Happy Tuesday, Rochester. In today’s edition: Bull’s Head redevelopment, Park Avenue holiday open house, Corn Hill tour of homes, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Neighborhood revival takes shape: Bull’s Head redevelopment advances with street realignments starting next year and finishing by fall 2027, a workforce center, 16 for-sale homes, and 100-plus mixed-income and affordable apartments in the pipeline — read the full story.

Backbone for local charities: Causewave Community Partners marks 75 years of strengthening nonprofits, evolving from volunteer roots into a capacity building hub that supports 200 organizations a year with training, staffing solutions, and guidance — learn how you can help.

Academia meets immersive tech: University of Rochester is launching a Center for Extended Reality and hired former Meta exec Barry Silverstein to direct it. He starts in January, uniting AR, VR, and AI research — read the full story.

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.

Scams are rampant: My step-dad recently got a call from someone pretending to be his grandson, all beat up and asking for bail money. They knew his grandson’s name, how old he is, and what city he lives in. How? Data brokers. They sell your info to anyone willing to pay for it (yup… anyone). Incogni removes your info from all of those sites so scammers can’t use it against you. Cyber Monday discounts are available all week — check ’em out here.

Highlights this week

• Toast the Genesee Keg Tree lighting
• Donate blood at Red Cross drive
• Sip cocoa, shop small in South Wedge
• Celebrate Dr. Valenti on World AIDS Day
• Need new windows? Check out RBA’s latest deals

🫶 We got your back

Festive family fun downtown: Rochester kicks off the season Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. with the Liberty Pole Lighting, then a family parade to ROC Holiday Village at MLK Park. Expect Santa, live brass, and free ice skating (and rentals) plus crafts and local makers. Free Santa visits run until 8 p.m. Get parking and event details.

Family-friendly holiday fundraiser: Pancakes for a purpose: First Baptist Church of Penfield will host its Flapjack Benefit Breakfast on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 8 to 10 a.m., with Santa stopping by. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids under 12. Proceeds go to Rochester’s Open Door Mission. All are welcome at 1862 Penfield Road. Get all the details.

Serious burrito craving: Whether your week needs comfort or chaos (ideally both), Old Pueblo Grill rolls burritos with personality, from Cali Swag with fries to Seoul Man with kimchi, even a Flamin’ Hot Cheeto experiment that shouldn’t work but does. Consider it an “I earned this” moment for future-you.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

Wellness on easy mode: Most probiotics don’t work because they dissolve too early. Seed’s double capsule design means all the right stuff gets delivered to all the right places… at the right time. After decades of gut issues, it’s one of the few things that’s actually helped. Their Daily Essentials Duo covers nutrient gaps and supports everyday health + it’s 40% off right now so it’s a great time to give it a try.

📆 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

📚 Friends of the Pittsford Library Candlelight Night Book Sale @ Pittsford Community Library | Tuesday (12/2) at 10:00am – Light up your inner bookworm at Pittsford’s Candlelight Night book sale, where books, DVDs, CDs, and games are in excellent condition and priced for gifting, not groaning. Stock up for everyone on your list, support library programs, and enjoy discovering books the old-fashioned way.

🏠 Holiday Open House @ Park Avenue Historic District | Thursday (12/4) at 5:00pm – Take a lap down Park Ave for the Holiday Open House, where the tree and menorah glow, ice gets carved, and the mayor flips the switch like a pro. Santa’s holding court, horse-drawn rides roll by, and shops, pubs, and chestnuts keep spirits high.

🌟 We Go On, Oswego @ Nazareth University Arts Center | Thursday (12/4) at 7:00pm – Nothing beats a world premiere that actually belongs here, a theatrical song cycle with Finger Lakes Opera honoring the women of Fort Ontario and Ruth Gruber. Ten new vocal art songs in English with narration in Italian, and German, free registration, donation appreciated.

🌲 Pressed Flower Pine Tree @ Pittsford Community Library | Friday (12/5) at 2:00pm – Whether you’re a Pinterest skeptic or a secret scrapbooker, come make a framed pine tree from pressed flowers with Jeanette Zavislan of Grimble Hill Farm and Forest. It’s gift-worthy, holiday-ready, and blissfully glitter-free, plus you’ll leave feeling wildly competent. Registration required.

🎶 Annie Wells @ Record Archive | Friday (12/5) at 4:00pm – Annie Wells brings a rare kind of musical magic—the kind that feels both intimate and expansive all at once. Her blend of jazz, classic songwriting, and dreamy vocals turns every set into a little pocket of wonder. If you’re craving something soulful, sophisticated, and quietly spellbinding, this performance is your perfect pre-weekend treat.

This weekend

🏘️ Corn Hill Holiday Tour of Homes @ Immaculate Conception / St. Bridget’s Church | Saturday (12/6) at 9:30am – Holiday nostalgia hits peak levels in Corn Hill with the annual tour of homes, all dressed to the nines in wreaths, garland, and twinkle lights. Peek into Victorian parlors, compare mantel garlands like a pro, then admire the décor details that make each home shine.

🎬 It’s a Wonderful Life in the South Wedge Holiday Festival| Saturday (12/6) at 11:00am – Nothing beats wandering the South Wedge with coffee, kettle corn, and an excuse to buy another wreath. Live music, local makers, Santa at the German House, trees at Historic Houseparts, and a mitten drive that actually helps our kids. Shop, nosh, and soak up that classic South Wedge holiday energy.

🌿 Winter Wonderland Air Plant Terrarium @ Mendon Public Library | Saturday (12/6) at 11:00am – Take a break from the ice and make a winter wonderland you don’t have to shovel at the Mendon Library’s air plant terrarium workshop. All supplies are covered, bring your own baubles, and it’s limited to 15, so RSVP before your teen grabs your spot.

♻️ Zero-Waste Holiday Fair @ Abundance Food Co-op | Saturday (12/6) at 1:00pm – Zero-Waste Holiday Fair is taking over Abundance Food Co-op with local vendors, smart presenters, and gift ideas that do more good than glitter. Learn zero-waste living, sustainable cooking, greener commutes, and simple home fixes, then leave with ideas that make sustainable living feel surprisingly doable.

🎶 Yuletide Radiance: From Darkness to Light @ Downtown United Presbyterian Church | Sunday (12/7) at 3:00pm – Prefer your cheer in harmonies, not mall parking lot combat? Rochester Gay Men’s Chorus glides from winter hush to festive sparkle with favorites and jazzy twists, a Hanukkah tribute, the Flower City Pride Band, ASL interpretation, and a toy drive for the Pirate Toy Fund.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/2 A Girl Named Genny @ Abilene Bar – 7 pm
• 12/2 Moscow Ballet @ Auditorium Theatre – 7 pm
• 12/2 Nazareth University String Quartet @ Brighton Memorial Library – 7 pm
• 12/2 Mindi Abair @ Kodak Center – 7:30 pm
• 12/3 Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas @ Old Farm Cafe – 7:30 pm
• 12/3 Public Water Supply @ Abilene Bar – 8 pm
• 12/4 A Christmas Carol @ Geva Theatre – 7 pm
• 12/4 Pentatonix @ Blue Cross Arena – 7 pm
• 12/5 Brick by Brick @ Bug Jar – 7 pm