Briefs: Cass Park, 40 Under 40, more

Downtown holds 12th Annual Chowder Cook-Off

Downtown Ithaca’s 12th Annual Chowder Cook-Off was last weekend, Dec. 3.

Guests enjoyed a variety of traditional and contemporary chowders at booths outside on and around the Commons and then voted for their favorites. All of the chowders were freshly prepared by some of the best chefs in the region. Beer, wine and cider tastings and farming vendors were part of Saturday’s event offerings, too.

As part of this friendly competition, culinary experts from the participating restaurants sought community votes to earn these coveted honors — Best Meat, Best Vegetarian, Best Seafood and Best Traditional Clam.

The Chowder Cook-Off is presented by Maguire Hyundai Subaru Genesis and organized by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA).

“We look forward to the Chowder Cook-Off every year,” said Scott Rougeau, DIA special events director, last week. “The competition is typically fierce but friendly, so we’re expecting many tasty chowders that everyone may enjoy.”

The 12th Annual Chowder Cook-Off is part of the Downtown Ithaca Ice and Lights Festival, which began last weekend and concluded this weekend on Dec. 10 and 11. For more information, including a list of participating locations and to purchase event tickets, visit downtownithaca.com.

 

Ice and Lights Festival continues this weekend

Downtown Ithaca’s Ice and Lights Festival presented by Maguire Hyundai Subaru Genesis began last weekend in downtown Ithaca. This two-weekend seasonal celebration will continue this weekend on Dec. 10 and 11 on the Commons.

This year, the family-friendly festival features highly competitive and awe-inspiring ice carving contests, a host of interactive and decorative lighting displays, live performances, high-energy silent discos, functional and ornate ice sculptures, a walkable art show, the 12th Annual Chowder Cook-Off, Santa’s Arrival and more.

For those who didn’t make it last weekend, venture downtown this weekend to enjoy the festival before it’s gone.

Bring your family and friends to watch some of the region’s best professional ice carvers create ice sculptures as they compete with each other for top prizes. Also, enjoy the latest art exhibits and demonstrations created by local and regional artists as part of Gallery Night.

Keep yourself toasty during these festivities by sipping hot chocolate from the Infinity Glow Bar on the Commons or enjoying adult beverages from the outdoor Ice Bar (21+ with proper ID).

The Ice and Lights Festival and Gallery Night are organized by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA).

“We’re really looking forward to Ice and Lights celebration — two weekends that will be jammed packed with seasonal fun for everyone to enjoy,” said DIA Special Events Director Scott Rougeau last week. “We encourage everyone to check out the ice carving competition and the holiday lighting spectacular with its eye-catching displays, outdoor dance parties and the Chowder Cook-Off, where tasters can vote for their favorites for the People’s Choice Award. Plus, Santa is going to visit our community. It’s truly going to be a grand celebration of the season.”

For more Ice and Lights Festival details, including a complete schedule, visit downtownithaca.com.

 

Ongweoweh Corp’s Brett Bucktooth honored

Brett Bucktooth, supplier diversity manager at Ongweoweh Corporation (pictured), a Native American-owned, Ithaca-based pallet management company providing pallet and packaging procurement, recycling services and supply chain optimization programs throughout the nation, has been named amongst the 2022 Top 25 Diversity Change Leaders Making Waves by Diversity Plus Magazine.

Regarding this achievement, Bucktooth stated, “I am truly honored by this recognition and believe that bringing supplier diversity to such an organization was helped in large part by Ongweoweh being a minority business enterprise in its own right as well as the values of diversity and inclusion built and instilled by our owner Frank Bonamie.”

Bucktooth added, “As a minority-owned business, we understand the adversity and challenges that small businesses can face, which is why we consistently put in the hard work and effort to provide trustworthy service while forging new healthy relationships.”

Bucktooth joined Ongweoweh in 2019 as an account manager and became the supplier diversity manager in 2020. In 2021, Bucktooth’s efforts enabled Ongweoweh to reach a diverse supplier spend of approximately $40 million as well as reach a number of monumental environmental goals such as the use of 11.1 million recycled pallets and saving more than 730,000 trees.

Ongweoweh President and CEO Sheila Thorton shared, “We are incredibly proud of Brett, who is well deserving of this recognition. His skill set, leadership and passion for helping Ongweoweh reach its mission of diversity are admirable. He is a true asset to our team, and we look forward to his continued success as a leader within Ongweoweh.”

In his role, Bucktooth oversees Ongweoweh’s implementation of a diverse supplier Standard Operating Procedure to streamline the identification of opportunities as well as build awareness across all functions and departments.

Bucktooth seeks to use business analytics to track target goals for new business, which allows Ongweoweh to measure the impact of diverse supplier business in terms of social and economic impact through job creation and economic growth.

Bucktooth holds a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in communications and rhetorical studies and is a former professional lacrosse player. He currently resides in Mohawk Nation, New York, with his wife and two children.

Established in 1978, Ongweoweh Corp was founded by Frank Bonamie, an enrolled member of the Cayuga Indian Nation of New York. Learn more at ongweoweh.com.

 

Climate advocacy group launches Ithaca Green New Deal scorecard

The Finger Lakes Greater Region NY Chapter of The Climate Reality Project has launched the Ithaca Green New Deal Scorecard (IGND Scorecard) at IGNDscorecard.org (pictured).

The IGND Scorecard was created to engage, educate and enable the public to actively monitor and advocate the city to stay the course and achieve decarbonization by 2030 while ensuring the benefits of the Ithaca Green New Deal are shared among all local communities.

Using the Scorecard, the Finger Lakes Chapter team will track and provide transparency to the city’s progress in achieving its sustainability commitments. Regular updates and supplementary blogposts are planned.

The Scorecard was created by the team through a collaborative process with the City’s Office of Sustainability. It reflects the elements included in the City’s implementation plan.

Community members are encouraged to provide feedback on the Scorecard through the submission form on the website or write to the chapter at fingerlakesgreaterregion.ny@gmail.com.

The Ithaca Green New Deal Resolution, as unanimously adopted by Common Council on June 5, 2019, commits the city to:
– meet the electricity needs of city government operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2025,
– reduce emissions from the city fleet of vehicles by 50% from the 2001 levels by 2025,
– achieve a carbon neutral city by 2030, and
– ensure that the benefits of the Ithaca Green New Deal are shared among all local communities to reduce historical social and economic inequities.

 

ACT’s 40 Under 40 recognizes GO ITHACA director

GO ITHACA Director Jane Brady (pictured) was recently recognized by the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) as a 2022 40 Under 40 recipient at the organization’s annual TDM Forum held this month in Atlanta, Georgia.

This honor celebrates the accomplishments of an astounding group of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) professionals and leaders. The awardees represent a particularly diverse and accomplished cross-section of the industry, including private sector employers, city and state governments, service providers, consultants, and nonprofits committed to solving the transportation and mobility challenges facing their communities and organizations.

“These exceptional leaders are pushing the boundaries of TDM from all directions. They are changing the lives of commuters and furthering sustainability initiatives, and it’s so fulfilling to recognize them in person. I look forward to the bright multi-modal future that this next generation of TDM professionals is ushering us toward,” said ACT Executive Director David Straus.

Brady has been with the program since May 2021. During that time, she has more than doubled the program’s membership, overseen the creation of the Easy Access program for income-eligible members, and is a champion for sustainable transportation in Ithaca and Tompkins County.

“I feel extremely honored to have been chosen as an ACT 40 Under 40. ACT does wonderful work, and I am grateful to know that my work is supported and recognized by such an important and impactful organization,” Brady said. “I thank the GO ITHACA team, who are so incredible, and everyone who helps make the work that GO ITHACA does possible!”

DIA Executive Director Gary Ferguson said, “Jane has been a welcomed addition to the GO ITHACA team. We appreciate all the work she’s doing to strengthen transportation demand management practices in the community. We congratulate her on this national honor.”

ACT President Connie McGee added, “Seeing the next generation of TDM professionals step up and command the spotlight is always a joy to witness. This year’s recipients are working for the good of their communities and are carving a path toward a brighter more sustainable and equitable future for us all. I’m so excited for this year’s recipients and eagerly await their next steps. Congratulations to the recipients once again!”

ACT recognized its 2022 40 Under 40 TDM Professionals in person with a ceremony sponsored by Commutifi at the Starling Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Attendees of the 2022 TDM Forum gathered to celebrate this remarkable group of emerging leaders.

 

Cass Park Ice Rink celebrates 50 years, enclosure opening

On Nov. 5, Cass Park’s 50th anniversary and the enclosure construction completion were publicly celebrated with an ice skating birthday bash. Later that afternoon, the Cass Park Arena Enclosure Campaign supporters gathered to see the updated facility and to be thanked for their generosity.

Jim Dalterio, who manages Cass and other Ithaca Youth Bureau (IYB) facilities, welcomed guests at the public event and introduced Liz Klohmann, director of the IYB.

Klohmann expressed optimism for the improved conditions enhancing the experiences for users year-round. Previous IYB director and Friends of the IYB (FIYB) founder Allen Green reminisced about the city’s investments to maintain the arena. Mayor Laura Lewis, city alderpersons Cynthia Brock and George McGonigal, and Ithaca Youth Hockey Association (IYHA) board president TR Wagenet also spoke about the importance of Cass as a hub for community recreation.

The Cass Park Rink opened in November 1972 as an open-air facility, serving residents of Ithaca and surrounding communities. Today, the rink is a community treasure and a year-round facility for many activities.

During the ice season, Cass Park Rink hosts hockey teams with IYHA, Ithaca High School Varsity Hockey teams, Ithaca Adult Hockey Association, Ithaca Sirens and Tompkins Girls Hockey Association. It also offers IYB Learn to Skate programs and public skate sessions. During non-ice seasons, it is home to the Cass Park summer day camp, community roller skating, box lacrosse and other programs.

“We are incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful resource in our community,” Klohmann said. “It offers so many recreational activities for people of all ages.”

Mary Grainger of the FIYB shared the role FIYB played encouraging community contributions through extravaganza and gala events; appeals to individuals, families and businesses; grant applications; and public awareness of the critical need for arena renovations. A wood plaque in the rink spectator area lists the more than 600 individuals, families, businesses and entities that made the project possible.

Former New York State Assemblymember Barbara Lifton was invited to ceremonially untie an ice skate lace (instead of cutting a ribbon) because state resources were very important to fund the $2.6 million project. Current Assemblymember Anna Kelles read a citation recognizing the 50th anniversary milestone.

Klohmann closed the formal program by expressing appreciation for all of the effort it took from the community and from the city. She described the need for another capital project to complete the modernization including renovation of the rink entrance, lobby, locker rooms and rest rooms and the addition of a community meeting space.

Construction of the long-awaited rink enclosure project began in May 2022. Cass is now fully enclosed and features all-electric dehumidification and shelter that meets all current energy and building codes. The changes will improve ice conditions, lengthen the ice skating season, provide a year-round community space for events and programming and greatly enhance the user experience including the addition of new spectator bleachers.

The rink opened in November 1972. The enclosure of the open-air facility is an indispensable piece of a multi-phased plan to update Cass Park to serve the community for another 50 years. The city has already replaced the refrigeration system and concrete slab, replaced and extended the roof, and replaced the lighting and sound system.

In this photo: (from left to right) Jim Dalterio, Mary Grainger and Klohmann at the “lace untying.”

 

Code Red Robotics at IHS kicks off new season

Code Red Robotics of Ithaca High School has been very busy since the school year began as it prepares for its next competition.

Code Red, which Tompkins Weekly has covered before (tinyurl.com/2z3kbf3x), annually participates in the worldwide competition FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology). At FIRST, robotics teams build robots and participate in competitions.

According to a recent press release, “Code Red team members build a 125-pound robot during the course of two months every school year following that year’s theme and competition challenges.”

As sources have told Tompkins Weekly in the past, Code Red welcomes new members every year, and the work at Code Red helps its members to build critical thinking skills and lifelong relationships with their peers, advisors and mentors.

This year, Code Red brought on another 49 new students, making its total current membership 85.

According to the release, on Oct. 22 of this year, “many of them, along with returning members and mentors, attended Ra Cha Cha Ruckus. Hosted by FIRST team 1511, also known as Rolling Thunder, Ruckus is a small competition featuring last year’s robots. This competition allows for new members to learn about how FIRST works and to get a chance to see robots and team members in action.”

Maria Sun, a new member and Ithaca High freshman, offered her perspective on the event.

“Ruckus was a really fun experience,” Sun said in the release. “Not only was it exciting to watch and be a part of, but a friend and I were even able to contribute to the spirit award for our team! I’m really excited for our next competition and the rest of the season.”

At the start of the academic year, Code Red members participated in various volunteering and connection opportunities throughout the community. One of these was on Sept. 18 during Ithaca’s Streets Alive! event.

“We gave demonstrations on how the robot works and were able to show our love of STEM to so many members of the community,” the release said.

Later, on Oct. 11, Code Red members went to Stewart Park with the Friends of Stewart Park, where they picked up litter, trimmed down invasive plants and cleaned up the playground.

Connie Zheng, one of the volunteers during the event, said, “It was a really fulfilling experience and a lot of work, but I’m glad I could do my part!”

Elections for Code Red leadership were held last spring, so the group is now led by seven officers: Emerson Schryver, president; Annalise Thompson and Wali Alfridi, vice presidents/build team managers; Alex Elia, community outreach; Celene Sahoo, treasurer; Shaine Wei, team administrator; and Jennifer Zhao, public relations officer.

“As a student-run club, the officers are anticipating a great year,” the release said.

Code Red is an associate member of the IthacaSTEM Advocates, an affiliate of the Ithaca Public Education Initiative.

For more information on Code Red Robotics, email advisor Ian Krywe at ikrywe@icsd.k12.ny.us, or visit its website at team639.org. More information about FIRST robotics can be found at firstinspires.org.

 

City Federation of Women’s Organizations awards $50,000

Women and girls in Tompkins County will benefit from the $50,000 in grants being awarded this month by the City Federation of Women’s Organizations (CFWO). Among the recipients of the Women Building Community grants are the Finger Lakes Toy Library, Free Science Workshop and Ithaca Free Clinic.

Ten grants, up to $5,000 each, were awarded this cycle. The mission of CFWO is to act as a catalyst for the improvement of the lives of all women and girls in Tompkins County, thus making a contribution to the entire community.

Winning projects focused on community development, education, gender equity, health, human services or social justice. Nonprofit organizations and government agencies in Tompkins County are invited to apply for these annual grants that are awarded each fall. In the spring, applications will be accepted for the $10,000 innovation grant. Grants up to $1,000 for unexpected needs are accepted all year.

These are the projects receiving WBC grants this fall:
– Child Development Council: removing roadblocks and postpartum support
– Finger Lakes Toy Library: volunteer recruitment and workshop programming
– Free Science Workshop: empowering underserved girls through creative experiences in STEM
– The Greater Ithaca Activities Center: GIAC Jumpers
– Habitat for Humanity: teaching carpentry, building confidence
– Ithaca Health Alliance: Ithaca Free Clinic health care and diagnostic services for women
– Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services: Minor Repair Program – Women Homeowners Materials Fund
– Ithaca Welcomes Refugees: Global Roots Play School
– Open Doors English: The Julie Russ Coulombe Language Program: Open Doors English Sponsorship Program
– Village at Ithaca: Brown Babes Braiding, phase 2

For more information, go to womenbuildingcommunity.org.

 

First Upstate Poster Competition at CMC considered a success

On Dec. 2, the Cayuga Medical Center (CMC) Internal Medicine Residency program, with co-sponsorship from the New York Chapter of the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the Rural Health Equity Training Collaborative (RHETC), hosted an Upstate New York Poster Competition for the first time.

Participants and judges were greeted from training programs across New York state, including Rochester General, Rochester Regional, UHS Binghamton, Unity and Arnot, as well as SUNY Upstate and the University of Buffalo. The event was held at CMC.

Dr. Jamila Michener, co-director of the Cornell Center for Health Equity, served as the keynote speaker. Through a look into recent qualitative research and an engaging conversation, Michener outlined the importance of centering the voices of people with lived experiences to improve policies and transform how we practice health care for the better.

“She encouraged the audience to challenge assumptions, listen and build power among marginalized populations to truly achieve health equity,” stated Julia Ressler, manager of community health and engagement at Cayuga Health.

During the poster competition, participants showcased their research and work in the newest advances in health care on the theme of health equity. Poster conferences, like this one, aim to create a platform for physicians to present their real-time work in scholarly endeavors and to share their views related to the theme of the conference.

“Our goal for this poster competition was to provide a local venue for residents of the Southern Tier and Upstate NY region to network among medical peers, to share innovative scholarly activities, to showcase unique community projects and ultimately to stimulate collaborative and creative thinking,” stated Dr. Janette Lee, director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program at CMC. “I think, looking around the room, we accomplished our goal.”

A panel of judges from Cayuga Health including Dr. Timothy Bael, Dr. Lisa Cotton, Dr Reilly Coch, Dr. Andreia DeLima, Dr. Caitlyn Foor-Pessin, Dr. Judy Griffin, Dr. Mohomamad Samih, Dr. Fnu Seemant, Dr. Anthony Sidari and Dr. Daniel Chin from UHS Binghamton. Other participating panelists from Cayuga Health included Dr. Melissa Dhundale, Herb Alexander, Samara Touchton, Julia Ressler and Lara Parilla, who served as judges for the category of health equity.

Awards were given in five separate categories: Case Report/Clinical Vignette, Quality Improvement, Clinical Research, Medical Education and Social Determinants of Health. Pictured is CMC’s Munu Napit, who won first place in the Quality Improvement category.

Visit cayugahealth.org to learn more.

 

Nicki Moore named director of athletics at Cornell

Nicki Webber Moore, vice president and director of athletics at Colgate University, has been named Cornell’s Meakem Smith director of athletics and physical education.

Moore will become the university’s first female director of athletics when she begins her new role Jan. 17, 2023.

“Our diverse athletics and physical education programs form a vital part of the Cornell experience, building leadership, wellness and camaraderie for generations of Cornellians,” President Martha E. Pollack said.

“Dr. Moore’s expertise and commitment will be a tremendous asset to our community, and she is an excellent choice to lead and strengthen those programs in the years ahead.”

The appointment was announced to the Department of Athletics and Physical Education by Ryan Lombardi, vice president for student and campus life.

“I am excited to welcome Dr. Moore to the Cornell Big Red family,” Lombardi said. “Nicki is a seasoned, collaborative and strategic leader who is deeply committed to the success of student-athletes both within and outside of the competitive arena. I look forward to seeing all she does to build upon Cornell’s rich tradition of intercollegiate athletic excellence and to amplify the tremendous impact that a robust recreational and physical education program has on the academic and personal growth of all students.”

Moore will succeed J. Andrew Noel, who took over as director of athletics in 1999 and has led the Big Red to 105 Ivy League team titles and 35 national championships (17 team, 18 individual). She takes the reins of an athletics program that features 37 Division I varsity sports, the fourth-largest portfolio of any school in the nation.

Moore has spent the last 18 years in athletics administration roles at the University of Oklahoma, the University of North Carolina and Colgate.

“I am incredibly humbled and honored, and I can’t wait to get to work,” Moore said. “Cornell is such an exciting opportunity, as a place committed to true excellence in both academics and athletics where student-athletes can pursue all of their aspirations at the very highest level.”

Cornell will join Brown University (Grace Calhoun), Harvard University (Erin McDermott), the University of Pennsylvania (Alanna Shanahan) and Yale University (Victoria Chun) as Ivy League institutions with female directors of athletics.

“Nicki is an experienced leader who is highly respected nationally as evidenced by her recognition by Women Leaders in College Sports as 2022 FCS Executive of the Year, and her recent role as president of the FCS Athletics Directors Association, leading her athletics director peers nationally,” said Robin Harris, the Ivy League’s executive director. “She brings invaluable experience and insights from working at a variety of outstanding schools, and I am excited to welcome her to the Ivy League.”

Moore noted Cornell’s long history of inclusivity — it was among the first institutions in the nation to admit women and people of color — as well as one of the first to combine women and men’s athletics under the same leadership, more than 100 years ago.

“I am very proud to be named as Cornell’s first woman AD during this 50th anniversary year of Title IX,” Moore said, referring to the 1972 law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that receives funding from the federal government.

“It’s a step that is aligned closely with the founders’ original ‘any person … any study’ vision for the university,” she said. “While it is so encouraging to see more women getting the chance to lead in these kinds of roles at this level, ultimately the true value of this progress will lie in how successfully we execute around our mission.”

Visit tinyurl.com/2ezdyh6y for more information.

 

IC football stadium to get artificial turf field and lights

A major gift from 1981 graduate Monica Bertino Wooden (pictured) will fund the replacement of the natural-grass field with artificial turf and the installation of lighting at Ithaca College’s Butterfield Stadium.

The playing surface will be named Bertino Field at Butterfield Stadium in recognition of her donation of $3 million for the project, which will greatly expand the uses of the premier outdoor gathering space on campus.

Wooden played softball and basketball as a student-athlete, earning her bachelor’s degree in physical education. Her brother, John Bertino ’80, played on both the 1979 football and 1980 baseball teams that won national championships.

A longtime resident of Tampa, Florida, Wooden spent the early part of her professional career with IBM. In 2000, she co-founded MercuryGate International, a pioneer in the field of supply chain logistics that provides transportation management solutions, serving as its CEO until selling the company in 2018.

“As an athlete and later as a youth coach, I found that one need was always constant — field time! So, I am very pleased to give back to the college that invested so much in me,” Wooden said.

“We are so grateful for this show of support for our student-athletes and our entire campus community,” said Ithaca College President La Jerne Terry Cornish. “I am looking forward to cheering on our teams and watching other activities take place on Bertino Field at Butterfield Stadium for many years to come.”

Head football coach Michael Toerper, who guided his team to an undefeated regular season and a spot in the NCAA Division III playoffs in his first year at the helm, said the beauty and uniqueness of the grass field is a sight to behold on Saturdays in the fall, but the overwhelming sentiment of players is that a turf surface is more desirable.

“I love Butterfield Stadium and I respect the tradition, blood, sweat and tears that have been accumulated on that field for decades,” Toerper said. “I do believe, however, that we must consider and value the experience of our student-athletes. Replacing the grass field with an artificial surface and adding lights will allow us to practice using the same field conditions that most of our competitors have. The consistency and efficiency of our practice situation will allow even greater attention to detail in our training and preparation, not to mention the benefits it will bring to recruiting.”

Butterfield Stadium is currently used primarily for home football games, meaning that for most of the year, it sits idle. With synthetic turf and lighting, the stadium will be available multiple times a day, seven days a week, in all seasons.

“Monica Bertino Wooden is truly an inspirational leader, accomplished entrepreneur and thoughtful philanthropist,” said Susan Bassett ’79, associate vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics and campus recreation. “It means more than words can convey to have a former teammate and Delta Psi Kappa sister make such a commitment to Bomber success. The value of this generous gift impacts our football program, first and foremost, but extends beyond that, as these alterations will greatly increase opportunities for the use of Butterfield Stadium by other athletics programs and the wider campus community.”

Bassett continued, “This will enhance our athletics competitiveness as well as the overall student experience. The demand for time on Higgins Stadium, our lone synthetic surface, cannot adequately be met. By doubling our inventory, I expect to quadruple our capacity.”

The project is expected to bring positive environmental and economic benefits as well. Synthetic turf fields conserve water since irrigation is not needed, and the stormwater runoff is cleaner since it will not include the fertilizers and pesticides required for natural-grass fields. The planned Musco LED sports lighting system cuts energy consumption by as much as 80% compared to a traditional sports light system and virtually eliminates glare, sky glow and light spill.

“We will both save on maintenance costs and create revenue-generating opportunities, with a stadium that can host a variety of large-scale outdoor events when not being used by the college community,” said Tim Downs, vice president for finance and administration.

The installation of the turf field is being managed by Clark Companies, a specialized contractor with a sole focus on the design and construction of outdoor athletic facilities, including the fields at MetLife Stadium, Cornell University and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

A fundraising campaign is being planned to support the move of the 400-meter track and the other track and field facilities currently located at Butterfield Stadium to Yavits Field. Future upgrades for the stadium under consideration include renovations to the seating areas and the Dick Lyon Press Box.

The project is planned to begin in the spring of 2023, with completion prior to the start of the fall semester and first home football game in the fall.