Good morning, Ithaca.

On April 11, Ithaca Tompkins International Airport hosted a community art gala where Cornell students and local artists displayed sustainable projects, live music and art installations to boost the terminal's cultural role.

Planners will hold recurring events — steps toward greater accessibility and community engagement.

Atabey Restaurant & Lounge has softly opened on North Aurora and Seneca Streets, serving authentic Puerto Rican dishes like mofongo.

Co-owners Pellot and Ramos plan a grand opening soon and aim to create a hub for local Latine events+ social gatherings.

Ana Loter ’27 received the 2026 Maribel Garcia Community Spirit Award for leading the launch of the Rotaract Youth Leadership Institute at Cornell last spring to boost youth leadership.

The program partners with local schools and plans to double participants and form an Interact Club at Ithaca High School.

Cornell researchers have developed a soft robot gripper with stretchable fiber-optic sensors that predict strawberry ripeness by touch + gently twist the fruit off its vine without bruising it.

The breakthrough may lead to more resilient, ecological food production.

Ariela Asllani ’26 received the JFK Memorial Award for her work supporting refugees in Ithaca and will use the $15,000 prize to fund her migration studies at Oxford.

She co-founded Refugee Scholars with Ithaca Welcomes Refugees (a local nonprofit) to assist students.

María Cristina García, a Cornell professor in history and American studies, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Immigration and Ethnic History Society on April 20 + the honor recognized her teaching, mentorship, and research in immigration and ethnic history.

Alumnus Brando Benetton ’15 returned to Ithaca College on April 16 at 4:30 p.m. at Roy H.

Park Hall Auditorium to screen his indie crime thriller The Girl in the River and engage students (the film stars Tiffany Haddish and Ralph Macchio and will have worldwide release in September).

Cornell Cooperative Extension Harvest New York is offering free soil tests to home gardeners to check for heavy metals & nutrients.

Gardeners apply on a first-come basis and will receive results with technical guidance within six to eight weeks to help ensure safe produce.

Tompkins County Highway rescheduled milling and paving on Lansingville Road in Lansing this week after weather delays, causing traffic slowdowns from 6am to 6pm Monday through Wednesday from Jerry Smith Road to Route 34B+ one lane will remain open with flaggers while drivers are advised to plan alternate routes.

Asteri Ithaca is hit with a $40,000 fine by the Tompkins County Board of Health for failing to address hazards in its high-rise apartment building (complaints date back to July 2025).

The owner must upgrade cleaning, security, and waste management by May 1 or face extra charges.

Tompkins County Health Department inspections in March revealed 13 of 69 restaurants recorded critical violations and 22 had unresolved issues (including Revelry and Chipotle) while 40 establishments passed with no issues (as seen at Barnes Noble Booksellers and local schools).

Kendall Street Company Concert

7-11:30 p.m. — The Nocturnal Café — $15 adv/$20 dos — Experience an eclectic rock show filled with humor and musical improvisation.

John Butler Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket prices vary — Experience the rhythmic brilliance of John Butler live as he showcases his latest album PRISM.

One Night With You: Elvis Dinner Show

6-8 p.m. — K-HOUSE Karaoke & Arts Hub — $35 per person — Enjoy an evening of Elvis' classic songs and storytelling paired with a delicious dinner in an intimate setting.

The Steel Wheels Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — Hangar Theatre — Ticket details available online — Enjoy an evening of live music by The Steel Wheels.