Hello Rochester! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: New mental health response, Kids' Night Out, and grand opening for Scoops on 16 + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
New support takes shape: A peer-led mental health crisis response launched Monday in Rochester, serving the 19th Ward and Genesee-Jefferson. HOPE First Rochester offers trauma-informed, non-police help, and a community kickoff is planned Saturday -- learn what this program offers.
New chapter for the site: Erie Materials will demolish a condemned Gates hotel and open a location on the site, after officials approved over $1.5 million in tax incentives for the roofing and window supplier -- see the site makeover.
New dining spot debuts: Wegmans opened The Grill at the Pittsford Wegmans, replacing the Burger Bar. It serves soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers, with entree and sandwich discounts running for six weeks -- check out the new menu.
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.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Press start to unwind: This week, trade doomscrolls for high scores at Arcade 80’s, a locally loved spot where the glow of classic cabinets and the clack of buttons are their own therapy. Grab a friend, chase a childhood record, and rediscover how fast “five minutes” turns into an hour.
Green thumb refresh: Family owned since 1960, Genrich's Garden Center, Florist & Greenhouses keeps its greenhouse open year-round with houseplants, succulents, and seasonal color, plus a nursery stocked with shrubs and trees. Got lawn questions or a mystery leaf spot? Their team and in-house grass seed mix for our sandy soil will sort you out.
Find your chill, Rochester: Skip the same-old sidewalk loop and do a lap at Highland Park this week, where winding paths lead to a sunken garden, a legit castle vibe and an amphitheater tucked among old trees. Perfect for a coffee stroll, quick picnic, or pretending you planned a "nature date".
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎶 Wegmans Concerts by the Shore 2026 @ Ontario Beach Park | Wednesday (6/24) at 7:00 PM – Wegmans Concerts by the Shore are back at Ontario Beach Park, serving up free, weekly tunes from party bands and country to Celtic rock, the RPO, reggae, and funk. Bring the lawn chair, embrace the lake breeze, and perfect your dignified chair-dancing, Rochester-style.
🎶 Summer Music Party! @ Winton Branch Library | Thursday (6/25) at 5:30 PM – Pearl Street Station brings danceable pop and rock to a party that serves up face painting, balloon animals, snacks, games, and crafts. Netsins ice cream rolls in, the prize wheel spins, and, because our librarians like parties, it happens inside the library, rain or shine.
🧒 Kids' Night Out @ Central Rock Gym | Friday (6/26) at 5:30 PM – Every second and fourth Friday, you get grown-up time while the kids scale walls with staff-led climbing, games, and supervised chaos, pizza included. They burn energy, you finish a meal while it’s still hot, and everyone pretends bedtime is a breeze.
🏀 Gus Macker Tournament @ Red Wing Stadium | Saturday (6/27) at 8:00 AM – Skip lawn mowing and dust off your jumper for legendary 3-on-3 Gus Macker’s return to Rochester, 20 courts at ESL Ballpark, home of the Red Wings. Expect trash talk, city pride, and camaraderie. Teams of four are $200, proceeds support the Y’s city programs.
🍨 Grand opening for Scoops on 16 @ Scoops on 16 | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Scoops on 16 is celebrating its grand opening with a bounce house, face painting, coloring, a prize wheel, and all the frozen favorites. The kids burn sugar outside, you savor custard, sundaes, shakes, and that quiet satisfaction of supporting a neighborhood sweet spot.
🛒 Rise and Shine Cart Tours @ Seneca Park Zoo | Sunday (6/28) at 8:00 AM – Morning at Seneca Park Zoo means swapping your commute for a golf cart, coffee optional, and watching the neighbors wake up. This 90-minute guided ride lets you peek at a lion’s routine, learn about the residents, and cruise the grounds before crowds, admission sold separately.
🗺 Hidden History: Riverie Tour of Center City and Genesee River @ Rochester By Water | Sunday (6/28) at 10:00 AM – Think you know downtown just because you’ve snagged parking on a festival weekend? Stroll Corn Hill and Center City with Matt Rogers, then relax on the Riverie, unearthing pocket landmarks, colorful characters, and stories that prove Rochester’s past still whispers from the river.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Rochester report Weather forecastToday — High: 78°F — Low: 59°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 78. West wind 5 to 8 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Southwest wind around 6 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 78°F — Low: 61°F — Precip: 85%
A chance of rain showers between 8am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 78. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. This house is wildThis nearly 3,800 sq. ft. custom home in Creekside Court pairs wooded privacy with polished luxury. A two-story foyer, hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, and a stone fireplace set the tone, while the cherry-and-granite kitchen brings serious style. The first-floor owner’s suite, four-season sunroom, walk-out lower level, stream, and gazebo add standout charm.
Take a peek inside → |
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