Happy Tuesday, Rochester. In today’s edition: URMC allergy prevention insights, a Downton Abbey matinee, a flapjack breakfast with Santa, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

New clues to allergy prevention: URMC researchers say farm-raised Mennonite infants in the Finger Lakes develop stronger defenses linked to higher breast milk antibodies. A clinical trial will test if maternal diet reduces allergy risk — read the full story.

Science answers viral claims: URMC’s year-end roundup highlights 2025’s most-searched health questions, from taurine-leukemia insights to norovirus spread, fluoride safety, sleeping after concussions, and why juice cleanses fall short — read the full roundup.

Community embraces holiday spirit: Park Avenue in Rochester hosted a Santa Stampede on Sunday, with participants of all ages walking or running in Santa suits to spread holly, jolly Christmas cheer along the neighborhood — read the full story.

Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since January. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week

• Experience Geva Theatre’s A Christmas Carol
• See Garrett Clayton as the Grinch
• Adopt at PAN’s new location
• Race the Reindeer 5K and Kids Half-Mile
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A home warranty that actually pays is 30% off

🫶 We got your back

Festive evening shopping: Holidays at the Rochester Public Market keeps the festive vibes going this Thursday, Dec. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. Expect local vendors and seasonal goodies, plus Santa in the B Shed from 6 to 8 p.m. and carriage rides around the market. Find it at 280 N. Union Street. Get all the event details.

Monroe County roadwork updates: Brooks Avenue near the airport will stay closed a bit longer as cold weather slows concrete curing. The stretch from the airport access ramp to Deep Rock Road is now slated to reopen in January. Upside: the I-490 Bushnell’s Basin exit has reopened, with two lanes each way expected later this month. See what’s open and closed.

Your couch can wait: At The Little Theatre, Rochester’s film brain feasts on American indie gems and global standouts, with special screenings and live-arts energy in the mix. Bring a friend, channel your inner critic, and let the marquee guide your weekend plans.

Hear me out: My mom’s been asking people to repeat themselves 5,281 times too many for years. She always avoided hearing aids like the plague — they’re clunky, obvious, expensive, not really worth it. I always thought “she’s not wrong” until I saw these new invisible hearing aids going viral. In the same boat? Now’s a great time to check them out before unused health benefits expire on the 31st.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now + you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.

📆 Around town this week

All events are subject to change without notice. This is entirely outside our control. Please check official event pages and social media for the most up to date information.

This week

🕯️ Sip & Pour: A Candle Making Class @ Unwine’d | Tuesday (12/16) at 6:00pm – Swap scrolling for something hands-on. Light My Candle Co. leads a relaxed class where you blend and pour your own custom-scented candle. Wine optional, creativity encouraged, and you leave with something you’ll actually use.

🧸 Show and Tell @ Frederick Douglass Community Library | Thu (12/18) at 2:30pm – Time to dust off that quirky treasure you’ve been keeping on a shelf (or hiding in a drawer). This all-ages show-and-tell invites you to brag, explain, or simply delight in your most prized oddities. From collections to family artifacts, everything interesting is fair game. Come share a story—or just enjoy everyone else’s.

🎄 Holidays at the Market – Special Thursday Evening @ City of Rochester Public Market | Thursday (12/18) at 6:00pm – Whether you’ve been coming for decades or just found free parking, Thursday night at the Public Market wraps the holiday series with lights, festive music, and aisles of local gifts, trees, wreaths, and treats. Free horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa for kids, and zero mall chaos.

📿 Beaded Necklace @ Brockport-Seymour Library | Friday (12/19) at 12:00pm – If your jewelry box could use a story, string a beaded necklace with Leslie, inspired by First Nations styles. Hands-on, calming, and actually wearable, this is quality time well spent, so register, claim a spot, and give your scrolling thumb the night off.

🎬 Movie Matinee: Downtown Abbey @ Mendon Public Library | Friday (12/19) at 1:00pm – Afternoon matinee at the Mendon Public Library serves up Downton Abbey, plus free popcorn courtesy of the Friends of the Library. Trade errands for tea with the Crawleys, enjoy royal visit chaos, and relish the rare thrill of watching posh problems without folding laundry.

This weekend

🥞 Flapjack Benefit Breakfast with Santa @ First Baptist Church Penfield | Saturday (12/20) at 8:00am – If your holiday spirit runs on maple syrup, bring the crew to a flapjack breakfast that actually does some good for Open Door Mission. Stacks, eggs, sausage, blueberry topping, coffee, and a Santa visit. Ten bucks adults, five kids, sugar-free syrup, accessible space.

🧶 Tina Turner Knits: Finish Your Holiday Projects @ Pittsford Community Library | Saturday (12/20) at 10:15am – Bring those half-finished scarves and in-progress gifts and get guided support from Tina Turner Knits. Smooth out tricky spots, wrap up lingering projects, and head into the holidays feeling accomplished. Registration required; enthusiasm welcome but not required.

🏛️ Museum Makers @ Memorial Art Gallery | Saturday (12/20) at 12:00pm – Take a break from errands and pop into MAG for Museum Makers, a drop-in mix of guided crafting, art and toy stations, beautiful books, and a dash of tarot, a great way to enjoy creative time without taking over the dining table. Free for all ages, no museum ticket required.

🎨 Painting with Santa| Saturday (12/20) at 3:00pm – Skip the mall chaos and make art with the big guy in red. Paint alongside Santa, sip cocoa, and let the kids, grandkids, or your inner five-year-old craft something actually fridge-worthy, glitter included. Low stress, high cheer, easy holiday win.

🦌 Reindeer Run 5K & Kids Half Mile @ Blue Cross Arena | Sunday (12/21) at 8:30am – Blue Cross Arena turns into a jingling jog when the Reindeer Run 5K and Kids Half Mile take over. Throw on your most ridiculous holiday gear, herd the family, and trot for bragging rights, cocoa, and the reminder that Rochester loves running in questionable weather.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/16 Samantha Fish and more @ Temple Theater – 7 pm
• 12/16 A Girl Named Genny @ Abilene Bar – 7:30 pm
• 12/17 Claudia Hoyser @ Preservation Beer – 6 pm
• 12/17 A Christmas Carol @ Geva Theatre – 7 pm
• 12/17 Public Water Supply (Grateful Dead tribute) @ Abilene Bar – 8 pm
• 12/18 Ebenezer the Musical @ Greece One80 – 6:30 pm
• 12/18 Marye Lobb @ The Little Café – 7 pm
• 12/18 Aaron DeRuyter & The Confluence @ Abilene Bar – 7:30 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: G. Harlan Furbush (Keller Williams Realty Greater Rochester)

Two-unit charmer in Upper Monroe with hardwoods throughout. First floor has a roomy living room, a generous bedroom, and an eat-in kitchen with a breakfast bar. Upstairs adds two bedrooms, a bright living room, eat-in kitchen, enclosed porch, plus access to a main-floor office.

Finished third floor shows off beadboard and vaulted ceilings for extra hangout space. Separate gas and electric, two furnaces, two water heaters, vinyl siding, off-street parking, and a two-car garage. Both units vacant, current C of O through 12/2030, and parks, coffee, and expressways nearby. House-hack ready.

Take a peek inside →