Good morning, Ithaca.

Ithaca YMCA has received a $6.3M state grant for a $7.7M project to rebuild and expand its pools (adding a new accessible pool and hydrotherapy spa) in Tompkins County; preliminary designs will be shared by summer, with construction set to begin by late August and complete by December.

Friends of TCPL in Ithaca is offering Community Organization Grants for non-profits, civic and educational groups & government agencies to propose projects that improve literacy, education, or skills building for kids and adults.

Proposals must be submitted by March 31 with awards announced mid-April and selected projects taking place before year's end.

Mike Jones, a former USPS mail carrier in Groton, launched Jonsey’s Home Repair in January to offer local painting and handyman services—an effort to supplement his pension and bring over 20 years of repair experience to residents.

A new student-led installation at the Herbert F.

Johnson Museum of Art — featuring student writing on works from Europe to Asia — explores how tiny figures called staffage add narrative to landscape paintings. The display runs in the museum’s Richard Sukenik ’59 Teaching Gallery until early March.

K-HOUSE Karaoke and Arts Hub reopens on Feb.

17 at 121 West Martin Luther King Jr. Street with expanded programming featuring karaoke, live music and community events. Farm to Feast NY runs a weekday café and Room K will host workshops as part of an arts-forward model.

The Family Reading Partnership is raising $100,000 by May 31 to keep The Nook, its mall space for children and families, open amid challenges from an outdated HVAC system and slumping grants.

It has also launched a mystery book campaign (Valentine's Day) and seeks donations and volunteers.

Cornell researchers Gordon Pennycook and David Rand won the Newcomb Cleveland Prize for their study on using AI dialogues to lower conspiracy beliefs — they will receive $25,000 at the AAAS Annual Meeting in Phoenix Feb.

12 – 14.

Ithaca will celebrate educators with the 21st annual Ithaca Loves Teachers event from Feb.

13 to Feb. 28, offering over 150 discounts on lodging, dining, retail and entertainment. Visit Ithaca staff will assist at the Downtown Visitor Center — inside the Tompkins Center for History & Culture — from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PHYS 1205 blends science with sailing as students attend weekly sessions on water at Merrill Family Sailing Center, guided by physics professor Georg Hoffstaetter de Torquat; lab reports from these hands-on classes help students grasp key concepts with fewer formulas.

Newfield's planning board unanimously approved the state-mandated environmental review for Sapphire Farms' cannabis processing center at 620 Shaffer Rd. The board will hold its full site plan review on March 4 and the farm plans to add extra carbon filters to address neighborhood odor concerns.

Tompkins County housing officials presented a new data snapshot on Feb.

3 that showed rising costs for renters, unmet building targets, and smaller household trends. Officials will use the findings to shape a next 10-year strategy that includes the SouthWorks redevelopment in Ithaca - aiming to add up to 900 new units.

Dryden has awarded a $3.17M contract to Hurd Development for a new Route 13 pedestrian and bicycle bridge that will link the Dryden Rail Trail.

Construction will begin this spring and create a continuous connection between eastern and western trail sections.

The Tompkins County Recycling and Materials Management office will be closed Monday, Feb.

16 — the Recycling and Solid Waste Center will remain open and curbside collection will run on the normal holiday schedule.

The Section 4 Class Indoor Track and Field Championships at Cornell University's Barton Hall showcased top high school athletes competing in races and field events this past weekend.

Standout performances emerged in sprint, relay, and jump events across several heats.

Princeton Tigers at Cornell Big Red Women's Basketball

5-8 p.m. — Newman Arena — VIP tickets available — Experience college basketball with premium seating and special game day packages.

Mutts Gone Nuts

7-10 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticketed event — Experience a hilarious dog variety show that’s sure to entertain all ages.

Richmond Spiders vs. Cornell Big Red Men's Lacrosse

12-2 p.m. — Schoellkopf Field — Ticket prices vary — Experience a thrilling NCAA lacrosse showdown between the Richmond Spiders and Cornell Big Red.

Richard Daria Clarinet Faculty Recital

1 p.m. — Hockett Family Recital Hall — Free entry — Enjoy a delightful performance featuring clarinet, oboe, and bass clarinet by talented faculty members.

Sheng Wang Stand-Up Comedy

7-10 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets required — Enjoy an evening of laughter with comedian Sheng Wang during his extensive stand-up tour.