Good morning, Ithaca.

Downtown Ithaca Alliance has teamed with local bookstores to launch the Little Kids Big Dreams book drive, inviting donations of new or gently used children’s books for Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services after Dolly Parton passed on Aug.

25 (inspired by her Imagination Library) with the deadline extended through the weekend.

Patsy’s Pizzeria opened Aug.

27 at the Marriott on The Commons, bringing NYC-style pizza to Ithaca and retaining many former Monks on the Commons staff (ensuring a familiar, welcoming feel for guests) while serving both classic and innovative pies.

Ithaca is Books festival begins today downtown and runs through Sunday, featuring nearly 30 events at 18 venues—book signings, author panels, and a kitten adoption event offer activities for all ages.

Cornell earned its fourth ranking in the Pitchbook entrepreneurship list as discussed on this month's Startup Cornell podcast featuring Shulman and Professor Marx.

The university celebrated this milestone with a Sept. 3 event at eHub in Collegetown that drew over 400 students.

Rakesh Khurana ’89, a former dean at Harvard College, will deliver the Konvitz Lecture on American Ideals on Thursday, Sept.

17 at 5 p.m. in 105 Ives Hall + remote access is available with required registration to discuss the decline of public trust in higher education.

Cornell researchers have proven a low-cost method using polydopamine-dyed ultrablack wool for water purification by harnessing sunlight for interfacial solar vapor generation, with tests showing nearly double water capture compared to conventional setups.

Future studies will explore its performance with rain and wastewater.

Cornell and global leaders will gather at Climate Week NYC from Sept.

20-27 to discuss sustainable AI use, energy grid upgrades, and nuclear power developments at over 25 events. The Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability leads the initiative with partners from academia and industry.

Cornell researchers used AI to learn that the protein Avl9 turns off Arf1, which directs cell transport, and the study published Sept.

9 found similar proteins that may affect cancer progression.

Health officials report 10 confirmed measles cases in Steuben County after a positive case was reported in Cayuga County (Sept.

8); one unvaccinated resident is isolating while contact tracing continues. The Tompkins County health department urges residents to complete their MMR shots as vaccination rates remain low.

Cornell professor Alex Kwan (in Ithaca since 2022) is studying psilocybin's effect on brain cell connections in mice to develop treatments that may reduce the need for daily antidepressants.

Sam Pratt is now head coach for Ithaca College men’s rowing after replacing Justin Stangel on Sept.

8. He (from Division I Cornell University) aims to develop rowers and build on the program’s strong tradition.

Ithaca College’s men’s soccer team played a physical 2-2 tie at Butterfield Stadium on Sept.

6 after first-year forward Anthony Cocca scored a 90th-minute equalizer, keeping the Bombers undefeated in nonconference play.