Happy Tuesday, Rochester. In today’s edition: Roc Holiday Village, Crafternoon: Holiday Wreath, Esther Project support for women and families, and more.

Let’s get to it — Cait Baker

📰 In the news

Stability with access challenges: Rochester’s housing market continues to defy a slowing nation, with Monroe County home values up 75% since 2019 and Zillow forecasting another 2.6% rise over the next year — see what’s driving Rochester’s market.

Support beyond the season: Rochester’s Esther Project hosted a Christmas Bundles of Love giveaway on Saturday, providing trees, ornaments, and lights to recently homeless families, while highlighting its year-round transitional housing support for women — read the full story.

From apprenticeships to leadership: RTMA is preparing for a leadership change as Executive Director Bob Coyne plans to retire on April 1, with workforce director Rich Turner selected to succeed him — see who’s taking over.

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.

Identity theft is up 25%: Last year, Americans lost $12.5 billion to ID theft & fraud, and the stories behind those numbers are brutal. My friend just told me his dad’s on his fourth replacement credit card. Other folks have woken up to empty bank accounts or their personal info dumped online after a breach. Aura catches these kinds of attacks early by monitoring for new accounts, weird money movements, leaked data, and other red flags so you’re alerted before things blow up — learn more about it here.

Highlights this week

• Rochester Philharmonic performs video game scores
• Christmas carnival rave benefits local charities
• Donate blood with the American Red Cross
• Santa fun run supports child advocacy
• This pet insurance plan reimburses up to 90%
• A tiny hearing aid is taking the US by storm

🫶 We got your back

Community partnership drives accountability: The Rochester Police Department has launched a Community Dashboard where anyone can see body-worn camera usage data. Built with the United Christian Leadership Ministry, it outlines when cameras must be on, like during arrests, pursuits, detentions and use of force. The tool is on the city’s open data portal to boost transparency. Get all the details.

Holiday tree deals roundup: Artificial trees are running 10% to 20% higher this season thanks to tariffs, so deals matter. News10NBC found real trees at Rochester’s Troop 31 sale for $15 to $120, a 60-year tradition with lots of loyal buyers. Big-box picks range widely, from $35 basics to $450 for a 9-foot pre-lit showpiece. Read the full price breakdown.

Winter sips, sorted Season’s here for cozy pours: at Three Heads Brewing, try Wendigo Winter Ale, spice-kissed with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and orange peel, plus Sprucifer IPA brewed with handpicked spruce tips. Bring a friend, dodge the slush, and warm your taste buds.

Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I decided to take Hers’ online quiz. They recommended a Biotin + Minoxidil green-apple gummy for regrowth and overall hair health. The whole thing was surprisingly easy: just verify who you are and a licensed provider signs off. Here’s the quiz if you want to check it out.

Makeup that actually works: My sister and I were talking the other day about how the makeup we used in our 20s… just doesn’t work now that we’re in our 30s and 40s. Laura Geller’s entire makeup line addresses this shift, with formulas that smooth, brighten, and actually stay put. If you’re in the same boat, their curated kits are worth a look.

📆 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

🎄 7th Annual Roc Holiday Village @ MLK Park | Wednesday (12/10) at 11:00am – Downtown turns into a snow globe at MLK Park with free ice skating, a quirky Shopping Village, and cozy igloos where you can warm up with a cocktail. Bring the kids for crafts and Santa, then stay for live music, fire pits, and late-night cheer.

💼 9 to 5 @ The Little Theatre | Wednesday (12/10) at 7:00pm – Nothing beats rewatching 9 to 5 with a room full of people who know every Dolly line, all to toast our Imagination Library hitting 100,000 books delivered. Classic laughs, righteous office revenge, and your ticket helps mail free books to Rochester kids, birth to five.

🐦 Trim a Tree for Wildlife @ Helmer Nature Center | Thursday (12/11) at 3:30pm – Helmer Nature Center is hosting winter crafts, turning pinecones, popcorn, and peanut butter into a winter-friendly treat for local wildlife. Make edible garlands, decorate a melted snowman cookie, sip cocoa, and enjoy the cozy atmosphere. $5 a person, family max $25.

🌿 Crafternoon: Holiday Wreath @ Pittsford Community Library | Friday (12/12) at 12:30pm – Holiday spirit without the pine needles in your carpet. Librarian Robyn guides you through making a wreath with faux greens, ribbon, and other good stuff, so it looks festive and perfectly tidy. Registration required, glue gun bravado optional.

🍲 Local History Potluck with Vintage Recipes @ Ogden Farmers’ Library | Friday (12/12) at 12:30pm – Ready for comfort food with a side of local lore? Grab a vintage recipe from the library’s local history shelves, cook it at home, then bring your masterpiece to share, complete with a recipe sheet listing all allergens. Extra applause for a triumphant Jell-O mold.

This weekend

🌸 December Craft with Denise Martino: Pressed Flower Gift @ Penfield Public Library | Saturday (12/13) at 10:30am – Skip the gift panic and make something lovely with pressed blooms picked from a local garden. It is adults-only, hands-on, and far more relaxing than navigating shipping delays. Leave with a frame-worthy piece, a warm mood, and zero glitter in your carpet.

📚 Friends of BML Pop-Up Holiday Book Sale @ Brighton Memorial Library | Saturday (12/13) at 12:00pm – If your holiday budget looks like the library fine jar, swing by the Friends pop-up at Brighton Memorial Library for $1 reads, a few hidden gems, and free wrapping. They take credit cards, and the kids can play Santa with pocket change.

🥂 Champagne Flute Painting Event @ Flight Wine Bar | Saturday (12/13) at 1:00pm – Arts and crafts meets happy hour at Flight Wine Bar, where Roc, Paint, Sip helps you paint your champagne flute, just in time for New Year’s. $35 covers the glass, supplies, your first beverage, and gratuity. Limited seats, so reserve your spot early—seating is limited.

🚒 Honeoye Falls Fire Truck Holiday Parade @ Mendon Public Library | Saturday (12/13) at 6:30pm – Bundle up and watch fire trucks glow for the holiday parade through Honeoye Falls. Sirens, twinkle lights, and small-town cheer in generous portions. Mendon Public Library rolls in with Pete the Cat, so bring the kids, and your best wave.

🏠 Holiday Open hAUs @ AutismUp | Sunday (12/14) at 1:00pm – Swing by AutismUp’s holiday open house for sensory-friendly Santa, music from their crew, and an art show that’ll make your fridge door proud. Cookies, cocoa, and PercUp Café treats from Full Life Academy await, plus the warm, real-deal community vibe you actually want this season.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🎶 Live music & entertainment

• 12/9 A Girl Named Genny @ Abilene Bar – 6 pm
• 12/10 Great American Ghost and more @ Photo City Music Hall – 5:30 pm
• 12/10 A Christmas Carol @ Geva Theatre – 7 pm
• 12/10 Public Water Supply and more @ Abilene Bar – 8 pm
• 12/11 Nate Michaels @ Pub 235 – 5 pm
• 12/11 Notes of Impressionism Detour @ Memorial Art Gallery – 6 pm
• 12/11 Victor Wooten @ Eastman School of Music – 7:30 pm
• 12/11 Béla Fleck @ Eastman School of Music – 8 pm

🏠️ This house is wild

Listed by: Mandeep Malhi (Howard Hanna)

Contemporary Colonial with 2,164 sq ft, cathedral ceilings and a two-story open foyer set the stage for light filled living. A skylight pours sunshine onto a second floor balcony lounge, while a glassy sunroom connects to a huge back deck. Fresh interior paint, big windows, and a generous yard keep the mood bright and easy.

Low traffic neighborhood vibes with quick hops to Long Pond Road, Greece Town Hall, and the Public Library. Schools, plazas, drive through cravings, and big name grocery runs are all nearby.

Take a peek inside →