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Nature: It's All About Birds
Date: Daily Location: Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd., Ithaca Fee: Free Ph: (800) 843-2473 or (607) 254-2473 Website: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ Each year, nearly 100,000 people visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to learn about birds, their place in the natural world and the remarkable things they can teach us about the changing global environment.

Skiing & Snowboarding, Great Deals at Greek Peak
Date: Daily Location: Greek Peak Fee: 20% off a daily lift ticket with VIT Pass Ph: (800) 955-2754 Website: www.GreekPeak.net Email: info@greekpeak.net Teachers, bring your VIT Pass for discounted skiing and riding at Central New York's largest mountain resort.

Explore Ithaca College
Date: Daily, except Sunday Location: Ithaca College Campus Fee: Free Ph: (800) 429-4274, (607) 274-3124 Website: http://www.ithaca.edu/admission/visit.php New York’s largest comprehensive, residential college is also one of the nation’s finest. Tour the beautiful South Hill campus.

Kids: Discover the Trail, Walk the Planets
Date: Daily, Feb 12-21 Location: Sagan Planet Walk, Ithaca Commons Fee: Free Website: http://www.sciencenter.org/saganpw/ The Ithaca Discovery Trail invites you to tour the solar system on Ithaca’s one-of-a-kind Sciencenter Sagan Planet Walk.

Art: Explore the Johnson Museum
Date: Daily except Mon, 10am - 5pm Location: Cornell Johnson Museum Fee: Free Ph: (607) 255-6464 Website: www.museum.cornell.edu Recognized as one of the nation’s premier university museums, the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art has one of the finest collections in Upstate New York.

Science: Winter Break Fun at the Sciencenter
Date: Daily, Feb 12-21, 10am-5pm Location: Sciencenter, 601 First Street, Ithaca Fee: Free admission to teachers and their families Ph: (607) 272-0600 Website: www.sciencenter.org Explore 250+ hands-on, interactive exhibits, the Curiosity Corner (for children ages four and under), Discovery Space, Emerson Science Park, Saltonstall Animal Room, and the Sagan Planet Walk.

Hops & Pops: Ithaca Beer & Soda Company Brewery Tours
Date: Daily, 11am - 6pm Location: Ithaca Beer & Soda Co., 606 Elmira Rd. (Rt. 13) Fee: Free tours Sat, Sun; Free tastings w/ VIT Pass Ph: (607) 273-0766 Website: www.ithacabeer.com Learn how this growing company creates and bottles its award-winning beers and sodas, and you’ll get to taste some too.

Taste & Tour: The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
Date: Daily Location: 16 wineries on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail Fee: Multiple discounts including free tastings Ph: (800) 684-5217, (607) 869-4281 Website: www.CayugaWineTrail.com Email: info@CayugaWineTrail.com Taste and tour some of the finest and most beautiful wineries in the Finger Lakes region.

Outdoor Rec: Family Sledding at Rice Hill
Date: Daily, Noon - 4pm Location: Taughannock Falls State Park, Rice Rd. Fee: Free Ph: (607) 387-6739 Website: www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=93 Sledding at Rice Hill is an Ithaca family tradition stretching back generations.

Movies: Cornell Cinema Winter Recess Film Festival
Date: Daily, times vary Location: Screenings at Cornell’s Willard Straight Theater or Uris Hall Fee: $4 (or less) w/ VIT or Pet Pass (Reg. $6.50) Ph: (607) 255-3522 Website: http://cinema.cornell.edu Cornell Cinema is Ithaca’s year-round film festival and one of the best campus film programs in the country. There are 16 great films on the schedule during Winter Recess with 38 total screenings in the beautiful Willard Straight Theatre, Uris Hall or Schwartz Center Film Forum.

Indoor Rec: Skate & Ride at East Shore Skate Park
Date: Daily, except Mon. & Tues. Opens 3pm weekdays, noon weekends. Location: East Shore Skate Park, 2073 E. Shore Dr., Lansing Fee: $5 off day pass VIT or Pet Pass (Reg. $10/$15) Ph: (607) 533-0055 Website: www.eastshoreskatepark.com Got skaters or BMX riders in the family? Then check out East Shore Skate Park, a 10,000 square-foot state-of-the-art indoor skateboard & bike facility – it’s heated!

Explore Cornell University
Date: Daily Location: Cornell Campus Ph: (607) 254-INFO Website: www.Cornell.edu/Visiting/Ithaca As one of the world’s premier educational institutions, Cornell is a global destination for great minds. Campus tours depart from Day Hall at 1pm daily.

Mystery: Lunch with Agatha
Date: Fri, Feb 12 & Fri, Feb19, 1pm Location: Simply Red Bistro at La Tourelle Resort Fee: $15 per person, plus lunch entree Ph: (607) 273-2734 Website: www.latourelle.com Email: info@latourelle.com Join Agatha Christie for lunch, as the characters and events from her mysteries make luncheon at La Tourelle a repast to remember.

Music: Goatboy at Felicia’s
Date: Fri, Feb 12, 5:30-8:30pm Location: Felicia’s Atomic Lounge, 508 W. State St., Ithaca Fee: Free Ph: (607) 273-2219 Website: www.atomicloungeithaca.com Goatboy...all fiddle music, all the time...

Theater: Objects in the Mirror
Date: Fri, Feb 12; Sun, Feb14 Location: Kitchen Theatre, 116 North Cayuga Street Fee: Buy one ticket get one free with VIT pass Ph: (607) 273-4497 Website: www.kitchentheatre.org Email: information@kitchentheatre.org Written and performed by accomplished actress Lee Chamberlin, Objects in the Mirror is Chamberlin's semi autobiographical play about family ties and family secrets.

Fun for your Four-Legged Friends: Ithaca Dog Park
Date: Daily, Dawn to Dusk Location: Ithaca Dog Park, Allen Treman Marina State Park, Route 89, Ithaca Fee: Free Website: www.tcdog.com Dogs and their people love Ithaca's Off-Leash Dog Park, a 4.8 acre fenced park next to the marina at the Allan H.Treman State Marine Park on Route 89, just north of Cass Park.

Science: Stargazing at the Cornell Fuertes Observatory
Date: Fri, Feb 12 and Fri, Feb 19, 9pm - Midnight Location: Cornell Fuertes Observatory Fee: Free Ph: (607) 255-3557 Website: www.astro.cornell.edu/CAS Scan the heavens every Friday with the Cornell Astronomical Society during its weekly public viewing nights at the Fuertes Observatory on north campus.

Science: Museum of the Earth presents Darwin Days Family Day
Date: Sat., Feb. 13, 11:00 am – 3:00pm Location: Museum of the Earth, 1259 Trumansburg Rd. (Rt 96), Ithaca Fee: Admission Discounts TBA Ph: (607) 273-6623, ext. 33 Website: www.museumoftheearth.org Join the Museum of the Earth for its annual celebration of Charles Darwin’s birthday. Fun activities and programs for the whole family.

Sweets: Chocolate Fondue For Two
Date: Fri, Sat, Sun, Feb 12-14 Location: Life's So Sweet Chocolates, 27 West Main St. Trumansburg Fee: $15 with VIT pass (reg. $20) Ph: (607) 387-4477 Website: www.LifesSoSweet.com Email: darlynne@lifessosweet.com Romantic and delicious...Life's so Sweet Chocolates presents its third annual "Chocolate Fondue for Two."

Arts & Crafts: It’s a “Clay Date” at the Kitschen Sink
Date: Sat, Feb 13, 10:30-11:30am Location: The Kitschen Sink, 210 Elmira Rd (across from Lucatelli's or Pudgies restaurants) Fee: $10 plus materials with VIT pass (reg. $15) Ph: (607) 277-4914 Website: www.kitschensinkithaca.com Bring your friends for a Clay Date at the Kitschen Sink gallery & shop where you’ll find a hands-on program for all abilities decorating clay magnets.

Outdoor Rec: Taughannock Falls, Miracle of Ice
Date: Sat, Feb 13 & 20, 11am Location: Taughannock Falls State Park Fee: Free Ph: (607) 273-5092 Website: www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=93 Bring your XC skis, your snowshoes or your coziest winter boots for this hour-long, guided exploration of the Northeast’s tallest waterfall.

Science: Museum of the Earth, Ancient Amber & More
Date: Feb 13-20, 11am-5pm, Sat. from 10am Location: Museum of the Earth, 1259 Trumansburg Rd. (Rt 96), Ithaca Fee: TBA Ph: (607) 273-6623 Website: http://www.museumoftheearth.org Discover a week of special hands-on events for explorers of all ages at the beautiful Museum of the Earth.

Taste & Tour: Mardi Gras on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
Date: Sat-Sun, Feb 13-14, all day Location: 16 wineries on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail Fee: $5-off with VIT Pass (reg. $25-$30) Ph: (800) 684-5217, (607) 869-4281 Website: www.CayugaWineTrail.com It’s Mardi Gras on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail where the bon temps roulez amid wine, food and fun.

Music: David Yearsley and Martin Davids
Date: Sat, Feb 13, 8pm Location: Cornell University, Sage Chapel Fee: Free Ph: (607) 255-3430 Website: http://music.cornell.edu Features an evening of musical improvisations devoted to the six passions: joy, wonder, hatred, desire, sadness, and love.

Comedy: LOL it’s Greg Behrendt
Date: Sat, Feb 13, 8pm Location: Ithaca's Historic State Theatre Fee: 20% off tickets w/ VIT Pass Ph: (607) 277-8283 Website: www.StateofIthaca.com Email: info@stateofithaca.com Get ready to laugh as Tonight Show regular Greg Behrendt brings his comedy to Ithaca.

Music: Theodora Hanslowe, Mezzo-Soprano
Date: Sat, Feb 13, 8:15pm Location: Ford Hall, Ithaca College Fee: Adult $19* with VIT pass (reg. $22) Ph: (607) 273-4497 Website: http://www.ithaca.edu/music/icc/ www.ithacaevents.com A native of Ithaca and a graduate of Cornell University, acclaimed Mezzo-soprano Theodora Hanslowe takes a break from the Metropolitan Opera to perform in recital at Ithaca College.

Music: Valentines Concert with the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra
Date: Sun, Feb 14, 4pm Location: Unitarian Church, 306 N. Aurora St., Ithaca Fee: Just $6 with VIT pass (Reg. $30-$28) Ph: (607) 273-4497 (tickets) Website: www.cayugachamberorchestra.org Enjoy the acclaimed Cayuga Chamber Orchestra under musical director Lanfranco Marcelletti in its 2009-2010 chamber series. Special Treats and Chocolate Surprises!

Music: The Grady Girls at Felicia’s
Date: Sun, Feb 14, 7pm Location: Felicia’s Atomic Lounge, 508 W. State St., Ithaca Fee: Free Ph: (607) 273-2219 Website: www.atomicloungeithaca.com Marie DeMott Grady and Oona Grady de Flaun have been making music together for as long as they can remember. Playing the wooden flute and fiddle, they gracefully combine Irish slides and polkas with more widely known dance tunes.

In Concert: Further, featuring Phil Lesh & Bob Weir
Date: Sun Feb. 14, 7:30pm Location: Cornell Barton Hall Fee: $25 advance, $28 day of show Ph: (607) 255-7231 Website: www.CornellConcerts.com Email: concert@cornell.edu Phil Lesh and Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead return to Barton Hall to recreate one of the greatest Dead shows ever.

Theater: Strega Nona Live
Date: Sun, Feb 14, 3pm Location: Ithaca's Historic State Theatre, 107 W. State St. Fee: 20% off tickets w/ VIT Pass Ph: (607) 277-8283 Website: www.StateofIthaca.com Email: info@stateofithaca.com Children’s classic Strega Nona live on stage. Based on the children's book by Tomie dePaola.

Music: John Nam Trio
Date: Sun, Feb 14, 8pm Location: Cornell University, Barnes Hall Fee: Free Ph: (607) 255-4760 Website: http://music.cornell.edu Guest ensemble, John Nam Trio, celebrates Valentine's day with a jazz concert.

Music: Bound For Glory, Mustard's Retreat
Date: Sun, Feb 14, 8pm Location: Cornell University, Anabel Taylor Hall Fee: Free Ph: (607) 273-4000 Website: http://wvbr.com/ Back by popular demand, this outstanding duo from Michigan plays contemporary folk music, including quite a few of their homemade songs.

Ice Cream Making 101
Date: Mon, Feb 15, 1pm & 3pm (Repeats 2/17) Location: Cayuga Lake Creamery, 8421 Rte 89, Interlaken, NY Fee: $9 adult, $6 child with VIT pass Ph: (607) 532-9492 Website: www.cayugalakecreamery.com Email: info@cayugalakecreamery.com Visit the Creamery's production room to see how our hand-crafted ice cream is made! Fresh batches of samples will be available.

Teachers Party: Satori Day Spa Salon Happy Hour Spa Party
Date: Mon, Feb 15, 4-7pm Location: Satori, a salon, spa, shopping experience, 840 Hanshaw Rd., Ithaca Fee: Free with VIT Pass Ph: (607) 266-0130 Website: www.SatoriDaySpaSalon.com Email: satorieventcoordinator@yahoo.com Kick-off Teacher’s Week with a fun, interactive event hosted by the spa party specialists at Satori, a salon/spa/shopping experience.

Underground Science: X-Ray Secrets of Wilson Lab
Date: Tues, Feb 16, 9:30am -10:30am and 11:00am -12:00pm (RSVP req.) Location: Cornell Wilson Laboratory, Room 305 Fee: Free (Max. 20 people per time slot) Ph: (607) 255-8779 Website: http://www.lepp.cornell.edu/Education/ Email: kls56@cornell.edu For classroom physicists and budding scientists, here's an event at the cutting edge of human knowledge and state-of-the-art technology.

Art: Historic Paintings, Unwrapped
Date: Tue, Thur, Sat, Feb. 16-20, 11am-5pm Location: The History Center, 401 E. State St., Suite 100 Fee: Free Ph: (607) 273-8284 Website: www.TheHistoryCenter.net The History Center reveals its "lost" collection of 200 paintings in its ongoing “Historic Paintings Unwrapped” project. Will a masterpiece be uncovered in the process?

Science: Have Spacecraft, Will Travel—Flying the Solar System with Rick Kline
Date: Tues, Feb 16, 1:30pm Location: Spacecraft Planetary Imaging Facility, Cornell Space Sciences Building Fee: Free with advance reservation, max 20 participants Ph: (607) 255-3833 Website: http://www.astro.cornell.edu/facilities/SPIF.php Tour guide Rick Kline, data manager for the Cornell Spacecraft Planetary Imaging Facility, takes you on spectacular journey through the solar system.

Cooking Class: Time for Thai with chef Samantha Izzo
Date: Tues, Feb 16, 4-6pm Location: Simply Red Bistro at La Tourelle Resort 1150 Danby Rd. (Rt. 96B), Ithaca Fee: $30 per person w/VIT Pass (reg. $45) Ph: (607) 273-2734 Website: http://www.latourelle.com/ Email: info@latourelle.com Thai food is delicious, but authentic Thai flavor profiles are difficult to recreate at home. Learn the secrets at this special class.

Ice Cream Making 101
Date: Weds, Feb 17, 1pm & 3pm Location: Cayuga Lake Creamery, 8421 Rte 89, Interlaken, NY Fee: $9 adult, $6 child with VIT pass Ph: (607) 532-9492 Website: nfo@cayugalakecreamery.com Email: www.cayugalakecreamery.com Visit the Creamery's production room to see how our hand-crafted ice cream is made!

Music: An Evening with John Prine
Date: Weds, Feb 17, 8pm Location: Ithaca's Historic State Theatre, 107 W. State St. Fee: Hurry, Almost Sold Out Ph: (607) 277-8283 Website: www.StateofIthaca.com Email: info@stateofithaca.com John Prine. Enough said.

Food and Wine: The Story of Chocolate: a happy hour of wine and chocolate
Date: Thurs, Feb 18, 3:30 and 4:30pm Location: The History Center, 401 E. State/MLK St. Fee: $6 with VIT pass, $12 without pass Ph: 607-273-8284x6 Website: www.thehistorycenter.net Email: community@thehistorycenter.net The History Center and Life's So Sweet Chocolates welcome teachers to savor and discover the unique tastes of a variety of chocolates from around the world paired with wines by local wineries. Admission includes chocolate, wine, and a historical pub quiz where you can win fabulous prizes. Space is limited, advanced registration strongly recommended. Limit 30 people per tasting.

On Writing: Philipp Meyer
Date: Thurs, Feb 18, 4:30pm Location: Cornell Goldwin Smith Hall Fee: Free Ph: (607) 255-6800 Website: www.arts.cornell.edu/english Email: creativewriting@cornell.edu Writers and readers are in for a special treat as Cornell kicks off its annual Spring Reading Series with Philipp Meyer, author of the acclaimed debut novel, “American Rust.”

Moosewood Restaurant Happy Hour
Date: Fri, Feb 19, 3pm-5pm Location: Moosewood Restaurant 215 N. Cayuga St Fee: Two-fer drinks, 10% off everything with VIT pass Ph: (607) 273-9610 Website: www.moosewoodrestaurant.com Email: moose@moosewoodrestaurant.com Ithaca's famous Moosewood Restaurant celebrates teachers with a Fabulous Friday happy hour party. Discounts, prizes & more.

Music: Toivo at Felicia's
Date: Fri, Feb 19, 5:30-8:30pm Location: Felicia’s Atomic Lounge, 508 W. State St., Ithaca Fee: Free Ph: (607) 273-2219 Website: www.atomicloungeithaca.com Toivo from T-burg plays original accordian numbers, Finnish tunes, Tex-Mex tunes, and dance numbers from all over the place.

Music: Isabel Bayrakdarian, Soprano
Date: Fri, Feb 19, 8pm Location: Bailey Hall, Cornell University Fee: $16 with VIT pass (Reg $22-$32) Ph: (800) 284-8422 or (607) 273-4497 Website: www.cornellconcertseries.com Email: info@cornellconcertseries.com Isabel Bayrakdarian is admired for her stunning stage presence as well as exceptional musicality, but she has followed a unique career path completely her own.

Cooking Class: Winter Pasta
Date: Sat, Feb 20, 11am-1pm Location: Simply Red Bistro at La Tourelle Resort 1150 Danby Rd. (Rt. 96B), Ithaca Fee: $30 with VIT Pass (Reg. $45) Ph: (607) 273-2734 Website: www.LaTourelle.com. Nothing warms a winter night better than a delicious meal of pasta. But how do you turn plain pasta into something extraordinary? Learn the secrets at this special class.

Outdoor Rec: Taughannock Falls, Miracle of Ice
Date: Sat, Feb 20, 11am Location: Taughannock Falls State Park Fee: Free Ph: (607) 273-5092 Website: www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=93 Bring your XC skis, your snowshoes or your coziest winter boots for this hour-long exploration of the Northeast’s tallest waterfall.

Get Spicy at the Downtown Chili Cook-Off
Date: Sat, Feb 20, 11:30am- 4pm Location: Ithaca Downtown Commons Fee: Deals for Teachers Ph: (607) 277-8679 Website: www.DowntownIthaca.com An explosion of taste, fun and entertainment.

Kids: Writing Magic
Date: Sat, Feb 20, 1pm Location: Tompkins County Public Library, Borg Warner Room, 101 E. Green St., Ithaca Fee: Free Ph: (607) 272-4557, ext. 275 Website: www.davidmoreland.com Join Moreland the Magician in "Writing Magic," a fun, interactive 40-minute program that helps kids discover the magic in rewriting and revising a simple story.

Walking History: Downtown “Ghost” Tours
Date: Sat, Feb 20, tours dept. every 15 mins, 3-4pm Location: Meet at Ithaca Visitor Center/Tix Center, located in Center Ithaca, on the downtown Commons Fee: $7 w/ VIT Pass (reg $13) Ph: (607) 273-8284 Website: www.TheHistoryCenter.net Email: community@TheHistoryCenter.net The History Center in Tompkins County and its “Living History Troupe” offer a unique walking tour of downtown Ithaca, exploring the history, legend and lore of “gorges” Ithaca.

Dance: Get Physical with Galumpha
Date: Sat, Feb 20, 3pm Location: Ithaca's Historic State Theater Fee: 20% off Tickets w/ VIT Pass Ph: (607) 277-8283 Website: www.StateofIthaca.com Email: info@StateofIthaca.com Combining stunning acrobatics, striking visual effects, physical comedy and inventive choreography, Galumpha brings to life a world of imagination, beauty, muscle and merriment.

Music: Schumann Program
Date: Sun, Feb 21, 3pm Location: Cornell University, Barnes Hall Fee: Free Ph: (607) 255-3430 Website: http://music.cornell.edu Chi-Chen Wu, piano, with guest violinist Nicholas DiEugenio from Ithaca College perform an all Schumann program.

Music: BlueBird Jamboree at Felicia’s Atomic Lounge
Date: Sun, Feb 21, 7pm Location: Felicia's Atomic Lounge, 508 W. State St., Ithaca Fee: Free Ph: (607) 273-2219 Website: www.AtomicLoungeIthaca.com What is the BlueBird Jamboree? It's an acoustic guitar, a tenor guitar and the vocal collaboration between Joe Crookston & Peter Glanville.

Music: Bound for Glory, Mark Erelli
Date: Sun, Feb 21, 8pm Location: Cornell University, Anabel Taylor Hall Fee: Free Ph: (607) 273-4000 Website: http://wvbr.com/ MARK ERELLI. It's been too many years. It'll be the second live Bound for Glory show for Mark Erelli, a contemporary acoustic singer songwriter with a knack for telling stories in his songs.

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