Cover Story
Climate’s politics problem
When it comes to climate change and public policy, three areas are virtually inseparable: the economy, energy, and politics. Often, the mix is not productive.
County on defense over Sibley deal
Mayor Tom Richards says the county is playing politics with the Sibley building sale.
NYCLU calls on state officials to reform solitary confinement practices
A new report from the New York Civil Liberties Union raises some serious questions about the use of punitive solitary confinement in the state’s prisons. The state has approximately 5,000 beds in special housing units (SHU’s) — many of them built during the last 20 years — at 39 prisons, says the report. Each day,…
Freedom in Lincoln’s own words
This fall is turning out to be a time for remembering Abraham Lincoln, a man who is often described as our most important president. President Obama has been quoting Lincoln recently, a new biographical film by director Steven Spielberg and starring Daniel Day-Lewis is set to open in November. And the New York State Education…
Daily Choices: What to do on Tuesday, October 2
ART: Go see “Water Work,” featuring paintings in water-based media by Chris Baker, Barbara Fox, and Roland “Chip” Stevens at Oxford Gallery. Today’s hours are noon-5 p.m., and the show remains on view through Saturday, October 6. Admission is free. More info: 271-5885, oxfordgallery.com. MUSIC: Fly westward, my son! Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys…
THEATER: “44 Plays for 44 Presidents”
I am a bad American. This is true for many reasons, but for the purpose of this review we’ll focus on the fact that I am woefully ignorant about our country’s presidential history. I got a 90-something on my American history Regents exam, but I’ll be damned if I can remember any of our former…
“How I Met Your Mother” Season 8, Episode 2
“How I Met Your Mother” is in an interesting place now, for several reasons. The show as a whole sits in limbo as corporate cats decide its future. It’s still unknown if the current season will be its last, or if it will go on to season 9. That means the creative forces putting the…
Concert Review: Patrons of Sweet, Abandoned Buildings Club, Barrel Harbor
I believe in the almighty — the almighty loud, that is. I’ll get behind it, or rather in front of it, if it’s paired up with good. That’s what I got Thursday night following an incredible and incredibly funny set from Anglo hippity-hoppers Garden Fresh. These guys are the perfect blend of brainiac and maniac.…
Week ahead: a College Town update and the big debate
Upper Mt. Hope neighbors will get an update on the College Town project from Cleveland-based developer Fairmount Properties on Tuesday. The project, initiated by the University of Rochester, is a 16-acre mixed-used development targeting the west side of Mount Hope between Elmwood Avenue and Crittenden Boulevard. Plans include a Barnes and Noble bookstore, hotel and…
Video Game Review: “Resident Evil 6”
Capcom’s latest entry in the hit survival horror franchise is finally here…but how is it?
Another delay in fracking review
A technicality will probably delay New York’s decision on fracking until next year. Recently, state Department of Environmental Commissioner Joseph Martens announced that the state would study the potential health impacts of high-volume hydraulic fracturing. The effort will be led by Dr. Nirav Shah, commissioner of the state Department of Health. But the study means…
Daily Choices: What to do on Monday, October 1
ART: "Night Side of Life," mixed-media drawings by Pat Curry, opens today at SUNY Brockport’s West Side Gallery (180 Holley St.). A reception will take place 5-8 p.m., and the exhibit remains on view for a short run through October 12 (gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.). For more information, visit brockport.edu. ART: A…
Daily Choices: What to do Saturday and Sunday, September 29-30
FESTIVAL: Celebrate the autumn season at the Hilton Apple Fest, held Saturday and Sunday at the grounds of the Village of Hilton Community Center (West Ave./Rte 18 at Grove St.). The fest includes arts & crafts, a car show, apple wares, and a pie contest. Hours are Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-4:30…
CD Review: Roni Ben-Hur, Santi Debriano “Our Thing”
With a melting pot of musical influences that spans four continents, they have recorded one of the most exciting jazz albums of the year
Geva, RPO make changes to respond to financial challenge
In a letter to patrons sent out earlier this week, Geva Theatre Center announced that it has made several operational changes to “ensure that the organization continues its progress toward financial stability and growth.” Those changes included the elimination of five full-time positions in administration, marketing, development, and production, and the institution of unpaid furloughs…
“Project Runway” Season 10: Baby, where did our love go?
It’s a real testament to this season that, going into this episode, I did not want to lose any of the final six designers. Not only are all of them talented, but all of them are LIKABLE. I cannot for the life of me remember the last time that happened on this show. The challenge…
More notes on the Slaughter-Brooks poll
Yesterday, Siena Research Institute released poll results that put Democrat Louise Slaughter 10 points ahead of Republican Maggie Brooks among likely voters. Beyond the big picture, some other aspects of the results got my attention: • While 86 percent of the surveyed Democrats said they’d vote for Slaughter, 76 percent of Republicans said they’d vote…
Rochester school board says there’s too much testing
Last night, the Rochester school board voted 6 to 1 in favor of asking Albany lawmakers and state education officials to develop a new system to evaluate student learning. The new policy, which was largely developed by board member Mary Adams, rejects the state’s reliance on standardized testing as the main way to measure student…
Daily Choices: What to do on Friday, September 28
SPECIAL EVENT: Learn more about the city by walking around the massively renovated Neighborhood of the Arts with the 9th Annual Inside Downtown Tour, put on by the Landmark Society of Western New York. Attendees will receive admittance to all the up-and coming hot spots in the area, such as the lofts at Village Gate,…
Women’s rights advocates vouch for O’Brien
Linda Stephens, president of the Rochester chapter of the National Association of Women, says she’s disgusted by a set of ads that attack Democrat state Senate candidate Ted O’Brien. Stephens, along with City Council President Lovely Warren and County Legislator Carrie Andrews, pushed back against the ads during a press conference this afternoon. The ads…
Siena poll has Slaughter up by 10 points
The first poll in the 25th Congressional race is out, putting Democratic incumbent Louise Slaughter ahead of her Republican challenger Maggie Brooks by 10 points, 52 percent to 42 percent. The Siena Research Institute released the poll results this afternoon. Likely voters say Slaughter is better on health care, education, and war, the poll says.…
I’m not finding comfort in the polls
The presidential polls are all over the lot right now; every time it looks as if a trend is developing, something else happens. This morning, Real Clear Politics is giving President Obama a poll average of plus 4 percent. But Rasmussen, which tracks likely voters, continues to show a much closer race – a tie,…
Focus needed on black and Latino males
The Rochester school board frequently finds itself at odds with public opinion over how much supervision superintendents need. Too much, and board members are accused of meddling and micromanaging. Too little, and the public directs its anger at the board when things go wrong. Board member Van White says he is not willing to err…
AP: Strong regulations not enough to prevent drilling problems
Earlier this week, Earthworks released a report criticizing the inspection practices of New York and other states where drilling is occurring. But the folks at Earthworks are not the only ones examining New York’s record of regulatory enforcement of gas and oil drilling. An Associated Press article published yesterday also calls the state’s enforcement efforts…
George Eastman House announces new executive director
Thursday afternoon the George Eastman House announced the appointment of its new director at a press conference held on the front steps of the East Avenue mansion. Dr. Bruce Barnes will serve as the 8th Ron and Donna Fielding Director of the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film starting in October. The…
Daily Choices: What do do on Thursday, September 27
SPECIAL EVENT: Celebrate all things glamorous and support local businesses during Rochester Fashion Week, which kicks off tonight and continues through Sunday. Events including shows, a shuttle-bus tour, and art & music celebrations take place at a variety of venues, and some require tickets. For more information, visit fashionweekofrochester.org. LITERATURE: Learn about creating settings that…
“South Park” Season 16, Episode 8
Even if you know nothing about football, this week’s South Park still had a gooey sweet center of a message for you.
Marry me, Mary, again
Want to get re-married on a bridge with a bunch of strangers? Who doesn’t? The City of Rochester invites the public to renew their marital vows from the Pont de Rennes bridge in High Falls on Friday, October 5. There will also be a reception and a group photograph. The event is from 7 p.m.…
Romney trailing
Gov. Romney sold himself as the Mr. Fix It president. He was going to right all of President Obama’s many wrongs, starting with the Affordable Care Act. Now he’s scrambling to fix his own campaign by attempting to shift attention away from his comments about 47 percent of Americans not paying income taxes and viewing…
More on Ann Coulter’s visit to Rochester
Congressional candidate Maggie Brooks raised a few eyebrows recently when she attended a local luncheon where the keynote speaker was Conservative personality-assassin Ann Coulter. For my money, Coulter is the worst of the worst, a smug malignancy with a pathological thirst for glory. Here are a couple of examples of Coulter’s “wisdom”: On the 9/11…
Some fracking stories worth checking out
Over the past few days, several significant news stories about fracking have emerged. In addition to the developments around New York’s review of the technique. Here’s a partial roundup. • A federal judge dismissed state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s lawsuit over fracking regulations for the Delaware River Basin. Schneiderman sued the Delaware River Basin Commission,…
Daily Choices: What to do on Wednesday, September 26
SPECIAL EVENT: A Rochester Winos Wine and Food Pairing will take place at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Gigi’s Italian Kitchen (1770 E. Ridge Road). The cost to attend is $30 for members and $35 for others, and registration is required. For information, visit rochesterwinos.com. LECTURE: Learn more about “The Music of Duke Ellington” with Peter…
Dear Rabbit
Colorado Springs’s Rense Liam threw himself down a very bizarre bunny hole a while ago, and has come out of it dragging an oversized load of weird and wacky with him. His infectious, and ultimately creepy, brand of freaky folk music falls is almost impossible to categorize. Liam’s Vaudeville-esque vocal style is crooned over multiple…
Makeover for mayor’s mansion
Ozzy Arroyo’s plans for the Child mansion in Rochester are nearly as grand as the building itself. He envisions a premiere event space, a café and catering operation to help young people begin culinary careers, and a reality-show-type setting for brides on their big day — the latter inspired by the spectacle and grandeur of…
Positive Mental Trip
Luke Weiler is an eccentric multi-instrumentalist, philanthropist, singer-songwriter, and the sole member of Positive Mental Trip. Weiler, who hails from the Catskills, has reinvented the idea of mountain music by injecting it with solid rhythms, an electro-folkie spirit and neo-psychedelic nuance. PMT’s upbeat jams have been influenced by a census of sounds, including funk, reggae,…
Feedback 9/26
Send comments to themail@rochester-citynews.com, or post them on our website, rochestercitynewspaper.com, our Facebook page, or our Twitter feed, @roccitynews. We edit selections for publication in print, and we don’t publish comments sent to other media. The left has moved right Mary Anna Towler’s column “One Nation Indivisible?” (Urban Journal) cites a New Yorker article saying…
RPO: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra starts off its 90th season with the bang from a sergeant’s gun: Sgt. Pepper, that is. Joined by the Classical Mystery Tour, a group that will be performing in tribute to the 45th anniversary of The Beatles’ “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album, the RPO will also be starting the…
Urban Action 9/26
This week’s calls to action include the following and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) Film examines workplace obedience The Dryden Theatre shows the film “Compliance” by Craig Zobel as part of the Labor Film Series on Friday, September 28. The film, which is based on a true story,…
Royal Drummers and Dancers of Burundi
Drums serve not only as the heartbeat of music, but echo our own heartbeats, providing an irresistible rhythm that moves us emotionally, physically, and sometimes even provides the soundtrack to our continued genesis. Considered to be one of the greatest percussion ensembles in the world, the Royal Drummers and Dancers of Burundi have passed their…
Try voting for a change
My parents, Fred and Phyllis Hare, never missed an election. In the 1950’s and 60’s, they were typical of their friends in the little village of Owego, New York, near the Pennsylvania border. They believed that citizens have a duty to vote and that those who couldn’t be bothered had a duty to keep their…
Fall Festivals
One of my favorite things about fall is all the rich flavors that accompany it. If there’s an apple- or pumpkin-themed recipe out there somewhere that I haven’t tried yet, I’d be shocked. For all the lovers of fall flavors out there, this weekend is the prime time to sample all of them by visiting…
Stuffed with confetti
I first saw Pete Anderson with honky-tonk savior Dwight Yoakam some 25 years ago at the Melody Fair Theater in Tonawanda. It was the closest I’d ever come to seeing Elvis-type hysteria sweep over a crowd. Besides Yoakam’s nasally honk and hip shake, there was Anderson’s twang-a-plenty Telecaster driving the truck over the cliff, and…
CD Review: Beka Gochiashvili “S/T”
Since the end of the Cold War, it seems like every decade a wunderkind has emerged from a most unlikely former Soviet Republic territory to dazzle the jazz world with prodigious talent on the piano. In the early 2000’s it was Eldar Djangirov of Kyrgyzstan and in 2012 it’s Beka Gochiashvili of Tbilisi, Georgia. At…
Banned Books Week
Efforts to control people come in many forms, and not all are overt, physical oppression. Throughout history, various powers have tried to cut off access to information or discussion of said information, whether the subject was criticism of a particular ruling group, or content considered too risqué for the masses. This censorship has at times…
CLASSICAL: 2012 EROI Festival
For Professor David Higgs of the Eastman School of Music, Bach is a genius that sets his pulse a flutter. “Bach’s genius transcends time,” says Higgs. “The question of why Bach’s music has survived the centuries is a big one. I’m not sure I can find the words to express ‘why.'” Higgs’s enthusiasm for Johann…
“Framing the Issues: A Look at Political Campaigns”
No political or social system is perfect in its actualization; no method of organizing society will ever make everyone happy. And that’s not even covering corruption. Sometimes the most appropriate course of action in discussing our frustration with politics is the use of humor — an often powerful way to draw in an audience is…
Successful Year 1 for Fringe, on to Year 2
All you had to do was look out at the crowd in Manhattan Square Park on the evening of Thursday, September 20, to know that Rochester had embraced the Fringe. According to the Rochester Police Department, more than 6000 people packed the downtown venue to watch Bandaloop, the aerial dance troupe, perform its 20-minute set…
RIT Honors Show
With the high concentration of colleges in the Rochester area, innovative ideas seem to perpetually whiz through the air. Observe a sampling of the student talent in our city by viewing the work of film and animation students at the Rochester Institute of Technology at the Little Theatre (240 East Ave.) this weekend. On Saturday,…
CHOW HOUND: Tasty morsels
Get the details on not one, but two upcoming events featuring our city’s growing fleet of mobile food purveyors, plus a buffet of restaurant openings and other local food news.
RMSC Big Bang Gala
They had me at “Tesla Coil.” The noisy electrical resonant transformer circuit invented by my favorite eccentric Serbian genius is just one of the special aspects planned for the Rochester Museum and Science Center’s 100th anniversary celebration, “The Big Bang: The Ball That Starts it All.” The event takes place at the museum (657 East…
Rochester Fashion Week
Do you spend 20 minutes brainstorming about your outfit for work the next day? Had you been counting down the minutes to Paris Fashion Week? When your housemate buys the latest issue of Vogue, do you secretly ogle Marc Jacobs and Vera Wang ads while she’s at Wegmans? If so, Fashion Week of Rochester is…
Nintendo unveils Wii U launch line up
Nintendo has released a 23-title strong day one launch line up for the Nintendo Wii U, as well as 29 additional titles that will be released during the console’s launch window, which lasts until March 31, looking to avoid the software drought that plagued the Nintendo 3DS when it launched.
THEATER: “You Can’t Take it With You”
I’d have liked to join in the congratulatory chorus for Geva Theater Center’s 40th anniversary season, especially when it is beginning its season with a great American family comedy, George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart’s 1937 Pulitzer Prize-winning “You Can’t Take It with You.” A deeply warm, graceful, and funny play about an eccentric family…
CONCERT REVIEW: The Antlers at Water Street Music Hall
Nick Principe and Peter Silberman, childhood friends and musical collaborators, the former, the force behind Port St. Willow, the latter, the gloomy genius responsible for fellow Brooklyn band, The Antlers, brought their magically mopey brand of 21st century indie rock to the stage at the Club at Water Street Wednesday, September 26.
MOVIE REVIEW: “Trouble with the Curve”
In his last public appearance, Clint Eastwood achieved the most memorable moment at this year’s Republican National Convention by addressing an empty chair; news stories about the event mentioned his age — 82 — unkindly insinuating that the actor perhaps exhibited signs of senility. Whatever the source of his presentation, he does seem to have…
Rory Block
Back when Rory Block got her start, folk and blues shared the same laments, comments, and sentiments. It was our written history set to music. At one point the road forked and folks like Block took the rough-and-tumble blue route, leaving the folkies to row their boat ashore. Coming of age in Greenwich Village in…
MOVIE REVIEW: “The Master”
Much of the pre-release buzz surrounding Paul Thomas Anderson’s “The Master” had to do with whether the film, which features a mid-century guru a la L. Ron Hubbard, was going to take on Scientology. It doesn’t, which is probably a good thing, and maybe a bad thing. What we do have is an intense and…
Nick Young
Singer-songwriter Nick Young’s sense of country music, along with his power-pop hooks, makes him a comfortable fit with the alt-country crowd. There’s southern guitar-rock jangle on some tunes and an indie-rock lilt to Young’s voice that suggests a north of the Mason-Dixon vibe. Either way, Young’s debut CD “Truth Is” (2010) recorded in Nashville with…
MOVIE REVIEW: “Compliance”
It’s one of the best films I’ve seen all year, but the simple premise of Craig Zobel’s riveting “Compliance” practically demands that I say as little as possible in order to preserve its impact. The title card reads “Inspired by true events” before it drops us into a nondescript Ohio fast-food joint where Becky (Dreama…
Abandoned Buildings Club
With a bustling concert schedule and kick-ass Mexican kitchen, Tala Vera is fast becoming a destination for local music fans. Primal psych-rock band Abandoned Buildings Club hits Tala Vera’s stage with a wall of sound that only a guitar, bass, and two drummers can provide. The quartet has been around for a year and digs…
School 16: a cautionary tale
Years of neglect at School 16 — classrooms regularly overheated, parts of the building smelled like urine — have lead Rochester schools Superintendent Bolgen Vargas to commission a report on the structural state of all the district’s schools. The report, which is due out next month, is supposed to help officials prevent a repeat of…
Flosstradamus
Flosstradamus has elevated the juke/footwork subgenre of electronic dance music from Second City-underground-dance competitions and “Ghetto House” parties to the stages at major college campuses, nightclubs, and huge music festivals, such as Lollapalooza, SXSW, and Coachella. Chicago-based DJs J2K (Josh Young) and Autobot (Curt Cameruci) have spent the last eight years generating groundbreaking original grooves…
The zombie class
The current political debate may seem like it’s about jobs, taxes, and the national debt. But what Americans are really experiencing is a philosophical crisis involving the middle class, said Stephen Shapiro, a professor of English at the University of Warwick in Britain. The crisis is revealed, he said, in the zombie film craze. Much…
