LABOR, ARTS, EVENTS, ACTIVISM, LOCAL HISTORY, YOUR LETTERS, FUN STUFF!
[This is the FIRST OF TWO MESSAGES MONTHLY sent to 7,129 Ithaca area residents]
**********
FIFTEEN 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), Gimme!
Coffee (1# coffee), Oasis
Grocery ($5), ($6), Sparrow's Wines ($10), Ten Thousand
Villages ($10), ABC
Cafe ($10), Cafe Strand ($5), Acorn Designs
($7.50), Toko Imports
($5), Dinosaur
Drygoods ($10), White
Lotus Home ($10), Surya Incense (pkg), The Yoga Corner
(free class).
WINNING EMAILS (randomly selected by computer) ARE NOTED AT ithacanews.org
Winners reply sending their mailing address.
*********
THE LIBERTY SCHOOL "not for credit, for real" provides "hands-on classes that teach the skills necessary to create a sustainable society:" Renewable Energy Systems, Agroforestry, Community Land Protection, The New Civil Rights Movement, The American Revolution, & Art as a Force for Social Change. Classes August 17-22 in VanEtten, NY.
BARN BUILT IN 8 HOURS! Two-story structure completely built by 50 volunteers 5/4 at Center for Natural Living in Caroline. "We think it's a record," says Scott VanGaasbeck.
GREAT BLUE HERON ROOKERY: dozens of big birds in Enfield "sound like a bunch of kindergarteners."
* NINE MONTHS PREGNANT WALKING UP BUFFALO STREET
4/29 with two friends.
* LEAGUE OF STILTWALKERS wants you for parades, circuses. Dan Klein
STUDENT RECYCLING PROJECT LISTSERV: [email protected] "We collect discarded items from Cornell Collegetown residents when they leave town in the spring. We have a big sale in June of items collected. This year, part of sale proceeds go to Ithaca Community Radio 88.1 FM."
CASS PARK WATERFRONT DEBRIS CENSUS: 55-gallon drum; plastic bags, bottles, cups, jugs, sacks; half a wooden sign; soda cans & spray cans; lumber fragments; wrappers; the other half of the wooden sign; styrofoam stuff; tires.
CAYUGA LAKE WATERSHED NETWORK ESSAY CONTEST "WHY IS WATER SO SPECIAL?" essays: www.cayugalake.org
**********
GREENSTAR
ELECTION RESULTS
The following candidates won 3-yr seats. Highest vote-getter was Dave
Conner (452 votes), followed by Elizabeth Salon (426), Bill Carini
(384), Barbara Shpack (367), Justine VanThilt (352). Receiving 2-yr
term: Jeremy Youde (311). One-yr term: Tom Stern (263). Write-in
candidates Cernera (114 votes), Godin (97), Meyers (51), Fine (47) were
not elected this year.
---RED MEAT TO BE SOLD, BUT ONLY LOCAL ORGANIC: Red
Meat #2 referendum won by 2-1 margin (454-235), to limit red
meat sources to 40-mile radius. Red meat #1, permitting red meat sales,
passed 378-333.
---NEXT COUNCIL MEETING 5/13, 7pm at Human Services Bldg, 320 W. State.
***********
ITHACA COMMUNITY NEWS CALENDAR
CORNELL
CINEMA
CINEMAPOLIS/FALL CREEK
PICTURES
CORNELL
CONCERT SERIES
ITHACA COLLEGE
CONCERTS
ITHACA EVENTS
ITHACA
MEETINGS
COOPERATIVE
EXTENSION
STATE
THEATRE
***********
FEATURED EVENTS
FRIENDS
OF THE LIBRARY SPRING SALE 5/31-6/1 & 6/7-9. First
day 8am-8pm, Last day 8-4, Other days 10-8. More than 115,000 books,
records, games & puzzles sorted into 70 categories. 509 Esty
Street. To volunteer 272-2223 [email protected]
---Book donations accepted Mons-Sats 9-12 & Tues 6-9pm through
August. "We need volunteers."
MOTHERS' DAY PLANT WALK 5/11, 1:45pm, King Preserve in Richford. Directions at www.fllt.org or carpool from Coop Extension at 1pm, corner Willow Ave/Lincoln St.
SPRING GARDEN FAIR & PLANT SALE 5/17,
9-1pm "largest plant event in the region . No need to order from
catalogs when you can buy locally & find most anything from
rare specialty rock garden delights to native plants. Average last
spring frost date is May 15."
---Free soil pH testing by Master Gardeners-- "bring a small sample
taken from several spots, combine in a bucket & bring about
half a cup for testing. Learn how to compost & learn about most
any kind of garden plant from experts." Kids' activities. 272-2292.
PLANT EXCHANGE 5/18, 12-4pm, Danby Fire Station, Rte 96B. An "opportunity to swap, donate, & try new garden plants, houseplants, etc. Not necessary to bring a plant to get a plant." Dan Klein 272-7582
ITHACA
HEALTH FUND ANNUAL MEETING 5/16, at Southside Community
Center 7pm. Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton will speak on the health
insurance crisis 7:30pm. Learn about nonprofit, member-owned health
financing. Meet candidates
for board-- members vote for up to 6 of 9 candidates.
Join/renew at $5 discount. Refreshments, prizes.
---DENTAL CLINIC EQUIPMENT NEEDS STORAGE: 3 donated chairs, xray, etc
need clean dry place while we establish nonprofit clinic. Mark Sammo
COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON TRANSPORTATION 5/10-21 Sponsored by The Curb Your Car Coalition "Our Common Interests: move people out of their automobiles for health & environmental benefits, promote community & connectedness, provide education, help people overcome obstacles to using alternatives modes of transportation, address safety issues, promote walkable communities."
WEST HILL CIVIC ASSOCIATION SPRING CLEAN UP 5/17 "Need block captains & volunteers. Trash bags will be provided. Come work w/yr neighbors to spruce up West Hill." To volunteer: Kris Bennett `Ray Schlather
DISCOVER BIKING at YOUR LIBRARY 5/10, 10am-3pm "Bring your bike for inspection by Recycle Ithaca Bicycles, register it w/IPD. Get bike ready for the road. 'Rediscover the Joys of Bicycling,' enjoy childrens' bicycling stories, see Sciencenter's new Segway & unicycles. See exhibits by Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council, Finger Lakes Cycling Club, The Bike Rack, RIBS, & IPD."
HORA DEL CUENTO/STORYTIME IN SPANISH: El programa sera solamente en espanol y tendra lugar en el Thaler/Howell Room, La biblioteca del condado de Tompkins, 3:30-4:30pm los domingoes. Todas edades estan bienvenidas. Quien este interesado en leer: Eileen Willauer 272-4557
PLEASE DONATE TO ITHACA COMMUNITY NEWS via "Roundoff" at Alternatives Federal Credit Union, throughout May. Thanks! Donations also welcome at ICN, Box 365, Ithaca 14851.
WATER BEAR PREMIERS TRUMANSBURG MUSIC as part of Music on Main Street celebration, 5/9, 7pm, Trumansburg United Methodist Church. Tickets $6/$8 HOURS accepted.
SEE SPOT GALLERY: 108 The Commons "where everyone is an artist" 5/10: 7:00pm: Juha-- Queer Palestinian Hiphop Tankini - Feminist Punk Rawk, Atomic Forces - Rock/Punk/Country, Space Dawg - Blues with a Punk Kick, Boyfunk - Limp-wristed ennui: $5, HOURS accepted.
ART AT COLLEGETOWN BAGELS
* Downtown, 201-203 N. Aurora St. --to6/30 Kevin Stearns: Finger Lakes
landscapes
* East Hill Plaza -- to 6/15 John Ortiz Photographs Scenic
* CTB Appetizers Triphammer Mall -- to 6/15 David Thurlow Oil Paintings
BREAST CANCER 101, a two-session program by Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance (IBCA) to people w/ breast cancer & their partners. Topics: breast cancer diagnosis, surgery & treatment basics, coping w/ breast cancer, wellness strategies. 5/20 & 27. Register: Mary Ellen 277-0960.
ITHACA FILM FESTIVAL new webpage: ithacafilmfest.com Entry deadline now 5/15. Entry forms Festival sponsors (tax-deductible) sought [email protected]
**********
GREENS CONSIDER ITHACA MAYORAL CANDIDATES: May
5/28, those registered as Greens vote "whether the TCGs will support a
candidate for mayor." Interviews w/ Eric Lerner & Caroline
Peterson: www.tcgreens.org
Donations to the Party: Tompkins County Greens, Box 6646, Ithaca, NY
14851
---Green
Party elects mayor in New Paltz, NY 5/6 www.innovationcampaign.org/Jason.htm
ITHACA INDEPENDENT MAYORAL & CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES collect signatures 7/8- 8/19. Mayoral needs 286 signatures, Ward One 82; Ward Two 70; Ward Three 44; Ward Four 20; Ward Five 70.
*********
ADVANCED REGISTRATION/TICKETS/VOLUNTEERS
KAREN CASEY (formerly of SOLAS) w/Niall & Cillian Vallely 5/22, 7:30pm, Kulp Auditorium, IHS. Proceeds to help close the School of the Americas.
ITHACA FESTIVAL 5/29-6/1 Official Souvenir Program now available.
GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL of MUSIC & ARTS 7/17-20 Advance tickets thru 7/9: $65 (ages 13-15 $$35, under 13 free). One HOUR/weekend ticket. 387-5098
"FIND THE GODDESS WITHIN YOU "Feel better about your looks, your body, menstruation, begin unfolding your soul's purpose." $42/6weeks if registered by 5/30 or $10 drop-in. HOURS accepted. Starts at Tiamat Studios 6/1. Sundays, 11-12:30pm, Goddess Yoga. Sundays, 1-2:30pm, Teen Goddess Yoga (ages 12-19) Sandy Wold 272-3814
KIDS ARE OUR BUSINESS: A BREAKFAST TO BENEFIT YOUTH SERVICES: 6/4, 7:30-8:45am. Guest speaker Dr. Steve Allen Jr., physician & humorist. "For 21 yrs Advocacy Center has served abused youth in Tompkins County. Tickets $35; table of 10 people $350. HOURS. Joanne Farbman 277-3203 x307
"SACRED CIRCLES FOR PEACE" Day Camp Retreat for Women 6/7, 10am-5pm by Michelle Berry, Reiki Master, Cayuga Nature Ctr. Vegan food, chi kung, yoga, group massage therapy class, drumming, napping, hiking, swimming, journaling, meditating. Email for discounts, trade, volunteer, sliding scale. Ithaca HOURS. [email protected]
ITHACA PRIDE MARCH/PARADE/RALLY 6/14 volunteers needed: "The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer communities of Ithaca/Fingerlakes (& non-LGBT allies) are celebrating our lives & our pride. Gather at noon, march/parade 1 pm, from Washington Park to Ithaca Commons rally. Kick-off party at Common Ground the night before. 387-8474 [email protected]
ORGANIC GARDENING COURSE at Cornell: 2 credits. "will be very hands-on. Tuition scholarships available. No experience necessary but it won't bore old hands." 6/23-8/5. [email protected]
2003 KITCHEN THEATRE SUMMER REPERTORY SEASON 272-0403 [email protected] Ithaca HOURS accepted. Three plays 7/2- 9/6: Love & Other Mishaps, A Perfect Ganesh, Lampert Variations III. HOURS accepted.
2003 HANGAR THEATRE SEASON TICKETS 1/2 HR/]ticket
**********
CANADA DECRIMINALIZES MARIJUANA while U.S. shuts down "head shops" & threatens to tighten border w/Canada. Ithaca stores Babakool (213 Dryden Rd) & Ithaca Hemp Co. face restrictions on hemp goods. Buy it now! HOURS accepted.
FINGER LAKES AREA METAL ENTHUSIASTS (FLAME): All levels of experience: gold ,silver, bronze, aluminum, brass, titanium,steel, large & small. Workshops, shows, networking [email protected]
SUMMER SPANISH CLASSES taught by native speakers, for conversational fluency. [email protected] 255-7293. Beginning - Mons & Weds, 5:30-7:00pm, Intermediate - Mons & Wed, 6:15-7:45pm.
OCULUS' NEW ALBUM, 'The Smallest Blue'
***********
AMAZING ITHACA HISTORY
* May 9, 1878: Clinton Bros. deliver their model
Adrian Reaper (2"=1'). Its 800 parts took three months to assemble.
They also perfected the miniature potato digger.
* May 10, 1930: Tompkins County RURAL MUSIC FESTIVAL brings thousands
to Trumansburg. Dougherty family wins instrumental contest w/mother/son
duet. Free-fer-all storytelling is real side-splitter.
* May 11, 1961: ANTI-LITTER COMMITTEE issues list of town dumps: Town
of Caroline has none, Town of Dryden wants no dead animals, Town of
Enfield keeps its dump location secret.
* May 12, 1901: Clark Baldwin discovers the "grass seed" he sowed has
raised a lawn of LETTUCE.
* May 13, 1935: tired & footsore, Mike Twadell of Chicago
enters a Floral Ave home to sleep in a comfortable bed. Family returns,
wakes him, have him arrested. He is ordered back out on the road.
* May 14, 1873: FIRST POST CARD arrives at Ithaca Post Office.
***********
ITHACA WAR & PEACE REPORT
PANCAKE BREAKFAST BENEFIT: 5/10, 8:30-11:30am, WCB, Proceeds to benefit "All Our Children", a campaign for Children's Health Initiatives in Iraq. www.churchworldservice.org or www.allourchildren.org Adult $6.00 Child $2.00 (<11 yrs) Tickets at Alternatives Library, City Health Club, Autumn Leaves Books, or at door. 277-8552
FBI RESPONDS TO ITHACA PATRIOT ACT RESOLUTION: Cornell Daily Sun 5/2/03
PEACE & JUSTICE TABLING: volunteers needed at GreenStar & Ithaca Commons: Seph 277-5283
FAIR TRADE FAIR 5/17, noon-6pm, Commons. Musicians, speakers, vendors, info, ice cream. Rain place: Autumn Leaves Used Books. ITHACA FRENCHFEST BRINGS 200+ CELEBRANTS, 60 BOTTLES OF WINE to Autumn Leaves 4/30 Cornell Sun story
ITHACA PEACE SUMMIT AGREEMENT 4/26/03:
* Participants will work collectively to assure that George Bush is not
re-elected president in 2004 & to support a candidate committed
to an agenda of peace & justice.
* Develop a sustained long-term coalition committed to addressing
issues of peace & justice.
* Summit participants will: establish a Center for Peace &
Justice in Tompkins County; focus on providing local humanitarian aid;
keep the reality of war & its consequences in front of us.
ART OF PEACE WORKSHOP plans posters for weekly peace vigils, plays, puppet shows, workshops for children or activists, database of activist artists. Join mailing list: [email protected]
IF YOU WANT PEACE, WORK FOR JUSTICE VIGIL:
Thursdays - 4:30-5:30 pm at bottom of East State.
---QUIET REVOLUTION
WALKING MEDITATION FOR PEACE: silent, slow, Saturdays 12-1 pm. Start at Pergola on Pond, Cornell Plantations. Rain or shine. [email protected]
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ITHACA 5/20,7:30pm. Kahin Center, 640 Stewart Ave. 257-3156.
"UN-EMBED YOUR MIND: A Critical Look at How the War was Spun," recently published by Autumn Leaves Used Books, chronicles pro-war media manipulation of Iraq Attack: $1.00
"Controlling Iraq is about oil as power, rather than oil as fuel," says Michael Klare, author of Resource Wars: "Control over the Persian Gulf translates into control over Europe, Japan, & China. It's having our hand on the spigot."
*********
YOUR LETTERS
I've wondered for months now: why does Ithaca
HOURS have both .com & .org domains? How do you decide what
content goes on which page?" --Robinne
---[REPLY] /www.ithacahours.com
is the founder's site for outreach beyond Ithaca. www.ithacahours.org
is the HOUR board of directors site for local content.
--------
"Thank you for your efforts in putting your
newsletter together. It is a work in progress & very
interesting. It seems that the issue of the ICSD Budget Concerns could
use your clever expertise in evaluating the history, problems &
hopeful solutions to stop the cutting in the budget & start
building a strong school system again!.
---"It is the children of this community who will hopefully be thinking
& making major life decisions not only for themselves but also
those which will affect the world at hand. How can they make it in this
difficult world without the best education possible, especially w/
Cornell & Ithaca College sitting above them? The citizens in
this community continually hear how bad times are & how they
will be getting worse financially over at least the next three years.
We are told to expect cuts every year with taxes continually being
raised. What is wrong with this picture? Taxpayers are seeing no pay
raises, only fears of job cuts, retirement monies disappearing
& the students are seeing basic core academic classes cut,
sports cut, librarians cut, & ESL specialists cut, to name a
few.
---"It would be a great service to the future of our city if you could
look at this issue. Look at the School Board & how it works.
Look at the ICSD budget & perhaps see how the cutting can be
stopped."-- pp
---[REPLY] Community-based learning needs systematically to replace
costly bureaucratic schooling. Transferring curricula from
state-approved corporate skills to community management skills
& ending tracking is fundamental fiscal reform. The District
could fund programs w/out raising taxes by
relying on local scrip like Ithaca HOURS. Pilot scrip grants
to ICSD, City & County are legal. ---See also Why Wait!
a new local group.
--------
"So good to keep up on news in your neck of the
woods! I am planning to move back after a 5 year hiatus from Ithaca to
reconnect with family & friends, & am looking to house
sit for the months of Aug-Dec or any portion of that time. If you are
looking for a responsible, caring, honest, non-smoker w/ excellent
references while you are away:" [email protected]
--Shauna
--------
"I hope some folks from the Peace &
Justice community can be at Barnes & Noble on May 17 at 1pm for
a signing of my two
novels. Ithaca B&N is so far the only B&N
store willing to allow an event for my prize winning novels of
nonviolence (OMNI Peace Hope International Writing Award). Both books
are coming-of-age novels of young men who evade induction into the
military because of their refusal to kill. B&N distribution
acceptance criteria claims that the books do not 'meet the competition
currently available for sale in this category.' Books praising military
heroes are commonplace. Books about young heroes of nonviolence are
quite rare. Perhaps the people of Ithaca will respond." --Jack Gilroy
--------
"I'm very glad I got on your list! It's refreshing
& encouraging." --Jennifer Seymour
--------
"Enough to say that in Ithaca there is a broad
variety of opinions about the war against Iraq. Consider the
comparative size of Baghdad & Basrah vs Ithaca. And consider
their actual personal experiences of the war. Millions of people, a
BROAD variety of opinions. [Ithaca Community News] seems no longer so
much a newsletter as a political forum about the war against Iraq."
--PWolfson
---[REPLY] There are undoubtedly people in every city & nation
representing more than every conceivable attitude toward any given war.
No doubt there are many people in Iraq glad to see U.S. troops in their
streets. No doubt there are many terrorized & angered by same.
---ICN is indeed an antiwar voice, which includes letters from people
who favor the war. The Ithaca Journal is an equivalent Associated Press
voice for war, printing letters from opponents.
--------
"It was really wonderful to read about the
strawbale construction party. this is the kind of thing that you wish
made the front page of the IthacaJournal instead of war news. I have
worked on many community construction projects, & though I
missed this one, it warmed my heart to hear of it. Thank you for the
report. It was also great to hear about the geothermal drilling for the
Museum of the Earth. Imagine the reduced tax burden if state buildings
used the same concept." --brian deyoung
--------
"I facilitate a class at Ithaca High School called
Circle of Recovery. This class meets once a week & any male
student is welcome to participate. We started with three students,
& three years later we have thirty students. At the end of the
school year we take students on a field trip. In order to do this, we
need to raise money. Our goal is to raise $2040, which will cover the
cost of a bus & three chaperones.
---"Some of these young men have never been on a vacation or out of
Tompkins County. As we all know, it takes a village to raise a child.
Your donation will help make these young men experience one day of
happiness, fun & learning. Please forward your tax deductible
donation to: Ithaca Community Recovery, 520 W. Seneca St. Ithaca 14850.
Specify the Circle of Recovery High School Class.
--------
"My op-ed 'On Democracy' is at www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_22-4-2003_pg3_3
--Asma Barlas
--------
"Ithaca is 'America's Most Embarassing City.' This
[Iraq] war was not an illegal invasion. I would like to ask Mr. Glover
& others who organized the French fest: Would you ever consider
throwing a festival celebrating the greatnesss that is America?
Probably not!" --Jamie Weinstein
---[REPLY] The invasion of Iraq is illegal under international law,
particularly the Nuremberg
Principles, established by the United States itself as a
basis for punishing Nazis. They were not executed for extermination
camps, terrible enough, but for waging "aggressive war:" attacking
other nations without being first attacked.
---There has been no significant connection proved between Iraq and
Al-Qaeda, which were hostile to one another. Saudi Arabia supplied most
of the 9/11 attackers.
---Neither U.N. nor U.S. forces found WMD, the main pretext for this
war. Iraq 2003 was depleted militarily, no longer a threat to any
neighbor.
---Bush's motive for this war is liberation of Iraq's oil (Exxon
War Profits; Iraq Oil Ministry now controlled
by a former Shell executive), not for liberation of Iraqis.
The U.S. made Saddam strong, with 771 arms sales 1982-1990, even while
he was gassing Kurds.
---When you rely on corporate media (NBC, CBS, ABC are significantly
owned by oil companies), you see primarily images of Iraqis embracing
G.I.s. & less often see demonstrations against the U.S.
occupation, bloodied children, or shooting of demonstrators. Iraqis
would vote, unfortunately, for a theocratic government, but U.S. has
decided what kind of democracy Iraq will have.
--- Celebrating America requires more than reflex flag-waving. I've
celebrated my patriotism daily for the past 37 years, as a community
organizer.
--------
"Perhaps everyone already knows this
website, but it is a great one to share. Almost everything
you ever wanted to know about the U.S. military, but were afraid to
ask. --Allen Lambert
--------
"Could you tell me if & when Milliken
Station is up for re-licensing?" --Tim Twoguns
---{REPLY] Nuclear power plants are re-licensed. Milliken (AES Cayuga)
is coal-fired, so gets permits renewed by DEC for air, water, ash, pH,
turbidity, etc. Call Jeff Kopp & Dan Hill 533-7913.
--------
"May I get my name added to your newsletter? It's
a fun read & a real community service." --Andrea
--------
"Hi I am a low-income senior who wants to move to
Tompkins County. Someone at [GreenStar] suggested that I request the
Ithaca Community News by e-mail. Please put me on your list. If you
have any suggestions about how I can locate my $300-$400 studio/one
bedroom/tree-house/cave in Ithaca (dream on) or as close as possible,
please contact me 587-9736." --Sylvia Sklar
---[REPLY] Welcome to Ithaca! Requests of this kind go to www.ithacanews.org/classifieds.html
--------
"Freedom of speech is one of our most basic and
sacred rights. It's one of the reasons we sent troops to Iraq to
liberate its citizens so they can enjoy freedoms like free speech.
---"However, here in the USA, people are being punished for exercising
their freedom of speech. For example, thereุ๙s been a huge controversy
over the Dixie Chicks who publicly stated their objections to President
Bush's decision to go to war. And, after exercising their freedom of
speech, I listened as country radio announcers began punishing the
Dixie Chicks for expressing their opinion by calling for a ban of their
music on the airwaves and a boycott by their fans. Sales of their music
have dropped significantly.
---"So I'm asking, do you believe in freedom of speech or not? Because
if you do, then you can not support a war for freedom while you punish
US citizens for exercising their freedom. That punishment makes a
mockery of what our troops are trying to accomplish.
---"I encourage you to counteract those who are punishing others for
exercising their freedom. Buy a Dixie Chicks CD for yourself or as a
gift. Support our country's freedom of speech, right here at home.
---"Proud to be a freeze dried hippie from Newfield." --Carol Mallison
--------
"I don't have the time to look carefully into each
[Whole
Ithaca Stock Exchange] element, but the general [scheme]
looks good, & particularly at this problematic &
undemocratic time. Investing in the community should be it's own
reward, & your illustrations indicate that reward can be quite
handsome. It's hard, though, to see how retired people without pensions
might invest a portion of their retirement savings in WISE, when the
actuarial situation demands the use of the full amount of those savings
+ 6%/yr. Older people can work, but generally cannot perform hard
labor. And yet there would be real satisfaction in helping to launch
WISE. The answers may be at hand in the information you've provided,
but I've not been successful in the attempt to open my eyes." --Martha
---[REPLY] The WISE proposal emphasizes that there are several kinds of
capital to be invested, including direct labor (as suits personal
capabilities), time, & tools. So older folks gain equity as
grandparents & mentors, among other things. For example, were
we to develop nonprofit elderhousing which integrated young families
& single moms/pops, then the help of experienced childraisers
would have obvious value.
---Older folks can be organized via LETS systems, computer credit hours
which measure volunteer efforts. LETS lists dramatize the variety of
elder skills. There are many seniors in our area with lots of money.
We'd seek to inspire them to put some of their wealth into direct
community benefit. More fun than common coupon clipping.
--------
" Could you please put a blurb in the next
COMMUNITY NEWS about the School Board Elections. They are May 20th
& Roger Richardson, Wilma Martin & Deborah O'Conner are
the best choices (NOT Alan Lambert)." --Roberta Wallitt
--------
"I wish to follow-up on a letter from reader
Rachel [ICN April #2]. In addition to the usual mass-media stories,
alternate perspectives are often needed to get a full picture of
current events. This can be found in many places on the internet, as
Rachel noted. Here are some additional sources of information on Iraq:
---The Red Cross--
For daily reports on civilian casualties & relief efforts.
---"The 'other' CNN -- Though clearly biased, coverage provided by Al-Jazeerah is a
necessary counterpoint to Middle East 'coverage' by self-censoring mass
media.
---"Voices In The
Wilderness-- This group has a long history of support for the
people of Iraq, opposition to sanctions & war. Provides
activism resources & briefings.
---"An finally: The
Iraq-O-Meter-- While I hesitate to recommend this darkly
ironic site, it provides some numbers which the U.S. Media tend to
ignore." --Sylvestre Marlaud
--------
"Would like to be added to your list. Also could
you send me the last edition?" --Marion
---[REPLY] All back issues are archived at www.ithacanews.org
************
CITY SEEKS MEMBERS FOR BOARDS/COMMISSIONS: Affirmative Action Committee; Board of Fire Commissioners; Cable Commission; Commons Advisory Board; Community Police Board; Conservation Advisory Council; Design Review Board; Disability Advisory Council; Examining Board of Electricians; Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission; Natural Areas Commission; Parks Commission; Shade Tree Advisory Committee; Youth Bureau Board. Call City Clerk 274-6570 for application or www.cityofithaca.org click "Boards & Committees."
ITHACA BREAST CANCER ALLIANCE SEEKS VOLUNTEERS for Plants for Life Sale 9/13, 11am-3pm. Contact [email protected] "Sale benefits IBCA. 277-0960.
LIVING WITH INTENTION: TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE WITH FENG SHUI: 5/18, 2-5pm, $48. HOURS accepted. same location [email protected]
FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF OLDER RELATIVES: free seminars: 5/14: Aging Basics for Caregivers, 5/21: Involving the Family in Caregiving, 5/28: Caring for Caregiver, 6/4: Options & Resources for Caregivers. Lisa Kendall 277-8081 [email protected]
BOOKS THROUGH BARS provides donated books to local prisoners
*********
PATCHWORK THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER needs volunteers to help with lessons & chores nightly or mornings. Many shifts open. Children must be 12 years old. 898-3808, [email protected]
ITHACA INTEGRATED COMMUNITY WELLNESS CENTER: http://www.IthacaWellness.com
PREGNANCY SUPPORT CLASSES by Cat Berry, $20-$40 one class, $35-$70 two classes, $50-$100 three classes at Catalyst Touch, 122 W. Court, Suite 109. $20 deposit to 204 Utica St. HOURS accepted. 589-7231
JOB OPENING: Assst Mgr at Ten Thousand Villages promoting Fair Trade: weekends, workw/ volunteers, sell products made by artisans in developing countries. Pat [email protected]
************
Thanks to Homer & Jane at Lightlink for reliable internet services.
*********
EDITOR: [email protected]
ITHACA COMMUNITY NEWS HOME PAGE W/BACK ISSUES
LABOR, ARTS, EVENTS, ACTIVISM, LOCAL HISTORY, YOUR LETTERS, FUN STUFF!
[This is the FIRST OF TWO MESSAGES MONTHLY sent to 7,129 Ithaca area residents]
**********
FIFTEEN 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), Gimme!
Coffee (1# coffee), Oasis
Grocery ($5), ($6), Sparrow's Wines ($10), Ten Thousand
Villages ($10), ABC
Cafe ($10), Cafe Strand ($5), Acorn Designs
($7.50), Toko Imports
($5), Dinosaur
Drygoods ($10), White
Lotus Home ($10), Surya Incense (pkg), The Yoga Corner
(free class).
WINNING EMAILS (randomly selected by computer) ARE NOTED AT ithacanews.org
Winners reply sending their mailing address.
*********
THE LIBERTY SCHOOL "not for credit, for real" provides "hands-on classes that teach the skills necessary to create a sustainable society:" Renewable Energy Systems, Agroforestry, Community Land Protection, The New Civil Rights Movement, The American Revolution, & Art as a Force for Social Change. Classes August 17-22 in VanEtten, NY.
BARN BUILT IN 8 HOURS! Two-story structure completely built by 50 volunteers 5/4 at Center for Natural Living in Caroline. "We think it's a record," says Scott VanGaasbeck.
GREAT BLUE HERON ROOKERY: dozens of big birds in Enfield "sound like a bunch of kindergarteners."
* NINE MONTHS PREGNANT WALKING UP BUFFALO STREET 4/29 with
two friends.
* LEAGUE OF STILTWALKERS wants you for parades, circuses. Dan Klein
STUDENT RECYCLING PROJECT LISTSERV: [email protected] "We collect discarded items from Cornell Collegetown residents when they leave town in the spring. We have a big sale in June of items collected. This year, part of sale proceeds go to Ithaca Community Radio 88.1 FM."
CASS PARK WATERFRONT DEBRIS CENSUS: 55-gallon drum; plastic bags, bottles, cups, jugs, sacks; half a wooden sign; soda cans & spray cans; lumber fragments; wrappers; the other half of the wooden sign; styrofoam stuff; tires.
CAYUGA LAKE WATERSHED NETWORK ESSAY CONTEST "WHY IS WATER SO SPECIAL?" essays: www.cayugalake.org
**********
GREENSTAR
ELECTION RESULTS
The following candidates won 3-yr seats. Highest vote-getter was Dave
Conner (452 votes), followed by Elizabeth Salon (426), Bill Carini
(384), Barbara Shpack (367), Justine VanThilt (352). Receiving 2-yr
term: Jeremy Youde (311). One-yr term: Tom Stern (263). Write-in
candidates Cernera (114 votes), Godin (97), Meyers (51), Fine (47) were
not elected this year.
---RED MEAT TO BE SOLD, BUT ONLY LOCAL ORGANIC: Red
Meat #2 referendum won by 2-1 margin (454-235), to limit red
meat sources to 40-mile radius. Red meat #1, permitting red meat sales,
passed 378-333.
---NEXT COUNCIL MEETING 5/13, 7pm at Human Services Bldg, 320 W. State.
***********
ITHACA COMMUNITY NEWS CALENDAR
CORNELL
CINEMA
CINEMAPOLIS/FALL CREEK
PICTURES
CORNELL CONCERT
SERIES
ITHACA COLLEGE
CONCERTS
ITHACA EVENTS
ITHACA
MEETINGS
COOPERATIVE
EXTENSION
STATE THEATRE
***********
FEATURED EVENTS
FRIENDS OF
THE LIBRARY SPRING SALE 5/31-6/1 & 6/7-9. First day
8am-8pm, Last day 8-4, Other days 10-8. More than 115,000 books,
records, games & puzzles sorted into 70 categories. 509 Esty
Street. To volunteer 272-2223 [email protected]
---Book donations accepted Mons-Sats 9-12 & Tues 6-9pm through
August. "We need volunteers."
MOTHERS' DAY PLANT WALK 5/11, 1:45pm, King Preserve in Richford. Directions at www.fllt.org or carpool from Coop Extension at 1pm, corner Willow Ave/Lincoln St.
SPRING GARDEN FAIR & PLANT SALE 5/17, 9-1pm "largest
plant event in the region . No need to order from catalogs when you can
buy locally & find most anything from rare specialty rock
garden delights to native plants. Average last spring frost date is May
15."
---Free soil pH testing by Master Gardeners-- "bring a small sample
taken from several spots, combine in a bucket & bring about
half a cup for testing. Learn how to compost & learn about most
any kind of garden plant from experts." Kids' activities. 272-2292.
PLANT EXCHANGE 5/18, 12-4pm, Danby Fire Station, Rte 96B. An "opportunity to swap, donate, & try new garden plants, houseplants, etc. Not necessary to bring a plant to get a plant." Dan Klein 272-7582
ITHACA
HEALTH FUND ANNUAL MEETING 5/16, at Southside Community
Center 7pm. Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton will speak on the health
insurance crisis 7:30pm. Learn about nonprofit, member-owned health
financing. Meet candidates
for board-- members vote for up to 6 of 9 candidates.
Join/renew at $5 discount. Refreshments, prizes.
---DENTAL CLINIC EQUIPMENT NEEDS STORAGE: 3 donated chairs, xray, etc
need clean dry place while we establish nonprofit clinic. Mark Sammo
COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON TRANSPORTATION 5/10-21 Sponsored by The Curb Your Car Coalition "Our Common Interests: move people out of their automobiles for health & environmental benefits, promote community & connectedness, provide education, help people overcome obstacles to using alternatives modes of transportation, address safety issues, promote walkable communities."
WEST HILL CIVIC ASSOCIATION SPRING CLEAN UP 5/17 "Need block captains & volunteers. Trash bags will be provided. Come work w/yr neighbors to spruce up West Hill." To volunteer: Kris Bennett `Ray Schlather
DISCOVER BIKING at YOUR LIBRARY 5/10, 10am-3pm "Bring your bike for inspection by Recycle Ithaca Bicycles, register it w/IPD. Get bike ready for the road. 'Rediscover the Joys of Bicycling,' enjoy childrens' bicycling stories, see Sciencenter's new Segway & unicycles. See exhibits by Ithaca-Tompkins County Transportation Council, Finger Lakes Cycling Club, The Bike Rack, RIBS, & IPD."
HORA DEL CUENTO/STORYTIME IN SPANISH: El programa sera solamente en espanol y tendra lugar en el Thaler/Howell Room, La biblioteca del condado de Tompkins, 3:30-4:30pm los domingoes. Todas edades estan bienvenidas. Quien este interesado en leer: Eileen Willauer 272-4557
PLEASE DONATE TO ITHACA COMMUNITY NEWS via "Roundoff" at Alternatives Federal Credit Union, throughout May. Thanks! Donations also welcome at ICN, Box 365, Ithaca 14851.
WATER BEAR PREMIERS TRUMANSBURG MUSIC as part of Music on Main Street celebration, 5/9, 7pm, Trumansburg United Methodist Church. Tickets $6/$8 HOURS accepted.
SEE SPOT GALLERY: 108 The Commons "where everyone is an artist" 5/10: 7:00pm: Juha-- Queer Palestinian Hiphop Tankini - Feminist Punk Rawk, Atomic Forces - Rock/Punk/Country, Space Dawg - Blues with a Punk Kick, Boyfunk - Limp-wristed ennui: $5, HOURS accepted.
ART AT COLLEGETOWN BAGELS
* Downtown, 201-203 N. Aurora St. --to6/30 Kevin Stearns: Finger Lakes
landscapes
* East Hill Plaza -- to 6/15 John Ortiz Photographs Scenic
* CTB Appetizers Triphammer Mall -- to 6/15 David Thurlow Oil Paintings
BREAST CANCER 101, a two-session program by Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance (IBCA) to people w/ breast cancer & their partners. Topics: breast cancer diagnosis, surgery & treatment basics, coping w/ breast cancer, wellness strategies. 5/20 & 27. Register: Mary Ellen 277-0960.
ITHACA FILM FESTIVAL new webpage: ithacafilmfest.com Entry deadline now 5/15. Entry forms Festival sponsors (tax-deductible) sought [email protected]
**********
GREENS CONSIDER ITHACA MAYORAL CANDIDATES: May 5/28, those
registered as Greens vote "whether the TCGs will support a candidate
for mayor." Interviews w/ Eric Lerner & Caroline Peterson: www.tcgreens.org
Donations to the Party: Tompkins County Greens, Box 6646, Ithaca, NY
14851
---Green
Party elects mayor in New Paltz, NY 5/6 www.innovationcampaign.org/Jason.htm
ITHACA INDEPENDENT MAYORAL & CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES collect signatures 7/8- 8/19. Mayoral needs 286 signatures, Ward One 82; Ward Two 70; Ward Three 44; Ward Four 20; Ward Five 70.
*********
ADVANCED REGISTRATION/TICKETS/VOLUNTEERS
KAREN CASEY (formerly of SOLAS) w/Niall & Cillian Vallely 5/22, 7:30pm, Kulp Auditorium, IHS. Proceeds to help close the School of the Americas.
ITHACA FESTIVAL 5/29-6/1 Official Souvenir Program now available.
GRASSROOTS FESTIVAL of MUSIC & ARTS 7/17-20 Advance tickets thru 7/9: $65 (ages 13-15 $$35, under 13 free). One HOUR/weekend ticket. 387-5098
"FIND THE GODDESS WITHIN YOU "Feel better about your looks, your body, menstruation, begin unfolding your soul's purpose." $42/6weeks if registered by 5/30 or $10 drop-in. HOURS accepted. Starts at Tiamat Studios 6/1. Sundays, 11-12:30pm, Goddess Yoga. Sundays, 1-2:30pm, Teen Goddess Yoga (ages 12-19) Sandy Wold 272-3814
KIDS ARE OUR BUSINESS: A BREAKFAST TO BENEFIT YOUTH SERVICES: 6/4, 7:30-8:45am. Guest speaker Dr. Steve Allen Jr., physician & humorist. "For 21 yrs Advocacy Center has served abused youth in Tompkins County. Tickets $35; table of 10 people $350. HOURS. Joanne Farbman 277-3203 x307
"SACRED CIRCLES FOR PEACE" Day Camp Retreat for Women 6/7, 10am-5pm by Michelle Berry, Reiki Master, Cayuga Nature Ctr. Vegan food, chi kung, yoga, group massage therapy class, drumming, napping, hiking, swimming, journaling, meditating. Email for discounts, trade, volunteer, sliding scale. Ithaca HOURS. [email protected]
ITHACA PRIDE MARCH/PARADE/RALLY 6/14 volunteers needed: "The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer communities of Ithaca/Fingerlakes (& non-LGBT allies) are celebrating our lives & our pride. Gather at noon, march/parade 1 pm, from Washington Park to Ithaca Commons rally. Kick-off party at Common Ground the night before. 387-8474 [email protected]
ORGANIC GARDENING COURSE at Cornell: 2 credits. "will be very hands-on. Tuition scholarships available. No experience necessary but it won't bore old hands." 6/23-8/5. [email protected]
2003 KITCHEN THEATRE SUMMER REPERTORY SEASON 272-0403 [email protected] Ithaca HOURS accepted. Three plays 7/2- 9/6: Love & Other Mishaps, A Perfect Ganesh, Lampert Variations III. HOURS accepted.
2003 HANGAR THEATRE SEASON TICKETS 1/2 HR/]ticket
**********
CANADA DECRIMINALIZES MARIJUANA while U.S. shuts down "head shops" & threatens to tighten border w/Canada. Ithaca stores Babakool (213 Dryden Rd) & Ithaca Hemp Co. face restrictions on hemp goods. Buy it now! HOURS accepted.
FINGER LAKES AREA METAL ENTHUSIASTS (FLAME): All levels of experience: gold ,silver, bronze, aluminum, brass, titanium,steel, large & small. Workshops, shows, networking [email protected]
SUMMER SPANISH CLASSES taught by native speakers, for conversational fluency. [email protected] 255-7293. Beginning - Mons & Weds, 5:30-7:00pm, Intermediate - Mons & Wed, 6:15-7:45pm.
OCULUS' NEW ALBUM, 'The Smallest Blue'
***********
AMAZING ITHACA HISTORY
* May 9, 1878: Clinton Bros. deliver their model Adrian
Reaper (2"=1'). Its 800 parts took three months to assemble. They also
perfected the miniature potato digger.
* May 10, 1930: Tompkins County RURAL MUSIC FESTIVAL brings thousands
to Trumansburg. Dougherty family wins instrumental contest w/mother/son
duet. Free-fer-all storytelling is real side-splitter.
* May 11, 1961: ANTI-LITTER COMMITTEE issues list of town dumps: Town
of Caroline has none, Town of Dryden wants no dead animals, Town of
Enfield keeps its dump location secret.
* May 12, 1901: Clark Baldwin discovers the "grass seed" he sowed has
raised a lawn of LETTUCE.
* May 13, 1935: tired & footsore, Mike Twadell of Chicago
enters a Floral Ave home to sleep in a comfortable bed. Family returns,
wakes him, have him arrested. He is ordered back out on the road.
* May 14, 1873: FIRST POST CARD arrives at Ithaca Post Office.
***********
ITHACA WAR & PEACE REPORT
PANCAKE BREAKFAST BENEFIT: 5/10, 8:30-11:30am, WCB, Proceeds to benefit "All Our Children", a campaign for Children's Health Initiatives in Iraq. www.churchworldservice.org or www.allourchildren.org Adult $6.00 Child $2.00 (<11 yrs) Tickets at Alternatives Library, City Health Club, Autumn Leaves Books, or at door. 277-8552
FBI RESPONDS TO ITHACA PATRIOT ACT RESOLUTION: Cornell Daily Sun 5/2/03
PEACE & JUSTICE TABLING: volunteers needed at GreenStar & Ithaca Commons: Seph 277-5283
FAIR TRADE FAIR 5/17, noon-6pm, Commons. Musicians, speakers, vendors, info, ice cream. Rain place: Autumn Leaves Used Books. ITHACA FRENCHFEST BRINGS 200+ CELEBRANTS, 60 BOTTLES OF WINE to Autumn Leaves 4/30 Cornell Sun story
ITHACA PEACE SUMMIT AGREEMENT 4/26/03:
* Participants will work collectively to assure that George Bush is not
re-elected president in 2004 & to support a candidate committed
to an agenda of peace & justice.
* Develop a sustained long-term coalition committed to addressing
issues of peace & justice.
* Summit participants will: establish a Center for Peace &
Justice in Tompkins County; focus on providing local humanitarian aid;
keep the reality of war & its consequences in front of us.
ART OF PEACE WORKSHOP plans posters for weekly peace vigils, plays, puppet shows, workshops for children or activists, database of activist artists. Join mailing list: [email protected]
IF YOU WANT PEACE, WORK FOR JUSTICE VIGIL: Thursdays -
4:30-5:30 pm at bottom of East State.
---QUIET REVOLUTION
WALKING MEDITATION FOR PEACE: silent, slow, Saturdays 12-1 pm. Start at Pergola on Pond, Cornell Plantations. Rain or shine. [email protected]
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL ITHACA 5/20,7:30pm. Kahin Center, 640 Stewart Ave. 257-3156.
"UN-EMBED YOUR MIND: A Critical Look at How the War was Spun," recently published by Autumn Leaves Used Books, chronicles pro-war media manipulation of Iraq Attack: $1.00
"Controlling Iraq is about oil as power, rather than oil as fuel," says Michael Klare, author of Resource Wars: "Control over the Persian Gulf translates into control over Europe, Japan, & China. It's having our hand on the spigot."
*********
YOUR LETTERS
I've wondered for months now: why does Ithaca HOURS have both
.com & .org domains? How do you decide what content goes on
which page?" --Robinne
---[REPLY] /www.ithacahours.com
is the founder's site for outreach beyond Ithaca. www.ithacahours.org
is the HOUR board of directors site for local content.
--------
"Thank you for your efforts in putting your newsletter
together. It is a work in progress & very interesting. It seems
that the issue of the ICSD Budget Concerns could use your clever
expertise in evaluating the history, problems & hopeful
solutions to stop the cutting in the budget & start building a
strong school system again!.
---"It is the children of this community who will hopefully be thinking
& making major life decisions not only for themselves but also
those which will affect the world at hand. How can they make it in this
difficult world without the best education possible, especially w/
Cornell & Ithaca College sitting above them? The citizens in
this community continually hear how bad times are & how they
will be getting worse financially over at least the next three years.
We are told to expect cuts every year with taxes continually being
raised. What is wrong with this picture? Taxpayers are seeing no pay
raises, only fears of job cuts, retirement monies disappearing
& the students are seeing basic core academic classes cut,
sports cut, librarians cut, & ESL specialists cut, to name a
few.
---"It would be a great service to the future of our city if you could
look at this issue. Look at the School Board & how it works.
Look at the ICSD budget & perhaps see how the cutting can be
stopped."-- pp
---[REPLY] Community-based learning needs systematically to replace
costly bureaucratic schooling. Transferring curricula from
state-approved corporate skills to community management skills
& ending tracking is fundamental fiscal reform. The District
could fund programs w/out raising taxes by
relying on local scrip like Ithaca HOURS. Pilot scrip grants
to ICSD, City & County are legal. ---See also Why Wait!
a new local group.
--------
"So good to keep up on news in your neck of the woods! I am
planning to move back after a 5 year hiatus from Ithaca to reconnect
with family & friends, & am looking to house sit for
the months of Aug-Dec or any portion of that time. If you are looking
for a responsible, caring, honest, non-smoker w/ excellent references
while you are away:" [email protected]
--Shauna
--------
"I hope some folks from the Peace & Justice community
can be at Barnes & Noble on May 17 at 1pm for a signing of my two novels.
Ithaca B&N is so far the only B&N store willing to
allow an event for my prize winning novels of nonviolence (OMNI Peace
Hope International Writing Award). Both books are coming-of-age novels
of young men who evade induction into the military because of their
refusal to kill. B&N distribution acceptance criteria claims
that the books do not 'meet the competition currently available for
sale in this category.' Books praising military heroes are commonplace.
Books about young heroes of nonviolence are quite rare. Perhaps the
people of Ithaca will respond." --Jack Gilroy
--------
"I'm very glad I got on your list! It's refreshing &
encouraging." --Jennifer Seymour
--------
"Enough to say that in Ithaca there is a broad variety of
opinions about the war against Iraq. Consider the comparative size of
Baghdad & Basrah vs Ithaca. And consider their actual personal
experiences of the war. Millions of people, a BROAD variety of
opinions. [Ithaca Community News] seems no longer so much a newsletter
as a political forum about the war against Iraq." --PWolfson
---[REPLY] There are undoubtedly people in every city & nation
representing more than every conceivable attitude toward any given war.
No doubt there are many people in Iraq glad to see U.S. troops in their
streets. No doubt there are many terrorized & angered by same.
---ICN is indeed an antiwar voice, which includes letters from people
who favor the war. The Ithaca Journal is an equivalent Associated Press
voice for war, printing letters from opponents.
--------
"It was really wonderful to read about the strawbale
construction party. this is the kind of thing that you wish made the
front page of the IthacaJournal instead of war news. I have worked on
many community construction projects, & though I missed this
one, it warmed my heart to hear of it. Thank you for the report. It was
also great to hear about the geothermal drilling for the Museum of the
Earth. Imagine the reduced tax burden if state buildings used the same
concept." --brian deyoung
--------
"I facilitate a class at Ithaca High School called Circle of
Recovery. This class meets once a week & any male student is
welcome to participate. We started with three students, & three
years later we have thirty students. At the end of the school year we
take students on a field trip. In order to do this, we need to raise
money. Our goal is to raise $2040, which will cover the cost of a bus
& three chaperones.
---"Some of these young men have never been on a vacation or out of
Tompkins County. As we all know, it takes a village to raise a child.
Your donation will help make these young men experience one day of
happiness, fun & learning. Please forward your tax deductible
donation to: Ithaca Community Recovery, 520 W. Seneca St. Ithaca 14850.
Specify the Circle of Recovery High School Class.
--------
"My op-ed 'On Democracy' is at www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_22-4-2003_pg3_3
--Asma Barlas
--------
"Ithaca is 'America's Most Embarassing City.' This [Iraq] war
was not an illegal invasion. I would like to ask Mr. Glover &
others who organized the French fest: Would you ever consider throwing
a festival celebrating the greatnesss that is America? Probably not!"
--Jamie Weinstein
---[REPLY] The invasion of Iraq is illegal under international law,
particularly the Nuremberg
Principles, established by the United States itself as a
basis for punishing Nazis. They were not executed for extermination
camps, terrible enough, but for waging "aggressive war:" attacking
other nations without being first attacked.
---There has been no significant connection proved between Iraq and
Al-Qaeda, which were hostile to one another. Saudi Arabia supplied most
of the 9/11 attackers.
---Neither U.N. nor U.S. forces found WMD, the main pretext for this
war. Iraq 2003 was depleted militarily, no longer a threat to any
neighbor.
---Bush's motive for this war is liberation of Iraq's oil (Exxon
War Profits; Iraq Oil Ministry now controlled
by a former Shell executive), not for liberation of Iraqis.
The U.S. made Saddam strong, with 771 arms sales 1982-1990, even while
he was gassing Kurds.
---When you rely on corporate media (NBC, CBS, ABC are significantly
owned by oil companies), you see primarily images of Iraqis embracing
G.I.s. & less often see demonstrations against the U.S.
occupation, bloodied children, or shooting of demonstrators. Iraqis
would vote, unfortunately, for a theocratic government, but U.S. has
decided what kind of democracy Iraq will have.
--- Celebrating America requires more than reflex flag-waving. I've
celebrated my patriotism daily for the past 37 years, as a community
organizer.
--------
"Perhaps everyone already knows this
website, but it is a great one to share. Almost everything
you ever wanted to know about the U.S. military, but were afraid to
ask. --Allen Lambert
--------
"Could you tell me if & when Milliken Station is up
for re-licensing?" --Tim Twoguns
---{REPLY] Nuclear power plants are re-licensed. Milliken (AES Cayuga)
is coal-fired, so gets permits renewed by DEC for air, water, ash, pH,
turbidity, etc. Call Jeff Kopp & Dan Hill 533-7913.
--------
"May I get my name added to your newsletter? It's a fun read
& a real community service." --Andrea
--------
"Hi I am a low-income senior who wants to move to Tompkins
County. Someone at [GreenStar] suggested that I request the Ithaca
Community News by e-mail. Please put me on your list. If you have any
suggestions about how I can locate my $300-$400 studio/one
bedroom/tree-house/cave in Ithaca (dream on) or as close as possible,
please contact me 587-9736." --Sylvia Sklar
---[REPLY] Welcome to Ithaca! Requests of this kind go to www.ithacanews.org/classifieds.html
--------
"Freedom of speech is one of our most basic and sacred
rights. It's one of the reasons we sent troops to Iraq to liberate its
citizens so they can enjoy freedoms like free speech.
---"However, here in the USA, people are being punished for exercising
their freedom of speech. For example, thereุ๙s been a huge controversy
over the Dixie Chicks who publicly stated their objections to President
Bush's decision to go to war. And, after exercising their freedom of
speech, I listened as country radio announcers began punishing the
Dixie Chicks for expressing their opinion by calling for a ban of their
music on the airwaves and a boycott by their fans. Sales of their music
have dropped significantly.
---"So I'm asking, do you believe in freedom of speech or not? Because
if you do, then you can not support a war for freedom while you punish
US citizens for exercising their freedom. That punishment makes a
mockery of what our troops are trying to accomplish.
---"I encourage you to counteract those who are punishing others for
exercising their freedom. Buy a Dixie Chicks CD for yourself or as a
gift. Support our country's freedom of speech, right here at home.
---"Proud to be a freeze dried hippie from Newfield." --Carol Mallison
--------
"I don't have the time to look carefully into each [Whole Ithaca
Stock Exchange] element, but the general [scheme] looks good,
& particularly at this problematic & undemocratic time.
Investing in the community should be it's own reward, & your
illustrations indicate that reward can be quite handsome. It's hard,
though, to see how retired people without pensions might invest a
portion of their retirement savings in WISE, when the actuarial
situation demands the use of the full amount of those savings + 6%/yr.
Older people can work, but generally cannot perform hard labor. And yet
there would be real satisfaction in helping to launch WISE. The answers
may be at hand in the information you've provided, but I've not been
successful in the attempt to open my eyes." --Martha
---[REPLY] The WISE proposal emphasizes that there are several kinds of
capital to be invested, including direct labor (as suits personal
capabilities), time, & tools. So older folks gain equity as
grandparents & mentors, among other things. For example, were
we to develop nonprofit elderhousing which integrated young families
& single moms/pops, then the help of experienced childraisers
would have obvious value.
---Older folks can be organized via LETS systems, computer credit hours
which measure volunteer efforts. LETS lists dramatize the variety of
elder skills. There are many seniors in our area with lots of money.
We'd seek to inspire them to put some of their wealth into direct
community benefit. More fun than common coupon clipping.
--------
" Could you please put a blurb in the next COMMUNITY NEWS
about the School Board Elections. They are May 20th & Roger
Richardson, Wilma Martin & Deborah O'Conner are the best
choices (NOT Alan Lambert)." --Roberta Wallitt
--------
"I wish to follow-up on a letter from reader Rachel [ICN
April #2]. In addition to the usual mass-media stories, alternate
perspectives are often needed to get a full picture of current events.
This can be found in many places on the internet, as Rachel noted. Here
are some additional sources of information on Iraq:
---The Red Cross--
For daily reports on civilian casualties & relief efforts.
---"The 'other' CNN -- Though clearly biased, coverage provided by Al-Jazeerah is a
necessary counterpoint to Middle East 'coverage' by self-censoring mass
media.
---"Voices In
The Wilderness-- This group has a long history of support for
the people of Iraq, opposition to sanctions & war. Provides
activism resources & briefings.
---"An finally: The
Iraq-O-Meter-- While I hesitate to recommend this darkly
ironic site, it provides some numbers which the U.S. Media tend to
ignore." --Sylvestre Marlaud
--------
"Would like to be added to your list. Also could you send me
the last edition?" --Marion
---[REPLY] All back issues are archived at www.ithacanews.org
************
CITY SEEKS MEMBERS FOR BOARDS/COMMISSIONS: Affirmative Action Committee; Board of Fire Commissioners; Cable Commission; Commons Advisory Board; Community Police Board; Conservation Advisory Council; Design Review Board; Disability Advisory Council; Examining Board of Electricians; Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission; Natural Areas Commission; Parks Commission; Shade Tree Advisory Committee; Youth Bureau Board. Call City Clerk 274-6570 for application or www.cityofithaca.org click "Boards & Committees."
ITHACA BREAST CANCER ALLIANCE SEEKS VOLUNTEERS for Plants for Life Sale 9/13, 11am-3pm. Contact [email protected] "Sale benefits IBCA. 277-0960.
LIVING WITH INTENTION: TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE WITH FENG SHUI: 5/18, 2-5pm, $48. HOURS accepted. same location [email protected]
FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF OLDER RELATIVES: free seminars: 5/14: Aging Basics for Caregivers, 5/21: Involving the Family in Caregiving, 5/28: Caring for Caregiver, 6/4: Options & Resources for Caregivers. Lisa Kendall 277-8081 [email protected]
BOOKS THROUGH BARS provides donated books to local prisoners
*********
PATCHWORK THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER needs volunteers to help with lessons & chores nightly or mornings. Many shifts open. Children must be 12 years old. 898-3808, [email protected]
ITHACA INTEGRATED COMMUNITY WELLNESS CENTER: http://www.IthacaWellness.com
PREGNANCY SUPPORT CLASSES by Cat Berry, $20-$40 one class, $35-$70 two classes, $50-$100 three classes at Catalyst Touch, 122 W. Court, Suite 109. $20 deposit to 204 Utica St. HOURS accepted. 589-7231
JOB OPENING: Assst Mgr at Ten Thousand Villages promoting Fair Trade: weekends, workw/ volunteers, sell products made by artisans in developing countries. Pat [email protected]
************
Thanks to Homer & Jane at Lightlink for reliable internet services.
*********
EDITOR: [email protected]
ITHACA COMMUNITY NEWS HOME PAGE W/BACK ISSUES