Good morning, Ithaca.

Community members gathered on Sunday at Southside Community Center for a Living Wage Town Hall hosted by the Tompkins County Workers’ Center to discuss higher wages and improved worker rights.

Local leaders and residents shared personal stories and debated solutions for job insecurity and high housing costs + explored ways to strengthen Ithaca’s workforce.

Earlier this month, more than 50 local restaurants, wineries, and breweries joined the Taste of the Finger Lakes benefit to support food equity in our community — the event raised $63,963, over $10,000 more than last year’s total.

The funds will help local nonprofits such as Trumansburg Food Pantry and Healthy Food for All.

Brenda Carpenter has led Dryden Dairy Day for 41 years and earned a Hometown Hero Award—she organized the festival at Montgomery Park with passion and steady planning.

When heavy spring rains forced last-minute changes for the 2025 event, she swiftly worked with volunteers to reroute vendor layouts and keep the celebration running smoothly.

A Syracuse-based developer pitched a food-centric plan at 11 West Graham Road in Lansing during a Tuesday night planning meeting—proposing to demolish the old restaurant to build three fast-casual outlets, with one national chain already lined up.

Board members noted challenges such as a possible curb cut on North Triphammer Road but agreed the project could add value by bringing more eateries to the area.

Today, Cornell Institute for Digital Agriculture announced its 2025 Research Innovation Fund awards—these grants will support new cross-disciplinary digital projects to improve global food systems, and awardees from multiple Cornell colleges will present their work at an October 21 workshop and in the new AI for Digital Agriculture course.

Tompkins County has issued an RFP for a consultant to study impacts of raising the minimum wage above the state rate, with proposals due by July 25th at 2 p.m. The selected consultant will work with county officials—county legislators and stakeholders—for a 6 to 9 month study on wage challenges.

On June 25, the City of Ithaca opened Station 2, a new fire station on East Hill at 403 Elmwood Avenue — built with modern safety features to serve the area for the next 100 years.

Mayor Cantelmo and Supervisor Howe attended the opening as firefighters raised a flag and performed a hose uncoupling ceremony.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s new vaccine panel recommended using the RSV shot Clesrovimab for babies under eight months during or starting their first RSV season after he replaced the old panel on June 9th.

New York health officials advise parents to check with doctors or the state Health Department for details on how to get the vaccine — official websites list provider information.

Project Planning: The Critical Role of Feasibility Studies

12:00 – 1:30 p.m. — Tompkins Chamber — Registration required — Explore the importance of feasibility studies in project planning with insights from a leading architecture and construction firm.

Waitress: The Musical

July 10–19 — Hangar Theatre — Cost info not provided — Experience the heartwarming tale of a waitress and talented pie-baker.

Vintage Clothing and Goods Market

12-4 p.m. — South Hill Cider — Free entry — Explore unique vintage finds while enjoying delicious cider and live music from DJ Dou.

Jazz Mondays with Dave Davies RhythmMakers

5:30-8:30 p.m. — South Hill Cider — $5 suggested donation — Enjoy live jazz from local musicians while sipping on delicious cider and food.

TIME RIDERS Live at the Finger Lakes Cider House

6-9 p.m. — Finger Lakes Cider House — $5 cover charge — Enjoy a night of rock music from the up-and-coming band, Time Riders.

Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival - Sunday

7:59-10:59 PM — Trumansburg Fair Associates — Cost varies — Celebrate culture with world-renowned artists in a vibrant four-day music festival.

CFCU Summer Concert Series

5-11 p.m. — Bernie Milton Pavilion — Free entry — Enjoy a weekly lineup of local and regional artists at this family-friendly concert series.