Good morning, Ithaca.

Today, Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel presented a $25,000 check from its annual Fire and Ice Celebration proceeds to T-Burg Takes On Pediatric Cancer (a charity that supports families with children receiving cancer treatment).

The hotel thanked sponsors and plans future events to aid community organizations.

ReviveZone, a new 4,000 sqft family entertainment center with Zero Latency VR games and golf simulator bays, soft-launched July 1 at Cayuga Shopping Center (2309 Triphammer Road).

Ithaca College graduates Steven Cox and Elijah Greene will hold the grand opening on July 17 and a ReviveKids fundraiser on Aug. 21.

NouNou’s Authentic Lao-Thai opened in June at Triphammer Marketplace next to Longshots Sports Bar & Grill offering unique Lao and Thai dishes.

Owner Douangdao Visonnavong said local support has been strong as customers look forward to trying favorites like laap and bamboo soup.

Primary care providers will attend a one-day conference next February at Copper Mountain Resort in Frisco, Colorado, where Tess MacQueen of Pine Point Medical will lead hands-on training in dermatology procedures to speed skin cancer diagnosis + expand rural healthcare skills.

The event offers eight continuing medical education credits.

Middle and high school 4-H’ers attended the Career Explorations Conference at Cornell from June 30 to July 2, where they learned about career paths in AI, agriculture, climate science, and nutrition.

Sessions included hands-on activities (like making ice cream with liquid nitrogen) that sparked interest in future careers.

The City of Ithaca began milling and paving asphalt on the 400 block of College Ave on July 14 and expects to finish by July 24; the street will be closed to traffic (drivers should use Stewart Ave to Campus Rd).

Gov. Hochul signed an executive order that pauses state permits for data centers until DPS completes an environmental review (a measure aimed at ensuring strong standards amid rising energy demands) and may delay Lansing’s TeraWulf project.

A heat advisory is in effect today as temperatures soar and cooling centers are operating in Ithaca at the Greater Ithaca Activities Center and Tompkins County Public Library.

Residents should verify hours and call before visiting.

The American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage after a 25% drop in the national supply and urged donors to give blood to help patients.

Tompkins County drives include a session today at Cornell University Biotechnology Building from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and other events in the coming days.

Ithaca’s goalkeeper James Reiter will play Division III soccer at Babson College next fall after impressing at a Harvard ID camp.

His move builds on a strong pipeline from Ithaca High School (including recent players Oliver Klemm and Iago Lopez) advancing to college teams.

Cornell men's basketball welcomes back Clay Wilson as associate head coach after he spent a season coaching Hawai'i.

Wilson (assistant 2019-2021) returns to bolster the team as head coach Jon Jaques praises his broad international playing and coaching experience.

Ithaca’s GRC Firebirds won the AAU 7th Grade Division 3 title last month in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Coach Jamie Luszczek said the middle school team rallied to win a tight final 31 to 29—earning MVP honors for Joharra Lucena and Lucy Sauve—and will join the winter Little Red modified season.

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.