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We have our lilac bloom too.  Photo of lilacs in Cobbs Hill Park

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News Pertaining to Our Neighborhood

       [ Snow Plowing ] [ Good Gardens ] [ Belmont Garden ] [ Communications Key ] [ Cobbs Hill Changes ] [ Snowbound Cars ] [ NBN Program ] [ City Living Sundays ] [ Mural Project ] [ Chilly Success ] [ Neighborhoods ] [ Mural ] [ Piazza ] [ PAC TEC ]    

• FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS CELEBRATE OUR COUNTRY'S FREEDOM Mayor Robert J. Duffy today announced that the City will light up the downtown skies with a spectacular fireworks show to celebrate our country's freedom, 10 p.m., Fri., July 4. "Downtown is the place to be this 4th of July," said Mayor Duffy. "We will kick-off the holiday weekend with the start of the all-new ‘River City Rhythms’ concert series and conclude with a spectacular fireworks display. It will be a fitting commemoration to our nation=s independence and a very exciting night." (June 27, 08) --Welcome to the City of Rochester
• MAYOR ANNOUNCES COOL SWEEP KICK-OFF & SEVEN-DAY OPERATIONS AT DURAND Mayor Robert J. Duffy today announced the 2008 kickoff of operation “Cool Sweep,” a customer service and public safety initiative designed to provide relief from the heat for those with limited access to swimming and bathing facilities. As part of “Cool Sweep,” seven day per week operations at Durand-Eastman Beach will begin Mon., June 30. (June 27, 08)--Welcome to the City of Rochester
• Rochester wants to buy armory for housing options | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle Redevelopment sites in southeast, southwest and downtown Rochester all await proposals for market-rate housing options, and the city is preparing to push even more property into the pipeline. In the past week, the city has issued requests for proposals for Valley Court Apartments at 1170 Genesee St., south of Brooks Landing, and for the old Rascal Café lot at 920 E. Main St., northwest of the Gibbs Street intersection. June 25, 08) democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle | Rochester news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Rochester, New York
• Culver Road Armory For Sale - 13WHAM.com (Rochester, N.Y.) – The city may buy the Culver Road Armory from the state. The state contacted the city a few months ago about a possible sale. The city is now weighing its options for the 12-acre site. The state may end up auctioning the property. (June 23, 08) - 13WHAM.com
• CITY SUMMER RECREATION ACTIVITIES BEGIN A full slate of summer activities for youth and adults begins Mon., June 30 at 29 City Community and Recreation Centers. Summer recreation programming fills a day-long schedule for ages six and up at nine sites featuring Saturday hours. --Welcome to the City of Rochester
• Newest Farmers' Market Opens in City -A new farmers' market in Rochester is a place to get fresh food, and a place to get to know your neighbors. The Westside Farmers Market opened in the parking lot of St. Monica's Church on Genesee St. The neighborhood initiative features food from local farmers. (June 18, 08) R News: As It Happens, Where It Happens
• DEVELOPMENT: City moves to acquire Culver Road Armory - News & Opinion - Rochester City Newspaper Developers continuously scour the southeast section of the city for housing growth opportunities, but many of the best spots are gone, said Kathy Sheets, the city's director of real estate. That's why, she said, the city is working hard to obtain the Culver Road Armory and adjoining land. (June 18, 08) Rochester City Newspaper
• SUMMER COMMUNITY GARAGE SALES AND SUPER FLEAS BEGIN THIS WEEKThe City’s Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union St. fills the Sundays of summer with a series of Community Garage Sales and Super Fleas beginning 8 a.m. -- 2 p.m., Sun., June 15 and continuing throughout July, August and September as the Market is transformed each week into a gigantic, outdoor flea market. --Welcome to the City of Rochester
• MAYOR UNVEILS RESULTS OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY Results of the City’s Customer Satisfaction (CSI) Survey released today reveal that 84% of residents think Rochester is improving. The survey polled 646 city residents, business owners and landlords from Nov., 2007 -- Jan., 2008, with the question: "On balance and all things considered, do you agree with the following statement? There’s still a long way to go, but the City is improving."“This is an amazing vote of confidence for our team at City Hall because it comes from our customers," said Mayor Robert J. Duffy. "We are grateful for the recognition, and I am pleased that the overall results of our survey are positive. But our customers also feel we need to improve in certain areas. We intend to keep working hard to make Rochester the best place in the nation to live, work and raise a family.”
• CITY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, LIBRARIES AND NET OFFICES TO CLOSE FOR THE HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 24, 25 & JANUARY 1; REFUSE & RECYCLING COLLECTION WILL TAKE PLACE DEC. 24
• New Web site can link volunteers and agencies - (December 19, 2007) — People looking to volunteer in the city, or the suburbs, now have one central Web site to connect with agencies in need. OneCity Connection is a partnership between United Way and the city of Rochester. The Web site can be found at www.onecityconnection.org . Click on “Find a project,” follow the links and, when prompted, type in the keyword “city.” Democrat & Chronicle

• Congregation Beth Sholom weighs its options: Renovate or rebuild? — Discussion about moving Congregation Beth Sholom, an Orthodox Jewish temple, from Rochester to Brighton has raised concerns and questions. Congregation officials have said the existing building at 1161 Monroe Ave., near the intersection with Culver Road, is aging, and perhaps too large and too costly. They are considering an Elmwood Avenue parcel in Brighton, across from the Home Acres neighborhood. (November 14, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle

• The Corner Place will begin a new - Arts Academy term on October 9th.  Classes for children ages 5 to 14, after school on Tuesday and Wednesday, include Art, Music and Intro to Dance for boys and girls.  Registration is on-going until classes are full.  All classes are open to the public at $18/course, but we continue to offer children's classes at only a $5.00 registration fee to families from School #35 or the Upper Monroe neighborhood.  You asked for it, so we are adding 3 classes for adults: Art, Finding your Inner Self through Mixed Media at $30.00; Music, a Show Choir concentrating on show, jazz, and pop songs at $25.00; and Crafts, learning to make simple gifts at $12.00. For more information or to register, call Joyce Perry  at 244-3125, or email cornerplace@frontiernet.net.  Expanded opportunities at our new location at 969 Monroe Avenue may include story hours, workshops for parents, classes and social opportunities for women.  We would very much like to hear from you as to how we can best meet your needs and interests.  Contact Joyce Perry at 244-3125 or pass along your ideas through UMNA. 

• 2008 City Property Reassessments  Underway - Many of you have received letters announcing that our property values are in the process of being reassessed.  This is an ongoing project the city is committed to and just another part of living in the modern world.  That being said, there is nothing to say that we, as good citizens, can't ask questions and look out for ourselves and our neighbors.  Any property owner who needs more information about reassessments should contact the City Assessor's Office at 716-428-7950.

• First UMNA Plant Sale a Great Success - The first annual Upper Monroe plant sale was a rousing success, raising nearly $500 for neighborhood beautification and other UMNA activities. Special thanks goes to Cheryl Dorrance, Judy Sternberg, and Jan and Bill Schwappacher for all their hard work. Next year promises to be even bigger and better with a much wider variety of trees, shrubs, perennials and houseplants.  The sale will be held Saturday, May 3^rd, 2008. Mark your calendars for great deals for your home and garden.  If you can help out with the next plant sale, please contact Bill Schwappacher at bschwapp@holimolimedia.com or 256-0028.

• TREE TEAM PROJECT ENCOURAGES VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH CITY STREET AND PARK TREES - The City will host a volunteer tree care event at Jones Square Park, corner of Jones and Plymouth Avenues, 9:30 a.m.-12 noon, on Saturday, Nov. 17. The activity is a part of the Richard Nolan Tree Team Project aimed to encourage volunteers of all ages to assist with community tree plantings, to mulch park trees and to otherwise help with the greening of Rochester via city tree care and educational projects. City forestry and horticultural staff will coordinate these efforts. Participants will learn about trees, how to tell trees apart, how to take care of them and how they benefit the environment. Scouts can also earn nature badges through this program. Participants should bring a shovel, a large bucket and work gloves (if available) and wear pants and sturdy shoes. Some tools, wheelbarrows and pruners will be provided. No registration is required, and the event is dependent on weather. No rain date will be scheduled in the event of rain. For more information call 428 6770, M F, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. --Welcome to the City of Rochester

• Children’s Garden Mural Unveiled As about 50 neighbors and guests looked on, the Children’s Garden Mural was unveiled on Saturday, September 29 in the garden abutting the soundwall on Laburnam Crescent.  Twenty neighborhood children worked on the mural over the summer, under the direction of artists Joseph Sorrentino and Shawn Dunwoody. 

• Cobbs Hill reservoir faces demotion - Tighter federal rules on water systems also affect Highland and Rush — Cobbs Hill and Highland reservoirs would be removed from the city's water system but maintained as park features, and Rush reservoir would be covered with a floating tarp, under a proposal to be unveiled tonight. The city is responding to tightened federal regulations on how communities store and treat their drinking water. (June 27, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle

• City reservoir plan: Remove two, cover one — To comply with tighter federal rules the city might remove Cobbs Hill and Highland reservoirs from the water system but maintain both as park features, and cover Rush reservoir. City officials have called a public meeting for 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall to present the proposal. The idea — which also calls for building cement storage tanks at all three reservoirs — is the preferred alternative to address the new regulations on how communities store and treat their drinking water. (June 26, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle

• Skeptical residents question costly water reservoir rules — Plans to overhaul the city's water reservoirs drew concerns Wednesday night about potential impacts on historic Cobbs Hill and Highland parks. But it was skepticism that dominated discussion during a public meeting at City Hall, with residents questioning the federal regulations that officials say mandate the changes — and how all this plays into the city's ongoing talks with the Monroe County Water Authority. (June 28, 2007) Democrat & Chronicle

• Rochester Targets Fix-Up Neighborhoods - (Rochester, N.Y.) -- At a special meeting Thursday night, Rochester City Council gave its initial approval for a plan to target four neighborhoods with millions in fix-up money from the federal government. The hard part is selecting which neighborhoods get the money. The Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association said they're one of those in-between communities that could blossom with the money or suffer with neglect. But with they will compete with other neighborhoods like the one near Jay and Orchard streets. (June 17, 07) - 13WHAM.com

• MAYOR DUFFY UNVEILS REVITALIZED RECRUITMENT EFFORT FOR PAC TAC (City of Rochester News Release - 05/17/2007) Invites Community to PAC TAC-Themed City Hall on the Road Mayor Robert J. Duffy joined Police Chief David T. Moore and Neighborhood Empowerment Team (NET) Director Molly Clifford today to unveil the newly revitalized Police and Citizens Together Against Crime (PAC TAC) initiative.

• First Annual Upper Monroe Party a Chilly Success!! Screams of joy could be heard at Tay House this past January 20th during the first annual Upper Monroe Winter Party.

• Is a Neighborhood Public Piazza in Our Future? One of the great ideas coming from the UMNA charrette is to construct a public piazza (no not pizza) on New Life Presbyterian church's front lawn.  The improvement would allow better use of the front lawn by the neighborhood, as well as meet the church's need to make its sanctuary handicapped accessible.

• Reshaping Rochester Series: Food for Thought about Where We Live The Rochester Regional Community Design Center and others are sponsoring a series of lectures on issues of interest to all residents of our area. If you haven’t had a chance to hear one of the excellent speakers, there are still some events left in the series. Transportation for Livable Communities: May 15, 7PM at the Memorial Art Gallery. Speaker: Walter Kulash, “Livable Traffic” Engineer for Glatting Jackson, new urbanist design firm, Orlando, Florida. Living Downtown: June 20, 7PM at Hochstein Performance Hall. Speaker: Laurie Volk, Principal at Zimmerman Volk and current Housing Study Consultant to the City of Rochester, Clinton, NJ. Go to www.reshapingrochester.com  for more information and to obtain tickets.

• WEBSITE ENABLES INPUT ON FUTURE OF ROCHESTER'S NEIGHBORHOODS (City of Rochester News Release - 04/10/2007) Mayor Robert J. Duffy today announced a new initiative designed to reinvigorate Rochester's neighborhoods. The online survey portion of the Rochester Citywide Housing Market Study is up an running. This innovative website combines carefully collected market data with a full analysis of the city's neighborhoods, as well as their financial environments and housing programs.  In addition to an online survey, the website (www.rochesterhousingstudy.com ) offers several unique sections, including 16 interactive, thematic city maps on different topics ranging from changes in sale prices to code violations. There is a photo gallery of Rochester's neighborhoods, historic city photos and links to Rochester's neighborhood groups.

• "CITY LIVING SUNDAYS" TO VISIT THE NORTHWEST (City of Rochester News Release - 03/09/2007) -Mayor Robert J. Duffy, City Council Pres. Lois J. Giess, Dept. of Community Development (DCD) Commissioner Julio Vazquez and City Living Sundays co-chairs Ted Wood of Ted Wood Real Estate, and Beverly Fair-Brooks of M&T Bank, will welcome the public to the second Sunday of the 15th annual "City Living Sundays." This week's annual celebration of city lifestyles, neighborhoods and home ownership will take place 12 noon - 4 p.m., Sun., March 11 at Thomas Jefferson High School, 1 Edgerton Pk. and will feature homes in the Northwest section of the city.

• COUNCIL TO REVIEW FUTURE OF NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING -(For our area - Monday, Feb. 5, Sector 7, Cobbs Hill Rec., Lake Riley Lodge at Norris & Culver) -- Councilmember at Large Carolee A. Conklin, Chair of Council's Housing and Community Development Committee, announced that her Committee has scheduled ten meetings (one in each neighborhood planning sector) to discuss the future of the City's nationally recognized Neighbors Building Neighborhoods (NBN) program. NBN has received several awards and has been the subject of conference presentations given by Councilmembers around the country. Nonetheless, the natural life cycle of this initiative may be winding down, and it is time to reflect upon NBN and Sector groups, so that this important community planning model can be re-tooled and strengthened.
• [Fall of 2006] IT’S AMAZING WHAT ONE DEDICATED NEIGHBOR CAN DO! Did you notice that Monroe Ave between Werner Park and Belmont St. looked a little more colorful this summer? You can thank Barb Cherry, a Werner Park resident for that! Not only did Barb expand the Werner Park flower bed, she also planted flowers in front of Corky's, Ming’s, and Jeremiah's. In addition to her time and effort, Barb also donated many of the flowers and plants that were used. Her love of gardening is contagious, so much so that she has influenced another Werner park resident to "adopt" a tree. In doing so, plants and flowers surround the bases of trees, and even a light post! Impressed with the effort, others have committed to "adopting" more trees come Spring. There are also plans to create a tulip bed in the mall, utilizing donated bulbs from Werner Park residents. So, with the leaves now turning colors and the snow to soon follow, we await the coming of Spring with even greater anticipation, knowing that Werner Park will be ablaze in color!
• [Fall of 2006] NAME THOSE BUILDINGS In a recent discussion, the Upper Monroe CARES group and Ventrix Property owners talked about trying to find a name that would refer to their campus of buildings (6 or more) in the urban village area so that people could more readily identify them. This will impact new signage on several buildings as they plan improvements. Suggestions might be "Upper Monroe Square", "Crosman Commons", etc. They would not eliminate the names of existing buildings, but, for example, could say "the Delmar at Upper Monroe Square". Neighbors are asked to share their ideas and suggestions (as many as you want) to name the campus. Please submit ideas by the end of November to Joyce Perry, Design Guidelines chairperson, at 244-3125 or email cornerplace@frontiernet.net .
• [Fall of 2006] A WATERY GARAGE SALE IN UPPER MONROE Well, we tried, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Due to heavy rains, the Upper Monroe Neighborhood Garage Sale, held this summer to benefit the neighborhood, did not draw the crowds many of us had hoped. Several residents went ahead with their sales anyway, however, with at least one – Valerie McPherson of Crosman Terrace – saying she did well with an early-morning rush of dealers interested in the furniture she was selling. THE GOOD NEWS: This was a sale to benefit the neighborhood, and the neighborhood did indeed benefit. With the $10 fee to participate, UMNA collected $160 and was able to keep roughly $100 of that after advertising and balloon costs. So THANK YOU to those who took part. We’ll try again in the future, and will be certain to have a rain date next time around.
• [Fall of 2006] CHANGES AHEAD FOR COBBS HILL RESERVOIR -The Cobbs Hill Reservoir has been a vital part of the Upper Monroe neighborhood for about a hundred years; the City acquired the hilltop in 1904 and completed this 140,000,000 gallon reservoir in 1908. Strolling around the reservoir may be our neighborhood’s most enjoyable pastime. But big changes may be ahead. Last June, the City of Rochester engaged a firm to study its three reservoirs (Cobbs Hill, Highland, and Rush) in response to a new regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency. A new EPA rule requires that 'finished water' reservoirs be covered or the water treated to prevent activation of two viruses (giardia and cryptosporidium).
• [Fall of 2006]

• The children of Suter Terrace, Laburnam Crescent, and Luzerne St. were on hand August 9, 2006 when Mayor Duffy dedicated their beautiful Children’s Garden. What a great gathering of community resources to make something beautiful we can all enjoy. Support was also provided by Monroe CARES.

• [Fall of 2006] CITY MAY STUDY HOUSING MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AT CULVER ARMORY The City of Rochester has hired Interface Studios of Philadelphia to undertake a Housing Market Study. Among the tasks this firm and various subcontractors will perform is an analysis of the preferences, lifestyles, life stages, and capabilities of households most likely to move to the city, a neighborhood, or a specific site. In Upper Monroe, a site likely to be studied is the parcel behind the Culver Armory. Interface is optimistic that both Baby Boomers and the younger generation, Millennials (born 1977 to 1996), are discovering and rediscovering the benefits of city living. With significant stakeholder and neighborhood input, specific steps, goals, and timetables will be incorporated into a Housing Strategy that can be adopted and implemented by the City. Overseeing this effort is Chuck Thomas, director of the city's Planning Bureau.

• [Fall of 2006] GARDENING GROUP WORKS WONDERS This year UMNA's "gardening group" met weekly on Wednesday evenings beginning in May and wrapped up at the end of September. We worked for only an hour a week and managed to keep all the gardens in shape, looking more beautiful than ever! My thanks go out to all who have helped, even if that was a simple thank you in passing. Our friendships have deepened and our sense of neighborhood has expanded. Come join us next summer and see for yourself! Contact Jane Alexander at 244-8415 to get involved.

• [Fall of 2006] KEEP OUR SIDEWALKS CLEAR THIS WINTER Upper Monroe is an urban neighborhood, which means, among other things, that many of us walk, both for recreation and for transportation. Winter can be hard on pedestrians, but it doesn’t need to be. It is up to each of us to keep the sidewalks in front of our property clear. Most of us have so little sidewalk to maintain, it can be cleared in a matter of a few minutes. The city does plow our sidewalks, but only when we get significant amounts of snow. This is no substitute for regular shoveling. And please help out your neighbors who may be unable to shovel. Happy winter walking!

• [Fall of 2006] OUR GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS: MAKING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BEAUTIFUL The dedication of the Children's Garden by Mayor Duffy on August 9th celebrated a project started in the spring as a collaborative effort among the children and residents of Suter Terrace, Luzerne, and Laburnam Crescent, together with our NET Office and The Corner Place, to beautify the neighborhood and build community. The children submitted their "wish list" of plants which included a lilac bush, sunflowers, roses and lots of vegetables! They dug in topsoil and compost, then planted and maintained the garden throughout the summer. Hats off to all the children, and thanks to Pete Saxe, the City of Rochester, The Corner Place, and Suter Terrace residents Joseph and Nori Sorrentino, Karen Curry and Leroy for their faithful attention.

• Rochester - Cobbs Hill diaries - Getting personal with Rochester's hilltop oasis - Featured story - Featured story - City Newspaper

  I hit the snooze button on an early spring morning, prop myself up on one elbow, and dial 974-1616 on the bedside phone: "The time is... five... forty... nine... A.... M. The local temperature is... forty... five... degrees." As I rise, it's still dark. I'm on my way to keep an appointment with Rochester's hilltop oasis: Cobbs Hill reservoir. The reservoir is a man-made lake atop a hill on the city's eastern edge. A service road climbs from the surrounding neighborhood and undulates through mature pines as it makes its way around the water. It's a perfect three-quarter-mile trail for walking out of traffic's way. Cobbs Hill is the highest point in Rochester accessible to the general public, outshone in altitude only by nearby, privatized Pinnacle Hill. The view is never a disappointment. --from Rochester - News, Music, Restaurants, Events, Arts and Entertainment Newspaper - City Newspaper

• News From The Corner Place ARTS GRANT FUNDS SUMMER PROGRAM Thanks to a grant from the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester, The Corner Place Arts Academy will offer an expanded summer program with Art, Music, Drama and Creative Writing classes for children from five to teens.  The “Art is My Mirror” theme based integrated curriculum will explore several topics chosen by participants, culminating in a major art installation and music, drama and creative writing performances.  Classes will be held 3 days a week from July 5th to August 17th.  Once again we are able to offer places without charge to any child from #35 School or the Upper Monroe neighborhood.  Others may register with a modest tuition fee.  Look for registration forms and class schedules around mid May or call Joyce Perry for more information at 244-3125.

• Upper Monroe Moms is Now Upper Monroe Parents!  We meet the 1st Saturday of each month at the Corner Place at 9:30a.m.  We have weekly playgroups and swap babysitting.  We are currently organizing a group garage sale (May 20 - watch the D&C for the ad, and we'll also hopefully get signs up in the neighborhood).  We've been talking about getting a walking group together as well.  Expectant moms are also welcome to join us.  Contact Catherine Bauroth at 429-5445.

• Upper Monroe Charrette: Moving Forward! - On the evening of February 28, 2006, over 50 Upper Monroe neighbors gathered to plan the projects suggested by the highly successful neighborhood Charrette of October 2004.  As you recall, a charrette is a sort of neighborhood brainstorming session involving neighbors, designers and architects.  The February meeting marked the start of the implementation phase of our Charrette and places the Upper Monroe Neighborhood in the forefront of citizen-directed neighborhood planning in Rochester.  At this meeting, quite a few of our friends and neighbors volunteered to get eight projects off and running.  Together these projects promise to improve both the quality of life and the economic health of Upper Monroe: 

* Gateway enhancements at the Monroe/490 and Culver/490 bridges, with an emphasis on interim improvements and pedestrian safety.

*  Landscape and architectural improvements to the front yard of the New Life Church. 

*  Bringing in business tenants for Monroe Avenue properties

*  Creating neighborhood-friendly streetscape guidelines for the zoning codes. 

*  Examination of Cobbs Hill Park with an eye to increasing accessibility from the neighborhood while maintaining its current ambience. 

* Narrowing of Culver Road for traffic calming and expanded parking capacity

*  Soliciting a market study for the Armory site on Culver Road. 

* Creating a neighborhood theme that will guide the implementation of the Charrette as a whole.  See the article inside for more on this project.

If you were unable to attend the meeting, related documentation, including a power point presentation, can be found at www.uppermonroeavenue.org. 

The project teams are just beginning the process of implementing these key projects, and one has even secured some initial funding for their work!  This is great news and Upper Monroe has a lot to be proud of.  Of course, if any of these projects seem up your alley or simply seems important to you, your help and participation is always needed.  To get involved, contact Josh Bauroth at 429-5445 or Linda Hermans at 242-8905.

• Good Gardens Make Good Neighborhoods - In Upper Monroe, the adage “good fences make good neighbors” doesn’t hold much water. Participants in the design charrette observed an unsightly fence at Belmont and Monroe, and envisioned instead a garden. The purpose of the fence was to keep pedestrians from encroaching on the property while rounding the corner, but a garden serves the same purpose in a much more pleasing way.
• WARNING - HOSTA VIRUS X - Many hostas are turning up that are infected with a virus called Hosta Virus X (HVX). The most commonly seen ones are plants of 'Gold Standard', 'Striptease', and 'Sum and Substance', but other common varieties are being reported infected in large numbers. While this disease does not kill plants, its primary danger lies in its proven ability to spread. Because symptoms may take years to show after infection, HVX has infected tens of thousands of plants and is at epidemic levels around the world. If a batch of hostas contains any individual plants that show HVX symptoms, the whole batch is infected and should be destroyed.
• UMNA has been blogged: Join us in a community discussion at:  http://umnablog.blogspot.com/  Ask or answer any question you have about our neighborhood.  Don't know what a blog is? Check: Blogger Knowledge
• Monroe visions -In October, about 100 people --- residents, architects, city officials --- spent a day brainstorming what the city neighborhood known as Upper Monroe might become. At a public meeting next week, they move from brainstorming into planning. The area under study is bounded by I-490, Monroe Avenue, and Culver Road and includes not only houses and commercial buildings but also two significant landmarks: CobbsHillPark and the Culver Road Armory. The May 24 program is sponsored by the Upper Monroe Planning Collaborative and the Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association -- May 18-24, 2005 City Newspaper
• Belmont Corner Garden Grant Approved, by John Thomas - Among the many ideas resulting from the October design charrette were a Belmont Corner garden and a neighborhood “theme” based on flowers from the historic Crosman Seed Company (the old brick building at the corner of Monroe and Laburnam). As a step toward implementing these ideas, UMNA applied for and was granted a 2005 NeighborGood grant from the Rochester Area Community Foundation.
• Snow Plowing: Did you know that as soon as snow starts to accumulate on main (arterial) streets, City crews begin salting? Special attention is given to bridges and hills. A typical salt run may take four hours to complete.
• (February 07, 2005)  UMNA submits Application for 2005 NeighborGood grant -UMNA has submitted an application for a $2,000 grant to design and construct a Belmont Corner garden at 1088 Monroe Avenue (north west corner across Belmont from Jeremiah's). Using City assistance, the project would replace the chain link fence with a flower garden complete with a "flowerette" art piece designed and manufactured by an are metalsmith. The art piece base would be made with mosaic glass collected by neighborhood children. The garden was suggested as part of the October Upper Monroe design charrette. Thus, the garden could be considered the first neighborhood improvement project coming out of the charrette. The grant was submitted to the Rochester Area Community Foundation in December with grant announcements expected in March. Should UMNA obtain the grant, we will be looking for neighborhood residents to help with the design and plantings. Stay tuned....
• (February 07, 2005)  Upper Monroe Planning Collaborative decides to pay the Rochester Regional Design Center (RRDC) $5,000 to develop a "Physical Vision Plan"

• (February 07, 2005)  The Upper Monroe Planning Collaboration which includes UMNA reps has received some great news--Kodak has awarded it $8,000 to help pay for charrette expenses and to help implement charrette ideas. The Planning Collaborative is now in the process of deciding how to best spend the funds. This grant is a great boost toward seeing that our charrette ideas become reality. Many thanks to the Eastman Kodak Company for supporting our neighborhood improvement efforts.
• (October 20, 2004) City Newspaper: Making design dreams true A joint effort by the Upper Monroe Neighborhood Association and the Rochester Regional Community Design Center, the charrette brought Upper Monroe residents together with professional architects and city officials (approximately 100 people total) for a big brainstorming session. With large-scale map printouts and historical photographs posted along the walls --- and tracing paper and colored markers spread across folding tables --- the basement of the New Life basement buzzed with creative energy.
• City Newspaper: Design down the Avenue (October 13, 2004) This Saturday marks a chance for residents of the Upper Monroe to stake a claim for the future of their neighborhood. Local architects, city planners, and neighborhood residents will be banding together for a day-long design charrette. And there are some big topics to address during the brainstorming session: the Culver Road Armory, Cobbs Hill, retail along Monroe Avenue.... The Upper Monroe Neighborhood is that triangle of city residential streets along Culver and Monroe bounded by 490.
• Also check out www.louisville.edu/sun/planning/char.html  great site on what goes into a charrette and its purpose.
• NEW WEB SITE AND ADDRESS: www.uppermonoreavenue.org
• Democrat & Chronicle: City to enforce 2001 ban on photos of reservoirs — Citing security concerns, Rochester officials say they will soon post signs barring the taking of photographs of city drinking-water reservoirs, including the one at Cobbs Hill. Photographing the views from reservoirs, however, will be allowed — despite several incidents in which people have been wrongly barred from photographing the scenery from atop Cobbs Hill. (December 22, 2003)
• Democrat & Chronicle: Makeover of Cobbs Hill Park nearly done — Cobbs Hill Park, which almost became off-limits to visitors after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, is in the final stages of a makeover intended, in part, to make it more welcoming. Crews are now replacing the old bricks near the gatehouse with new material and are expected to finish by mid-June, if the weather holds. The walkway is the last piece of the $832,600 project, which also included repaving the roadway leading up to and around the reservoir, and installing high curbs around certain parts of the reservoir for extra security. (June 2, 2004) Democrat and Chronicle

• Miniperforming Arts Center?  Democrat & Chronicle: Second act for Culver Road armory - site for small theaters? (April 22, 2004) — As details about the proposed downtown performing arts center are debated, a contingent of small-theater groups is quietly planning for a sort of miniperforming arts center of its own. Democrat and Chronicle

Clearing fire hydrants of snow

Rochester Fire Chief Floyd A. Madison is asking Rochester residents to assist the Fire Department by clearing fire hydrants of snow on their streets and in their neighborhoods. "The extreme weather conditions of the past weeks have kept fire crews very busy and we could use some helping hands shoveling out hydrants," said Chief Madison. Rochester has 7200 fire hydrants any of which might be critical to firefighting operations. As the snow and cold continue, residents can be helpful by digging out hydrants around their homes. Several minutes of work to clear a hydrant might make all the difference in a fire emergency. http://www2.cityofrochester.net/cs/NewsReleases/index.cfm?Release=1261

Monroe Avenue Task Force
As a member of the Monroe Avenue Task Force backed by SEAD (South East Arts Development) I can say that positive ideas and actions have been happening both in our neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods lately. Representatives of the community as a whole (local residents, commercial property owners, merchants and city officials) have been meeting regularly and frequently, discussing and proposing positive changes and volunteer activities/opportunities for the people of Monroe Avenue, all along it's whole length.

One effort being made by the Monroe Avenue Merchants Assoc. (MAMA) has been moving along well. They are raising funds to hire a "Monroe Avenue Manager," who will strive to fulfill our mission statement: "Monroe Avenue is THE premier destination for the area's most eclectic and accessible shopping, dining, arts and entertainment; a 'neighborhood main street' that serves its vibrant and diverse urban neighborhoods, and celebrates its cultural, architectural and commercial heritage."

As a task force, we are reaching out to you and asking your help in voicing your opinions and needs for our neighborhood. If you have an interest in learning more about our community and want to volunteer to encourage growth within the city, now is the time. The groundwork has been laid for improvements to be made on a short and long-term basis. Several work groups have been established, but we need your input - be it mere requests, participation in local events or becoming a part of the organizational efforts. Linda Hermans, UMNA president, and I are on the Community Character/ Quality of Life committee, dealing with safety and beautification of our streets. So if you have an interest in that area or any of the other committees: Streetscape/ Street Design Enhancement, Image/Marketing, and Economic Vitality, please give either of us a call. Linda 242-8905 or Janet 256-1994. All calls are appreciated.

by Janet Yanez

Holiday Reminder
Please remember this holiday season to shop close to home - Don't give your money to the malls! It's a real effort to keep businesses that support our needs here, in the neighborhood, let alone attract new ones that are unique that will prosper and promote an urban village feel.

Free Gun Locks
If you, or someone you know, could use a safety gunlock, they are available for free! Please call the NET office at 428-7640.

Monroe Avenue Beautification Project - A Work In Progress…
Hopefully, you have had time to admire upper Monroe's new garden at the corner of Monroe Avenue and Laburnam Crescent. This Gateway Garden was funded by a generous grant from the Eastman Kodak Company. Thanks to neighborhood volunteers, we were able to install the majority of the garden in June. We still have several plants that are waiting to be installed. What's the hold up? Well, we are in the midst of two exciting pieces of this project. First, the brick pavers at that corner are going to be installed to extend a half circle into the garden. This decorative sidewalk is being installed so that pedestrians can take time to admire the sculpture that will be installed in the center of the garden.

Good Neighbors
In a snowstorm, we all help each other dig out, but being good neighbors is a year-round activity! Small things can make all the difference. Don't block shared driveways without asking. Say Hi! to a neighbor! Haul back your trash trolley on Thursday night, not Sunday! Keep an eye out for elderly neighbors. Park nice and "park up" - leave room for someone behind you at the curb, so driveways don't get blocked by the desperate!

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