Good morning, Ithaca.

Love Living at Home teams up with Triad Foundation plus board members to launch a matching donation drive that will match every donation up to $10,000 until July 31, supporting local food security and community gardening in honor of its 10th anniversary.

The Tompkins County Office for the Aging held its Annual Luncheon on May 15 at Hotel Ithaca to honor local volunteers (including Outstanding Volunteers Harlin McEwen and Maureen Shallish and Ombudsman Andrea Kabcenell) whose service strengthens community care.

Ithaca-area folk singer Sarah Noell released her debut album Good God on May 29 through Funnybone Records; the DIY record blends reflective lyrics and layered folk sounds inspired by a year-long creative process with local musician friends.

Over the weekend, Ithaca celebrated its 49th Festival in the Commons and downtown where food vendors, local artists, and live music united the community.

The event featured a parade and diverse global cuisine — drawing about 45,000 people and marking a joyful start to summer.

Dr. Jessica McArt (a dairy vet and Big Red alumna) has been named dean of Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine; her appointment takes effect July 15 following board approvals, and she replaces Dr. Lorin Warnick.

A Cornell researcher said over 5.5 million rufous-chested cellophane bees were found beneath East Lawn Cemetery after a student discovered the nest (Colletes thoracicus).

The project now invites community science to help map the bees as they pollinate local plants and support biodiversity.

On May 31, a bat was found near the Lake Treman Trail at Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park and testing today confirmed it had rabies.

Officials say it was tampered with by a dog and there are no reports of human contact.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of Mainstays 9-drawer fabric dressers sold at Walmart due to tip-over and entrapment hazards — approximately 165,000 units sold from Sept.

2023 to March are affected and should be returned for a refund.

The Horseheads lacrosse team won their first state tournament game on Wednesday, June 3 at Ithaca High School by defeating Ballston Spa 13-4, and they will face Section 5's Victor in the regional final on Saturday, June 6 at Hobart & William Smith Colleges in Geneva.

Stitch Club

1–3 p.m. — Tompkins County Public Library — Free entry — Gather for a creative afternoon of stitching, sharing skills, and working on projects.

Blaque Dynamite Live Performance

7-11:30 p.m. — The Nocturnal Café — $14 adv/$20 dos — Experience Grammy-nominated artist Blaque Dynamite blending jazz, funk, and more in an unforgettable live show.

One Night With You

7-9 p.m. — K-HOUSE Karaoke & Arts Hub — Enjoy dinner with Elvis singing classic tunes.

Ithaca Reggae Fest 2026

Live Music — June 26-28 — Stewart Park — Tickets available — Experience the vibrant rhythms of The Skatalites and other reggae artists at this lively festival.