14850 Today Public Communications, Inc. presents 14850 Today, an online news resource for Ithaca and Tompkins County. http://today.14850.com/ en Kolb says manufacturing key to Upstate N.Y. economy http://today.14850.com/0805newsbriefs.html#0502kolbeconomy Central New York Assemblyman Brian Kolb says manufacturing is key to the upstate economy, which has grown less than a half percent since 2003. Kolb has proposed the Manufacturing Preservation and Enhancement Act of 2008, with provisions for tax incentives for manufacturing firms. Metropolitan Opera comes to Ithaca http://today.14850.com/0805newsbriefs.html#0502opera Regal Cinemas at Ithaca Mall will be showing the Met's performance of La Boheme on Wednesday evening, May 15th. It's an encore showing of the opera as shown live last month at nearby theatres at Carousel Mall in Syracuse and Crossgates in Albany. East State Street closing in City of Ithaca for a few weeks http://today.14850.com/0804newsbriefs.html#0426route79 The City of Ithaca says a stretch of New York State Route 79 on the east side of the city will be closed for a few weeks beginning on Monday. East State Street will be closed between the Giles Street traffic light and the Mitchell Street (Route 366) intersection. Town meets gown for Ithaca's Take Back the Night http://today.14850.com/0425takeback.html Three marches will combine campus and community groups for a rally in downtown Ithaca tonight for the annual Take Back the Night collaboration. Take Back the Night is an international rally that takes place in local communities to expand awareness of violence against women, children, and families. Revisiting a revitalized Joe's Restaurant in Ithaca's west end http://dining.14850.com/reviews/r_joes.html This week we're returning to an old favourite in Ithaca's West End, the famous Joe's Restaurant. Reopened a little over two years ago to great fanfare and high expectations, Joe's was good, but labored for a while with the common impression that they hadn't quite gotten it. More recently, the return of a former chef has helped to set things right. Springtime marks welcome return of Ithaca Farmers Market http://dining.14850.com/features/f_farmersmarket08.html Ah, Spring, when a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of ripe and juicy local produce, and with his friends at the 14850 Dining Report, he visits Steamboat Landing and the legendary Ithaca Farmer's Market. Spring is definitely here, and as the world awakens around us, what better way to celebrate than by checking out the fresh vegetables and herbs just waiting to come home with you and become part of your next gourmet meal.