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Hello Rochester! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: St. Patrick’s Day parade, Dog Man: The Musical, and 250-table toy show + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Rochester protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Cultivating educators from within: Rochester City School District introduced an educator pipeline to support staff with tuition discounts, guaranteed interviews, salary advancement starting at $52,520, and pathways to loan forgiveness of up to $17,500 — learn how the program works.

Celebrating New York’s culinary roots: A statewide roundup spotlights eight local food experiences, from Buffalo wings to Utica greens and Binghamton spiedies, with Rochester’s iconic Garbage Plate getting deserved attention for your next tasty outing — check out the full lineup.

Agencies coordinate recovery efforts: Residents began returning to Hilton East after December’s emergency evacuation triggered by a roof collapse. New York State is limiting new admissions for 30 days while the transition continues — see how officials responded.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/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:

• Support North Paw at Golden Leash Gala
• Free admission to 250-table toy show
• Make your own epoxy charcuterie board
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Pie that gives back: Special Touch Bakery turns apple crumb, coconut cream, and seasonal fruit pies into community wins. Every purchase supports an inclusive workplace in Rochester. Craving a midweek slice or planning a weekend spread? Expect flaky crusts and balanced fillings that hit the sweet spot.

Fresh flowers, zero fuss: Stacy K Floral turns everyday corners into little celebrations, with artful designer’s-choice bouquets, plants, and thoughtful gifts. Same-day delivery around town keeps things easy, and creative classes suit your DIY side. Perfect for birthdays, apologies, or that random Tuesday you want to feel fancy.

Tall walls, good vibes: Central Rock Gym Rochester brings the local stoke with lead, top rope, and bouldering, plus community events that make weekdays fun. If you’ve been meaning to get back on the wall, here’s your nudge: fresh sets, friendly staff, and space to chase the next send.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

💃 Youth Latin Dance Classes | March Session @ Elevate Dance Center Rochester | Saturday (3/14) at 10:00 AM – Salsero Dance Academy on Pitkin Street is running youth Latin classes, turning wiggles into salsa for ages 4 to 14, no experience required. Kids get rhythm, confidence, and teamwork, you get quiet coffee and bragging rights, so snag a spot at salseroroc.com before spots fill.

📚 Book Lover’s Bliss Book Fair – Day One @ Artisan Works | Saturday (3/14) at 12:00 PM – ARTISANworks turns into a bookworm playground, with local authors, indie sellers, and bookish makers, plus mimosas and Winter Swan coffee. Flirt with a flash tattoo and a book-bouquet, then call it culture and steps as your $12 ticket unlocks 40,000 square feet of gallery wandering.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Parade @ East and Alexander | Saturday (3/14) at 12:30 PM – Rochester is going full shamrock as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade rolls downtown with marching bands, step dancers, community groups, and floats. Expect Irish cheer, neighborly nods, and the theme 250 Years of Freedom, fueled by Irish spirit. Wear green, bring layers, this is Rochester.

☘ Celtic Family Faire @ Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown (155 E Main St, Rochester, NY) | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – Rally the small humans for a cozy, Celtic afternoon at Hilton Garden Inn Downtown, complete with crafts, Irish dancers, prizes, hot cocoa, and the kind of smiles you don’t have to bribe. It’s free, it’s festive, and it’s indoors, which your sanity will appreciate.

📚 Book Lover’s Bliss Book Fair @ Artisan Works | Sunday (3/15) at 12:00 PM – Round two of RocOnly’s Book Lover’s Bliss lands at ARTISANworks, with local authors, bookish makers, and permission to sniff pages like it’s 1999. Sip mimosas, build a book-bouquet, snag a flash tattoo, then wander the giant gallery your $12 ticket includes.

🐶 Dog Man: The Musical @ Kodak Center | Wednesday (3/18) at 6:30 PM – Dog Man: The Musical brings Dav Pilkey’s mayhem to Kodak Center, a goofy, big-hearted romp where a crime-fighting pup battles a cyborg fish and one very cranky cat. It’s fast, funny, and actually clever, perfect for kids, grandkids, and the adults who buy snacks.

🛍 The Great NYS Flea: Center City Edition @ Mercantile on Main | Sunday (3/22) at 11:00 AM – Center City’s favorite treasure hunt returns to the Sibley Building for one last indoor lap, where you’ll bump into neighbors and talk yourself into one more vintage lamp. Expect 100 vendors, community vibes, and auntie-approved finds that make errands feel like a victory lap.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Rochester report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 71°F – Low: 29°F – Precip: 97%

Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 71. South wind 5 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy. Low around 29, with temperatures rising to around 35 overnight. Southwest wind 16 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 37°F – Low: 26°F – Precip: 33%

A chance of snow showers before 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. West wind 15 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26. West wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

This house is wild

This 1927 classic in Council Rock Estates shines with $53K in updates, including a 2025 roof. Twin staircases frame a dramatic entry to a fireplace living room, a heated Florida room, and an open kitchen with peninsula. A book-lined third-floor suite with soaking tub and a versatile lower level add flexibility. Outside, an in-ground pool, deck, and 2.5-car garage await.

Take a peek inside →