In a continuing effort to reduce Cornell’s carbon footprint and to increase ridership, TCAT busses has extended the $0.50 off-peak fare through Oct. 31.

The pilot program, reducing the off-peak price from $1.50 to $0.50, was approved by the TCAT Board of Directors and enacted at the beginning of July. According to Rich McDaniel, chair of TCAT Board of Directors, the pilot has already increased ridership during the off-peak hours by an average of 37 percent.

“TCAT is on track to carry well over 3 million riders in 2008,” said James Bratton, TCAT communications & marketing manager. Cheap ride: TCAT decided to keep its $0.50 rates during off-peak hours until the end of October.

25,500 deaths in New York State every year are attributed smoking, according to the City of Ithaca’s Resolution: Support for Tobacco-Free Zones and Other Voluntary Steps to Reduce Smoking.

Citing this statistic as one reason to support tobacco-free zones, the Ithaca Common Council’s En­vironment and Neighborhood Quality Committee considered legislation in July 2007 for smoke-free outdoor public spaces.

Currently, a subcommittee of the Community and Organ­izational Issues Committee is considering setting smoking restrictions on several public spaces, including playgrounds, city-owned parks, the area within 25 feet of public building entrances and — most recently — the “inner T” of the Commons.

After heated debate last night at City Hall, the Ithaca Common Council passed a motion to impose a 12-month moratorium in Collegetown — putting a halt on development proposals and proceedings in the community.

By a vote of 7-3, the Council resolved to suspend approval of new development proposals in Collegetown. This suspension aims to provide urban planners ample time to create a coherent design plan for the community without disruption from new projects.

Local residents and students gathered yesterday at the Ithaca City School District’s offices to rally against what they see as tolerance of racism by the district.

The most publicized accusation of racism came from Ithaca resident Amelia Kearney, whose daughter reported she was physically and emotionally abused by her classmates two years ago at the district’s DeWitt Middle School.

“Never again!” said Jesse Simons grad, after participating in the 25th Annual Apple Harvest Festival’s apple pie eating contest. Simons ate eight slices of pie in two minutes, making him the winner of his round. However, he won’t be giving up apple pie all that soon.

“I think I’m eating more tomorrow actually, someone’s making me pie in celebration,” Simons said.

The Apple Harvest Festival began in 1983 and was first managed by Jean Demming, then Com­mons Coordinator. The festival, which ran from Friday to yesterday, took over the downtown Commons area with an array of food, music, dancing and, of course, apples.

“We have every kind of apple thing you could ever think of,” said Katie Clapp, events coordinator for the Ithaca Downtown Partnership.

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From authentic Cambodian cuisine to massage therapy, adventures abound at the Ithaca Farmers’ Market. Every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday from early April through Dec. 23, over 150 vendors gather on the shores of the Cayuga Inlet to sell local produce, crafts and food. However, despite its popularity, a proportionally low number of Cornell students venture off the Hill to experience the market for themselves.

Ithaca is known for many things, including gorges, gardens, woodland trails and architecture. Freshman year can be a dizzying blur of parties, exams and new friendships, but it can be a smart idea to take a couple Saturdays to get to know the town in which you’ll be spending the next four years.

A day hike is the perfect way to truly experience Ithaca and Cornell. Grab a pair of comfortable, broken in sneakers and set aside five or six hours to explore your new home! Here’s a neat walk to get you started, taking you down into Ithaca and some of its prime public spaces, as well as through the famous gorges: Cascadilla and Fall Creek.