Forests, finish lines, and one last round at Abilene

From the blog · Adam Stetzer

Rochester is doing the real work right now — planting a forest on a parking lot, halving its overdose death rate, moving six schools toward the exit from state receivership. This week's issue also marks an ending: after 18 years, Abilene is closing, and its story says something true about what small rooms do for cities. There's also a half marathon, a farm market at Shed D, and a Harley School class that spends a year sitting with people who are dying.

Rochester Is Planting a Forest on a Parking Lot — And It Could Change How the City Thinks About Green Space

Rochester is turning a vacant parking lot at 354 Driving Park Ave into a dense native forest — more than 600 trees and shrubs across 30 species, all native to the Finger Lakes region.

Rochester Half Marathon 2026: Your Complete Guide to the September 20 Race

The Rochester Half Marathon returns September 20 with the course re-routed over the Pont de Rennes Bridge for the first time in recent years.

Abilene Bar & Lounge Is Closing — What 18 Years in a Small Room Meant to Rochester

Abilene Bar & Lounge at 153 Liberty Pole Way closes in mid-November 2026 after 18 years — one of Rochester's most intimate live music rooms.

Monroe County Overdose Deaths Fell by Half in 2024 — What Rochester's Harm-Reduction Network Got Right

Monroe County overdose deaths fell from 433 in 2023 to 216 in 2024 — a 50% drop that outpaced the national decline of 26.9% over the same period.

Fresh Farmers Together Brings Nine Rochester-Area Farms to Shed D

Fresh Farmers Together launched in June 2026 as a grassroots nonprofit cooperative — nine farms sharing one booth at Rochester Public Market Shed D, with all net income returning to growers at year-end.

Six Rochester Schools Are on Track to Leave State Receivership by June 2027

Six of Rochester's seven schools under state receivership are eligible to exit that designation as early as June 2027 — including Monroe High School, Edison Tech, and four elementary and lower schools.

At Harley School, Seniors Spend a Year Sitting With the Dying

Roughly 60-70% of Harley seniors choose this year-long hospice elective — not because they have to, but because students tell other students.

Upcoming Events

Tue, Sep 22 · 9:00 PM

Shotspeare Is Back: Shakespeare, Beer, and a Wheel of Soliloquy at the Spiegeltent, September 22 Through 26

The Spiegeltent, East End, Rochester, NY

Tue, Sep 22 · 6:00 PM

Red Wings Home Run Derby Returns — Free at ESL Ballpark on September 22 with Damar Hamlin

ESL Ballpark, 1 Morrie Silver Way, Rochester, NY

Wed, Sep 23 · 11:00 AM

Veterans Stand Down at the Public Market — Connect with Employers and Services, September 23

Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union St., Rochester, NY

Thu, Sep 24

National Womens Hall of Fame 2026 Induction Ceremony

George Eastman Museum, Rochester NY

Thu, Sep 24 · 11:00 AM

RBJ Women Leadership Summit 2026

Rochester Riverside Convention Center, 123 East Main Street, Rochester

Fri, Sep 25 · 8:00 PM

Pete Davidson Headlines Rochester Fringe Festival — September 25 at Kodak Hall

Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, Rochester NY

See all events →

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