ITHACA, N.Y. — Happy New Year, Ithaca Voice readers!
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Before we turn the page to 2016, we’ve decided to look back at some of the biggest stories of 2015 — including the positive ones that affirmed our love for this eclectic little town.
Here they are:
1 — Ithaca weather joke makes international headlines
Ithaca joke conquers the Internet: ‘Ithaca, NY’ is now trending on Facebook – The Tompkins visitors’ bureau website prompted visitors to go to Key West, Florida, because of “this ridiculously stupid winter.” Ithaca Voice
Why Ithaca is, by far, a better place to live than the Florida Keys – The editors of the Ithaca Voice and the Florida Keys Keynoter agreed to a *friendly* competition to determine the following question: “Which is the better place to live, Upstate New York or South Florida?” Ithaca Voice
Ithaca tourism bureau’s joke makes national news – “That’s it. We surrender. Go to Key West instead,” the message says. “Due to this ridiculously stupid weather, Ithaca invites you to visit The Keys this week.” Ithaca Voice
2 — Spontaneous Harry Potter event draws thousands to Ithaca almost overnight
Ithaca’s new Diagon Alley merchants: ‘It was non-stop all day’ – During the first ever Wizarding Weekend in Ithaca, Harry Potter fans cleaned out Life’s So Sweet Chocolates of 1,152 bottles of Butterscotch beer, 500 Harry Potter chocolate frogs and at least 500 chocolate owls. Ithaca Voice
The origin of Ithaca’s Wizarding Weekend – In retrospect it’s a pretty amazing story. Ithaca Voice
122 photos, 1 magical video of Ithaca’s Wizarding Weekend – Relive the spellbinding event that drew thousands of people to downtown Ithaca on Halloween with the 122 photos and one amazing video of the event below. Ithaca Voice
3 — The Commons finally reopen — with much excitement, fanfare and performance by legendary rapper
Editorial: Three cheers for brilliant, beautiful new Ithaca Commons – The new Ithaca Commons is awesome — verdant and vibrant, clean and casual, peaceful yet bustling. Ithaca Voice
Ithaca Commons businesses cautiously optimistic after Commons redesign – It’s been only a few months, but even now the construction that ailed the Ithaca Commons from 2013 to 2015 seems like some old shadow of a past life. Ithaca Voice
On Commons, Kweli delivers Black Lives Matter message despite interruption – Thousands of fans attended Talib Kweli’s performance on the Ithaca Commons on Thursday night — a record. Ithaca Voice
Welcome back, Ithaca Commons! 18 photos, 1 video, from festivities – After years of work, the Ithaca Commons reopened this summer. Ithaca Voice
4 — Beloved Ithaca institution, ShortStop Deli, staying in local hands
Ithaca native to continue Shortstop Deli legacy as new owner – An Ithaca native who has been going to the Shortstop Deli for more than 30 years is the iconic store’s new owner. Ithaca Voice
5 — After uproar, Ithaca’s police chief makes meaningful community connections
Editorial: Ithaca Police Chief John Barber opens doors – Chief Barber said he was confident that things were working, that the department’s efforts to increase transparency had translated into visible results. Ithaca Voice
Fierce police critic becomes outspoken supporter of Ithaca’s Chief Barber – “I think he’s doing a phenomenal job,” says Gino Bush, once an outspoken IPD critic, of Chief Barber. Ithaca Voice
The slow, unglamorous work behind mending Ithaca’s community-police relations – Consider the heavy lifting required to put on just one event. Ithaca Voice
6 — Cornell appoints a whip-smart new president with big plans for global university
Editorial: Cornell’s first female president brings charisma, fresh energy, brains – Sitting in the corner of Elizabeth Garrett’s office is a metal shovel. Ithaca Voice
7 of the best quotes from Cornell president’s Inauguration speech – “Ithaca, Cornell, is also a state of mind, both a beginning and a destination for a journey characterized by a rare excitement that stirs the spirit, body and intellect.” Ithaca Voice
Cornell’s next president draws inspiration from Justice Thurgood Marshall – Elizabeth Garrett has spoken extensively about the influence of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall on her life. Ithaca Voice
7 — Celebrating, understanding, helping Tompkins’ military service members — past and present
How Tompkins clinic gets veterans health care right – There are places where the system put in place to meet the medical needs of our veterans is working. The Freeville Clinic hopes to be one of them. Ithaca Voice
‘It’s the start of a new day:’ Tompkins veterans find healing in farming – Anusuya Rangarajan, director of the Cornell Small Farms Program:” …Farming can be a balm to someone who has gone through some pretty traumatic events.” Ithaca Voice
Ithaca PD officer to be deployed in Army reserves for nearly a year – An Ithaca Police officer is temporarily leaving the force to serve in the Army Reserves for the next 11 months. Ithaca Voice
8 — Fire destroys Chapter House, but Ithaca’s historic bar will make a comeback
New Chapter House bar to open in August 2016 – The Chapter House is coming back. But don’t expect it to look as it previously did. Ithaca Voice
Chapter House’s former next-door neighbor to also rise from ashes – The new Chapter House will have a new neighbor to go along with it.
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Why I will always love The Chapter House – The Chapter House wasn’t just the place I got a good drink. Ithaca Voice
9 — Ithaca judge cites Peter Pan, other literary greats in throwing out charge over pink fairy graffiti
Citing Peter Pan and Mary Poppins, Ithaca judge throws out charges over pink fairy graffiti – The fairy in question was painted by Ithaca artist Caleb Thomas and his friend. Ithaca Voice
7 great literary references in Ithaca judge’s fairy ruling – “When the first baby laughed for the first time, its laugh broke into a thousand pieces, and they all went skipping about, and that was the beginning of fairies.” Ithaca Voice
10 — New restaurants galore in downtown Ithaca, Collegetown, Tompkins!
New Ethiopian restaurant now open in downtown Ithaca – The menu, consisting of traditional Ethiopian foods, is lamb- and beef-intensive. Ithaca Voice
Bici-Cocina co-owners: Forget the food truck, get a food bike – What if you found out that for a mere $2,115.97 you could open your own eatery, serving up fresh food you love making? Ithaca Voice
New Mexican restaurant opens in former Manos Diner location – A new Mexican restaurant has opened in Ithaca at the former location of Manos Diner off of Route 13. Ithaca Voice
New Collegetown restaurant offers food truck favorites indoors – A new Collegetown restaurant says it will specialize in tapas-style street food influenced by cuisines from around the world. Ithaca Voice
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