LABOR, ARTS, EVENTS, ACTIVISM, LOCAL HISTORY, YOUR LETTERS, FUN STUFF!
[This is the FIRST OF TWO MESSAGES MONTHLY sent to 6,832 Ithaca area residents]
SIXTEEN READERS OF THIS ISSUE HAVE WON GIFT CERTIFICATES with Ithaca Bakery ($5), Viva Taqueria ($5), Cinemapolis/Fall Creek Pictures (2 tickets), Ithaca Fine Chocolates (4-pack),a href="http://www.gimmecoffee.com">Gimme! Coffee (1# coffee), Oasis Grocery ($5), Harvest Deli, ($6), Sparrow's Wines ($10), Ten Thousand Villages ($10), ABC Cafe ($10), Cafe Strand ($5), Acorn Designs ($7.50), Toko Imports ($5), The Bath Bar ($10) White Lotus Home ($10), The Yoga Corner (free class). WINNING EMAILS (randomly selected by computer) ARE NOTED BELOW. Winners reply sending their mailing address.
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THREE UNUSUAL COURSES at TOMPKINS CORTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE
* Economic Crime Investigation: "apply methods learned in Comuter Forensics
to white collar crime."
* Techniques of Listening: "learn the definition of listening... &
techniques for improving effectiveness."
* Global Seminar: "explore Global Warming, Population, etc & propose
stragegies for dealing w/impact."
* Calling & Hunting the Wild Turkey: "learn to use calling devices to lure
turkeys to gun or camera."
ITHACA'S MOST UNUSUAL SPORT: Rudabaga Hurling at Farmer's Market 12/21 Dress warm for the last market of the season!
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MEET ELECTRICITY SUPPLIERS SERVING TOMPKINS COUNTY, "to answer questions & clarify issues that may confront consumers in choosing their electricity supplier by 1/1/03." 12/7, 10am- noon, first floor Human Services Bldg, 320 W. State. RSVP 273-8816.
CO-OP PLUS OFFERS GREEN ENERGY GROUP DISCOUNT
"We want to move away from centralized power & sell green to the grid
instead of buy dirty from the grid," says Kenny Christianson, board member
of a new Ithaca-based cooperative seeking to get best rates from best
energy suppliers. "We'll get group rates & buy as much green energy
[windmills, fuel cells] as we can, until it's all green. We want to get
into energy efficiency services: insulation, windows, then into
distribution & generation." Watch for their website & signup form next
issue.
"SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER RELIEVED & electric bills lowered w/healthier,
enviro-safe, energy-efficient lighting. Hundreds of satisfied regional customers.
Guaranteed. HOURS accepted, Ithaca Health Fund discount."
277-5089 free consultation.
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THE CONTRADICTIONS: Ithaca-based contradance band, benefit for Fall Creek
PTA at Fall Creek Elementary 12/7, Family Dance 7-8 pm $1.00. Workshop for
beginners 8:15 -8-30 pm. Contradances 8:30 pm. ; full evening,
$5.00/adult, $3.00/child, $10.00/family. HOURS accepted. Vikki 387-3555
MALAWI FAMINE MUSIC BENEFIT w/Macgillicuddies & Friends "electrified Cajun
Zydeco" 12/12, 8:00pm, $5 Close Hall (Jacksonville near gas station,
across from church) 256-9149 Rebecca
THE BIRTH DANCE 12/13 7pm & 8pm at SEE-SPOT GALLERY 108 The Commons:
"modern dances performed by expectant mothers, expressing hopes & fears,
dreams & visions of motherhood."
PUNK SHOW at SEE-SPOT 12/14, 8pm: Earl's Garage, Super Goat, Over the Line,
Immature Youth. $5
THE BURNS SISTERS HOLIDAY SHOW 12/21, 8pm Autumn Leaves Used Books 115 The
Commons, $10/adults, $5/kids, max 1/4 HOUR accepted. 273-8239
LOW FAT GOURMET MEN WITH JUGS JUGBAND "Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas."
12/22 @ 3pm at Rongovian Embassy w/ Regi Carpenter. Ithaca HOURS accepted.
$4/child $5/adult $12 maximum family
REALITY CHECK TEEN MOVIE NIGHT: free movies for teens at Wownet digital
cafe 12/7, 7-10pm. "Interactive, teen-made videos, prizes, free popcorn to
first 20 in the door." [email protected]
FREE CONCERTS at AUTUMN LEAVES USED BOOKS 115 The Commons: ("child friendly"):
12/5 Bert Scholl; 12/6 Charlie Young/Jason Violette; 12/12 Fine Kettle of
Fish; 12/13 George Larson & Friends; 12/20 George Mann & J Margolin; 12/22
Radio London [Thurs & Fri 7-9pm, Sundays 2-4pm]
"LMP2" wins gift certificate to Sparrow's Fine Wine. Reply w/yr address by
12/20 to claim.
HOLIDAY WINE TASTINGS at Sparrow's Fine Wines 12/12 & 19, 5:30-7:30pm 726
W. Green (Fulton/ Green) 256-7145
"DECMEC" wins gift certificate to Viva Taqueria. Reply w/yr address by
12/20 to claim.
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SHOPPING IS VOTING
ITHACA CRAFT ALLIANCE ART & CRAFT FESTIVAL: 12/6 & 7, Women's Community
Building. Friday 11-6, Saturday 10-6. Expanded show with more/new vendors.
Live music. Food.
AFRICA TRADERS MARKET OPEN HOUSE 12/7, 10am - 5pm, 214 First Street. West
African jewelry, crafts, fabrics, clothing, masks, batik, tableaux &
household items, mudcloth coats, fabric, hats & ponchos, baskets, dolls &
recycled specialty items-- made at a street kids fair tradeproject in
Senegal.
THE BATH BAR Holiday Warehouse Sale 12/14, 10am-3pm.
Locally-manufacturedhandmade soaps, lotions, body oils, bath bombs, dead
sea salts, incense. Gift baskets. 312 Fourth St by The Tile House. 1/4
Ithaca HOUR/purchase 256-BATH
BENEVOLENT ITHACA GRINCH GROUP (BIGG) at GIAC 12/16, 7:30pm, for those who
think that Xmas "compels people to spend beyond their means to buy things
that others don't really want, & contorts generosity into an insult to the
holiday's own spiritual origin. BIGG creates lists for locally-made
crafts, donations to local groups, & gifts that really benefit people & the
planet. Think BIGG!"
ITHACA STOCKING STUFFERS
EDUCATE THE CHILDREN "is an Ithaca-based group that supports education in
Nepal. Our alternative gift list offers shoppers the opportunity to give
items such as blackboards for women's literacy
classes, school supplies for under-resourced government school classrooms,
& even latrines." Receive brochure/place order: 272-1176
CAYUGA ARTISANS: 107 South Cayuga St. 10am-8 pm daily; Sundays 12-5pm:
open thru 12/24
TOMPKINS COUNTY ECONOMY WEAK IN OCTOBER. "Get details & a forecast for
holiday retail sales:"
"BIG BOXES IN ITHACA: NOW WHAT?" (TV Channel 13) 12/14, 8:00 pm; 12/15, 6:00 pm
"MHVS" wins gift certificate to Cafe Strand. Reply w/yr address by 12/20
to claim.
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GALLERY NIGHT on Commons 12/6, 5:00-8:00pm: Six art shows + Ithaca Fine
Chocolates (by Wildware)
FARM STREET CO-OP GALLERY, 15 local artists 12/13 noon-midnite, 314 Farm
St. Open mic 9pm - mid.
THE STATE OF THE ART GALLERY ANNUAL OPEN ART SHOW CALL FOR WORKS: Juried
Exhibit January 2003 seeks "painting, sculpture, drawings, mixed media,
digital, ceramics, fiber & glass fine arts. ---Mail or bring application
before 12/20: 120 W State St
GREATER ITHACA ART TRAIL annual membership mtg 12/5, 7pm- 9pm at Clinton
House (Cayuga/Seneca). Join or learn more 273-5072
"BCC9" wins gift certificate to Oasis Natural Grocery. Reply w/yr address
by 12/20 to claim.
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TAKE BACK THE NIGHT COLLECTIVE plans Ithaca's annual march/rally to protest
sexual assault & violence. "All welcome to join: women, men, all ages,
students, lgbt community, faculty, everyone who wants to be part of the
solution" Marisa Avery
LGBTQ ITHACA PRIDE CELEBRATION planning mtg 12/12 from 7-8:30pm, DeWitt
Mall Office Complex. [email protected] or 387-8474 for mailings
"RH34" wins gift certificate to Harvest Deli. Reply w/yr address by 12/20
to claim.
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ITHACA WAR & PEACE REPORT
AMY GOODMAN SPEAKS at Ithaca College 12/13.
BIN LADEN'S DECLARATION
ITHACA SOCIAL FORUM A SUCCESS:
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL on THE COMMONS 12/8, 5-6pm led by Ithaca Chapter of Amnesty International.
ITHACA WAR TAX RESISTERS: send msg to:
[email protected]
THE ITHACA UPROAR (antiwar bimonthly) seeks sponsors to continue publishing:
Dinosaur Dry Goods offers "free stamped postcard to Bush, Clinton or
Schumer for any customer who comes in the store & admires our peace
stickers & wants to send a message of peace to an elected official."
16 cities have followed Ithaca in passing RESOLUTIONS AGAINST WAR ON IRAQ
CURB CORPORATE POWER Citizenworks lists actions local governments can take
to curb corporate power. Here's a progressive platform for next year's
races"
CANADIANS TO LEAD WEAPONS INSPECTION TEAM INTO USA later this winter.
Rooting Out Evil is recruiting inspectors:
"Our action has been inspired by George W. Bush, whose administration has
repeatedly declared that the most dangerous rogue nations are those that:
PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE AGE OF TERRORISM: Dr. Stewart Auyash, Chair, Dept of
Health Policy Studies, Ithaca College: at Human Services Bldg, 320 W. State
12/11, 3:00-4:30 p.m. "With expertise in policy issues concerning the
international drug war, public health priorities, health communication
across cultural groups & why public health is more important than medical
care." Afternoon Tea & coffee w/dessert buffet: $5.00 (1/2 Ithaca HOUR). RSVP
273-8686
BEST INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCES: www.commondreams.org
& www.indymedia.org
"TOJDM18" wins gift certificate to Ithaca Bakery. Reply w/yr address by
12/20 to claim.
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RADICAL CORNELL PROFESSOR GETS BOOT --Beth Altshuler [email protected]
"DANCOGAN" wins gift certificate to Gimme! Coffee. Reply w/yr address by
12/20 to claim.
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AMAZING ITHACA HISTORY
* December 3, 1878: Upon the death of a prominent local businessman,
resolutions of respect for his memory are introduced to the Board of
Trustees and VOTED DOWN.
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YOUR LETTERS
"I would very much like to receive the Ithaca Community Newsletter. Could
you add me to your email list? Yours from a fellow citizen of The City of
Evil," --Gretchen Gettel
"Is Ithaca Community News tax-exempt? Tax-exempt means less goes to
support war." --John & Sara
"Many face a problem with energy competition: not enough information that
matters. There have been a few meetings about what the suppliers provide,
but there is little to be found without going in person to a meeting, which
is more than almost anyone will do. What's needed is a widely-publicized
web site listing prices & other benefits for all suppliers.
"Under the Energy Information: How can I help provide correct information
about MEGA the Municipal Electric & Gas Alliance
(We do not "buy" energy from
Advantage). MEGA is a market aggregator & is currently subscribing members.
Perhaps a helpful word from you encouraging people to investigate the MEGA
option rather than defaulting to NYSEG or trying to sort their way through
the maze of ESCOs." --Barbara B.
"I am excited to see my business name, SEWNRIGHT, as a winner of Ten
Thousand Villages gift certificate, which happens to be my favorite store."
"As a GreenStar member, I believe it is imperative the Co-op translate its
beliefs into action. If the Co-op believes in paying a living wage to its
workers, it should establish a plan for implementing such a goal NOW. It is
unthinkable to consider expansion of any kind, if the current financial
situation does not allow Greenstar to pay a living wage. If the Council
chooses to pursue expansion, it will take on new debt & new employees that
it also cannot afford to pay decently, thereby creating its own vicious
cycle. Establish your priorities! Take care of your people now! Then
consider expansion. Having paid off the long term debt, NOW is the time to
use those savings to implement a living wage for all of your employees!!"
"I so appreciate your updates on community activities through Ithaca
Community News --it's a great service (especially to someone new to town).
I hope I'm able to meet you soon." --Ann R.
"A fair number of us CASE union organizers are interested in joining the
IWW [International Workers of the World], & I mentioned that you already
have an Ithaca chapter started. Can you send me info for joining that
local?" --justicia
"You wrote: 'The Ithaca Times has endorsed Marijuana Reform gubernatorial
candidate Leighton, even though Green candidate Aronowitz campaigns for
complete repeal of the Rockefeller drug laws, & the decriminalization of
marijuana.'
"My partner and I just moved to the beautiful city of Ithaca to become
permanent residents. Please add us to the Ithaca Community News list." --Jason Seymour
"GreenStar's General Manager said, 'GreenStar's natural food prices should
be the lowest in town. If you find out otherwise, please let us know.'
Well the sad truth is that big chains can sell for less because they buy in
bulk. Wegmans & Tops have sales all the time which undercut GreenStar." --Paul Platt
I was interested to read of the Citizens' Planning Alliance in your recent
newsletter, but after visiting their site I still don't know who they are
or how to contact anyone for a chat. Our land is to be rezoned to Ag under
proposed plan, & I'm naive about the ramifications of this change?" --C.
White
"Viewing some of the vacant storefronts & buildings around the Commons, a
friend remarked, "They ought to charge these guys (landlords) for all the
vacant buildings. They sit here, unused, not contributing to the city
economic development. All they are good for is a tax write-off." With the
Great 2002 Ithaca BigBox Explosion in full swing, it seems as if the City
is abandoning the downtown area development in favor of creating what
nearly every other American city has: a Miracle Mile, a "Strip." After not
allowing Walmart to put up a store, we now have Target, Borders, Best Buy,
Dick's, an expanded Tops, & Barnes & Noble getting ready to open.
"Many organizations worldwide are honoring International Human Rights Day,
12/10, by planning protests, rallies & sit-ins. We will rally at Cornell
that day & walk to the Commons.
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ITHACA HEALTH NEWS
ITHACA HEALTH FUND EXPANDS PAYMENTS AGAIN: on 1/1/03 payments for burns
rise to $2,000, emergency stitches to $1,000, ambulance rides to $500.
Dental extractions are paid $30 during first 6 months membership & $60
after first year.
"HEALING ARTS PRACTITIONERS COLLABORATION MEETING" 12/17, 7:00pm Public
Library. Networking, support, brainstorming. Desserts & Refreshments.
Sponsored by Ithaca's Integrative Community Wellness Center.
HELP YOUR CLIENTS FIND LOWER-COST PRESCRIPTIONS: RxAssist Plus free
software demo & Review of HPC Prescription Binder: 12/9, 1:00-2:30, Senior
Citizens Ctr 119 W. Court St.
FREE WELLNESS SERIES WORKSHOPS
SHAMANIC SESSION: Gift Certificates. Pat Floyd 272-0897. Ithaca HOURS.
"KRISTEN1311" wins gift certificate to Toko Imports Reply w/address by 12/20.
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HUMAN SERVICES COALITION FORUM 12/11, 8:45 - 10:15am, Cooperative
Extension, 615 Willow Ave. "monthly forum provides the opportunity for
open exchange of ideas & info. A variety of topics and speakers are
featured." --Nancy Burston 273-8686
"PUBLIC INFORMATION ADVISORY BOARD (PIAB) is citizen's group that advises
the Tompkins County Board of Representatives on effective ways to inform
the public & encourage input, has openings for new members. Eight-person
board meets monthly. Wendy Skinner 274-5555.
Apply online
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ETCETERAE
---POETRY SLAM at Juna's 12/6 at 8pm.
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THANKS to Homer & Jane at LIGHTLINK for reliable
internet service.
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EDITOR: < a h r e f = " m a i l t o : [email protected] " >[email protected] < / a >
---See also www.metrojustice.org/Energy_Coop_Articles.html
&
* Ithaca Fine Chocolates (intends to start a factory here)
* "A History of Mayor Alan J. Cohen's Administration of Ithaca, NY
1996-2002" at Autumn Leaves Books.
* Ithaca Health Fund membership: $100/year.
* Gift Certificates from businesses in HOUR Town local currency directory (at GreenStar,
Autumn Leaves, Viva, Ithaca Bakery, DeWitt Mall)
Clothing,Art, Books, Gifts, Massage, Restaurants...
---"The [Citizens' Planning Alliance] meeting provided a good mix of
perspectives on the big retail shifts underway. Some interesting numbers
were provided by Matthew Drennan, a professor of City & Regional Planning
at CU. According to a study, per capita income in Tompkins County is
nearly 95% of the level of the Syracuse area, but retail sales are about
83% per capita what they are in the Syracuse area.
---"Others noted that with Syracuse's plans to build the "DestiNY"
mega-mega-mall (the world's largest), it will continue to pull sales from
Ithaca & surrounding areas. As Joe Wetmore pointed out, the new stores
that are going up in Ithaca are the smallest versions of these big box
stores, & residents will still be drawn to larger shopping venues outside
the county. The new Ithaca additions also run a higher risk of being
closed than their larger siblings, since national retailers close these
so-called 'Tier 3' stores with lower sales volumes when they face earnings
shortfalls. Gary Ferguson said that the city should be prepared to find
secondary uses for big boxes that wind up vacant as a result." --Tom
Barron
---Even while threatening to kill more Americans, bin Laden appeals to
Americans left & right. On the left, he shares the disgust of many with
American materialism, imperialism & militarism. On the right, his rigid
religiosity easily appeals to some Christians. Expectedly, he wants
revenge, but this digs us all deeper, making the U.S. even more dangerous.
He'd solve injustice by converting us to Islam.
---Bin Laden's message is important as a wake-up call. Whether he or Al
Qaida survive, others will follow. America will change voluntarily &
gracefully, to fairly share the planet, or we will be torn apart from
without & within. --P.G.
---"Much of what we read in the Ithaca Journal or hear on television is a
flimsy delusion constructed to protect the fragile lie that our government
has repressed, threatened, & killed to conceal. Our role is to be loud &
honest, to educate & be educated, & to support each other in the struggle.
The Uproar needs help to continue to print what Gannett, CBS, CNN & NPR are
frightened to say. Please send contributions to: The Ithaca Uproar, c/o
Linda Holzbaur, 249 Coddington Road, Ithaca NY 14850.
Ann Arbor Michigan is latest
1) have massive stockpiles of chemical, biological, & nuclear weapons;
2) ignore due process at the United Nations;
3) refuse to sign and honour international treaties; &
4) have come to power through illegitimate means."
They oppose the development, storage, use of weapons of mass destruction by
any state.
"BKEETON" wins gift certificate to Acorn Designs. Reply w/yr address by
12/20 to claim.
---"Dr. Robert Venables (AIS 100 formerly RSoc 100) has, year after year,
opened the doors for thousands to a new understanding of American Indian &
United States history. Sadly, this semester could be the last time
Venables teaches the course. The College of Agriculture & Life Sciences &
the American Indian Program (AIP) will not allow him to teach this course
again.
---"We call out to all those who have been inspired by Dr. Venables & his
classes to send a message: * Biddy Martin * Susan Henry * Jane
Mt. Pleasant * cc to Mary Lou Doyle
* December 4, 1950: County Board of Supervisors approves construction of
Tompkins County's only divided FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY, Route 13. The road was
built 13 years later.
* December 5, 1909: Edna the Contortionist sprains her ankle.
* December 6, 1894: Large crowd gathers to watch a dog kill a rat.
"Lectures are not so well attended."
* December 7, 1951: Cement mixer slams down State Street at 80mph, smashes
a truck, shoves a car 50 feet, & falls over. No one hurt.
* December 8, 1974: MEDICAL SERVICES DIRECTORY issued by Tomkins County
Citizens for Better Health Care. Includes info on nearly all county
doctors, such as Medicaid policy, fee structures, lab tests. The TC
Medical Society refused to cooperate, saying many doctors felt their
privacy invaded.
* December 9, 1930: Roy Wilcox wins six shirts by guessing closest the
number of square inches of material in the GIANT SHIRT at Baxter's. He
guessed 15,020 of the 15,031 square inches.
December 10, 1971: First bulletin issed of the INVISIBLE ALTERNATE
UNIVERSITY (an informal commuinty self-education directory) by the Center
for Ithaca Alternatives. Subjects include street theatre, group living,
jewelry-making, sexuality.
* December 11, 1903: Unhoppy birthday to BRAINLESS FROG, not even aware of
its own existence, as it enters fourth year of inertia. Dr Wilder had
removed its cerebrum, force feeds it, and there it sit.
* December 12, 1914: Thomas-Morse Aircraft Corporation begins manufacture
of AIRPLANES on Brindley Street. Ithaca soon briefly held the world air
speed record.
---[REPLY] More City of Evil replies
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---[REPLY] Yes, donations to ICN are tax-deductible when check is made to:
Center for Environmental Sustainability, Inc (memo: ICN) & sent to: ICN,
Box 365, Ithaca, NY 14851. Ithaca HOURS welcome too.
--------
---"Even the highly-touted MEGA collective doesn't tell you what rates it
offers or what its markup is on market rates. It does make the claim that
it has saved its customers "over $500,000 to date" but this is just
meaningless ad copy without context. Five zeros sounds big, but I bet the
lack of a per-consumer-monthly-bill savings claim means that what an
individual consumer will save with them is a pretty small number. And,
what is the $500k saved in comparison to? Further, will MEGA offer the
same benefits to consumers as to commercial and municipal customers, or is
their buying power going to be used just to benefit the controlling big
customers? What kind of energy to they purchase? We need to know these
answers for every supplier, not just MEGA.
---"It's in all but the cheapest supplier's best interest to hide this
information from consumers, so it will require some legwork. I hope you'll
consider a Consumer-Reports-style article of at least the alternative &
co-op suppliers for your next issue. Everyone in New York is interested in
this issue, so if you made a web site rating all suppliers & listing their
rates, I bet that it would draw a lot of eyes that don't normally pay
attention to the alternative press." --Joe Harrington
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---[REPLY] MEGA is our regional municipal aggregator. Co-op Plus is our
local green energy aggregator, which might well buy from MEGA. Watch for
more details next issue.
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--Fidela S.
---[REPLY] "JENNIFER" wins gift certificate to 10,000 Villages Reply w/yr
address by 12/20 to claim.
--------
--Patricia Keen
---[REPLY BY DAN HOFFMAN, GREENSTAR COUNCIL MEMBER] "I agree with you that
moving toward providing at least a living wage, to all GreenStar employees,
should be a very urgent priority for the co-op, in keeping with our stated
commitment to economic justice and being a model employer.
---"The December issue of GreenLeaf reports a split decision recently made
by Council, to approve a budget that does NOT assume any increase during
2003 in starting wages (from current $7.00/hour). There was an alternative
proposed budget that would have allowed for an increase to $7.50, thus
closing the "gap" between our starting wage & a living wage, by about half
(without causing disruption or loss of surplus in 2003). Unfortunately, in
my opinion, the alternative budget was not supported by a majority of
Council.
---"[Member labor is another issue finding] different approaches on
Council. While the questions are not simple ones, as a long-time co-op
member, I do know that when we made much more extensive use
(proportionately) of member labor, our mark-ups were considerably lower, &
the "starting wage" for the relatively few paid employees we had was
proportionately higher (with less pay disparity).
---"I would like to see us make a commitment to try to expand the member
labor program significantly, &, over time, to reduce the proportion of paid
labor. If we were to view & utilize most or all paid staff more in a
supervisory role (of member labor), & if we were able to use member labor
effectively enough to reduce the amount of paid labor needed (as we did in
the past), I believe we could easily afford to pay our employees better."
--------
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---[REPLY] United Workers of Ithaca was founded in 1997 and welcomes new
effort to organize service/temp employees.
--------
---"It's worth noting, & unlike you not to note, that they did this for
exactly the same reason your push to vote for Aronowitz cites. The Ithaca
Times says a vote for Leighton is worthwhile because it will allow the
Marijuana Reform line on future ballots.
---"Frankly, I think we should vote for the candidate we believe will do
the best job. If it's Aronowitz, vote for him to put him in office, not to
put future Greens on the ballot. If it's Leighton... well, no one seems to
be saying that he's really the right guy for the job. Just that a vote for
him would be useful in other ways.
---"Worse, you're making it sound as though Pataki's win is inevitable, so
a vote for McCall is pointless, & voters might as well make non-electoral
statements. This seems irresponsible in an electoral climate where polls
don't always speak the truth, & where elections can suddenly come down to
the wire... & be decided by minute portions of votes that were perceived as
pointless.
---"If you'd rather have McCall than Pataki, & you DON'T believe Aronowitz
really belongs in Albany, then voting for Aronowitz just to keep Greens on
the ballot is tantamount to a vote for Pataki.
---"I don't buy that argument when you're voting for a candidate you
believe in, but when you're voting a 'none of the above' protest vote,
that's all I can see. Linda Holzbaur, in her letter, hits the nail on the
head. Don't vote for a Green just because s/he's a Green, any more than
you'd vote for a Democrat just because s/he's a Democrat." --Mark H.
Anbinder
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---------
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---[REPLY] CPA is local nonprofit planning advocacy group. Contact Tom
Barron
--------
---"Meanwhile, rents downtown are causing existing businesses to close &
potential businessfolk to look elsewhere to open their stores. Mundo
Gitano, a staple of the Ithaca downtown & as much a part of Ithaca's
identity as the Greenstar Coop or AngelHeart, will be closing its doors due
to the enormous rent it has to pay. The old Firehouse Theatre sits empty;
some say it will reopen as a clock museum. Nothing could be farther from
usefulness.
---"Here's an idea: a Vacancy Tax. Charge landlords for all the properties
they aren't developing or letting sit vacant. Each of these properties
damages the economy of the city by not stimulating the economy, and makes
the area look unattractive, further discouraging potential consumers from
coming downtown.
---"Part of what has made Ithaca the fine city it was and still could be is
the lack of ticky-tacky stores that are a staple of nearly every other
city. Do we want Ithaca to become as generic as everywhere else? We know
the developers don't care about the health or beauty of the city; all
they're interested is making money off of the land. Environmental factors
can frequently be solved by "filling in the wet spots."
---"A Vacancy Tax will force landlords to make use of their properties. An
empty property only does the owner any good while the rest of the community
suffers. Structure the tax the same way the government structures
unemployment insurance: by requiring landlords to prove that they have
actively sought to keep their properties active. Create regulations that
do not penalize landlords who genuinely can't rent their properties in
times of economic recession, but also make sure that the tax is high enough
to require landlords to actively seek tenants that will enrich the economy
and the cultural life of the community instead of getting a tax benefit
while the community they feed off of suffers. Let's not let Ithaca lose
itself in a sea of chains." --George Sapio
--------
---"The UK press says Bush plans to attack Iraq 12/16. See:
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/1124-07.htm if it is true, we need
to prepare for acts of civil disobedience that reflect the gravity &
unreality of the initiation of a war by a bunch of 'Christians' during a
Christian holiday. They will, no doubt, hope & assume that the U.S will be
too stoned on mall shopping, Christmas cookies & eggnog to notice or
care... --Heidi Tremaine
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--- Lengthen & Strengthen w/ Cindy Getchonis 12/10, 7-8:30 at Finger Lakes
School of Massage (FLSM) 272-9024. "Explore ways to find greater range of
motion & a sense of energetic ease."
--- EMBODIED VOICE & SPEECH with Leeny Sack 1/14, 7-8:30 at FLSM
--- ROBERT MOSS SCHOOL of ACTIVE DREAMING "Dream Reentry & Tracking," w/
Debra Statton 12/4 at FLSM, 7-9 pm. 277-1368 to register.
"MRAHN69" wins gift certificate to White Lotus Home. Reply w/address by 12/20.
"PS47" wins gift certificate to The Yoga Corner. Reply w/address by 12/20.
"HOURS" wins gift certificate to The Bath Bar. Reply w/address by 12/20.
---SHARE THE WARMTH gives away thousands of coats, sweaters, other warm
winter clothing. 409 W. State St 12/12-14, 10:00am-3:00pm. Volunteers
needed 6:30-9:00 pm: 12/5, 6, 9, 11 -- Barbara Classen 272-5062
---TREE & SHRUB PRUNING: sleeping fruit trees/ornamentals until March.
Bill Carini 564-1025 Ithaca HOURS accepted 100%
---SANTA FOR HIRE for your event. 272-7582 Dan Klein
---TUTOR: History, Geography, English, etc: Lara 273-3220. Ithaca HOURS
accepted.
---FAMILY ALBUM WORKSHOP "turn your boxes of photos into beautiful albums"
12/7, 10am-2pm, 25 Fairway Dr. RSVP Caitlin Loehr 256-0993
---"TZIRNHEL" wins gift certificate to Ithaca Fine Chocolates. Reply w/yr
address by 12/20 to claim.
---"ACORNELLBOY" wins gift certificate to Fall Creek Pictures. Reply w/yr
address by 12/20 to claim.
---"RUBYWINE" wins gift certificate to ABC Cafe. Reply w/yr address by
12/20 to claim.