Last night, the city board ruled in favor of letting the Genesee Brewing Company demolish the former brewhouse building at 13 Cataract St. The company has plans to build a visitor center and alehouse at the High Falls site, which is great news for the city. What isn't so great is that the plans include demolishing the 100+ year old building that many in the city want to preserve. The brewery needs a variance from the city's Zoning Board of Appeals to demolish the building because zoning code prohibits demolishing buildings designated of historic value. It is that very historic value that has sparked so much controversy within this city. [...]

The Street.com, has listed our beautiful city as one of its 10 Cities Poised for Greatness in 2012. Those of us who have chosen to live here already think it's pretty great, of course. But it's nice to see some good press for the city we all know and love. According to TheStreet piece, Rochester's low unemployment rate, "cozy" feel, amenities and real estate prices helped us make the list. Check out the comments section of the article and you'll see lots of people chiming in about Rochester. [...]

After years of living in big cities where community gardens were a coveted asset, I have a fine appreciation for community spaces where you can grow stuff. That includes both organizations that strive for better food and access for all city residents and the basic "rent some space and grow some stuff here" model. I'm giddy with excitement about the soon to open Wide Water Community Gardens behind the newly remodeled Culver Road Armory. And the work that the Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association put behind this project is what neighborhood associations are all about! [...]

Adam and I love good things that are grown locally. Businesses, communities, neighborhoods, happiness, families, parties, good causes, food. It is that latter one that brings me to blog on this winter day. GOOD Food in particular. If you want to incorporate more locally grown food into your and your family's diets, the Rochester area offers lots of options to help you effortlessly do that. I want to give a shout-out to one of those great organizations -- The Good Food Collective. [...]

Back in September, I blogged about some of the exciting new educational opportunities on the horizon for city school students in 2012. One of those schools was the Young Women's College Prep Charter School, an all girls' college preparatory school for students grades 7-12 that is affiliated with the Young Women's Leadership Network. I am happy to report that the school's official web site is up and running! Check it out to learn more and spread the word! [...]