Good morning, Ithaca.

Three Liberty Trees were dedicated at Stewart Park on July 10 as a tribute to American independence for the upcoming 250th anniversary, organized by the Chief Taughannock Chapter of the NSDAR in partnership with the city.

Local officials including Mayor Cantelmo and Congressman Riley took part in the ceremony & a Revolutionary War-themed book donation enriched the park's Little Free Library.

Trumansburg’s GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance returns this week for its 34th year as one of its co-founders (Jeb Puryear) leads the celebration and rounds up county town hall news.

The Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures at Cornell University funded seven graduate student research projects to support innovative study in areas like sociology and literature.

Their projects are expected to build knowledge advancing racial justice and provide fresh insights into social change.

Cornell’s Duffield Engineering will offer a new biomedical engineering course that challenges students to study women’s health technology failures and design smarter solutions.

The fall term course will feature studio-based modules + active learning to help improve design decisions.

Cornell sociologists at the university explain that social connections are as unequal as income.

Their new open access book (Friends and Fortunes) shows rich people have stronger networks and more opportunities, while others face barriers to getting connected.

Ithaca officials have proposed a pilot project called PODS (People Offered Dignified Spaces) to build 16 single room shelters for the city's homeless.

The plan is in early review and could be discussed during budget talks later this month.

Cornell University said Garden Avenue is closed from Campus Road to the ILR parking lot next to Barton Hall from Monday, July 13 until about Friday, Aug.

14 (access remains available from Tower Road); Campus Road will be closed between Garden Avenue and Statler Drive from Wednesday, July 15 to Friday, July 17.

Guthrie reduced its Walk-In Clinic hours at Ithaca City Harbor effective Monday, July 13; the clinic now runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays while Cortland Renzi Health Campus hours remain unchanged at 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends.

The American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage after a 25% supply drop in June as hospital distributions rose by 3,500 units per week.

Blood drives will be held next week at local sites including First Baptist Church and Trinity Lutheran Church in Ithaca.

Cahill, a playful cat from CNY Snap, and Abraxis, an affectionate dog from the Cortland County SPCA, are featured as pets of the week as they search for their forever homes.

They each need a home suited to their personality, with Cahill thriving in a quiet setup and Abraxis enjoying lots of attention.

Beginnings Summer Concert Series

5-8 p.m. — Bernie Milton Pavilion — Free entry — Enjoy free live music in the heart of Downtown Ithaca every Thursday evening.

The Rocksteady Explosion 20-Year Reunion Show

Time not specified — Liquid State Brewing Company — Benefit concert — Celebrate the ska scene with The Rocksteady Explosion's 20-year reunion and more local acts.

Brassquatch! The Fall Creek Brass Band Musical

7:30-9 p.m. — Hangar Theatre — Tickets $12-$34 — Experience a family-friendly musical adventure blending brass, gospel, and pop as young heroes navigate identity and belonging.