Ithaca is Fired Up

By Samantha Allen and Eric Raue

VIDEO: Last Friday, Ithacans from the Worker’s Center, the International Socialists’ Organization, Cornell University and Ithaca College gathered on the Commons to support the victory after a six day factory occupation in Chicago as well as make the area aware of the current financial crisis.

SOUND SLIDES: Check out our slideshow to read some “in your face” protest poster messages and chants.



ARTICLE: Obamamania for Financial Mania?

Ithacans are worried the recent election of Obama has replaced concern over the national economy with an overly stimulated hype for a black president.
Michael Amadeo, a junior sociology major at Ithaca College and protester on the streets of Ithaca last Friday, said that he wished people were more active in social movements.
“I’m very scared about the complacency,” Amadeo said. “People were very very happy when Obama was elected…but we need to stay vigilant and realize that this is an opportunity for organizing.”

But Don Beachler, associate professor of politics at IC, believes that the deep panic surrounding the country, especially with the encroaching holiday season, is an indication that people are aware.
“We have a stalled economy,” Beachler said. “…The college is worried, they’re worried about how many kids can come back when parents have money invested in mutual funds, bonds and other investments to pay for college.”
Beachler said he believes Obama has a lot of issues on his plate entering his 2009 term, least of which are concerns for domestic policy and the current financial crisis.
“He has to get [the American economy] spiraling upward,” Beachler said, stating the economy is in a downward spiral where people are holding onto their money rather than spending it.
Kay Sweeney, an IC student who partook in the protest, said this is a difficult time for local shopkeepers.
“In terms of the holidays, economists are predicting there is going to be a lot less holiday shopping going on, so that mean it’s a massive blow to this economy because a lot f businesses depend on holiday shopping and are largely seasonal,” she said.

Beachler said he believed Obama is trying to break the news gently to the American people, that we’ve been in a recession since December of 2007 and most economists believe it could be another year before things turn around.
“[Obama]’s not even in office yet!” he exclaimed, “There’s a lot of expectation, he’s trying to tamp it down by saying it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”

The Learning Web's Youth Outreach Program

By Caitlin Noerenberg and Aly Dixon


With the holidays approaching, many young adults around Ithaca are counting the days till they get to go home to see their family and friends. However, many youth around Ithaca face the uncertainty of not actually having a permanent place to call home. To help combat this uncertainty, The Learning Web's Youth Outreach Program, a non-profit organization, offers support to independent youth in any way possible.

The Learning Web's Youth Outreach Program got its start in 1990 with the help of Larry Farbman. The program started with the desire to help youth that found themselves in transient, with no stable place to live, going from couch to couch. These youths have left home for many reasons, and have found comfort in the services of Youth Outreach.

The program aims to help these independent youths, ages 16-25 get on a healthy, successful path in order to fully reach their own goals. The program has case managers that currently provide services to about 20 clients each. When trust is built between case managers and their clients, that is when the real work starts happening.

Case managers help to set up apprenticeships with local businesses for these young adults in order to learn the skills they are going to need to obtain a job in the future. Along with this, the program helps youth to find stable housing, have the ability to afford food, manage and budget their money, and at times form friendships with other clients in the program.

The Youth Outreach offices provides these services through a variety of programs. Group meetings are held at their office weekly, as a chance for the youths to get together and share in common interests. Dinner club is another program in which youths that have obtained their own apartment invite some other program participants, as well the case managers, over to their apartment to cook dinner. Youth Outreach provides the food and helps to cook, as a way of showing their support.

Also, for those youth struggling with the uncertainty of parenthood, Youth Outreach provides programs on learning how your child will grow and develop, and how to healthily progress as a parent.

During the holiday season, Youth Outreach operates like any other time of the year, providing any service they can to help youths feel like they have a support system. Of course, the stresses of the season are present just like any where else, but Youth Outreach does all they can to calm this anxiety.

On December 22nd, Youth Outreach plans to hold a walk-in celebration of the holidays by keeping their door open all day, inviting anyone who might want to come in and celebrate. Youth Outreach also provides gifts to their client's children, making the holiday season one for them to actually look forward to.

All in all, the Youth Outreach program has had unmeasurable accomplishments, citing every type of success story imaginable. This program is getting young adults back on their feet, finding places to live, to work, and to reach their potential.

Ithaca Keeps it Artsy this Holiday Season

(Final Report)
By: Tracey A. Casseus, Joy Kucinkas, and Emma Tanner

During this holiday season Tompkins County shoppers are looking to find gifts locally to help support small businesses and local artists.

Annually the Community Arts Partnership (CAP), the Arts Council for Tompkins County organizes and facilitates a summer and winter show and sale of work by local artists. CAP was founded in 1990 as a not-for-profit agency that would serve the public by providing services to the arts in the County.

The exhibit showcases an array of artists’ paintings, drawings, photographs, collage, prints and sculpture. Additionally, the Ithaca Artists' Market usually attracts holiday shoppers. This years Holiday Artists Market was held on Saturday December 13th, 2008 at the Women’s Community Building. Artists Ryan Curtis’s work was showcased in the exhibit.

"It was good," said Curtis. "It wasn't a bank crazy New York City show, and nor was I prepared for such a thing, but it was a really nice scene for Ithaca. It was a pretty crowded market and it was nice to meet some of the other artists and nice to share the work."

Ithaca prides itself on being a community of artists. Art in this city comes in different forms: poetry, novels, dance, music, painting, drawings, and even ice sculptures.

The commons are aglow with festive ice sculptures created by local artists for the 2008 Downtown Ithaca Holiday Festival. The main attraction is the Holiday Parade of Ice, which is Central New York’s largest ice sculpture display. On December 11th the ice sculptures were shown to the public in an Unveiling Ceremony that included performances by carolers and musicians.

Several local businesses in the commons have decided to festivities and have paid local artists to have ice sculpture created for their store to be displayed out in front.


Ithaca Glass co-owner Tim Merrill was very satisfied with the ice sculpture proudly displayed outside the entrance of his store.

"I haven't necessarily noticed our sales go up that much, it's more of the recognition that we receive being on the Commons with an ice sculpture out front and people taking pictures of it, especially with it being our logo," said Merrill.

Having an ice sculpture is optional for local business, which incurs a fee that Merrill said he was glad to pay.

Merrill said, "We chose to do one, it's a way to support the Commons. It's a good cause."

News Story on The Commons




To see more of Ryan Curtis' artwork, view his collection at the ABC cafe through January 2009.
The ABC cafe is located in Collegetown (Ithaca); below is a map to help you naviagate your way!


View Larger Map

Photo Album--The Commons at Christmas, Ryan B. Curtis artwork at the ABC cafe

Homeless For The Holidays

Final Report
By: Kaitlyn Rich and Ursula Fox-Koor

The homeless in Tompkins county will be having presents delivered to their houses in the next few days, except they will not be delivered by a man with a sleigh and red suit. Instead it will be a Red Cross worker, driving a white Jeep Cherokee.

His name is Aloja Airwewle, and along with other Tompkins County Red Cross workers and volunteers he helps to make the holiday season a little brighter for many Ithaca residents.

While the fanfare of the usual gift giving process is absent, the Christmas message is still the same – to spread holiday cheer to all, even those without a chimney for him to slide down.

Airwewele is the head of case management at the Tompkins County America Red Cross. He oversees the induction of the people into the program as well as other tasks such as delivering gifts to those in need during the holiday season and making sure the homeless are not forgotten about during this time of year.

“It’s not the busiest time of the year, but it’s the hardest on our clients. They begin to remember why they are homeless and how they have no one else,” says Airwewele.

The U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates calculated 13.5 percent of Tompkins County lived below the poverty line in 2004, compared to 12.7 percent nationally and 14.5 percent in New York State.

Coupled with the fact that according to the Tompkins County Affordable Housing Needs Assessment for 2006, 500 households spend half their income on housing. Both of these factors have left many out in the cold this winter.

With the failing economy and hard times falling on many, this Christmas is especially hard. “With the economic downsizing right now it’s easy to make me homeless. Just take my two paychecks away, that’s all it takes,” said Tompkins County Red Cross Emergency Shelter worker Khin Hewe.

Homeless Services is the American Red Cross’s largest program and includes the emergency shelter, the Friendship Center, case management services, and the food pantry.

The hardships of others this year have placed many pressures on the Red Cross, especially on its food pantry. The pantry, according to the United Way of Tompkins County has recently seen the number of people seeking food double.

While the Red Cross does a lot to make the holidays easier for the homeless, Hewe also notes the importance of helping all year round, not just during Christmas time. “It’s one thing, you know, we remember the poor around Thanksgiving, Christmas time, but the rest of the year it’s not really our business, you know, we pay taxes and the welfare system’s gonna take care of it,” Hewe says. This is something, he believes, must change.

But just because these people do not have a home does not mean that they cannot celebrate the season. At shelters such as the Red Cross’s Emergency Shelter, Hewe and others still do everything they can to bring some holiday cheer.

“It’s more like a house, we joke around, it’s not like the city where you go to Chicago, NY, Denver and you see people sleeping on the corner or smelly and people run away; it’s right here. Just like you and me, there is something about the small community in Ithaca,” said Hewe.

When Sleep Becomes Optional

-Michelle Skowronek and Jillian Rubin

The simple things in life are free, but the labor is not. Behind every dollop of whipped cream on top of frappuccinos, collated and stapled packet of papers, and email messages returned, there is a student worker.

Ithaca College employs over 500 students to work in a variety of job centers ranging from office assistants to pastry bakers in the dining halls. Without the average 10 hours a week that these busy students put in, Ithaca College would not be able to function.

Across the county, student workers are the backbone of colleges and universities.

Cornell University employs about 700 of its 13,000 students. These workers are expected to fulfill an average of 4-8 hours of work per week. At TC3, students work an average of 15 hours per week, and when classes are not in session, they are eligible to work up to 37  hours.

Most on-campus jobs at IC expect students to work an average of 8-12 hours per week. IC employers try to break up these hours by creating 2 or 3 hour long shifts in certain facilities. No matter the time of the shift, however, student workers typically struggle with balancing a job, schoolwork, and extracurricular activities around exam time.

Kevin Thornton, Manager of the Multimedia Production Facility, said he deals with stressed students often during finals week.

"Somebody came in Monday asking why the labs weren't open all day for exam week," he said. "She seemed really stressed out, and I had to tell her that with the schedule revolving around finals times there would be no point in having the labs open for one hour at a time."

Thornton said scheduling workers for finals week depends on exam times.

"Underclassmen can't be forced to work during finals week," he said. "I have to post a sign-up sheet based around the students' finals in order to get workers to cover shifts."

The personalized pizza in La Vincita, the repair of a broken keyboard, and the ripped stub of a theater ticket are little tasks provided by student workers. To the everyday passerby these things are expected and taken for granted. To a student worker they are the fruits of labor.

Other students, like Christie, spend their day devoted to schoolwork and on-campus jobs...

The Unlikeliest of Religions

By: Maura Gladys, Nate March and Michael Polak



If you were to ask people to name some of the most passionate college sports fans in the nation, they would most likely name groups such as the Cameron Crazies of Duke basketball or LSU football fans. Few, however, would name the fans of the Cornell Big Red Hockey team. But Big Red Hockey fans are some of the most passionate and unique in the nation.

Fans pack the 4,200+ seat Lynah Rink every home game and bring an atmosphere unseen anywhere else in college hockey or in college sports as a whole.

“Lynah Rink is the greatest experience ever. There are tons of big red fans. It’s the greatest place in the world. So much spirit here at Cornell,” said Cornell freshman Michael Youngwoth.

The rows of championship banners that hang from Lynah’s ceiling speak to the program’s tradition. The Big Red have won two national championships, and make a trip to the NCAA tournament a yearly tradition.

However, it’s the fan base that give Lynah Rink it’s legendary atmosphere. Fans arrive at the arena long before the puck drops and are ready to cheer from start to finish.

“It’s a great place to come out and support the players, be loud, get a little wild, break a few rules, offend a few people, and have a good time.” Said freshman Matt Roponi.

But the fans don’t stop at just cheering on the Big Red. They target their opponents as well, with cheers designed to get inside their heads, and specifically that of the goalies.

“One of the things I really like is how [the fans] try and get into the goalie’s head. They’re persistent. It’s kind of funny,” said Colin Greening, a junior forward on the Big Red hockey team.

The fans come with chants such as “Sieve!” and “It’s all your fault!” to punish the opposing goalie, and bow down in reverence to Big Red Starting Goaltender Ben Scrivens when he makes a spectacular save.

According to senior forward Tyler Mugford, the electric atmosphere is a huge advantage for the Big Red.

“It’s got to be pretty tough on them, especially when the goalies get it on the opposing teams. For us it’s just a great momentum builder.”

The Big Red are currently unbeaten at home, and according to one Cornell fan, much of that can be attributed to the fans.

“The only reason we win every game is because of the fans. That’s why we don’t lose… We own the goalie,” said Youngwoth. This season, he’s certainly been right!

To get an inside look at Lynah Rink, check out this slide show.

Ithaca is Dangerous

By Samantha Allen & Eric Raue

Budget Cuts affect sidewalks and street lighting along 96B. The county budget may affect advances in town renovations but for now, the town says it's Ithaca College's responsibility. Because the pedestrian accident in November occurred so close to county, state and college property lines it may be some time before IC students and Ithaca residents see any change.

Budget Baggage

By: Michelle Skowronek and Jillian Rubin

Tracey and Emma's History Center Story

Tompkins County Passes TC3'S Electrical Panel Project Proposal

--Aly Dixon and Caitlin Noerenberg

Maura and Nate's Budget Story

Budget Story on the Library

-Michael Polak and Joy Kucinkas

Not Such A Winter Wonderland

By: Kaitlyn Rich and Ursula Fox-Koor

(2009 Tompkins County Budget Story)

Bombers Season Ends in Playoff Opener

Mike Polak has had a monopoly on Bombers Football reports lately. After freezing on the sidelines of today's snowy NCAA playoff game, I thought I'd insert one of my own.

The Ithaca College football team saw its season end today at Butterfield Stadium at the hands of the Curry College Colonels.

Brian Grastorf's second start at quarterback was not as prolific as his first as the Bombers were upset at home by Curry by a 26-21 score. The Bombers held the lead late into the fourth quarter, only to see the Colonels seize the lead with 32 seconds remaining.

The Empire 8 Conference champions season ends with a 9-2 record while Curry advances to face NJAC champion Cortland State in the second round of the NCAA playoffs.

--Nate March

Speaker presents on The Sullivan-Clinton Expedition of 1779.

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Ithaca College's anthropology department has hosted a number of events on Indian issues and history. Last night the department hosted Dr. Robert Spiegelman, creator of the website SullivanClinton.com, to give a presentation on the genocide against the Iroquois, or Haudenosaunee Indians, ordered by General George Washington in 1779.

“By United Nations definitions, it is genocide,” Speigelman said about the Sullivan Campaign. “When you go and attack the very infrastructure of survival of a people…The ability of Haudenosaunee people to have endured everything, you know, when you see the backdrop of Sullivan-Clinton, is an extraordinary testimony to the Haudenosaunee people.”

The aim of the campaign was to eradicate the Indians, who were mostly allied with the British, and to use their land for political, economic, and strategic gains in war. One of the uses of the gained land was as a reward to unpaid Rebel soldiers. George Washington sent two men, Generals Sullivan and Clinton, to complete the job.

Smiegelman emphasized the absence of this enormously important historic event in the public mind, blaming the New York State school curriculum for glossing over it in classes--if it is even mentioned at all.

"It's bascially not in the textbooks," Spiegelman said. "It's pretty much off the radar."

IC anthropology professors Brooke Hansen and Jack Rossen are working to change that, speaking in elementary schools to fill in what they see as gaps in the curriculum for the students.

With greater knowledge of injustices committed against Indians during and after the war, Hansen and Rossen hope future generations will be motivated to educate others and better understand their Indian neighbors.

"We're planting the seeds," Hansen said.


Photo courtesy of SullivanClinton.com.

--Eric Raue

New Director at Hanger Theatre

- Michelle Skowronek

Hanger Theatre introduced its new Artistic Director, Peter Flynn,  last week.  This will be Flynn's first season with the theatre and Hanger's 35th. 

Flynn plans to bring  three plays and two musicals to the stage this upcoming season.  In the mix, he has scheduled performances by New York City Broadway actors, such as Nathan Lane in November.  

Flynn said the theatre's appeal depends on its interactions with the audience.

"These plays wouldn't work as well if they were movies," he said. "They require two living bodies in a room."

Flynn was referring to the relationship between the actors and the audience.

Also, Flynn is bringing for the first time ever to the Hanger Theatre stage Betrayal.  Written by Harold Printer, the play utilizes 20th century drama by telling the story of a love triangle in reverse.  

Flynn said his main goals are to bring diversity and cleverness to the stage.  He hopes to combine new and traditional programs.

Flynn told Tompkins Weekly that he is "astonished by the Hanger audiences' capacity for listening and being adventurous."

Hopefully, the Hanger Theatre will continue its success with the help of its new Artistic Director.

Story and quotes courtesy of Tompkins Weekly.

WICB Shows Off It's "Wood" Tonight

That's right, WICB-FM (91.7) in Ithaca will be receiving the mtvU Woodie Award for Best College Radio Station tonight. The show will air tonight at 8 PM on mtvU and mtvU.com.

In its fifth year of existence, the Woodie award recognizes several different categories of music and video success. However, this was the first year the station chose to give out an award for the Best College Radio Station. Voting was done online, and WICB had to beat out 19 other schools to earn the award. Ithaca College's FM radio station, known as "The Station for Innovation," beat out stations from schools such as Emerson College, Seton Hall, and Stony Brook in the first round before topping stations at Auburn University, DePauw University, and Sacramento State to win.

Students at Ithaca College will be hosting a viewing party for the awards show on campus this evening. All students are invited to Textor Hall Room 103 at 8:00 for all the festivities.

For more information about WICB winning the award, you can read this article in today's Ithaca Journal. You can also find out more about WICB-FM by visiting their website. And here's a link to the mtvU Woodie Awards page.

--Michael Polak

IC Women's Soccer Advances to Round of 16

The Ithaca College Women's Soccer team won the regional hosted on the South Hill. The Bombers defeated Westfield State and Roger Williams in shutout fashion, 6-0 and 2-0 respectively. Ithaca completed an undefeated home record for the season with the victories.

Up next for the Bombers is Sectional competition hosted by nationally top-ranked Williams College in Massachusetts. The Bombers will face national number three Lynchburg to open sectional play. 

The Bombers record currently stands at 16-2-2. (Picture courtesy of bombers.ithaca.edu)

-Nate March 

Adult Spelling Bee Held at IHS

The Tenth Annual Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) Adult Spelling Bee was held on Saturday, Nov. 16 at Ithaca High School. The Spelling Bee consisted of 24 teams of three who participated in four preliminary rounds. The winning team from each round moved on to the final round. The teams were sponsored by a community organization with the entrance fee set at $375, and featured team names such as the South Hill Spellicans, the All-turn-at-if-Spellurz of the Lehman Alternative School, and the Fall Creek Stingers. Proceeds from the day will be used to fund the IPEI Teacher Grant Program. After tackling words such as dolcissimo, sycophant, and perpetuity, the Spelling Hellions from eCornell took home the trophy.

-By: Maura Gladys

Bombers Playoff Bound

(Photos: Courtesy Ithaca Journal)

I was ready to do a wrap-up from the Cortaca Jug game on Saturday but figured I'd wait until Ithaca's playoff opponent was chosen. That took place on Sunday at a little after 3 PM when the Division III Selection Committee elected to give the Bombers the #2 seed in the East Region bracket and a match-up with Curry College at home this coming Saturday.

First, let's recap a bit from the Cortaca Jug. If up until game time, and literally up until the 4th quarter, you told me that the Bombers defense wouldn't give up a single touchdown, in the 50th annual Jug game, at SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex, against an undefeated Red Dragons team, I would've thought you were crazy. But that's just what happened. Ithaca's D shut down one of the best offenses in the 7th ranked Red Dragons, especially in the 2nd half when they forced 4 interceptions and a lost fumble.

If you also told me the final score would have been 35-13 Ithaca, I would've given you a strange look because these two offenses are so high powered that 70 points combined would've been low in my mind. I guess that's the product of a strong defensive effort.

On the offensive side of the ball, all the credit has to go to junior quarterback Brian Grastorf. He became the first Ithaca QB to make his first career start in the Cortaca Jug, and he could not have played much better. Grastorf was 19 for 28 through the air, throwing for 273 yards and 3 touchdowns, along with rushing for 2. His decision making was fantastic, and aside from one poor throw on a deep, off-balanced pass to Kyle Crandall that was intercepted, he was near perfect. The funniest thing was that he completed pass after pass despite throwing balls that were far from a perfect spiral. However, the receivers adjusted, made the catches despite a driving rain, and scored points. It all comes back to Grastorf's leadership which was clearly strong in this game.

So now, with the Cortaca Jug still in Ithaca's hands, the Bombers return to the playoffs for a second-straight season and face a much easier opponent. The Curry Colonels, out of Milton, Massachusetts, went 9-1 on year, earning an at-large bid as Plymouth State, the only team they lost to, earned the New England Football Conference's automatic bid at 10-1. However, the NEFC is a much weaker conference than the Empire 8, and it shows in strength of schedule. Ithaca's is ranked 9th, Curry is 149th. The fact that the game is at Butterfield Stadium helps too. Either way, keep your eyes posted for a preview of the game later this week.

Here are some links to important information regarding the Cortaca Jug and Playoffs. You can find a recap of the Jug game from the Bombers website here, from Cortland's website here, and from the Ithaca Journal here. For information on Ithaca's playoff game vs. Curry, you can read this. For a downloadable and printable bracket, visit this site (it is a pdf file). To see the rankings for strength of schedule, you can see this page. And finally, for pictures from the Cortaca Jug game, you can go here.

--Michael Polak

SUNY Cortland Grad Becomes First Female 4-Star General

A 1975 graduate of SUNY Cortland is in the national spotlight after becoming the country's first female four-star Army general.

55-year old Ann Dunwoody received the historic nomination from President George W. Bush in June, and graduated Cortland expecting to someday work in physical education. Instead she stayed in the Army, ascended the ranks, and at her promotion ceremony said she was "humbled" when President Bush gave her the nomination.

Dunwoody was sworn in as commander of the Army Materiel Command on Friday.



Photograph from the Associated Press.


--Eric Raue

Cortaca Jug '08: Live Updates

We're live here at the SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex on what is a rainy, sloppy, perfect November day in Central New York. Some of the players are out on the field getting warmed up and beyond the field, there are tons, and I mean TONS, of people tailgating and getting set for what is sure to be a great game!

As a special treat to our loyal Tracking Tompkins County readers, I will be doing my best to provide live updates from today's contest. It will be hard to do as I will also be calling the game on WICB Radio, but I'm up for the challenge.

The game can also be viewed on Time Warner Cable Channel 26 and will also be webcast by Cortland. You can get a preview of the game from my previous post here.

Should be a great game, I will be back right around kick-off for the contest. Enjoy the Game! It is one of if not the best match-ups in Division III football!

UPDATES:
10 minutes to Kickoff: The stands are packed, the Cortland Seniors are being introduced to the crowd, a great environment here at SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex. We'll be back in the first quarter for an update. Enjoy it everyone, this is what D-III football's all about!

Coin Toss: Dick Carmean and Tom Decker are on the field for the coin toss. These were the two captains back in 1959 who bought the Cortaca Jug and decided to play for it. Very nice to have the back here for the game today. The Bombers have won the toss and they elect to receive. Let's get this thing started!!

9:44 Left in 1st Q: Brian Grastorf, who is making his first career start, hits Kyle Crandall in the back corner of the end zone on a fade rout to give the Bombers a 7-0 lead. The 14-yard catch capped a 10 play, 78-yard drive. Excellent decision making from Grastorf and a big start for the Bombers.

End of First Q: Bombers lead 7-0 in what has turned into a defensive battle. IC gets a big stop on defense on fourth down as the Red Dragons tried to convert. Then, Ithaca was helped by a personal foul penalty on Cortland but the drive stalled out when Grastorf fumbled the snap on 3rd and 2. He recovered, but the Bombers had to punt.Cortland starts at their own 36 yard line in the 2nd Quarter.

10:51 Left in 2nd Q: Jeffrey Lang comes on to kick a 39-yard Field Goal to cut the Bombers lead to 7-3. It capped an 8 play 42-yard drive which was fueled by a couple good runs from Andrew Giuliano. Bombers defense did a good job on 3rd down to force an incomplete pass and prevent a touchdown.

9:00 Left in 2nd Q: After the Bombers go 3 and out, Cody Allen blocks the Toporoff punt and Bill Smith returns it for a TD. Cortland lead 10-7. Bad special teams mistake for Ithaca.

1:26 Left in 2nd Q: Bombers defense forces a Cortland punt after a nice drive and on the first offensive play, Brian Grastorf and Kyle Crandall hook up for an 80-yard TD pass. It was a short 15-yarder over the middle but Crandall got great blocking and broke down the left sideline for a score. The two have had such a good connection over the last 3 games.

HALFTIME: Ithaca Bombers 14 - Cortland State Red Dragons 10
The Bombers forced the Red Dragons to punt after putting pressure on QB Ray Miles three straight plays, and then just ran out the half. So the Bombers lead at the half which is exactly what they wanted against the #7 team in the nation. Kyle Crandall has been the big playmaker for IC with 4 catches for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns. Typical numbers for him. Brian Grastorf has done a good job in his first career start, going 10-16 for 177 yards and 2 scores in the first half. As for Cortland, Andrew Giuliano has ran well on the ground and totaled 81 yards on 12 carries. The biggest thing is that Ithaca's defense has yet to allow a touchdown, in what was supposed to be an offensive showcase. The D has stepped up when needed and that's why the Bombers are in front. I expect a great shootout in the second half. Cortland gets the ball first so the Bombers need to make the first key stop. Don't go anywhere, this will be a good one!

11:31 in 3rd Q: Jason Chier comes up with a big pass break up on 3rd and 4 from the 5 and forces the Red Dragons to settle for a 22 yard field goal from Jeffrey Lang. Bombers still in front by just 1 and now it's up to the offense to get the points and momentum back.

6:50 left in 3rd Q: The Bombers have arguably their best drive of the game as they go 71 yards on 10 plays and cap it with a 32 yard touchdown pass to Dan Ruggiero. Grastorf was under pressure, rolled out to his right, then dumped a pass to the sophomore who got great blocks and found the end zone. Bomber fans are pumped up and they should be.

In addition, Alfred is leading St. John Fisher 23-14 with 3 minutes left in the 2nd quarter so great news for the Bombers if they want to get in via the Automatic Bid.

12:22 Left: Brian Grastorf rushes it in from 1 yard out to give the Bombers a 28-13 lead. A great drive again by the Bombers goes for 10 plays and 80 yards for the score. Ithaca is in a great spot right now and a couple more stops by the defense could give Ithaca the lead.
Also, 23-14 Alfred at the half. Good news as well for Ithaca!

6:07 Left: Another fantastic drive for the Bombers ends in a 1 yard score from QB Brian Grastorf who has 3 passing touchdowns and 2 rushing. A tremendous day from him in his first career start and in the Cortaca Jug no less! Unless Cortland can get a score quickly, the Jug will be going back to Ithaca. The drive was just 35 yards, but last 8 plays and killed 4:37 of game clock.

FINAL: BOMBERS WIN 35-13
Ithaca shuts the door and routs the Red Dragons at the SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex. A tremendous performance all around by the Bombers against a very good Red Dragons team. Ithaca improves to 9-1 on the year, almost certainly will get a playoff game, and could even get a 1 or 2 seed. Here are my players of the game:

Offensively: QB Brian Grastorf- In his first career start, he completes 19 of 28 passes for 273 yards and 3 passing touchdowns. He also ran for two scores in the game. To put up those numbers in a first career start, on the road, in the Cortaca Jug, is just unbelievable.

Defensively: CB Jason Chier- The senior did a fantastic job leading his troops and made a statement. He had 3 interceptions, all of which were in the second half, and broke up a couple of passes to go along with 7 tackles. The defense had been criticized all year long and Chier did a great job along with the whole defense in not allowing Cortland a single touchdown.

So the Bombers win Cortaca for the second year in a row and retain possession of the Jug. Ithaca will find out who they will play in the playoffs tomorrow afternoon, and it is likely they could get a home game in the first round. We'll just have to wait and see.

Thanks for reading the blog today, and we hope you enjoyed another memorable Cortaca Jug match-up!

--Michael Polak

These Are the Moments We Live For

And so it all comes down to this. The 50th Annual Cortaca Jug takes place on Saturday afternoon from the SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex and this year's match-up could not be any better.

The Ithaca Bombers come into the game 8-1 on the year and off a thrilling 43-35 win at Empire 8 rival Alfred last week to clinch a share of the conference title. As for the Cortland State Red Dragons, they come in unbeaten at 9-0, looking to put the capper on a perfect regular season. Something will have to give.

Last year's meeting featured a tremendous all-around effort from the Bombers as they steamrolled the Red Dragons 40-17 at Butterfield Stadium to regain the Jug after 2 straight overtime wins by their Route 13 counterparts. Ithaca quarterback Dan Juvan had a great game, completing 12 of 16 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran in for a score on a beautiful 35-yard carry. It was a great day for Bomber fans and helped secure the team a playoff spot.

This year's game features postseason implications as well. While Cortland has already earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament via an automatic bid for winning the NJAC title, the Bombers are still fighting for a berth. This game could prove meaningless for just a spot in the postseason if Alfred beats St. John Fisher, which would leave the Bombers with the best conference record at 5-1 and the automatic bid. However, if Fisher is to win, then they would get the bid and Ithaca would need to hope for an at-large berth. And that is where Ithaca's performance could become a major factor.

As for this year's game, I expect to see an absolute shoot-out between the two squads. Both have very dynamic, high-scoring offenses. Ithaca has outscored its opponents 344-203 while Cortland has dominated 313-178. Both have great runningbacks who have compiled over 1200 yards rushing this season and over 20 touchdowns a piece!! Finally, both have great receivers as well as quarterbacks who are capable of hitting them with accuracy.

On the other side of the ball, both defenses have shown strength on the front line but weaknesses in the secondary. Both run a 4-3 set, with the front four combining for a total of 35 sacks this year (15 for IC, 20 for Cortland). However, both secondaries are still very young and have given up several long pass plays throughout the season. It is without a doubt both teams biggest weakness.

So when it comes down to it, it really is just not clear who will come out on top. The Red Dragons are ranked 7th in the nation; the Bombers 17th. Clearly, Cortland has had the better season record-wise, but they have yet to face a team like Ithaca's. Both teams are very similar on paper. Cortland's at home, so that goes to their advantage. Ithaca has more to play for, so that's a positive on their side. When it comes down to it, the defense that makes the fewest mistakes will come out on top in this game. The way I see it...

**Ithaca Bombers 37 - Cortland State Red Dragons 31**
-And don't be surprised if we get a rematch in the postseason!

If you are looking to see or listen to the game, it will be televised on Time Warner Cable Channel 26 in the Central New York area. You can also listen to the game on Ithaca's radio station WICB at 91.7 FM or Online. In addition, Cortland will be webcasting the game here

Below, I have included a map showing how close the two schools are. If you zoom in, I have also labeled both teams' home stadiums.


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ENJOY THE GAME EVERYONE!!

-Michael Polak

College Theater in Tompkins County

With the biting cold finally starting to kick in next week, fighting the winter blues is just a little easier with the theatrical offerings of Ithaca College, Cornell University, and SUNY Cortland.

At Ithaca College, "The Wild Party" continues performances in IC's Dillingham Center , with one tonight at 8 PM, and another tomorrow at the same time. There will also be a matinee tomorrow at 2 PM. Keep your eyes open next month for "Metamorphoses," which will preview December 2nd at 8 PM.
For tickets call 607-274-3224 or you can buy them at the Dillingham ticket office.

At Cornell, performances of William Shakespeare's comedy Love's Labor's Lost will show November 20-22 at 7:30 PM, December 4-6 at 7:30 PM and December 6 at 2 PM.
For a light, kid-friendly show, check out Willard Straight Theatre tomorrow at 2 PM, where a screening of "Eyeball Eddie" will show for $3 adults and $2 kids 12 and under. Cornell alum Bill Gilman, who did the special effects for the film, will be giving a talk about his work aimed at the 7 and up crowd.

Cortland Colleges' Choral Union will be holding a concert November 18th at 8PM in the Dowd Fine Arts Concert Hall. Also, December 2 at 8 PM, Cortland will be hosting another Holiday Concert. Both events feature free admission.

Image courtesy of cortlandchoral.com

Top image courtesy of aikenperformingartsgroup.org






--Eric Raue

ID Access Implemented

As I reported earlier here on Tracking Tompkins County, Ithaca College has begun piloting their identification access system for residence halls.

As a resident of Garden 25, I have been using the ID access for almost two weeks. From a convenience standpoint, I find it highly useful. No more fumbling with keys while standing in the cold outside of the building.

Below I have posted a video of the ID access scanner outside of Garden 25.

--Nate March

Pressure Is On For Cortaca Jug!

- Michelle Skowronek

This past weekend clarified the need for a Bomber victory over the Red Dragons this weekend.  Assistant Running Back Coach, Brian Horner, said that due to the Bomber's 8-1 regular season record, the Bombers will need to win this Saturday in order to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

"If we win this weekend, we will get a spot in the playoffs," he said.  "If St. John Fisher loses this weekend, we should also get a chance."

Coach Horner said that because Ithaca College lost to St. John Fisher earlier this season, if both teams come out with the same record things could get sticky.

"Because Fisher beat us head-to-head, they would get the seed if we came out with the same overall record," he said.

According to Coach Horner, the Ithaca College website's most recent post about Bomber football is incorrect.

"After this weekend we will know if we 'clinched a share' of the Empire 8 title," he said.  "As of right now we have not."

Coach Horner recalls playing in the Cortaca Jug two years ago.  He said it was an indescribable event, but hopes this year turns out better than the last away game at Cortland State.

"Playing in the Cortaca Jug is like nothing else," Horner said.  "There is nothing else like it, but the last time we were at Cortland we lost on a ridiculous call by the ref.  I hope this year's officiating doesn't cost us the game."

Cortland beat Ithaca by a field goal in overtime in 2006.  According to Ithaca College fans, the Ithaca College defense snagged the ball out of a Cortland State offensive player's hands before being tackled.  The defense then picked up the football and ran for a touchdown.  Officials ruled that the Cortland player was down before the loss of the ball; therefore, the Red Dragons still had possession.  From there, Cortland went on to kick a field goal, devastating the Bombers.

The 2008 Cortaca Jug is this Saturday, Nov. 15 at Cortland State!

Veteran's Day in Ithaca

Ithaca College will be holding another Veteran's Day celebration this year. At 1:00 PM in Ford Hall in the Whalen Center for Music, guest speaker David West will be making his presentation. West is the director of the Bath VA Medical Center.

IC Quilters will be presenting West with a quilt for a patient at his hospital. There will also be a book for writing notes of appreciation to the veterans.

For off-campus visitors, a shuttle will be running from the IC visitor's parking lot to the Whalen center.

Cornell's Veteran's Day celebration will be held at 11:00 AM in the West Campus courtyard. James Nault, a retired Captain in the US Navy, will be presenting a speech on veterans from the Cornell University community. There will be music and a post-speech luncheon.

--Eric Raue

Election Day '08

By: Tracey A. Casseus

Ithaca College was brimming with several Election Day events designed to help members of the campus community vote, celebrate the election, and watch the results on a day destined to be in the history books.

Throughout the day,9 a.m.–5 p.m, school sponsered Voter Vans shuttled students to and from the Ithaca College Circle Apartments Community polling place.

To get students really into the voting spirit there was a "Parade to the Polls" that took place at around 12:15 p.m. starting at Free Speech Rock infront of Campus Center and ending at the Circle Apartments Community center. The student group Fifes and Drums of Ithaca, along with President Tom Rochon, led voters through the academic quad to get voters excited about going to the polls.


At 4 p.m. in the Handwerker Gallery, associate professor and chair of the Department of Strategic Communications, Steven Seidman, lead a discussion on political marketing and the 2008 presidential election entitled "Political Marketing and the 2008 Campaign." Seidman is the author of “Posters, Propaganda, and Persuasion in Election Campaigns around the World and through History.”

The Tuesday Salon is a Handwerker Gallery program aimed at providing students, faculty, staff and members of the local community with a forum outside of the classroom for intellectual discussion and debate.

To cap the festivities there was an "Election Results Viewing Party" from 9 p.m.– Midnight held at IC Square in Campus Center. There all was welcomes to watch the election results on CNN, ICTV, and WICB

Natural Beauty Campaign

- Michelle Skowronek

The IC Feminists are hosting a Natural Beauty Campaign this Thursday, Nov. 13.  From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the club will be discussing the affects of cosmetics on our environment and our personal psyche in the Clark Lounge. 

Along with IC Feminists, the event is sponsored by the IC Environmental Society and Colleges Against Cancer.  

This event should bring more awareness among students, faculty, and staff at Ithaca College.  Beauty products have a commanding role in our society.  Advertisements tell us that we smell bad, look ugly, and can't take care of ourselves in our natural state. 

The Natural Beauty Campaign hopes to expose the campus to organic make up, chemical free hair dye, and environmentally conscious beauty supplements. 

For more information check out the Ithaca College website.

The event should be a great way to discuss how beauty products control the lives of women and should offer some new insight for beating out cosmetic companies.

Ithaca College's Club Field Hockey Takes Second In The State

By Kaitlyn Rich

This Sunday Ithaca College's Club Field Hockey team left campus early to compete in the playoffs for the New York State Club Field Hockey League held at Cortland. The playoffs featured the top seven teams in the New York area. Teams attending the playoffs this Sunday were Cortland, LeMoyne, Cornell, Buffalo, Syracuse, Binghamton and Ithaca. 

Ithaca College came into the playoffs first in the division and easily beat their first opponent Buffalo four to nothing. The win which sent them to the championship game against Binghamton was the teams third final appearance in the past four years. Binghamton, the only team to beat IC in regular season play, however took the championship three to one. The win caps a three year championship win streak for Binghamton, IC being the last team to have one the championship in 2005. 

America Recycles Day

By Kaitlyn Rich

This Saturday the Ithaca Mall (formerly the Pyramid Mall) hosted an important environmental event- America Recycles Day. The mall invited area volunteers, ranging from Ithaca College's REMP to the ASPCA. The event which featured dozens of stands was part of the National Recycling Coalition. The actual national event is on November 15 but the mall chose to hold theirs slightly earlier an organizer said. 

The stands offered those in attendance recycling bins, tips on composting, and even a couple furry friends who needed to find a new home.

For more information on the national America Recycles Day check out this link.

Students Remember the Lost One

- Michelle Skowronek

This Thursday, Nov. 13, Ithaca College will be hosting a memorial service for Willie Jacobson. Even though the Jacobson family did not practice a specific religion, they wanted to hold the service at the Ithaca College Chapel.

Last spring, a freshman went missing after what seemed to be a normal weekend. Ithaca College students, faculty, staff, Campus Safety and the Ithaca Police department searched for Willie Jacobson, the missing freshman, for three days. Eventually, they found him at the bottom of the pond between the Park School of Communications and the Public Safety Office.

Within a day, majority of the campus fled to the Chapel to mourn the death of the lost classmate. Now, about seven months later, the campus continues to remember Willie's memory. Last year's service chimed on Willie's short-lived yet meaningful contributions to the Ithaca College Campus. Friends, professors, and those who did not even know Billy had words to share. This year's service hopes to bring comfort to those still dealing with the unimaginable loss of a fellow peer.

All regularly scheduled Thursday events in the Chapel will be cancelled, and all are encouraged to come a celebrate the remembrance of Willie.

For more information, read the Ithacan article that helped uncover the mysterious death.

New Heights in Keeping Ithaca "Gorges"

By Kaitlyn Rich


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Lately Ithaca's gorges have not been looking so gorgeous. In particular Cascadilla Gorge has seen an accumulation of trash over the years. Many initiatives have been taken by volunteers from Cornell and the surrounding area to keep the campus pristine. But areas such as the north side of the gorge behind the Chi Phi chapter house, with its over 200 foot cliff have made cleaning "A bit out of the means of most," according to Todd Bittner Cornell Plantations Natural Areas Director.

That is why fraternity brothers from Chi Phi along with the Cornell Inter-fraternal Council, Cornell Outdoor Education and the Cornell Plantations grabbed their harnesses and repelled into the gorge next to Stewart Avenue on Saturday to clean up trash and debris.

"Well we're the ones that should be doing it. We made the mess so it's on us to do this," said Chi Phi president Micheal Brenner. The clean up happened this weekend after months of planning and pressure from the Inter-fraternal Council on the fraternity to clean up their garbage. The fraternity has made attempts in the past, and needed the assistance of professionals on Saturday for insurance purposes said Bittner.

"One time the police stopped by and stopped us from repelling down into the gorge. So yeah we're trying to help as much as we can because it's our problem, it's our mess, it's our house, and it's our responsibility to keep it clean," said Brenner.

Empire 8 Soccer Title for Ithaca Women

I had the pleasure of broadcasting the Empire 8 Women's Soccer Championship game Sunday at Ithaca's Carp Wood Field. The game pitted Empire 8 powers Ithaca and Nazareth against each other in a battle for an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament.

There was none of the usual drama that a match up between these two teams usually brings. The Bombers sprinted out to a 4-0 half-time lead and never looked back, winning 5-0. Ithaca will learn their NCAA pairing on Monday.

Amy Scheffer, pictured above (courtesy of bombers.ithaca.edu) was named tournament MVP after scoring twice in the semifinals and registering three assists against Nazareth.

-Nate March

Another Pedestrian Struck

Following the incident that Maura reported on Friday night where a pedestrian and police officer were struck on Route 96B, another pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Route 17 in Elmira on Saturday night. The person later died from the collision.

The accident took place at 9:00 PM on Saturday night. The pedestrian was on the eastbound lane of state Route 17 when struck by the vehicle. Investigators closed down the eastbound lane but allowed westbound traffic to go through.

No further information was provided as to the identity of the pedestrian or the person operating the vehicle. Here's a map showing the area where the accident occurred on Route 17 in Elmira.


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--Michael Polak

Bombers Prevail Over Injuries, Alfred

*photo courtesy of the Ithaca Bombers Website*

If there has been one thing that’s plagued the Ithaca Bombers all season long, it’s been injury bug. However, great teams find ways to win despite injuries, and that’s what the Bombers did this weekend.

Ithaca triumphed over Empire 8-rival Alfred 43-35, clinching themselves at least a share of the 2008 Empire 8 championship. Not only did the Bombers win, but they basically did so without the likes of senior starting quarterback Dan Juvan or junior starting running back Thomas Bergerstock.

Both players went down with injuries early in the second quarter and had their shoes filled nicely by junior quarterback Brian Grastorf and sophomore running back Dan Ruggiero. Grastorf closed out the game going 9 of 16 passing for 161 yards and a 76-yard touchdown strike to Kyle Crandall. The real shining star was Ruggiero who ran for 192 yards on the ground and 4 touchdowns, becoming the second Bomber this year to run for as many scores in a game this season. Ruggiero averaged close to eight yards per carry in the win.

While Alfred had standout performances of their own – 220 receiving yards by Trevor Bork and three rushing scores from Vinson Hendrix – the Bombers were just a bit better but were better even with some back-ups playing. It was one of those games that any football fan would’ve loved to watch. There was great offense on both sides, lots of controversial calls, and excitement all-around.

Now, the Bombers can move on to next Saturday’s match-up with the Cortland Red Dragons in the 50th Annual Cortaca Jug. Not only are bragging rights on the line, but a potential playoff spot is as well for the Bombers. A win for Ithaca would leave them at 9-1 on the year, almost certainly guaranteeing them a playoff spot considering they would have beaten a Cortland team ranked 7th in the country before this weekend’s win over Brockport. However, many eyes will be on the game between Alfred and St. John Fisher. If Alfred can defeat the Cardinals, it would secure the Bombers the outright conference title and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Sure poses for some great college football!!

For more on the game, you can read this article. Here are the updated Empire 8 standings:

1st: Ithaca, 5-1 in Empire 8, 8-1 Overall
2nd: St. John Fisher, 4-1 in Empire 8, 6-3 Overall
3rd: Hartwick, 3-2 in Empire 8, 6-2 Overall
3rd: Alfred, 3-2 in Empire 8, 6-3 Overall
5th: Utica, 2-3 in Empire 8, 3-6 Overall
6th: Springfield, 1-4 in Empire 8, 3-6 Overall
7th: Norwich, 0-5 in Empire 8, 2-7 Overall

--Michael Polak

Accident on Route 96B

-By: Maura Gladys

A pedestrian and a law enforcement officer were involved in back to back accidents on Route 96 B last night according to the Ithaca Journal. A car allegedly struck an Ithaca College student that was walking on 96B around 11:45 p.m. last night. While the victim was being tended to, another car struck a law enforcement officer that was directing traffic at the scene. The two victims were then transported to the Ithaca College football practice field where two helicopters airlifted the victims. One was taken to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA, while the other one was flown to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. Little else is known about the accidents, and anyone with information is asked to call the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office at 607-257-1345.

WICB Wins Wood!!!

Ithaca College's FM radio station 92 WICB has been recognized as the top college radio station in the nation by MTVU. The station has won the MTVU Woodie award for Best College Radio station.

For an earlier story about the hunt for the Woodie Award check here.

--Nate March

State Street's Second Name

The Ithacan and the Ithaca Journal reported today that a Wednesday Board of Public Works meeting showed strong support to give State Street a second name--Martin Luther King, Jr. Street. The change would be a "dual naming," meaning that the Martin Luther King, Jr. Street designation would be an addition, not a replacement. The image below is of a similarly dually-named street in Manhattan, courtesy of http://publicdomainclip-art.blogspot.com/.


Support of the dual naming seems to have been influenced by the election of Barack Obama as America's next president. As the Journal's article reported,
"Many of those who spoke in favor referenced Tuesday's election of Barack Obama as evidence that America and Ithaca want change and a more inclusive society."

The board is set to vote in City Hall Wednesday, November 12th at 4:45 PM. All board meetings are open to members of the public.

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--Eric Raue

Cats in the Spotlight

Two recent stories have been reported recently, one in Tompkins County and one in Syracuse. What do they have in common? Both involved a cat.

On Sunday, a cat was abandoned along Freese Road in the Town of Dryden. According to a witness report, a car driving along the road pulled over and placed an object on the side of the road and then drove off. The object was later discovered to be a cat.

The SPCA in Tompkins County is currently investigating the situation and requests that anyone with information place a call to their Humane Investigator at (607) 319-5067. Here's a picture of the male cat, which was described to be "a bit cranky," but in good health by the SPCA's Medical Director. (Picture is courtesy of the Tompkins County SPCA, from an Ithaca Journal article).



I have also included here a map of where Freese Road is located in the Town of Dryden.


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The following day, a man in Syracuse was electrocuted trying to rescue a cat from a tree. The man, who was later identified as Robert Crossman, was trying to balance a ladder on a tree to go grab the cat. However, the metal ladder struck an electrical wire, causing the 29-year old to collapse. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Luckily for the cat, it ended up coming down on its own just fine.

--Michael Polak

Young Voters: Apathetic You Say?

--Aly Dixon

For a long time now, young voters have been labeled apathetic, too lazy to care about voting, about the issues that plague our country. However, it seems that with the election of Obama this is obviously not true. But not only that, despite who you voted for, it's hard to deny that we, the generation that needs to live with the mistakes made by our previous leaders, are doing something to ensure we have a fighting chance.

Last night, many Obama supporters stormed the campus. As one student played his bagpipe, others cried with hope of what this election meant. McCain supporters took the defeat in stride and realized that despite being blue or red, our country needs to stand united. The scene outside of Textor last night was incredible. Hundreds of students, if not thousands, stood together exclaiming their excitement for the future to come.



(view from ground)


"YES WE CAN!" They shouted.




(view from on top of Textor)

Whether you were one of the unlucky ones awakened by the overwhelming display, one of the students peering through the library windows in awe, one of the students atop the Music School balcony banging their symbols, or even one of the angry McCain supporters frustrated by defeat, it's hard to deny that no matter what anyone says, we, as the future generation are anything but apathetic, and if you don't believe that, spend a day on the Ithaca College campus.

Making The Votes Count

Polling Story

By Kaitlyn Rich

As many already know New York has already gone to Obama. But how are the millions of votes counted? And in particular what voting machinery and methods effect the Tompkins County vote? On Tuesday polling locations all over New York state used the old fashioned lever voters for the last time this year. At area voting locations such as the Museum of the Earth, the Ithaca Library and South Hill Elementary School election officials and voters alike were taking special measures to make sure every vote was counted.

"We have multiple ways of counting the ballots beside the machines," said Becky Booth, election official at the South Hill Elementary School site. Volunteers at all the sites tallied up each individual location's votes before turning them into the county board of locations, who in-turn forwards the totals to the state.

We've all been her since five in the morning," said Carol*, another South Hill Elementary School volunteer. "It's been a very long day," she added. Many polling workers have been manning their posts for over twelve hour shifts which begs the question - How accurate is the counting mechanisms? "Well there is old and there is new technology," said Carol, "Whatever the case we will be able to handle it."

Carol was hinting at the fact that by the next election the state will be outfitted with new handicap accessible voting machines. The current ones work "perfectly fine," as Booth says, they just are harder for the handicap to "use effectively." 

While the votes where steadily being counted, by both hand, machine, and registration records at all locations in the Tompkins County area yesterday the true historic importance of the event was something more than its accurate vote tally. 

"It is amazing to see the country, America, unite as it has in this election. To see the youth come out today and vote is amazing. America is really aware, it's awake," said Booth. Again while the overall numbers will take a few hours of speculation and ultimately days of scrutiny to finalize all the volunteers echoed that the youths' voting experience on Tuesday was the most memorable experience of the day. "We had a group of young girls come in and vote earlier today, one was celebrating her eighteenth birthday," said Sandra Reukaol, another South Hill volunteer, "And they came out with huge smiles on their faces and skipped out the door. I'll never forget it."

* Last names were withheld for privacy. 

Photo and video (from top to bottom): Volunteers help voters at the Museum of the Earth polling location; outside of the museum signs lead voters to where they can cast their ballots; and in the video Carol shows a first time voter how to use New York States older voting machines.

Ithaca Public Library Polling Place

Caitlin Noerenberg


The polling place at Ithaca’s Public Library, located on 101 E. Green Street, had a good turn out this Election Day. Janis Kelly, the Republican Poll Inspector, was kind enough to inform me on different things she experienced and had to deal with through out the day.

When they opened up the polling place at 6am, there was a line of voters ready to come in and get started. Early in the morning, they also came across two Chinese students that had the assignment of coming to witness how the voting system worked in the United States, since it works so well compared to other country’s voting systems. They stayed for several hours and simply observed the process.

There are 807 registered voters in the II-4 District, which come to the Ithaca Public Library to vote. By about 4:30pm, they had well over 450 voters come out. With the polls not closing until 9pm that evening, they were pretty happy with the amount of people that had come out so far.

Later in the evening, designated poll watchers were expected to come out asking to see the lists of names of people who had already voted. The poll watchers would then go through their own lists of the registered Democrats/Republicans in the district, and see if the registered Democrats/Republicans had already voted and if not they would call and in Kelly’s words “drag them away from the TV to come and vote.”

Kelly also went over how early voting was allowed for the first time this year in some states, and over 20% of American voters, voted early before Election Day, including her. Since she had to be at the Library from 5:30am-9:30pm, she was not going to be able to make it to her own district to vote, so she voted early the day before.

Voting early entails filling out an affidavit ballot, which people also have to fill out if they have moved and it hasn’t registered with the polling places. They had approximately 12 affidavit ballots by 4:30pm. In order for the affidavit ballot to count, the information is sworn in front of one of the election inspectors, and the ballot is not signed. It goes into an envelope that has the affidavit on the outside, all of those go into the Board of Elections and then they are all opened. From there the ballots are taken out, but are still folded so that the person taking them out does not know how they voted. After that, all of the affidavit votes are counted. This all takes place after the polls close on Election Day. One p

Theres a big report that has to be filled out, an election inspector of both parties have to sign a democratic inspector and a republican inspector and have them both sign it in order to verify that the vote is fair and honest and valid, and that’s part of what establishes the credibility. Trainging to go thorugh bc the voting regulations are very complicated, fat book of inspection manual regulations,

Another interesting fact Janis Kelly informed me about was the rule that a person can not show up within 100 feet of a polling place having anything political on their clothes, flyers, or on signs etc. Every polling place has very clearly marked limits.

So far it was going pretty smoothly for the Ithaca Public Library polling place. The only problem they ran into was a woman from Hawaii that had no registered in New York to vote and had not filled out an absentee ballot for Hawaii, so she was therefore not able to vote. Out of 450 people, only 1 person was not able to vote, the polling inspectors were happy.

Janis Kelly is the City Republican Party Chair and she loved being a polling inspector. She loved being able to watch the voting system in action, and will probably be there again next year.

Students need motivation to vote?

~ Samantha Allen

When Freud spoke about the group mentality, he probably didn’t consider how it could be involved in political voting.

At the Tompkins County voting center set up at Ithaca College’s Circles Community Building, many students came to vote but often in groups.

Linda McBride, Ithaca resident and election inspector, said she had seen a lot of students coming into the building in groups.
Sara Gurman, a freshman who voted for her first time here at the community building, said she wanted her friends to be there for support.

“We’re all sort of new to this, and without my friends this would be intimidating,” Gurman said. She was accompanied by two other freshman, one of whom had voted previously in an absentee ballot for New Jersey.

In this video, IC freshman Sara Gurman and Natasha Petersen:


To find out why students like Gurman thought they needed support for voting on IC's campus, check here.


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McBride said that people were very excited and she had seen a lot of first time voters, including students and immigrants, who wanted friends there to photograph their first time pulling the lever.

“I think people are excited to vote,” she said. “I only wish that kind of excitement stayed with people because, that’s what’s democracy is all about. And, as exciting as this is, I wish it was the norm. But it’s not.”



McBride who said she has been working at the polls since 2002 said she has never seen anything as remarkable as the turnout for this election. She said at 8:15 p.m. that night, 74 percent of the registered voters had cast their vote.

Local students helping out from TCCC, Tompkins County Community College, said they were impressed by the turnout too. Daniel Pine, a student and election coordinator who has been working at the polls for the past three elections, said many senior citizens had actually showed up, something he had not witnessed in the past.

Jake Biles, another TCCC student and election inspector, estimated that over 500 out of 700 registered senior citizens had showed up.