Independence Day celebrations, boilermaker drinks allowed, state gas prices fell, BTIATW

Good morning ☀️

It’s Monday, so as is usual at this point, I’ll be giving you a taste of the best thing I ate last week later on in this newsletter.

In the meantime, click here to sign up for more daily updates, and don’t forget to forward this along to anyone who might enjoy reading it.

I want to connect with you! Contact me at jmack@gannett.com with a summer memory or moment you’d like to share (photos appreciated), and you could be featured in a future newsletter.

Watch Fourth of July fireworks in the Southern Tier

Ithaca’s got some Fourth of July events lined up which I’ll talk about tomorrow, but opportunities are abound in the Southern Tier if you’re looking to switch things up this year.

Corning’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display show over the Chemung River near Pedestrian Bridge and Riverfront Park will begin at 9:45 p.m. July 4, according to Mike Bono, treasurer of the Corning Lions Club, which sponsors the event.

Watkins Glen is hosting its Fourth of July Fireworks show at Clute Park from 6-9 p.m. with fireworks expected to go off at dark, likely between 9-10:30 p.m. The event will also include Seneca Jam Under the White Tent and food at the concession stand.

Learn more about upcoming events this week in this article by Jeff Smith.

Here’s some news you may have missed over the weekend

• New York State Legislature nearly steps on 15k race tradition: For a while, it looked like Utica’s yearly 15k Boilermaker Street Race After Party at F.X. Matt Brewing Company might not be allowed to serve lager, stout, porter or even ale. It all started last year when the legislature set out to loosen restrictions on alcohol by letting convenience stores sell beer for longer on Sundays.
• Affordable housing providers, tenants now have more protections against insurance discrimination: In an announcement earlier this week, Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Department of Financial Services barred insurers from inquiring about or making coverage choices based on a property's status as an affordable housing development or on the level or source of a tenant's income.
• State gas prices fell for the second week on end and the average fuel price in state has fallen about 12 cents since last month: Get the latest on gas prices near you with this article and the included data.

Steak sandwiches with olive tapenade were without a doubt the best thing I ate this week

Sandwiches often symbolize simple, affordable and portable comfort food, especially when freshly made and wrapped at a local deli, but homemade sandwiches can be taken to the next level.

That’s why I set out this week to make a gourmet sandwich to satisfy my cravings, stretch my “chef muscles” and keep me from spending on Subway or Dibella’s daily.

I took a stab at this recipe from Hungry Happens, but I’ve been craving some salty Italian condiments, so I elected to switch out the recommended herb mayo (which also sounds fantastic) with one of my favorite flavor-bombs, olive tapenade.

If you’ve never had it before, it’s a briny paste of olives, capers, anchovy, oil, lemon and spices, which goes perfect with something as rich as a fatty steak. Go out on a limb and try it on your next sandwich concoction, or just on a slice of bread for a healthy snack.

That’s all I’ve got for you today.

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