Author Archive

In March 2010, Buffalo Street Books, a staple of the Ithaca downtown landscape, was forced to close. Until, of course, its owner approached fundraising with a unique angle, turning the store into a co-op and reopening within two months.

During my semester in London, I never expected to see my hometown on the British news. But, on April 3, 2009, journalists around the world found themselves covering the small city of Binghamton, N.Y. At 10:30 that morning, Jiverly Wong entered the American Civic Association and killed 13 people before taking his own life. Two [...]

Examining the U.S. military’s extensive network of bases By Jacquie Simone Every day, children pass the bases on their way to school. The native language is often heard alongside English as U.S. military personnel walk through the streets. The noises of the local area are interrupted by the thunder of jets taking off and landing. [...]

By Jacquie Simone If you’re a typical IC student, you probably spent the first three years of your illustrious college career ambling around the Circles or trekking down South Hill for a house party. Once you’re 21, the allure of sticky floors might begin to wane. Sure, we all enjoy the occasional sweaty, nasty evening [...]

The debate over gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale heats up By Jacquie Simone As drilling companies are waiting to push water and chemicals into the ground through hydrofracking, activists are pushing back. Recently, community members have been speaking out against natural gas drilling in Tompkins County, fearing it will negatively affect the environment and [...]

Local Roller Derby Expands with Increased Popularity By Jacquie Simone During the day, 37-year-old Sue Dozoretz listens to ambient music as she gently massages customers at the Finger Lakes School of Massage. But at night, she transforms into “CamArrow” and spends her time slamming into opponents as she skates around the rink, egged on by [...]

By Jacquie Simone As the leaves fall and temperatures plunge, beckoning yet another blustery upstate New York winter, I often find myself wishing for a trip south of the border. Fortunately, Ithaca is home to Viva, a taqueria and cantina offering colorful, fresh Mexican food. Stepping into Viva, you’ll see the complete opposite of the [...]

By Jacquie Simone It’s 2:17 a.m. on a Saturday. While sitting around with your friends, reminiscing about your exploits and shenanigans of earlier in the night, your stomach starts to join in the conversation. It gurgles and squeaks, begging to be fed. If you don’t appease its demands soon, who knows what will happen. You [...]

Ithaca College criticized for labor issues By Jacquie Simone In the middle of the most labor union-dense state in the country, in a politically liberal city, Ithaca College might not be as pro-labor as one would think. Many faculty and community members believe the school’s administration actively discourages membership in unions. In fact, the college [...]

America’s versions of foreign cuisine By Jackie Simone This is not Chinese food,” Yidi Wu, an Ithaca College sophomore from China, said as she pushed aside her dumplings in disdain at a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, Washington, D.C. Wu is certainly not alone in her bewilderment with ethnic food in the U.S.: the Americanization of [...]