Cornell Basketball Fans Find Brainy Deals in Ithaca

Ithaca, NY -- To celebrate Cornell's impressive march to the sweet 16, businesses in Ithaca are offering up brainy discounts geared toward the Big Red's bookish fandom. The discounts--which start Thursday, March 25 when the Cornell Big Red take on powerhouse Kentucky--will allow erudite students, residents and visitors alike a chance to better enjoy Cornell's epic run in the men's basketball tournament via Ithaca's incredible culinary and lodging scene. We've compiled some standout deals below, valid throughout Cornell's tournament run, unless otherwise indicated.

Rubik's Tipoff at Felicia's Atomic Lounge
Cornell forward Eitan Chemerinski can solve a Rubik's Cube in 2 ½ minutes. Can you? Bring your Rubik's Cube during Cornell's run for the championship and get a dollar-off drink. Solve the cube in under three minutes and your drink is free! (Limit one per person during Cornell's run in the tournament). And try Felcia's new Big Red Cocktail, a brain-boosting original drink specially created for the tournament. Cointreau, Pomegranate, Cranberry & Champagne, with antioxidant power to make you "Ivy Smart." Recipe here.

Contact:
Felicia's Atomic Lounge
508 West State StreetIthaca, NY 14850
607.273.2219
www.atomicloungeithaca.com

Smart & Cool at Maxie's Supper Club
Bring your grades for a Big Red Deal. Your sweet 16 discount is based on your GPA:
4.0 = 40% off
3.0 = 30% off
2.0 = 20% off
Any lower? You should be studying.

Contact:
Maxie's Supper Club
635 West State Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
607.272.4136
www.maxies.com

Think Big, Dine Free at The Boatyard Grill
Nobel laureates dine free during sweet 16 week. Pulitzer Prize winners ½ price. (Just show your prize medallion to your server to claim discount. Offer valid through 3/28/10 or as long as Cornell stays in the tournament.)

Contact:
The Boatyard Grill
525 Taughannock Boulevard
Ithaca, NY 14850
607.256.2628
www.boatyardgrill.com

Mensa Gratis at Gimme! Coffee
Flash your Mensa card for a free Macchiato during sweet 16 weekend. (What's a Macchiato? Ask a Mensa.) Valid Thurs-Mon 3/25/10 to 3/29/10.

Contact:
Gimme! Coffee
www.gimmecoffee.com

Locations
228 Mott St, Manhattan, NY  212.226.4011
495 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 718.388.7771
430 N Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY 607.277.8393
506 W State St, Ithaca, NY 607.272.8564
131 E Green St, Ithaca, NY
7 E Main St, Trumansburg, NY 607.387.3960

Revenge of the Nerds at Max's Classic American Grill & Sports Bar
Nerds get their just desserts, and ½ price entrees at Max's. Wear your nerdiest browline glasses or Buddy Holly horn-rims for ½ price entrees, March 25-28. Go Big Red! Win one for the nerds!

Contact:
Max's Classic American Grill
222 South Cayuga Street at the Holiday Inn
Ithaca, NY 14850
607.272.1000
www.maxsclassicamericangrill.com

Sweet $16, Great $8 Room Rates at Ithaca Hotels

Two Ithaca hotels are celebrating Cornell's tournament success with amazing last-minute Go Red! lodging deals.

La Tourelle Resort & Spa and the Ithaca Downtown Holiday Inn are both offering $16 rooms to celebrate Cornell's appearance in the round of 16, Thurs., March 25; and $8 rooms if Cornell makes it to of the round-of- eight, Sun., March 28.

The room rate is available to Cornell alumni and families of current Cornell students. Availability is limited to the first 16 customers at each hotel, March 25, and eight customers March 28.

For fans who miss out on the tournament deal, the properties are also offering consolation Go Red! rates through March 28. Holiday Inn's special rate of $79 is a nod to the Ivy League's last sweet 16 tournament appearance in 1979. La Tourelle's special Go Red! rate is available on request.

For information and reservations, phone the properties directly and ask for the special Go Red! rate.

Holiday Inn Downtown Ithaca
222 South Cayuga Street, Ithaca, NY 14850
607.272.1000

La Tourelle Resort & Spa
1150 Danby Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
800.765.1492