Features
The Singing Notes & Slinging Jokes Duo Discuss Performing Amid the Pandemic [AUDIO]
Kenneth McLaurin and SingTrece, the comedy and music duo known as Singing Notes and Slinging Jokes, talk about how the pandemic has affected their creative process and how their online live events have both challenges and silver linings.
Read MoreEducator Laurie Rubin Talks About Observing the Natural World [AUDIO]
Educator Laurie Rubin talks about how and why we should take time to go outside and observe the natural world. The former elementary school teacher developed a curriculum using nature study to inspire students to develop their writing and science skills. She is the author of the book To Look Closely: Science and Literacy in…
Read MoreIthaca Community Members Sew Face Masks To Meet Local Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic [AUDIO]
Local volunteers are sewing face masks in response to shortages of protective gear for health care providers, people in the service sector and community members from COVID-19. Here we speak with three people in the community who have been organizing these efforts: Carol O’Driscoll, Director of Surgical Services at Cayuga Medical Center, Ithaca Mask Makers…
Read MoreLocal Activists Establish Mutual Aid Tompkins [AUDIO]
Juliana Garcia and Josh Dolan, two of the organizers of the Tompkins COVID-19 Mutual Aid Response Facebook Group, discuss what they and other activists are doing to assist local residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. They describe components of the Facebook Group and encourage folks to join whether they need assistance or would like to provide…
Read MoreThe Animal Itself: Interview with Ithaca storyteller Jay Leeming [AUDIO]
WRFI’s Roger Smith interviews Ithaca storyteller and poet Jay Leeming, who talks about his career in the arts and why stories are like wild animals. Leeming also gives a sample of his performance style with an excerpt from the ancient Mesopotamian epic of Gilgamesh. Interview first aired on WRFI’s “Your Morning,” March 13, 2020. Jay…
Read MoreGIAC hosts 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Community Breakfast [AUDIO]
The Greater Ithaca Activities Center hosted its annual Martin Luther King Jr. community breakfast on Saturday, Jan. 18. Gathered in the Beverly J. Martin Elementary School gymnasium, community members enjoyed a meal, musical performances and guest speakers, primarily focusing on the themes of empowerment and racial justice. Photo and reporting by WRFI news contributor J.T.…
Read MoreDiane Morton, President of Cayuga Bird Club, talks about the 2020 Christmas Bird Count
Diane Morton, President of the Cayuga Bird Club, talks about the 2020 Christmas Bird Count. Starting in the wee hours of New Year’s Day, volunteer birders will venture out to count birds in a 15 mile diameter area around Tompkins County. This will be the 58th year that the local birding club will take part…
Read MoreKatie Quinn-Jacobs speaks about Mothers Out Front-Tompkins County
Katie Quinn-Jacobs, co-leader of the Tompkins County Chapter of Mothers Out Front, speaks about her organization. She discusses how she got involved with MOF and the current activities of her organization. (photo: courtesy of Katie Quinn-Jacobs).
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