Good morning, Ithaca.

Ulysses Recreation has opened registration for youth winter programs including indoor track for grades 3 to 8 held on Saturday afternoons with Sunday competitions at Cornell’s Barton Hall coordinated by the Finger Lakes Running Club, a basketball clinic for grades K to 3 at the Trumansburg high school gym from January 10 to February 7, and a local travel basketball program for grades 3 to 6 with practices starting the week after Thanksgiving—registration for adult recreation programs will open December 1 at 8:00 a.m.

Cornell Career Services and Arts & Sciences Career Development are helping tech students focus on companies that match their skills and values—advising them to tailor their applications instead of sending mass resumes as layoffs and AI changes affect job prospects.

The new strategy helps students navigate the tight market and secure better opportunities.

The Tompkins County Office for the Aging launched its Age-Friendly Business certification program to help local businesses serve people of all ages.

Ten groups were certified and Cornell students helped create the program materials—businesses can email their application to start the process.

Tompkins County officials say that with temperatures set to fall below 32°F with wind chill, Code Blue sheltering is active for Friday through Sunday nights and First Baptist Church offers a downtown warming center today from 5—10 p.m. A new 24/7 Code Blue shelter will open Monday at 227 Cherry Street as a first step toward building a purpose-built shelter for the homeless.

Federal officials have reinstated local citizenship ceremonies after last week’s cancellation moved them to federal buildings outside Tompkins County—U.S. Representative Mike Lawler said USCIS agreed to reverse the policy amid local criticism.

Cornell researchers discovered that a new genome mapping method — CUT&Tag — can study transposons that move and bind within the genome, influencing immune response and evolution.

The study was published on November 21 and may lead to improved therapies and agricultural advancements.

The Cornell Health Policy Center held its first Business Leaders Roundtable in New York City last week to guide research on Medicare Advantage, Medicaid reform, and prescription drug pricing — drawing senior healthcare leaders like Alan Lieber and Amy Mulderry.

The event set the stage for a future roundtable in 2026 — connecting academic research with industry expertise.

In October, Tompkins County homes listed for sale had a median price of $399,000— a slight drop from last month’s median—and the price per square foot increased by 3.2% compared to October 2024.

Home listings averaged 1,996 square feet and stayed on the market for 62 days while around 50 new homes were added during the month.

On Thursday, the Cornell men’s soccer team advanced in the NCAA tournament with a 4—0 win over Lafayette as junior Adam Schaban scored two goals, and it will face UConn on Sunday at 2 p.m.; meanwhile, Ithaca College volleyball moved forward by eliminating Plymouth State on Thursday and will meet Wesleyan tonight at 7 p.m. in Connecticut.

Jazz Social at the Regent Lounge

5:00-6:30 p.m. — The Statler Hotel at Cornell University — Free entry — Experience delightful performances from award-winning jazz ensembles in a charming lounge atmosphere.

Macro Workshop with Anmol Bhandari

11:40 AM - 12:55 PM — Ives Hall — No entry fee — Explore macroeconomic theories and applications with a leading economist in an interactive workshop.

Béla Fleck Concert

8:00-9:30 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets required — Experience an evening of innovative music featuring Béla Fleck and his talented ensemble.

The Wood Brothers Concert

8:00-9:30 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Tickets available — Experience the soulful folk sounds of The Wood Brothers in the heart of Ithaca.

A Very Merry Classic Christmas with Jessica Lynn

7:00-8:30 p.m. — State Theatre of Ithaca — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a festive holiday concert featuring award-winning artist Jessica Lynn.

An Evening with Evan Horne

8-10 p.m. — Kitchen Theatre Company — $20 — Experience the immersive sounds of cinematic-folk artist Evan Horne in an intimate setting.