Cover Story
Second chance for controversial fire program
Lieutenant Lawrence “Shawn” Brumfield was part of the second class of students to graduate from a firefighter trainee program formerly at East High School. The purpose of the program as it existed then was to introduce interested East students to a potential career in the fire service.
Daily Choices: What to do on Wednesday, February 6
Special Event: Penfield Public Library (1985 Baird Rd.) will host the owner of Cocoa Bean Shoppe to discuss “Cultivating a Taste for Fine Chocolate,” complete with free samples of chocolates from around the world, tonight at 7 p.m. The event is free, but register by calling 340-8720 or visiting penfieldlibrary.org.
RPO drama #2
The attorney for dissidents upset over the firing of Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra music director Arild Remmereit are preparing to head back to court after a ruling on Monday that sided with the RPO board. Attorney Eileen Buholtz said Tuesday morning that she’s preparing a new filing, asking the court to void the RPO’s annual…
Vargas continues attendance push
More than 60 school officials, parents, and residents gathered at the Rochester school district’s central office this morning in another organized effort to track down truant students. In groups of two to four, volunteers were handed a list of students and their addresses from schools 4, 17, 22, 30, and Monroe who have not attended…
Elected officials voice fracking concerns
As another key deadline approaches in the state’s high-volume hydraulic fracturing review, some local elected officials are speaking out about their concerns with the gas extraction technique. And they’re also sharing their concerns with the state review. Yesterday, a group of the officials, all members of Elected Officials to Protect New York, held a press…
Daily Choices: What to do on Tuesday, February 5
Music: The Acoustic Basement started as an anomaly at the Warped Tour – a small tent for quiet, intimate performances away from the usual punk mayhem – but it has now evolved into the Acoustic Basement Tour, which comes to the Bug Jar (219 Monroe Ave.) tonight. Geoff Rickly, the frontman of the now-defunct Thursday,…
“RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 5, Episode 2: Paying lip service
So I missed the first 10 minutes of the episode because the bar I watch it at decided to blare the local Top 40 radio station and run muted episodes of “2 Broke Girls” on the TVs until the bartender got around to changing the channel. If anyone would like subsidize my personal cable bill,…
Week Ahead: RPO court case, city violence forum, RCSD meetings, saving School 16
At 11:30 a.m. today, State Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Fisher will hear arguments on a lawsuit against the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra’s board. Attorney Eileen Buholtz is suing the board over its annual meeting and elections, which took place on January 23. She says that neither the RPO board nor its executive committee set the membership…
Concert Review: Fred Vine, This Life, Low Flying Planes
Minor keys are like hot sauce on open wounds. When you want to kick that urge, that emotion, that thrill, that chill up a bit, nothing’s finer than going minor. Then there’s Rochester acoustic blues aficionado and virtuoso Fred Vine. Armed with a dreadnaught and a National Steel, Vine swings from the minor vine as…
Daily Choices: What to do on Monday, February w
Music: Thirsty for an awesome way to kick off your week? Thirsty Frog (511 Ridge Road East, Irondequoit) can help with its Green Monday’s open jam night. Sign ups for acts begins at 8:30 p.m., and music runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Performers are urged to BYOG (bring your own guitar and amp),…
Concert Review: RPO & RCB “New York Cityscapes”
Friday night, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra POPS presented “New York Cityscapes,” a work in five parts composed by conductor Jeff Tyzik, accompanied by the original choreography of Jamey Leverett, artistic director, for the Rochester City Ballet. The performance will be repeated Saturday at 8 pm. The performance was so exciting that all I can say…
Daily Choices: What to do on Saturday, February 2 and Sunday, February 3
Special: In case you needed an excuse to eat ice cream for breakfast beside the fact that you just darn feel like it, Saturday is actually in fact International Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast day. If you want to celebrate, head on over to the Moonlight Creamery (36 West Ave., Fairport, moonlightcreamery.com) from 7:30 a.m.…
Duffy’s smackdown of Warren defies history
We’re all buzzing about Bob Duffy’s public smackdown — wrapped in a PC package, of course — of City Council President Lovely Warren’s mayoral ambitions. Our former mayor and current lieutenant governor said Warren shouldn’t run — yet — and that he’s throwing his support behind incumbent Mayor Tom Richards. “Rochester needs them both,” Duffy…
Superintendent’s eval reflects on board
Rochester schools Superintendent Bolgen Vargas met with school board members last night to discuss his evaluation. The seven-member board’s chief responsibility is to hire and supervise the superintendent. But board members’ evaluation of Vargas is also a review of their own skills as a publicly elected body. And their participation in and influence on the…
“American Idol” 2013, Episode 6: Thank you for being a superstar
We wrapped up the initial audition process in Oklahoma City, which of course included a huge group sing to the title song from the musical. Blessedly the show was only an hour so I’ll try to touch on most of the featured contestants. Interesting to note that the theme of the evening seemed to be…
Cats and wildlife: new focus on an old issue
I’m kind of surprised by the amount of attention and press the predatory habits of cats has received lately. The New York Times, for example, wrote an editorial, “Soft and Deadly,” encouraging cat owners to keep their pets from freely roaming outside. What’s giving the story legs is a new study published in the journal…
Daily Choices: What to do on Friday, February 1
Film: This week’s new movies are the zombie love story “Warm Bodies,” the Al Pacino and Christopher Walken vehicle “Stand Up Guys,” the Ken Burns documentary “The Central Park Five,” and the Sylvester Stallone shoot-‘em-up “Bullet to the Head.” Click here for our full listings of theaters and show times.
College Blog: Getting credit where credit is due
It seems like finding an internship in college is a lot like finding love in college. It’s hard to find one that’s a good match for you. Students will apply to dozens of places, but might only hear back from one or two – if they’re lucky. The search for the perfect internship becomes even…
College Blog: A Google obsession
If you have never heard or said, “Google it,” I would probably accuse you of being a liar. Roughly 15 years since its founding in September of 1998, Google has become a household word. Everyone knows about Google, and it would not be a long shot to say that everyone I know has used Google.…
New report analyzes charter schools
A new report from Stanford University’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes indicates that the success of charter schools can be determined within the first three years. Charter schools that are well-managed, high-performing schools from the start are likely to remain so, the report says. And those with problems in their first year aren’t apt…
![[UPDATED] MCC legislation clears another hurdle](https://i0.wp.com/www.roccitymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/1359644910-mcc-sign_thumb.webp?fit=180%2C180&ssl=1)
[UPDATED] MCC legislation clears another hurdle
Legislation authorizing county officials to buy space for a new Monroe Community College downtown is headed to the full County Legislature for a vote. The Lej meets on February 12.
Daily Choices: What to do on Thursday, January 31
Music: It’s DJ night at Dubland, and SwaggleRock is bringing the bass. While this outfit’s mixes can tend toward the nasty, it’s got an undeniable catchy swing that is certainly worth sticking around for.
College Blog: What happens after the Freshman 15?
A lot of exercising? If only the answer was that simple. As a college student, it’s extremely difficult to find time to work out. Mix that with a plethora of unhealthy food options available and even my tiniest of friends found themselves “heavier” at the end of their freshman year. The problem? Healthy eating on…
“American Idol” 2013, Episode 5: Your part of the audition is over
Wednesday night gave us auditions from San Antonio, Texas, and Long Beach, California. And both cities offered up a lot of remarkable talent — I will be genuinely surprised if several of the contestants featured tonight don’t make it into semi-finals at least. I won’t go through every audition, but I will pick out my…
Vargas lobbies Albany for education spending
Rochester schools Superintendent Bolgen Vargas was in Albany yesterday responding to Governor Cuomo’s proposed budget and urging lawmakers to increase funding for the Rochester school district, the lowest performing of the state’s Big Five school systems. Vargas wants more funding to meet a district goal of getting 90 percent of city third-graders to read at…
MCC legislation advances
County Legislature Democrats still have questions and concerns about Monroe Community College’s plan for a new downtown campus at Kodak’s State Street site. Earlier this week, County Executive Maggie Brooks submitted legislation that, if approved, would authorize the county to buy several buildings and part of a parking lot from Kodak. The Recreation and Education…
ART | Monroe & Vicinity Bienniel
The sixth Monroe and Vicinity Biennial art show, on the SUNY Brockport campus, will celebrate the work of four distinguished upstate New York artists: Bruce Adams, Sarah Sutton, Holly Greenberg, and Bill Hastings (artwork pictured). An opening reception will be held Thursday, January 31, 4-6 p.m. at the Tower Fine Arts Center Gallery, and the…
Fringe Fest 2013
The First Niagara Rochester Fringe Festival will expand for its second run in Rochester. The dates for the 2013 festival are September 19 to September 28, expanding from a five-day festival to a 10-day showcase spanning two weekends. | “We more than doubled our estimated audience in our debut year,” says Fringe Fest producer Erica…
FILM | Mind2Movie Film Screening
Two weeks ago, 14 intrepid teams of Rochester-area filmmakers were given only 72 hours to write, film, edit, and produce a five-minute short film utilizing an assigned character, prop, and situation. Now, on Monday, February 4, the results of their labors will be screened for the public at the Cinema Theater (957 S. Clinton Ave)…
COMEDY | Joel McHale, Dave Foley, More
Countless scientific studies have been performed by highly respected researchers the world over, proving the various health benefits of laughter. At least, that sounds like something that might actually be true. If nothing else, busting a gut is sure to raise your body heat and help keep you warm during the freezing cold temperature we’re…
ARTS: Remmereit to conduct Rochester Chamber Orchestra
The group identifying itself as RPO Community Supporters announced today that Arild Remmereit, the recently fired music director of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, will be conducting a benefit concert for the Rochester Chamber Orchestra on Sunday, February 24. The group also noted in its press release that Remmereit will be guest conducting at the Buffalo…
SPECIAL EVENT | Freezefest at RIT
Rochester Institute of Technology celebrates the winter season with its annual Freezefest, three fun-filled days of activities. This year the event runs from Friday, February 1, through Sunday, February 3, and there’s really something for everyone to enjoy. Planned events include everything from a Sausage and Sauerkraut Festival to hockey games, ice-sculpture demos to something…
CD Review: The Chinchillas “Something Beautiful”
There’s a difference between sounding effortless and actually putting forth no effort
RECREATION | The Y-Tri
Earn your free pass to act like a couch potato without the guilt on Super Bowl Sunday by starting the morning participating in The Y-Tri, an indoor triathlon to benefit the YMCA of Greater Rochester. The triathlon is a three-event race consisting of a 15-minute swim, 15-minute stationary bike ride, and a 15-minute indoor track…
A better model for neighborhood schools
Once again in Rochester, there are calls for a return to neighborhood schools. While it is important to create neighborhood elementary schools within urban villages where possible, and to align accountability, consolidate services, and make it all transparent, my experience brings me to conclude that for a future system of education to be successful and…
CHOW HOUND: Brick by brick
Well, it’s the elephant in the dining room, so let’s acknowledge it. The building at 2833 Monroe Avenue has not had the greatest luck; recent history is littered with the names of restaurants — think Mundo Grill, PaRe, and the Monroe Diner — that have tried to make a go of it at that address.
Feedback 1/30
We welcome your comments. Send them to themail@rochester-citynews.com, or post them on our website, rochestercitynewspaper.com, our Facebook page, or our Twitter feed, @roccitynews. Comments of fewer than 350 words have a greater chance of being published, and we do edit selections for publication in print. We don’t publish comments sent to other media. Seeing the…
MOVIE REVIEW: “Parker”
Like many prolific popular genre novelists, the late Donald E. Westlake published under a variety of pseudonyms; although known mostly as a mystery writer, he also dabbled in other forms, like science fiction and film, including the screenplay for “The Grifters,” based on the Jim Thompson novel. His best books, written as Richard Stark, however,…
ROCK | Eternal Summers
A look at Eternal Summers’ Bandcamp page to see how the band describes its own music is revealing. Between “face melt” and “future punk” you get the sense of what’s in store when the newly minted trio takes the stage, having honed its live show opening for the likes of Nada Surf. The Roanoke, Virginia,…
MOVIE REVIEW: “Movie 43”
Comedy anthology movies have been out of fashion for quite some time, and there doesn’t seem to be much point to bringing them back now. After all, if anyone truly has the desire to watch a collection of skits of varying degrees of humorousness, websites like YouTube and Funny or Die offer more than you…
INDIE/FOLK | Temperamental Falcons
The musical project that would become Temperamental Falcons was conceived by Andy Schmitz and Jeff Coles Smith toward the end of 2009. Over the next year, Schmitz and Smith wrote and recorded a slew of songs, fashioning an interesting new take on the ever-expansive genre of indie-folk. In November 2010, Brian Richards, of Mountain Town…
MUSIC INTERVIEW: Geoff Rickly
After an almost 15-year run, emo/alternative/hardcore darlings Thursday called it a day in 2012, initially calling it simply a hiatus. But reality set in and frontman Geoff Rickly pulled the plug — literally. He has since started to explore his acoustic side. Rickly is coming to town as a part of The Acoustic Basement Tour,…
CLASSICAL | Craighead Memorial Concerts
A cherished member of the Eastman School of Music organ community, David Craighead, died last March, and on Friday, February 1, the ESM Organ Department is presenting a two-location memorial concert in his honor. The first program will be held at Christ Church at 6 p.m. on the Craighead-Saunders organ, which was constructed based upon…
Urban Action 1/30
This week’s calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.) India’s growing pains Nazareth College will present “The Human Cost to India’s Race for Development,” a lecture by journalist Priyanka Borpujari, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30. The lecture will be held at…
JAZZ | Ethnic Heritage Ensemble
In 1972 percussionist extraordinaire Kahil El’Zabar traveled from his home in Chicago to the University of Ghana. He returned with a mission: to fuse aspects of Black American music with traditional African music. El’Zabar, who was already a force on Chicago’s vibrant jazz scene, formed the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. Since then he’s branched out to…
THEATER REVIEW: Peeling the Apple
Now on stage at Geva Theatre Center’s Nextstage: a fascinating, polarizing work that brings to light some of the high human costs of our cherished tech gadgets.
JAZZ | Tamir Hendelman
Barbra Streisand can afford to have any pianist on the planet as her key back-up musician. Her choice: Tamir Hendelman. Since graduating from the Eastman School of Music in 1993, Hendelman has stretched out with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and also backed singers like Diana Krall and Gladys Knight. If that’s not enough, the great…
Greening High Falls
Friends of the GardenAerial has new renderings for its plan to remake the High Falls area into an urban green space. Representatives of the organization will unveil conceptual drawings for three installations during a February 7 event organized by the local Sierra Club. GardenAerial representatives will present concepts for an arboretum on the Pont de…
ROCK | Winter Creek Fest
You are almost certainly six degrees of musical separation away from Max Creek. Chances are you or someone you know has laced up his shoes, buttoned his fly, and danced to Creek’s improvised blend of rock, jazz, reggae, folk, bluegrass, and blues. Forty-two years is a long time to make friends, and Max Creek’s train…
I-Square in limbo
If the I-Square project in Irondequoit moves forward, it may not be in the form initially proposed, says the project’s developer, Mike Nolan. Last week, the Irondequoit Town Board tabled a resolution to approve a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for I-Square, a proposed commercial and retail development near the corner of Cooper Road and Titus Avenue. Last…
ELECTRONIC | Swagglerock
It’s DJ night at Dubland, and SwaggleRock is bringing the bass. While this outfit’s mixes can tend toward the nasty, it’s got an undeniable catchy swing that is certainly worth sticking around for. The night also features a whole grab bag of other DJs, including Skanntron, MK, and GhettoTronics. GhettoTronics is both ghetto in subject…
Charging ahead
Fairport’s municipal electric company got its first electric vehicle about a decade ago: a Ford pickup truck with a bed full of lead-acid batteries. The village and the utility it operates have a longstanding policy of embracing electrified vehicles, says village administrator Ken Moore, and Fairport has several hybrid vehicles — thankfully, much more advanced…
