finger Lakes National Forest, the only national
forest in New York, is an anonymous 25 square miles in the lush
woodlands upstate, and a speck compared with the vast acres of
wilderness in the West.
---Yet over the last year, the national forest and villages around it,
like Hector, have been engulfed by the same disputes about opening
federal lands to oil and natural gas drilling that have swirled around
places like Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
---Several companies seek to tap the estimated 16 billion cubic feet of
gas below the Finger Lakes forest - a small reservoir that could,
according to the United States Forest Service, provide energy for 20
years to the 33,000 residents of Seneca County, where part of the
forest lies.
---Congress recently approved a one- year moratorium on drilling here,
but the Forest Service, which favors limited drilling, is proceeding
with an environmental study and expects to decide within the next two
weeks whether the forest should eventually be opened to gas production.
******
CANCELLATIONS:
MRC OPEN HOUSE CANCELLED "After much deliberation The Multicultural Resource Center is cancelling the Open House, previously scheduled for 12/21, until January or February 2002. Due to the Holiday season, we realize that everyone is extremely busy, some of you may be travelling, and there are other commitments."
TARGET STORES is frustrated here but not gone. To thank them for not building across the street from Buttermilk Falls State Park, send email to Target Stores.
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The ITHACA HEALTH FUND is considering adding more categories of payment and increasing the size of current payments. Still for $100/year, from Box 362, Ithaca 14851.
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