Good morning, Ithaca.

Ithaca’s Porchfest will take place this Sunday, September 21, featuring 160 musical acts—up from the 20 musicians who started it in 2007.

Organizers Lesley Greene and Andy Adelewitz said the event brings both new and experienced performers together for live outdoor music.

An international exhibit will run Sept.

24-28 on the Arts Quad to celebrate the centenary of Deskaheh Levi General’s 1923 intervention on behalf of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy at the League of Nations—highlighting his role as spokesperson for six sovereign nations. Local visitors can view the outdoor display that marks a key moment in Indigenous sovereignty and global history.

Ithaca-born band X Ambassadors is coming home for two shows at the State Theatre to mark ten years since releasing their debut album VHS with a reimagined project called VHS(X).

They will perform today at 8:00 PM and on September 20th at 8:00 PM.

Last week, unemployment filings in New York rose to 14,463 from 12,850, the U.S. Department of Labor said.

Nationally, jobless claims dropped to 231,000 from 264,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis — marking a mixed labor market trend.

A Cornell study found apple pomace can be freeze-dried into a powder and blended into beef meatballs up to 20% without changing taste — the process may lower disposal costs, cut methane emissions, and offer a new revenue stream for New York apple producers.

Today, Cornell Engineering announced its Expanded SPROUT Awards to fund research on the human gut and cancer nanotherapies—designed to boost interdisciplinary work amid limited federal support.

The program also supports projects in quantum materials and biomedical engineering—paving the way for new innovations.

On Sept. 11, the Ithaca Teachers Association held a practice picket outside the school district office as teachers began the school year on an expired contract without new raises.

The board extended Superintendent Luvelle Brown’s contract by one year — a move that critics say worsens teacher struggles in a high-cost community — and negotiations will resume on Oct. 9 via Zoom.

Ithaca College hosted the Standing Forest event on Sept 8 where native tree stories were shared via a QR code attached to each tree—a project linked to fall plantings by Trees Up Tompkins.

Students and local groups helped care for over 200 native trees as part of an ongoing habitat restoration program that honors the legacy of the Gayogo̱hó:nǫʼ Nation.

On Sept. 8, the Town Board voted to purchase 137 acres on South Hill to create Sage Preserves for walking, dog walking, bird watching and picnicking—meant to connect neighborhood trails.

The board authorized the town supervisor to finalize the purchase and hire a firm for a boundary survey.

Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability and its NGO partners announced five Dairy Sustainability Awards to fund research aimed at reducing methane emissions from dairy farms ahead of Climate Week NYC—these grants will support projects on calf nutrition, manure management, feed additives and methane monitoring.

A fall foliage report shows that leaves are already changing in the Southern Tier and residents will see bright reds, oranges, and yellows peaking in early or mid-October.

The report notes that counties like Chenango and Delaware have seen higher changes while some areas may lose leaves early—conditions influenced by summer rain and cool nights.

County leaders have selected Volunteers of America Upstate New York to design and eventually operate a planned homeless shelter on Ithaca’s West End—set to open in December—with the agency also in talks to run a temporary winter shelter at Cherry Street, which will open around Nov. 21 after an antique mall moves by the end of October.

Local officials in Ithaca and surrounding towns have signed a letter opposing a state directive that would force the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility to rebuild—doubling sewer rates for residents.

The letter asks the DEC for a chance to complete in-lake studies to confirm if the new permit requirements are necessary.

X Ambassadors Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets from $58 — Experience an electrifying evening with X Ambassadors at this iconic venue.

Jazz Mondays with Dave Davies RhythmMakers

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

Celtic Thunder: An Evening of Music

7:30-9 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket information not specified — Experience the greatest songs of Celtic Thunder with a heartfelt reunion.

Apple Harvest Festival

Sep 26-28 — Downtown Ithaca Alliance Office — Free entry — Celebrate the fall with locally grown apples, crafts, food, and entertainment at this beloved community festival.

The Front Bottoms Live

7-10 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticketed event — Celebrate a decade of music with The Front Bottoms alongside Sincere Engineer.

Dart Brothers Live Concert

7-11 p.m. — Bike Bar — No cover charge — Experience the unique fusion of original rock and alt-country by Ithaca's own Dart Brothers.

Dancing on The Patio

8-10 p.m. — South Hill Cider — $5 - $10 donation suggested — Dance on the patio to DJ Evermix while enjoying cider and food.

Sammy - Strides for a Cure

11 AM – 3 PM — Stewart Park — Registration closed — Run, walk, and gather to raise awareness for a cure to Alzheimer's Disease regardless of the weather.

Behavioral Economics Workshop with Canishk Naik

11:40 AM - 12:55 PM — Sage Hall - Johnson Graduate School of Management — Check official website for fees — Explore the intersection of psychology and economics with expert insights.

Notorious Stringbusters Concert

5:30-8:30 p.m. — South Hill Cider — Free entry — Experience the earth quakin', hip brakin' sounds of the Notorious Stringbusters in a vibrant community setting.