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I think we’ll call this mini series for the week “Outside Looking In” and it all starts here. The historic 19th Ward nei...
10/19/2026

I think we’ll call this mini series for the week “Outside Looking In” and it all starts here. The historic 19th Ward neighborhood, located in the southwest quadrant of the city, formed in 1804 under the name Castletown due to small trade and milling settlements along the Genesee River. Fast Forward to 1902 in which it was officially claimed The 19th Ward. To this day, it is the largest neighborhood in Rochester, and in 1965 the 19WCA was formed to combat redlining practices, increase diversity and preserve neighborhood stability.

In regards to me personally some of the earliest memories I can recall happened right on these very streets and many closeby. My grandmother Jane, ran a local daycare right out of the duplex her and my grandfather lived in for many years. The Mrs Rogers of the neighborhood as I often thought of her, due to her open heart, natural ability to make everyone feel a sense of belonging and she had EVERY color of Chuck Taylors imaginable, just like the actual Mr Rogers. Her annual pumpkin patch would attract neighbors from all over the block and she would welcome conversation in an instance.

A few of my favorite aspects of the ward is People’s Choice restaurant located at the corner of Brooks and Thurston. Jerk Chicken, collard greens + mac n’ cheese. Thank me later!
Genesee Valley Park is also around the way and is the perfect location for family gatherings, a run or bike ride or even just people watching and enjoying nature in its simplest form.

If you’re from ROC and have never explored it, I highly recommend!
It’s 19th Ward Forever. // Joshua 1/8

Introducing our week 616 (Yr. 12 Wk. 43) contributor: Joshua ⠀What’s up Rochester, ROC, The 585 and Flour/Flower City. M...
10/19/2026

Introducing our week 616 (Yr. 12 Wk. 43) contributor: Joshua
⠀
What’s up Rochester, ROC, The 585 and Flour/Flower City. 
My name is Josh Battaglini, or J as my folks like to call me. 
I’m 30 years young, born and raised right here in the heart of our city. 
Although I moved around a lot as a youth and traveled much during my late teen/early adult years, 
I still always come to the conclusion that no place on earth will ever simply be like home. 

Often coming up people would ask where my interest in Rochester came from and to me it was always a matter of understanding how it became what it is today and will continue to grow into, as society evolves. Businesses will come and go, people will move away while others settle and make their mark but the city will forever be what we all make it, regardless of time spent. 

This week I have the honor of sharing a few faces, places and things that have impacted and shaped my outlook as a person. It was tough to narrow down because the city has so much to offer all around but I did my best! And for the record, ROC owes me nothing!
 ⠀

For my final post, I wanted to share a little more about the social justice organization I work for, Girls Rock! Pride R...
10/18/2026

For my final post, I wanted to share a little more about the social justice organization I work for, Girls Rock! Pride Rock Rochester (Girls Rock! Pride Rock Rochester). GR!PR Rochester uses music as a vehicle for personal growth, creative expression, and positive change for the LGBTQIA+ community. Heading into our 15th year, our small but mighty team is led by musicians, Amanda Ashley (Amanda Ashley), Kat Link (kat link), Zora Gussow (Zora Acephala) Ellie DiMartino (Ellie), and an incredible BOD. It is an understatement to say I am lucky to be a part of this team! Located in Village Gate, we offer music based summer camps for youth, and adult and youth programming throughout the year. We create the spaces and places we wanted for ourselves as kids! I have worked in education my entire adult life in one role or another, and I have never felt more connected to the work I do, before now.

If you are looking for a way to get involved we have an adult arm wrestling club held at Three Heads Brewing (Three Heads Brewing), and our adult rock camp experience-Rock Roulette starting soon. Both are FREE and registration is live on our website and open to women, trans, non-binary or members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Being part of this GR!PR inspired me to face my own fear of singing in public and to celebrate my birthday, I conquered that fear by belting out two karaoke songs this very week! Because doing things that scare you is the best way to grow.

I want to give a HUGE thank you to Explore Rochester for inviting me to celebrate some of my favorite people, places, and things on the Westside, and to YOU for following along. I am lucky to have spent the last 43 years getting to know the Rochester community and there is SO much to celebrate. If I had an entire year to post, it would still not be enough time to highlight all of the things that make the ROC so special! // Mo 8/8

Tattoos are definitely a treat, so I thought it necessary to mention a few Westside studios. I stopped by Art Affliction...
10/17/2026

Tattoos are definitely a treat, so I thought it necessary to mention a few Westside studios. I stopped by Art Affliction Studio (Art Affliction Studio) in the Village of Spencerport on my birthday to get a few tattoos. The talented Ash Erbe (Ash Erbe), pictured above, made time for my bestie & I, w/ only a day’s notice! She is so fun to work with and I praise her for her patience and keen eye, while I yapped incessantly (as is my style) and requested multiple additions to my original design. This studio is comfortable and bright and I have followed the work of owner Tom Sherman (tomsherman) since his days at PG. Check out his work and enter his annual Halloween tattoo giveaway (not sponsored- it is just cool). I look forward to working with Ash again on my next (less spontaneous) piece, and there is ALWAYS a next tattoo on the horizon. Give her a follow, & consider heading to Spencerport for some new ink!

Another studio that is completely worth the drive is the Westside Tattoo Company (No/Dms) in Hamlin. I have gotten permanent art from the owner Joe Lathigee (Squintz) since his days as an apprentice (also a PG alumnus). A few things that make this place special are the sustainable products they use, the family friendly- 80’s arcade- vibe, & his wife Sam (studio manager and PR queen)! During my last tattoo, she sat with me & offered a very welcome distraction to the discomfort of a high powered needle in the back of my leg, while sharing tips on gardening, canning, & details on planning the perfect trip to Mexico! They are a dream team and it is a great place to go for a tattoo. Another unique tid-bit- they have an annual “thank-you” party for their customers! They are a small business that makes a big impact on their community. Joe does book a few months ahead so plan accordingly.

Historically, some ROC tattoo studios haven’t always been the most comfortable spaces for women. I am grateful to the generation of artists & owners that have changed that narrative! I can honestly say that both of these locations are places where everyone is welcome & safe.

Reminder: Tattoo Gift cards make a great gift! // Mo 7/8

Admittedly, I am not a great food photographer but this brownie from Go Frost Yourself (Go Frost Yourself) in Greece, re...
10/17/2026

Admittedly, I am not a great food photographer but this brownie from Go Frost Yourself (Go Frost Yourself) in Greece, requires no talent to look this good! G*Y is a small batch bakery known for their rotating flavors of Saturday morning cinnamon rolls. COME EARLY before they sell out. This week’s seasonal flavors are Pumpkin Chocolate Chip and Cranberry Orange Sugar Cookie. If you do miss out, fear not my non-morning -go- getters, everything in this bakery is worth the trip! As a gluten-free girly, I love their giant rice krispie treats! They are all of the ooey gooey I remember from my childhood yet refuse to make for myself. I love this bakery because they are women owned and have a no-nonsense policy when it comes to respecting employees and patrons. Missing out on a cinnamon roll is disappointing but you can always set your alarm and try again the next week. Keep it kind and support them often.

After securing the goods at G*Y, head up the road towards the Greece Ridge Mall. Directly across the street is New Roots Coffeehouse (New Roots Coffeehouse). I stopped there this week and ordered the Sun of a Pumpkin Latte-delicious! You can grab food, a coffee, or even a b**r. Part music shop- part incredible local cafe! I love their outdoor patio and they back up to one of the funnest playgrounds- think spaceship adventure!!! This coffee shop has been the site of many after work and early Saturday morning, meet-ups with my friends. Every drink I’ve tried has been a caffeinated slam dunk. // Mo 6/8

Ah, the luminous Espresso Martini. Both caffeinated and containing alcohol but tastes like a warm hug. If you grew up dr...
10/16/2026

Ah, the luminous Espresso Martini. Both caffeinated and containing alcohol but tastes like a warm hug. If you grew up drinking a Zima with skittles, welcome to your new favorite drink! These beauties were enjoyed in the Village of Brockport at the Custom House on the Canal (Custom House). Fall is the perfect time to enjoy their outdoor seating and watch the falling leaves and lights reflect off the canal. It was a beautiful spot to enjoy two (free) games of a comically large Connect-4 set, both of which I won.

The Village of Brockport is walkable, and full of great shops, restaurants, and bars. I try to make the trip a few times each season. In August I went to the Brockport Arts Festival (Brockport Arts Fest) and ate a truly shocking amount of kettle corn from Rochester Kettle Corn (Rochester Kettle Corn). If you see them at ANY event, grab a few bags of the BBQ and their Signature flavor. You will not regret it!

Before my visit to Brockport, I made a quick stop at Mayers Lake Ontario Winery (Mayers Lake Ontario Winery) in Hamlin. Unbenounced to me it was line dancing night! For a small cover fee and a bit of hand-eye-coordination, you can join! This group kindly let me stumble in mid-song and attempt to follow the steps- I failed, but by golly I had a great time! I would not fancy myself as a dancer but I am a lover of new experiences.

When you consider going out for a night on the town, add Brockport and Hamlin to your list! Drinks are affordable, laughs are encouraged, and Uber does service the area. // Mo 5/8

Happy Pumpkin B**r season to all who celebrate! My favorite place to grab a pint, pumpkin or otherwise, is McColley’s (M...
10/15/2026

Happy Pumpkin B**r season to all who celebrate! My favorite place to grab a pint, pumpkin or otherwise, is McColley’s (McColley's - Spencerport) in Spencerport. Pictured here with owner Matt Brooks, and westside legend, the talented Sarah Connolly (sarah_connolly_music), you can see me proudly displaying what’s left of my pumpkin ale-The Great Pumpkin(Rohrbach Brewing Company). In addition to an amazing selection of seasonal b**rs, you can also grab a bite to eat. My favorite thing to order is the Goat Cheese Salad, though it is not your typical “bar food” it hits every time! There is almost always live music playing, in addition to Sarah Connolly, you can check out other artists or stop in for open mic.

Right next door to McColley’s is Splatters (Splatters) a “paint your own pottery” studio. As the season progresses and the transition to “hobbit-life” occurs, I like to dive into the craft and hobby world. Splatters Studio is THE place to go! You can get a jump on the holidays by making a beautiful project to gift, or focus some love on yourself and get lost in the creation of a ceramic masterpiece. Tip- coffee mugs are ALWAYS needed and wanted.

This season and always-Support Small Businesses. // Mo 4/8

Let me introduce you to my friend....Krampus! You can meet them at Dark Matter Scream Works (DarkMatterScreamWorks) in G...
10/15/2026

Let me introduce you to my friend....Krampus! You can meet them at Dark Matter Scream Works (DarkMatterScreamWorks) in Greece! This picture was actually taken in December for their one-night only holiday haunt, when I decided to face my fear of adventuring through a haunted house. I am happy to report that with only a pair of earplugs, a human es**rt on either side, and one or more eyes closed - I crushed it! During the month of October you can expect more action, more jump scares, and truly some of the most gruesome and terrifying scenes one can imagine. A perfect night if you prefer your adrenals at full alert and your fight or flight ignited.

If you are looking for something a little less intense, but still want to celebrate all things Halloween, I highly recommend attending a Roc Only Event (RocOnly Events). You can shop, sip, and maybe grab a tattoo! These events are ALWAYS entertaining and your heart rate will likely remain in the “normal” range.

The Westside is full of free and low cost activities like Clowning Around the Graveyard (Clowning Around The Graveyard) in Chili. You can walk through a yard of animatronics, and live scares. The visit is free but if you stop by consider donating a few bucks. Recently, they had to make some adjustments to their normal offerings. Please always be respectful of the neighborhoods and grateful for the opportunity.... amatuer haunts are the backbone of the scare culture and I want them to stay. // Mo 3/8

Every Rochestarian has a favorite farm stand. Mine is Sunscape Farms and Greenhouses (Sunscape Farms & Greenhouses) in G...
10/14/2026

Every Rochestarian has a favorite farm stand. Mine is Sunscape Farms and Greenhouses (Sunscape Farms & Greenhouses) in Greece. This is my favorite place to grab fresh cut flowers (or cut them yourself), pumpkins, mums, and all the things. They offer CSA memberships as well as fresh produce for purchase. In addition to all of those wonderful things.....they have turkeys! You can walk up and visit with three chatty turkeys, several black ducks, a team of chickens, and one very mouthy rooster! Visiting this feathered team is always our favorite part.

Other honorable farmstand mention goes to Partyka Farms (Partyka Farms) in Kendall. This is the best place to grab an ice cream in the summer and c***r in the fall. They also own and operate my favorite place to eat in Hamlin- The Farmer’s Table. This is a farm to table establishment with gluten-free options! If you head to either of these locations, NOW is the best time to go and enjoy the leaf peeping and magical country views along the way. // Mo 2/8

My first stop every spooky season is the VerHulst Haunted Hayride (VerHulst Haunted Hayride | Rochester NY). Every year ...
10/14/2026

My first stop every spooky season is the VerHulst Haunted Hayride (VerHulst Haunted Hayride | Rochester NY). Every year we go on opening night and arrive before seven to beat the crowds. This is the BEST time to see the sunset, grab a hot apple c***r or donut from Duke’s (Dukes Donuts), and watch the scare actors do their thing!

Story time: On my 21st birthday my eighty year old grandmother, and mother took me to the VerHulst Haunted Hayride. I always avoid the chainsaw characters because they are admittedly the most terrifying. I managed to make it through the ride without a mere fright from said chainsaw person. Before leaving, I stopped in the bathroom and as I came out....the chainsaw character was waiting!!!! This was because my grandmother chased him down and set me up! I am sure she is still laughing about this heavenside.

Despite my trauma, I look forward to going every year! Come early, bring cash, and trust no one when you arrive... not even your grandmother! // Mo 1/8

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