The kind of Union that Bill Cosby wants with us is not the kind of Union we're interested in…read more But hanging with Mr. Cooper has never been more fun. Except that he's abusive and creepy, although you know what? This is a classic old-style building that is part of the wonderful charm of Center City Rochester, so even if it's named after a Bill Cosby character we can still appreciate it. A little bit. I hope they never tear the old buildings like this down. While you're checking it out, head next door to Pizza Stop - the best slices in the region.

The Rochester abandoned Subway was once the Rochester Industrial and Rapid Transit Railway or the…read moreRSB. You can still find some tokens around, they were used for a one way ride. The light rail transit line operated from 1927-1956. It was mostly constructed from the bed of the old Erie Canal. Two miles of the route through downtown was constructed in the cut and cover tunnel that became broad street and was the only underground portion of the tunnel. The above portion is now 490 and 590 interstate. Today, the underground section that is abandoned has become an area for homeless to take cover, a place to explore and a canvas for local graffiti artists. The city officials have made numerous proposals for repurposing the tunnel from filling it in to restoring and creating a transportation museum. I always enjoy seeing the area that was once a common way to commute, that now smells like urine :)

Home town of the Pen Fields Five. Oh wait…read more If you ever come up on a field full of pens you may be here. It's a really nice rural butt suburban area to the east of Rochester. I meant to say "but" but my phone decided it prefers the word "butt." It takes after Daddy. Really though, Penfield is one of my favorite parts of the region. And one of my favorite people in the region looks here. I meant to say "lives" but "looks" is accurate too. Hottie. Actually two of them. One of them is a Yelper. Hi bae. There aren't too many good food options around here. For that you should go down to Henrietta. But there are lots of cute girls and a really good YMCA. And some nice Farms. But not Funny Farms. Just because I grew up on one doesn't mean I go looking for them.

To Victor go the spoils. I don't know why anyone would send them here, but it's ok…read more I had some not-so-great experiences with the town of Victor. They managed to give me a ticket for not even doing anything on a number of occasions. And by a number I mean two actually... one of the times I was speeding, but not enough to warrant a ticket... or so I thought. However the Village Center is beautiful and quaint and typical Americana. So it averages out to a four but they need to stop taking my money. Thanks. Bye. Oh, my friend Alexis lives here. What a beauty queen. If you're reading, Alexis, I miss you! If it doesn't work out with that skinny guy, call me maybe.

To know Rochester, NY is to love Rochester, NY. Given that I spend my working days writing love…read morenotes to businesses around our fair city, I thought forced quarantine would be a nice time to reflect and share with the community how lucky I feel to live here every day. Will I be able to accurately and succinctly encapsulate my feelings? No clue. But I DO know that being unable to experience the full breadth of Rochester's panache has left me with some thoughts on what makes us, us. I love the way Rochester ticks. I love the feeling of a perfectly imperfect Rochester day. Stopping by the market on a sunny Saturday to ravage a Flour City Bread pastry. A run around Cobbs Hill Reservoir that's just an excuse to admire the city's dogs for an hour. Swearing at people in the East Ave Wegmans parking lot. Coffee and chats at Ugly Duck or Fuego. Mimosas at Roam. Board games at Starry Nites. A show at Blackfriars. Selfies with South Wedge murals. Accidentally drunk at Swan Dive. $5 movie Monday at The Little (and chilly walks through that little Little alleyway.) A zip trip out to Chili to see my parents and grab noms from Leaf & Bean. And, of course, staring out at the Genesee River from the brewhouse roof, wondering how many more days there are until Kolsch season. I have a million more examples that I'll spare you for now, and instead invite you to think about your best, most *Rochester* day. What did it feel like? Did it smell like lilacs? Or hops? Or coffee beans? Or Parcel 5? Maybe, but also maybe not. The building blocks of my best Rochester days always have and always will stem from the community I've shared them with. The thing that gives Rochester its special tang is it's access to whatever community of people you might be looking for or needing at any moment. For me, it's been the ROC theatre community, social media and marketing communities, my family and friends, and, of course, the generous and supportive Yelp community that I've come to love so deeply. Wherever community lays for you, I know you must be missing it hard right now. I am right there with you, and while I am no longer counting the days to Kolsch season (IT IS HERE, Y'ALL), I am counting the days until I can see Rochester in its full glory again: filled with various communities of people doing the best they can to make a meaningful life in our small NY oasis. I see you and I love you and I hear you, and I take comfort in the fact that we're all in this together. (As for 30 Church Street, the building for which this Yelp page is associated, ALSO five stars! The kindest security guards, stunning architecture, and convenient parking in the Sister Cities garage across the street. BOOM.)

There's a lot of history with in Rochester. Some of the countries most successful companies were…read morefounded here. And a long with that were the many people who came from other lands to make Rochester their home. Here's a mural that was painted a few years ago on the corner of Lyell and State.

I love this event and I'm so glad they were able to do again. Looks like more people are taking…read morenotice too. Not only is it free and a chance to see some amazing color at the end of winter (a time of year that can a look a little drab), but even the food and venders are reasonably priced. I just got a large slice of pizza from Salvatore's for $4 and a bag of popcorn from Doc Popcorn for $3. A nice lunch for a Friday afternoon. I love walking around and finding all the little details that Airigami has included in their installation, it's like a life sized look and find. There is also a small store, with a photo booth ($5 for a keepsake photo). Just like last year they have created some events to tie into the exhibit, including an Enchantment Under the Sea Dance--with a nod to Back to the Future (2015--get it?). The dance is sponsored by Yelp Rochester. There will also be another popping party this year, where participants will get to pop the balloons (with golf tees I heard) and discover prizes inside the balloons ($10 a ticket). Can't wait to come back later this week with my family and my good camera. I always love seeing the creative things Airigami can do. They also do custom installations for meetings, conventions, parties and even weddings--in fact they created a piece at the Rochester Makers Faire for the NYSCATE Convention at the Convention Center back in November, which was really fun to watch them build. I hope this event continues to grow.

Balloon mania! Great temporary exhibit that is fun and very clever. The creativity is awesome -…read moreit is amazing what they can do with balloons. This is the second year we have gone to this exhibit in the Sibley building. Kudos to all of the sponsors of this event!

We participated to the City Walk of the Neighborhood of the Arts tonight. Amy Riposo was our…read moretour guide and she lined up an excellent list of establishments for us to visit. This was a fantastic event. We visited @Edibles, @Nosh and @ThreeHeads brewery. All three were exceptional and the food was fantastic. At Edibles we had pasta along with tater tots with chipotle sauce. At Nosh we had pizza, Korean fried chicken wings and Tuna Noshos. At Three Heads we were treated to @KissMeCookie cookies filled with alcohol infused frosting. We were also treated to a farm stand out on by @HuberHatchery who treated us with a sale of fresh farm eggs. I highly recommend you visit all of these establishments.

Neat-o way to see and sample some of the city. It's truly a sample so you might want to eat before…read moreor plan to after. It's put on by Rochester A List and Roc-connisseur. Get ready to have you picture taken for social media, you can decline if you like.

Update: Bay Vista Taqueria is the food truck…read more Fun last Wednesday of the season 9/25 food truck rodeo Music was a little loud for my liking. They could've used a few less speakers to project the noise. Wide variety of food trucks-30-40. The service at the truck I chose was fairly priced and delicious If I remember the name, I will edit my review.

Sammies -n- Sweets food truck from Spencerport, NY is AMAZING! We enjoyed their fare at a local…read moreNativity Night in Caledonia. The service was prompt and piping hot on a very cold night. We had combo #3 which included a red osier beef sandwich, Mac salad, drink and dessert. The beef on weck was served perfectly roasted with juicy meat and a delicious roll. The carrot cake was rich with a creamy cream cheese frosting! I'll definitely be following them to see where they pop up next!