August/September 2021 Vol. 43 No. 4 Inside FREE Swillburg Shout out 3 Living the Good Old Days 5 Meet Robbie Braman 5 Main Street Armory History 6 Color the South Wedge Green 8 Rochester Community Power 8 Setting Kids for Success 9 South Wedge Book Drive 9 The Official Newspaper of the South Wedge Since 1982 Bronson White Nuptials 10 South Wedge Planning Committee, publisher Poke Sushi on South Ave. 11 South Wedge Food Pantry Faces Uncertain Future with CSA Sale Story on pg. 7.

Patti Giglio’s Dearly Departed in a Cup Story on pg. 4

Succulent Japanese plums, sweet with floral notes, were grown at Upstart Farms for the South Wedge Farmers Market. This ancient fruit was used to treat respiratory and digestive problems in traditional Chinese medicine. Stop by the Market on Thursdays, 4 to 7 p.m. to find more interesting goodies. (Photo by Glynis Valenti) South Wedge Farmers’ Market Bustles this Season Chad Flint, Market Manager

The South Wedge Farmers Market has produce and fruit each week. Custom- September 2nd, but check the website, Photo by Nancy O’Donnell Hale been bustling this season, and we are ers have been enjoying different variet- Facebook, or Instagram to make sure very excited to bring you great local pro- ies of berries, greens, tomatoes, and so the schedule has not changed if you are duce, fruit, baked goods, and so many much more. Bonnie and her niece have coming for some great cuts of meat! Earth Tea Shop other locally made products. We appre- been a great addition to the market, and We have some new vendors starting Expands on South Ave. ciate all the customers that come out and we are lucky to have her join us every up including Fiddlehead Farms who sell Story on pg. 4 support all of our vendors each and ev- week providing the neighborhood with locally-grown honey and other bees- ery week. We have had between 12 and a great selection of produce and fruit. wax products. Stay tuned to our web- 20 vendors each and every week along Having a local beef vendor who raises site and social media channels to see with different community organizations. their own cattle is something that not what vendors we will have each week. This season we have three amazing many small local markets get to enjoy. If you are interested in volunteering bakers offering a wide array of differ- Vetter’s Beef has been coming to the at the market, becoming a vendor, ent baked goods, many of which are market on selected dates during the or sponsoring the market please con- vegan and some that are gluten free. If 2020 and 2021 season with many great tact Chad at [email protected]. you have not had a chance to check out cuts of meat for customers to enjoy. If Many thanks to our 2021 South GG Bakes, Soulistic Sweets, and The Lit- you have not had the opportunity to try Wedge Farmers Market Sponsors: tle Brownie you should make plans to some ground beef or a steak from Vet- Highland Hospital, Rochester Gas and stop by and try out a sweet treat each ter’s, make a point to pick up something Electric, Abundance Co-op, Angry and every week because you deserve it! for the grill the next time they are at the Goat Pub, and Greenlight Networks. Upstart Berry Farm has been bringing market. Vetter’s is scheduled to be at 357 Gregory Street. Odd Fellows Lodge. a wide variety of locally grown in season the market August 5th, August 19th, and Vetter’s Beef at the South Wedge Market Glynis Valenti

When Bob was a boy growing up in rural New York, farms fascinated him. His family didn’t farm, but one down the road did, and he started visiting, watching the activity, learning about the animals. That family put him to work, and he knew he wanted to work with farms for the rest of his life. As Vetter continued learning and working with other farms, he became Vetter’s Beef starts with a crossbreed of Holstein and Black Angus. The cows graze in free- a Registered Animal Scientist with the range pasture and are fed a blend of grasses from the farm with high quality, all natural minerals, vitamins, and amino acids, filling their complete nutrition requirements every day. continues on pg. 5 (Photo by Glynis Valenti)

South Wedge Planning Committee Planning South Wedge Avenue 224 Mt. Hope 14620 Rochester, New York The WEDGE Gets Read! 2 August/September 2021 www.swpc.org The WEDGE City Council Update Rochester Community Power Info Mary Lupien

The Rochester Community Power pro- gram has been a popular topic of conver- sation in the last few weeks. The response ranges from excitement to skepticism to outrage. I’d like to share what I know about the program with WEDGE readers. The Rochester Community Power Cheesy Eddies, 5% off Mark’s Texas Hots (RCP) Plan helps us to meet the City of 602 South Avenue Open 24 hours! Rochester’s Sustainability Goals that 10% reg menu item we adopted in the Climate Action plan in May of 2017. RCP is classified as Com- Equal=Grounds, 10% off 487 Monroe Avenue munity Choice Aggregation (CCA), and 750 South Avenue it’s listed in the Climate Action Plan as Natural Pet Foods, 5% off one tool to facilitate the transition away Hedonist Artisan 10% off new customers from fossil fuels in our electricity use. You can read more about it online at Chocolates & Ice Cream, 766 S. Clinton Avenue cityofrochester.gov/climateactionplan. 10% off City Council member Mary Lupien Climate advocates, myself includ- 674 South Avenue South Wedge ed, have been advocating for the CCA Farmers Market model because it can effectively switch then call RG&E with the confirmation Genesee Gateway Park cities over to 100% renewable energy number. You can then you can opt-in to Leaf Tea Bar, 10% off very quickly by pooling all its residenc- the Rochester Community Power Plan. 686 South Avenue Free bag on your first visit es, businesses and public buildings The Department of Public Service re- and go out to bid and negotiate for a quires an opt-out letter and outreach to Liberty Tax, 10% Stuart’s Spices, 10% off competitive bulk electricity price due inform the community of their ability to to the sheer number of customers. not participate. The opt-out is essential to 686 South Avenue $10 or more I think most of us could agree that being able to negotiate a bulk purchase, 754 S. Clinton Avenue, transitioning to renewable energy is and influence pricing and is required for Little Button Craft, 10% off paramount. As I write this article, parts cities to participate in Community Choice 658 South Avenue of Germany and China are under water, Aggregation programs. However, you and Rochester’s skies are hazy from can opt in or out at any time at no cost. wildfires burning in Oregon. We’ve seen What’s the cost? dangerous heat waves in the Northwest The cost can range from a few dollars The WEDGE Newspaper SWPC Board Members and record rainfall and flash flood alerts extra to saving a few dollars. The Roch- Editor Nancy O’Donnell Hale Frank Logan, chair in Rochester. The Climate Crisis is at our ester Community Power plan rate is [email protected] Anthony Sciarabba, treasurer door, and we must act with urgency. fixed at 0.058 cents per kilowatt for 100% 585.256.7640, ext. 4 Kristina Wood, secretary However, it is also important to en- renewable energy, while RG&E’s rate is Boardmembers--- sure that residents understand this variable and contains a fossil fuel mix. Writers Karen Blasgrove very important change in their elec- Though we’ve had very low energy prices Jenn Beideman, Marianne Benjamin, John S. Frank tricity bill and how it will impact them. during the pandemic, rates are now ris- Chad Flint, Matt Gallo, Joan Gerrity, Alvin Lomibao Many have questions about the extra ing and are projected to rise even more. Patti Giglio, Mike Henry, Robert Marvin cost and why they are being opted into Today, the price for RG&E is .0497 cents Mary Lupien, Michele H. Martell, something they hadn’t heard about pre- and on my electricity bill, the rate differ- Nancy O’Donnell Hale, Honorary viously. I understand. Trust in govern- ence reflects a $3.50 increase for July. Jay Rowe, Glynis Valenti Board Members ment is at an all-time low and lots of us Where does the renewable energy Mitchell Dannenberg, John Dennis, Photographers Joe DiDonato, Cheryl Stevens have received questionable letters from come from? energy companies trying to pull one Patti Giglio,Nancy O’Donnell Hale Constellation New Energy, the sup- Mike Henry, Roberto Lagares, Staff over on us. So, I’ll tell you what I know. plier for the Rochester Community Ove Overmeyer, Glynis Valenti, executive director Opt-in or Opt-out? Power program, is offering 100% NYS Jeruta Savilla, Glynis Valenti Nancy O’Donnell Hale, writer/editor Residents will be auto-enrolled in renewably generated electricity pur- Chad Flint, market manager September unless they opt out, receive chasing from primarily hydropow- Copy editor HEAP or have another Energy Supplier er facilities and some wind facilities. Anne Logan Consultants (ESCO) other than RG&E. If you didn’t The City selected Constellation and Norm Karsten get a letter and are not on HEAP, you Joule Assets, the administrator, through CONTACT may have another energy supplier. E-mail staff, type first initial, RG&E requires that you contact the En- continues on pg. 4 last [email protected] South Wedge Planning Committee Mission Statement ergy Supplier you have and request to 224 Mt. Hope Ave., Rochester, NY 14620 SWPC builds community in the South cancel your contract from them, and 585.256.1740, ext. 4 Wedge, encourages a full range of housing opportunities and promotes Letter to the Editor The WEDGE Newspaper, a not-for-profit a diverse, historically significant, newspaper, is published by the South commercially sustainable urban village. Wedge Planning Committee, a community Moderates! Time to Step up! development organization. Its mission is to provide accurate coverage of community Articles or letters in this paper do not reflect the view and/ news. Printed bimonthly (February, April, Stew Epstein or opinions of the South Wedge June, August, October and December), Planning Committee. I believe that our country needs to have The WEDGE has a readership of 13,500. more political "moderates" and "cen- It is distributed to over 140 locations Please send story ideas or news to WEDGE trists" than we do now. I think we were (businesses, retail shops, libraries, Newspaper Editor Nancy O’Donnell, 224 Mt. better off in the 1960s when about 20%- restaurants and other drop-off points in Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York 14620 email 30% of us considered ourselves to be "in the Southeast and Greater Rochester area [email protected]. Advertising deadlines and suburbs. Online issue (www.swpc.org). and rates are available online at www.swpc.org the middle of the road." Today, this Print distribution is suspended during or call 585.256.1740, ext. 4 or 585.978.9638. has gone down to about 10%-15%. I miss the times when most Democrats and Re- the pandemic. Read us online at www. swpc.org. Before recycling the Wedge, publicans used to disagree "but with re- please share with others. spect." That ship sailed a long time ago. While I am definitely on the side of one of the two "warring tribes,” I am South Wedge Planning Committee still a 1960s-style Bobby Kennedy lib- Meetings are held at 224 Mount Hope Avenue, eral-Democrat, and I refuse to view The community is invited to attend all meetings. conservative-Republicans as my ene- mies even though a lot of them make it very hard not to do so with their SWPC Board Wed. Aug. 18, Sept. 15, 6 p.m. use of what Jane Mayer calls "stealth contact: [email protected] tactics" and what Paul Krugman calls Stew Epstein is a new volunteer for/with them operating out of "bad faith." The “National Eating Disorders Association” Community Engagement South Wedge Victory Gardens I think we were better off when (“NEDA”). A retired college professor of So- (Neighbors & Block Clubs) most elections were usually decid- Mon. 6 p.m., TBD ciology, Social Work, and Psychology, Epstein Wed. Aug. 25 Sept. 22, 5:30 p.m. [email protected] ed by the 20%-30% who were in the has taught at West Virginia University, Slip- [email protected] middle of the road. They had open- pery Rock University, and Keuka College. minds. Most of us don't anymore. The WEDGE www.swpc.org August/September 2021 3 Swillburg Shout Out Mike Henry

This summer seems especially wel- us in Swillburg to undertake various come as we emerge from the restric- clean-up projects while we introduce tions of COVID while enjoying beautiful them to our part of Rochester. Neigh- sunny days (if not a bit extra hot here bor Sharon Price will again take the and there)! lead in coordinating with the university. Swillburg neighbors wisely heeded Wow, this all speaks to the wonders the call to distance and toned down our of community collaboration from all lev- usually busy schedule of social events. els - the large university and community Think Small! However, we’re happily reemerging as foundation along with the urban pres- CDC guidelines allow and already this ervation corporation of SEAC to grass- We all know large early summer have had multiple gather- roots door-to-door efforts of neighbors! ings, primarily for planting and cultivat- Bloom Garden, Field Street & Monroe Ave. Before closing I just have to make corporations had a cushion ing our several neighborhood gardens. Photo by Mike Henry a special shout out of thanks to Josh during the pandemic. Roughly ten neighbors came out on a Jacobs who lent his great design and Now more than ever small South East Area Coalition is sponsoring Saturday in early June to plant an abun- organizational skills which greatly pro- businesses need our support. dance of flowers at the Bloom Garden’s this along with Swillburg Neighborhood mote the SNA’s efforts. Also, a great neighborhood entrance at Monroe Av- Association (SNA) and The Upper Mon- shout out of thanks to Nancy O’Don- Let’s be there for them! enue and Field Street. Thanks to Mon- roe Avenue Neighborhood Association. nell and South Wedge Planning Com- roe County for providing the flowers Artists Chloe Smith and La Shanda mittee for affording us a column in the and many bags of mulch! Thanks too Davis have created the templates and Wedge Newspaper! Community indeed! to neighbors Kelley Mariano for coordi- designs for this project, an event espe- nating this and to Dave Ferguson who cially intended for children and their par- used his truck to transport all the plants! ents. I’ll be anxious to see the results! Buy an ad for And, thanks for the many volunteers! Coming in late August, we’ll be hav- Also, at the Bloom Garden we’ve had ing another pop-up sale of Swillburg Oct/Nov. our sprinkler system repaired made merchandise. The plans are still in the possible by a grant from the Roches- works, but we’ll be sure to spread the online issue. ter Area Community Foundation, made word via Next Door, the WEDGE Face- possible, too, by neighborhood lead- book page and on our Swillburg website. Call 256.1740, ext. 4 er Judy Hay who wrote and submitted We hope to present some new Swillburg the time-consuming grant request. items including outdoor blankets with Deadline The many flowers in the Garden gives the Swillburg logo as well as pens with September 17ish us a visually pleasing welcome when we pig motifs. Get it? Pig pens for Swillburg! arrive home to Swillburg. Now we’re And another event, coming in late about to enjoy another colorful event, August is Wilson Day of Engagement, the Playful Sidewalk Painting Project, an annual University of Rochester which will take place along Field Street sponsored event (2020 was the ex- and around Otto Henderberg Park. The ception) where U of R freshmen join

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Please send story ideas or news to WEDGE _____ $25 Wedge Supporter Newspaper Editor Nancy O’Donnell, 224 Mt. Hope Avenue, Rochester, New York 14620 email Please mail form along with your payment to: 224 Mount Hope [email protected]. Advertising deadlines Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620. and rates are available online at www.swpc.org or call 585.256.1740, ext. 4 or 585.978.9638. 4 August/September 2021 www.swpc.org THE WEDGE Business Buzz Renewing Massage Nancy O’Donnell Hale Adds a Touch of Happy Earth aka Leaf Tea Bar Expands London to the Lawn Space & Community on South Avenue

Untamed Nutrition celebrated shark week by dunking a gummy shark in their tea Untamed Nutrition Little Red Free Library (Photo by Michael Brundage) Opens on South Ave.

South Wedge businessowner Colin Cof- Finding it hard to transition from junk fey now enjoys a reminder of his English food to foods good for you? Untamed birthplace through a little bit of help from Nutrition is your kind of place. The his friends. A Little Free Library in the smoothie and tea bar’s menu, offers shape of a London telephone booth now “protein-based bakery-inspired” shakes sits in front of his business Renewing Mas- with names like “pecan sticky buns, sage on a busy stretch of South Avenue. banana cream pie, cinnamon roll, “Since Colin used to work for Brit- strawberry shortcake or lemon pound ish Telecom, I asked my father, Gary cake.” Believe it or not the shakes register Brundage, to make it look like a Lon- under 300 calories without add-ins. (l-r) Niraj Lama, Tara Lama and Mary Boland (Photo by Nancy O’Donnell Hale) don phone box,” said husband Michael. Care for some candy? How about “My first proper job was in 1988 with “joyful of almond, butteryfingers, or British Telecom Payphones in London, To the delight of many followers, though there are now a few more Continues on pg. 10 helping to remove these old telephone Happy Earth Tea Shop reopened, seats at the bar and three tables boxes,” explained Coffey. “Then my job transformed into bigger and bright- for two are inside. Three more side- became to protect the few remaining er space in the South Wedge. Happy walk tables are in front of the store. Roc Community Power that were listed as ‘historic buildings.’” Earth moved from its cozy space for “We want it to be an intimate experi- Coffey said he moved to the U.S. continued from pg. 2 five years at 650 to 696 South Avenue. ence,” said Niraj, stopping for a moment when “The National Communication On July 11, owners Niraj Lama and as he moved around the room, greeting a competitive RFP process. Joule Assets Workers Union negotiated a severance Mary Boland were joined by their customers and answering questions. was selected specifically because of their package that allowed me to study for daughter Tara to welcome shoppers The larger space allows the couple to commitment to NYS renewable electrici- an MBA in Houston, TX.” He met his and sippers during the grand opening. add favorite art works to the walls. A ty and their unique ability to incorporate future husband Michael in Texas, and Long time staff member Jane Wine- varicolored cloth hanging on the wall is community solar into the program - which the couple moved to Rochester and berg said that even before the 10 a “women’s empowerment quilt,” said is in process of being developed but is married in 2009 in Lee, Massachusetts. a.m. ribbon cutting people had lined Boland who bought it years ago in India. not a part of the initial offering. Joule The Little Free Library was designed up all the way to the intersection of “The pieces are from women’s clothing.” partners with Roctricity, a local admin- and built by Colin’s father-in-law Gary South Avenue and Gregory Street. istrator made up of climate advocates. Continues on pg. 12 Brundage (MGM Designs) while moth- The cozy feeling remains even All of the purchasing is going to sup- er-in-law Mary painted on coats of red port renewable energy facilities that are paint and 10-year-old nephew Quinn located within NYS - contributing to our Instant Relatives, Cemetery in a Dale was the designated “day labor- state economy through Renewable En- er,” helping to dig out the hole for the ergy Credits (RECs). When an electricity Cup, Monster Repellent, oh my! post. Michael acted as design consul- generator is creating energy, it puts the tant and assistant to the whole project. electrons into the grid - every invisible “This red phone box was not my idea, electron is like another one, and they but it's a symbol to me of how so many flow within the wires - when we turn of us have been welcomed though, on our power - the electrons could have and I feel that doubly, as the child of come from anywhere. This program is Irish immigrants in England, and as a making sure that the purchasing of elec- naturalized US citizen,” said Coffey. tricity is supporting those generators A free doggy poop bag dispenser was that put electrons into the grid from recently added to the design while above renewable sources. Those generators the telephone booth fills, empties and have certificates that verify the authen- refills with free children and adult books. ticity of the renewable energy and those certificates are traded through a- sepa rate market called NYGATS - NY Gener- ation Attribute System. Constellation Think Small! New Energy will make sure there are Instant ancestors Tiny cemeteries enough of these RECs to equal the ener- Now more than ever small gy consumption of the participants in the Imagine having relatives without all your name, and I didn’t want them to Rochester Community Power program. the baggage. Writer Patti Giglio makes “die” that way,” Giglio added. “So, I businesses need your support. Thanks for reading! If you have any it possible with the addition of historical began doing more in-depth research other questions, reach out to info@ photos aka “Instant Families” now for sale into their lives, their parents, spouses Be there for them rochestercommunitypower.com. at her table at the South Wedge Market. and children. I found obituaries, marriage when you can. She’s also added adorable decorative announcements, basically every bit of tiny cemeteries, “Monster Spray,” and information that I could find and wrote house blessings in a bottle, born out of their biography. The goal was to have her Appalachian kitchen witchery roots. people “adopt” them into their family “My ‘Instant Relatives’ started off as and give them a new life. The “adoption material for my writing projects, just package” includes a bio, obituary, military simple old photographs that I picked records if they have any, and newspaper up at antique stores, Co-ops and flea articles about them if available. markets,” said Giglio. “The more Giglio said that “perhaps the most photographs I collected, the more I interesting and exciting one that I have thought about the people in them and found so far came in the form of a the circumstances under which they letter from the Civil War-era. The letter came into my possession. Often families was from Elgin, Illinois and talks about may discard them like strangers because family life at the beginning and then they knew nothing about the people in speaks about a soldier in her husband’s the photo and had no interest in finding regiment who had just died at Camp out who they were. “I am a firm believer that you don’t Continues on pg. 10 truly die until the last person speaks The WEDGE www.swpc.org August/September 2021 5 Living the Good Old Days Meet Robbie Braman Michele H. Martell Nancy O’Donnell Hale Robbie Braman’s long journey to a “Wish we could turn back time, to life as an integrative health coach and the good old days” laments the tal- chef began in his hometown of Carls- ented Twenty One Pilots while they bad, San Diego. His love affair with drink their juice pouches on a curb food and the food industry began at and reminisce in their “Stressed- 16 years old when he landed his first Out” video. What a timeless tune. restaurant job at the city’s famous The premise of this song is actually destination theme park, Legoland. pretty brilliant. After all, it can repre- “I’ve always been in the restaurant busi- sent a universal concept across gen- ness. At Legoland, I was the apple scoo- erations. And as fun as this song and per and made pancake balls,” said Bra- man. “But even before that when I was a video are, when kids sing along to this when they saw photos and letters tune, I have to wonder how much of young kid I was baking apple cakes from a from the good old days. Joy, appreci- recipe I found on a real estate postcard.” its meaning does indeed stick with ation and remembrance are timeless. them. “When our momma sang us to Another job at a San Diego The inspiration for this topic actual- restaurant, Pat & Oscar’s, con- sleep, but now we’re stressed out.” ly originated from my kids. We were How many times have we each firmed his love of the industry. talking while riding in my car about “I was challenged by the manager looked back to earlier times, fantasiz- the importance of friends and fami- ing about how wonderful they were? in a kind of negative way,” said Bra- ly and being happy. And then Twen- man. “She asked me ‘do you belong Robbie Braman, chef and health coach Perhaps they were indeed wonder- ty One Pilots’ “Stressed-Out” came ful, and we just didn’t realize it at the here?’ And I said, ‘yeah, I actually do.”’ on the radio and we all sang along. able with wine and spirits. He worked time. It is true that as life goes on, He took cooking classes in a local com- Voila! Just like that, the inspiration I front of house at Lincoln Ristorante. things can become more complicated. munity college and worked at the Four Sea- had been seeking for an entire week- Eventually, he returned to Cal- When my kids were little, more expe- sons in Carlsbad always “front of house.” end appeared. Music and kids can ifornia in 2016 and found a dif- rienced parents would tell me that the “They wouldn’t hire me in the certainly have a way of inspiring! And ferent restaurant scene. days of sleeplessness and potty-train- kitchen,” said Braman, so I was it’s kinda funny how my kids hold “[Restaurant industry] was slowing ing were nothing compared to what a pool boy or working in the bar. the same musical inspirations I do. down in San Diego,” said Braman. “Oth- was ahead; that the older the child, the Along the way, Braman said, “I served So how about this thought: These are er restaurants were shutting down. I more complicated it gets. Just like with Arnold Palmer an Arnold Palmer.” the good old days! Every moment, every had to make a quick decision. Do I stay childhood and teenage drama, what we “My intention was to learn how to cook smile, every day that we get to wake up in restaurants and wait around or get thought was insurmountable was usual- and to experience, to eat and taste.” in our own bed and to have the health more into health cooking and fitness?” ly not so much life-shattering as we felt Eventually he moved on to cre- to arise from that bed, is indeed a good The deciding factor in bring- then. But yeah, they were still important; ating cold appetizers and salads, day! Singing along in a car, walking dogs, ing Braman eastward was falling in after all, they were the good old days. cooked crab and stocked the buffet.” brushing our children’s hair, planting love. When his boyfriend decided When we are younger, there is, too, In 2007 he moved east and entered the flowers, healing past wounds or pres- to move back to his hometown of a sense of carelessness. Somehow we Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park ent ones, playing music, enjoying our Rochester, Braman was ready to go. have the concept that we are immortal, right before “the market crashed in 2008.” ambitions, helping another, heck – even He kept his hands in the kitchen by forever young, and that mentality can “It was the first time I was living on my breathing – those make for good days. offering cooking lessons every- oth continue until suddenly, we may real- own. I had just come out of the closet. Enjoying family and friends of the er Sunday via Zoom early in the pan- ize that life is no longer footloose and While it was a lot of fun, it was stress- two-legged and four-legged varieties, demic. His easy-going recipes using fancy-free. I think what happens is that ful. I was working private events in reading a book, journaling, writing, only a few ingredients were definite- consequences become more serious as NYC, going to school. Cooking for other strolling, exercising, and just being your ly a stress reliever “burrata, straw- life goes on, and less able to easily fix. students; being criticized as a student.” own authentic and fabulous self, all berries, tomatoes and basil pesto.” Perhaps regret is part of the propensi- He earned an associates degree these moments make for good old days. “I started with my family and ty for some to look back to the “good old and a bachelor’s degree, and he con- Listing these important elements in then added more and more peo- days.” We may have regret over decisions tinued working in the food industry. making life good, is a reminder of the ple,” said Braman, eventually mak- made, opportunities ignored, and more. I “I had an internship in The Modern, craziness of recent times and how it’s ing it “a pay what you wish.” don’t believe in regret as long as we learn a restaurant attached to the MOMA. “I taken a toll in so many awful ways for was making lots of pate, amuse bouche. from decisions that may not have been many. Yet I will also always look back on continues on pg. 13 for the best and work to improve life Many of his favorite jobs in NYC front the shutdown with a reflective twist that of house, becoming more knowledge- from there. And others who take away I actually got to be shut-in with my kids from the positivity of our days can be a who pretty soon won’t need me around part of those life-building lessons, too. anymore. With no disrespect to so many Vetter’s Beef I think also of the perspective that just who have lost so much during this strange Continued from pg. 1 like the old saying that “time heals all season in history, there will be some of wounds,” as time goes on, the difficulty of us who will look at this nutty time, weird- a situation loses its intensity, and we don’t ly, as some good old days. Perhaps they feel the same grip it used to have on us. have brought us back to the simplicity of So, we may reflect on the past using a what is good and basic for joy in our lives. different lense than the one that were So, what makes up your good old days? American Registry of Professional Animal production little by little due to society’s the reality at the time, feeling that that Think about it--that is your today! And Scientists (ARPAS) and a Livestock waning demand for milk products. time period was the good old days. tomorrow you can look back at your Nutritional Consultant. His focus was “COVID was the final nail When I look at the time frame when my good old days while still building more on family farms and helping them with in the coffin,” says Andy. dad was sick and I traveled back and sparkling tomorrows. We can always better production, healthier animals and It turns out that school systems are forth to Cleveland, I remember it as a be present in these good old days. Af- “believing in family farming” that could the biggest consumers of milk, and horrible, painful and tumultuous time; ter all, in the words of singer Carly Simon compete in larger agriculture markets. with the closure of schools last year for but now when I reminisce about the in her beautiful song “Anticipation” Along the way, Vetter discovered remote learning, the family made the conversations we’d have during his lucid -- “And stay right here ‘cause these are that he was feeling sick when he ate difficult decision to cease operations. moments I miss those simple moments. the good old days”. And they can be. What are times in your life that you had mass-market beef, suspecting additives About the same time, Vetter was wished away, yet now you look back in the meat as the culprit. So, he set looking for a new location for his small wistfully, realizing now that those were up an experiment. He purchased his herd of beef cattle in the Finger Lakes good old days of precious moments? own cow and raised it on the diet he that would be closer to his home in During my dad’s final days, I gathered prescribed to many of his clients: grass, Avon. One day he stopped at the collections from his home that I knew had hay, and alfalfa supplemented with Mroczek farm with a proposal that meaning for his good old days-- baseball amino acids and all-natural mineral and would keep him closer to his family and classroom and musical pictures and vitamin supplements; no hormones, and keep Mroczek Farm operating. his songs. His songwriting mementos in- no antibiotics, no animal by-products. “Today’s start-up costs for a farm, cluded ones from the Cleveland Rock Hall “Cows have nutritional requirements well, it just isn’t feasible,” Vetter says. of Fame and Amateur Radio and precious for their bodies just like we do,” Vetter “Combining my business with Andy’s letters from days gone by. I collected notes. “It stands to reason that the more is allowing us to grow at a rapid rate.” these items during that chaos because I nutritious the food for the cows, the more Andy agrees, adding, “An empty knew they meant something to him. At nutritious the beef will be for humans.” barn deteriorates.” Having activity his funeral I handed those things out to He had the beef processed, ate that, in the buildings and animals in the the people who I knew would appreci- and was no longer sick. At that point pasture keeps the farm functional ate them. The joyful look in their eyes Vetter decided to raise his own cows. and healthy. The farm also produces when I presented those things from the One of his clients purchased a dairy wheat, corn, soy, and hay for feed, good old days—their gratitude for be- farm between Avon and Honeoye rotating the fields for optimum quality ing remembered and cherished – those Falls in 1955. For over a decade Joe and soil health. In fact, Mroczek Farm are the blessings of the good old days Mroczek and his son Andy have used received an award in the 1980s for its that moved into the present moment. Vetter’s consulting service to enhance environmental conservation practices. Several of these friends have died and optimize feeding and production The new partnership, a combined in recent years. I will never forget for their herd of Holsteins, but the the heartwarming look in their eyes Michele H. Martell farm has been scaling back milk continued on pg. 13 (Photo by Sarah Jeruta Salvilla) 6 August/September 2021 www.swpc.org THE WEDGE Rochester’s Main Street Armory Patti Giglio

The turn of the twentieth century was of medical staff did their best to care a tumultuous time around the world, for the stricken. As we have learned and the United States military was pulled throughout history, thousands did not in several different directions. The Span- survive the epidemic. The bodies of ish-American War boiled in the Atlantic the dead were temporarily stored in and the Philippine-American War raged the morgue located in the basement. in the Pacific. Asia was experiencing po- After World War I more federally run litical unrest and the nations of Europe bases opened and the Main Street Ar- had begun to grow restless. Tensions mory saw little in the way of military grew and with the uncertainty of how action. The National Guard continued, long the peace would last, there was for a time, to use the building but the a heavy push to get Americans to per- city thought it would be a shame for it form their patriotic duty and enlist in to remain virtually empty most of the the military. To train the influx of military year. They began to host community personnel, local cities became responsi- events on the indoor parade grounds. It ble for the early training of the recruits held high school and college basketball At 900 East Main Street, near the CSX games, circuses and automobile shows Rochester Rail Yard, stands a dark, fore- until the War Memorial opened in 1955. ly blind. Today it is used for concerts, circumstance. The coffin was taken to boding “castle,” seven stories tall at its Local semi-professional sports teams conventions and paranormal investiga- the local armory, from where the family highest point and expanded to a cav- also called the Armory home. The Roch- tions after the crowds have gone home. would have it moved once the military ernous 138,000 square feet. The Rich- ester Central, a basketball team, played The grand indoor parade grounds have burial was arranged. Tradition was to ardson Romanesque-style building was there for six years starting in 1926. held a wide variety of events throughout honor the fallen with a soldier in mili- designed by George L. Heins, a New York Also, the Rochester Iroquois, an indoor the building’s 106-year history. Perhaps tary dress keeping a twenty-four-hour State architect. The stone structure was lacrosse team, used the venue in the the most solemn and important was vigil, standing beside the casket stoical- built in 1905 as an armory for the Unit- 1930s. One team member of the Iroquois the role it played during times of war. ly and at attention. The armory has not ed States Army and the New York State was Harry (Harold) Smith later known When a soldier was killed in the line of been used for this purpose in decades, National Guard. The Main Street Armory as Jay Silverheels who was famous for duty, his flag-draped coffin was returned but sometimes in the quiet of the night, was a mustering point and training fa- the role of Tonto on the popular 1950s to his home soil with a great pomp and this scene is played out again and again. cility for new recruits. Oftentimes, this television show The Lone Ranger. was the last place soldiers saw before The National Guard used the building going off to war; many of whom would until 1995 until it was no longer needed never set foot on American soil again. by the government. For more than a During the influenza epidemic of decade, it sat empty until Rochester na- the late 1910s, the Armory was used tive and entrepreneur Scott Donaldson to house and triage thousands of sick purchased it at auction for $1,000.00. Rochesterians. The hospitals were Donaldson began the daunting task of overcrowded, and doctors and nurses rehabilitating it, which was no small were in short supply. A skeleton crew task for a man who was complete-

Author Patti Unvericht-Giglio’s books include Ghosts and Hauntings of the Fin- ger Lakes, Hidden History of the Finger Lakes, The Great Seaway Trail; History, Legends and Mysteries, Tales From These Old Bones and The Silver Lake Institute are available at Barnes and Noble, in- dependent bookstores and her Face- book shop @theseoldbonestalk. Follow her on Facebook for other interesting history tidbits and announcements. Patti Giglio

NY State Senator Jeremy Cooney, Jess Kamens and daughter Lila Jess Kamens Gets Empire Award New York State Senator Jeremy Cooney traits,” and later the Quarantine Porch (D-Rochester) honored local photogra- Portrait Documentary Series, as she pher, Jess Kamens, with an Empire Award followed social distancing guidelines. for the documentary work she created Kamens is a single mother whose ca- during the early months of the COVID-19 reer in event photography was halted pandemic. Senator Cooney honored by the pandemic in March 2020. Along her work on National Camera Day. with her 5-year-old daughter, Kamens Last year Kamens shot over 400 pho- began chronicling what the pandem- tos of families around the city for a series ic looked like in Greater Rochester. she affectionately named “Porch Por- Kamens received more than 700 re- quests and spent several weeks doc- umenting people's pandemic lives. The New York State Senate Empire Award recognizes excellence in business throughout the state. “Jess’s work is a reminder of the challenges we faced during the pandemic and how our dai- ly lives completely changed. Whether Continues on page 8 THE WEDGE www.swpc.org August/September 2021 7 New Highland Hospital Patient Tower Adds More Safety, Privacy & Comfort

Marianne Benjamin After pausing in Spring 2020 due to the be mounted on site and will be used for COVID-19 pandemic, construction has the structural steel erection of the tow- resumed on Highland Hospital’s Patient er. The crane will be located within the Tower Project, a modernization effort southeast portion of the construction that will enable the hospital to provide area at the edge of the hospital’s proper- private rooms for nearly all patients. ty line. Additionally, the base of the crane “COVID-19 has highlighted that private will have a locking eight-foot barbed wire rooms are critical for patient care,” said fence surrounding the foundation to lim- Cindy Becker, Highland Vice President & it access to authorized personnel only. COO. “They provide so many benefits Structural steel erection will begin in including a reduced risk of infections, August. Crane operators will be LeChase more space for patient needs, and the Construction, LLC, employees with positive therapeutic impact of more many years of experience on this specif- privacy and less noise during recovery. ic crane and fully licensed and certified Private rooms are becoming a standard for the specific model. The crane opera- of care for hospitals nationwide and we tors are responsible for daily inspections are excited to embrace this standard at and a third-party certified crane inspec- Highland to care for our community.” tion is required monthly and annually. The tower enlarges the existing hospi- Since 2014, Highland officials have met Southwest view of new tower tal campus without expanding its foot- regularly with neighborhood representa- print. The project adds four levels plus a tives from the Highland Park Neighbor- mechanical penthouse to the hospital’s hood and NBN6 to discuss this project. southeast wing; three of the floors will The goal is to promote healthy dialogue house a total of 58 patient rooms and between Highland and its neighbors one floor extends other clinical pro- about construction as well as day-to- grams. The mechanical penthouse will day concerns, such as parking and noise. be fully enclosed to reduce noise levels Highland welcomes questions and in- in the neighborhood. There will also be put. To receive emails sent out when a small, seven-story infill between the the Highland Facilities blog is updat- existing three-story building and the cur- ed, click on “Sign Up for Updates” rent South Wing. Estimated completion at https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/ date of the entire project is Spring 2023. highland/facilities/tower-project.aspx. The next phase of construction, sched- Marianne Benjamin is a member of the uled to begin in late July, will include the Highland Hospital Public Relations Team erection of a crane. The fixed crane will South Wedge Food Pantry

Faces Uncertain Future Jay Rowe

Jaslynn is a Registered Nurse and has worked in the Observation Unit for 4 years.

South Wedge Food Program Executive Director Jay Rowe The South Wedge Food Program new challenge: picking a new name. Proud to be your has been a fixture within the 141-year- With skyrocketing real estate prices old Calvary St. Andrews church for and a hesitancy to accept a food pantry years but that will soon change in certain locations we are unable to find community hospital. when the property at Averill and Ash- anything within the South Wedge. This is land St. transfers to new ownership. concerning for a couple of reasons. De- Local developer Patrick Dutton’s pur- spite the cost of living in this neighbor- chase offer for the property was accept- hood we are still within walking distance ed this month. Dutton’s portfolio rang- of many of the people who rely on us. es from loft apartments like Woodbury Hunger has no borders, as evidenced by Place to the industrial creative spaces the range of our food delivery area. Also of the Fedder Building, and there’s ev- ery indication that his work at Calvary of concern is the fact that many of St. Andrews will be on par with the rest. our volunteers are connected to the However, the change of ownership church building in one way or anoth- presents a challenge to me, the incom- er; will our distance from Calvary St. ing Executive Director of the South Andrews affect our volunteer pool? Wedge Food Program, and the rest One thing is certain: change is com- of the staff and volunteers. Together ing. For the South Wedge it likely with the outgoing Executive Director means more housing and a gorgeous Katie Jo Suddaby and leadership of fel- event space. For the food program, low tenants Open Arms Community time will tell, but that won’t stop us Church we’ve looked at countless prop- from ensuring that no one in Roches- erties with varied results. Our tone has ter goes hungry. If you’re interested changed from “wait and the right op- in learning how this story concludes portunity will come” to “please don’t keep reading The WEDGE and find panic” as this week we were presented South Wedge Food Program on so- with a timeline: be out by October 1st. cial media. And if you have a build- The logistics of finding a new space, ing you’d like to donate, let’s talk. alerting vendors, volunteers and Contact Jay Rowe at jayrowe@ clients and moving the food pan- gmail.com. try are intimidating, for sure, but the abbreviated timeline presents a 8 August/September 2021 www.swpc.org The WEDGE The WEDGE www.swpc.org August/September 2021 Let’s Color the South Wedge Green

Matt Gallo

There’s an old adage that “the solu- tion to pollution is dilution.” Some peo- ple believe that the Earth is so large - and human impacts on it so small – that any negative environmental im- Shannon Bellamy pacts created by humans could harm- lessly “dilute” into the larger world. The City of Rochester is launching Program Administrator. Roctricity is While it’s a catchy phrase, we’ve since Rochester Community Power Joule’s local operating partner providing paid dearly for that mindset. The science (RCP), a program designed to public outreach, education, and customer is unmistakably clear – climate change provide eligible residents and small service. Constellation NewEnergy is here – and decades of pollution, de- businesses with locally-selected, 100% is the new supplier responsible forestation, and more have pushed renewable electricity at a fixed cost. for providing 100% renewable, the Earth to the brink. We know that RCP is a Community Choice NY state generated electricity. the stakes are high for nature, but they Aggregation (CCA) program, which What is CCA? Rochester Community are equally high for humans as well. allows the City to leverage the collective Power is a Community Choice Aggregation COVID-19 showed us how sensitive buying power of its residents and small program (CCA). CCA is promoted our economy is to change. How will businesses to solicit competitive bids by the New York State Department we be able to handle a shortage in from qualified New York registered of Environmental Conservation and the water supply in a drying Califor- electricity suppliers. This competitive the New York State Energy and nia? Can we handle hurricanes wiping bidding process resulted in the Research Development Authority out cities like New Orleans and Mi- selection of Constellation NewEnergy. (NYSERDA) as a priority climate action. ami? We shouldn’t wait to find out. Global warning’s higher temperatures are Effective September 1, 2021, the default Community Choice programs allow For humanity and nature, time is run- contributing to massive forest fires electricity supply to eligible homes and municipalities to pool together their ning out to act, and the time to act is now. small businesses in the City of Rochester community’s local electricity buying Often when we think about envi- will be 100% renewable power generated power to negotiate for renewable ronmental issues, in particular climate from within NY State at a fixed price electricity supply at a bulk-rate price. change, it’s quite easy to become over- of $0.05800 per kWh and $0.05877 The state designed CCA programs to whelmed. We feel a real sense of pow- per kWh for residential and small be opt-out so that communities could erlessness to make effective chang- commercial consumers, respectively. take advantage of bulk purchasing, the es to fight climate change, and often Eligible residents and businesses will creation of competition and experience it becomes easy to just give up. We be automatically enrolled, but anyone of energy experts. While Rochester is think, “Someone will figure it out.” may opt out or withdraw, at any time, the largest city in NY State to establish However, while we may often hear without incurring fees or penalties. a CCA program, Rochester is not alone. about climate change in the news, Eligible RG&E customers were mailed There are already over 13 aggregations Alternative energy sources such as windmill our leaders often simply talk about a letter from the City of Rochester that across New York state. These programs farms are making a difference making changes without advocat- included information on how to opt have provided increased consumer ing for any real or even specific plans. these groups have helped usher in the out. Those who choose to opt out will protections at the same time as Climate change is a complicated is- creation of a Community Choice Aggre- continue to receive basic electricity providing easy access to 100% renewable sue, one that will require a variety of gation program, where electricity in supply service purchased on behalf electricity. For more information on different solutions, but those do not Brighton (and other communities soon, by RG&E at the variable utility rate. CCA programs please visit the NY State have to wait for action from the top including the City of Rochester) is now Regardless of program participation, Department of Public Service’s website. down. We can act from the bottom up. supplied with 100% renewable sources RG&E remains responsible for electricity How did we get here? Rochester Color Your Community Green (CYCG) for a cheaper price than the original fos- What are the benefits? Community Power is the result of the is a Rochester-based movement where sil fuel supply. And these organizations Your Choice: Because the City has City working to address greenhouse local communities organize to acceler- have brought together diverse groups already signed a contract with the gas emissions and fulfill their climate ate the transition to a climate-friendly of people from all backgrounds to find new supplier, there are no individual goals. The City of Rochester has made future. Since Brighton first blazed the nonpartisan, effective solutions to the contracts and eligible residents and climate commitments as detailed in the trail, CYCG organizations have spread to climate crisis. With a diverse team, CY- small businesses are free to opt-out Climate Action Plan that was approved Penfield, Irondequoit, and beyond with CGs can build the foundation for a cli- or back into the program as they in May 2017. City staff and elected great success. In just a few short years, mate-friendly future that helps grow please with no fees or penalties. officials have been exploring CCA for the economy and create jobs. This is Protection: Currently with RG&E, a number of years, and it is listed in especially powerful here in New York, a customers pay a variable rate for their their Climate Action Plan. The City has “home rule” state where municipalities electricity supply. This program offers a also taken all of the necessary steps have greater leverage than elsewhere. fixed rate for the next 2 years, meaning to implement this program. To begin For those that have felt powerless be- customers are protected from the the process, the City passed a local law fore, there is a proven method already volatile prices of the electricity market. enabling the program back in December in place to get climate change solutions Product pricing: The fixed rate of 5.8 2019 and selected Joule as Program off the ground. To take real agency in cents/kWh for 24 months is 15% cheaper Administrator. Since then, the City has our own future, there’s much to be than what an individual would have paid been working with Joule and Roctricity done. We need electric vehicle charging for the same product at the time of the on program outreach and education, stations, solar panels, and heat pumps. bid, according to the NY State Power to in accordance with state regulations. We need people using public transit, Choose website. (100% renewable, fixed What’s next? Rochester Community more trees, and less pollution. We need rate for 24 months with no exit fees). Power is pursuing additional to color the South Wedge green. Right Environmental Impacts: Over the two opportunities, including community now, there is not yet a CYCG in the city years of the current contract, the City of choice solar which would bring new or at a neighborhood level. Let’s change Rochester participants, receiving 100% electricity generation onto the grid and that. Join Color South Wedge Green. renewable electricity, are expected to offer guaranteed savings. As with this Matt Gallo is a volunteer with the Climate Contact colorsouthwedgegreen@ contribute to the avoidance of more supply program, all eligible residents and Solutions Accelerator and a South Wedge gmail.com for more information. than 450,000 metric tons of greenhouse small businesses will be notified when resident. gas emissions. This is the equivalent this new offering becomes available. of amount of carbon sequestered by The Rochester Community Power 553,561 acres of forest, which is 23 team is available M-F 9am-5pm to Kamens times larger than the City of Rochester. answer any questions regarding Local Support: Rochester Community the program, via email at info@ Continued from page 6 Power is supporting New York State rochestercommunitypower.com hydropower. This is important for working or by phone at 585-244-0244. it was Halloween celebrations or an were suffering at this time and to those to meet the State’s clean energy goals. Shannon Bellamy is a Roctricity employee intimate moment outside in the rain, who are still suffering,” said Kamens. “It Who’s involved? There are three main who helps with public outreach and her ‘Porch Portraits’ captured the hu- is an honor I place on all those we have players helping the City to launch this education for all of the Community Choice manity of our community during a time lost to this pandemic. To have been able program. Joule Community Power, a programs that Roctricity manages. of prolonged fear and uncertainty,” to give something so small, one minute division of Joule Assets, serves as the said Senator Cooney. “Small business- of my time, to brighten this dark time es like Jess’ played an essential role in for our community was the most re- staying connected throughout a global warding gift I've given. I am so grateful health crisis. I am honored to recognize to Senator Cooney and Town Supervisor Jess’ work with the Empire Award.” Bill Moehle for honoring my work, and I The WEDGE Wants You! Jess Kamens described the award look forward to working closely with the Do you have a story you want to tell? ceremony as “a wonderful moment.” community to help further commem- A photo you want to share? “I am incredibly honored on behalf of orate what will eventually be a small the hundreds of families who participat- moment during a momentous and his- We want to hear from you. ed in the project, my daughter who was toric time. I am humbled and grateful.” Please email [email protected] or with me during every single portrait, as call 585.256.1740, ext. 4 well all the frontline workers, families and all humans around the world who The WEDGE www.swpc.org August/September 2021 9

Setting Up Kids for Success in a New School Year Jenn Beideman

This past year has been rough on or get vaccinated if you haven’t already students and families. Together we In Monroe County 62% of eligible have faced several crises of a global adults have received their full dose pandemic and its ensuing loss of jobs, of the COVID-19 vaccine, compared homes and increased food instability to some City of Rochester zip codes and ongoing systemic acts of police where only 28.4% of residents have re- brutality on Black and Latino Brown ceived at least one dose of the vaccine. residents in our community. As families While scientists say the best way to have navigated both crises, we’ve seen protect yourself and your family from higher death rates due to COVID-19 COVID-19 is to get vaccinated, many peo- in the Black and Latino communities. ple may need more information about COVID-19 has changed so much for the the vaccines before making a decision adults in our communities – we know that on them. Scientists used decades of re- all of the compounded stress from these search on similar viruses and vaccines to crises likewise have affected our children. develop the vaccines against COVID-19. As we move into the new school Black and Latino people were involved in year, there are a few things that you the research, development and the test- Students at School 10 take advantage of daily recess and your school can do to support ing of the vaccine, and all safety steps kids’ health and well-being as we con- were completed. Hundreds of millions of way for your child to interact again with cost of admission for those partici- tinue to navigate the COVID-19 pan- people have safely taken the vaccine. For other kids. Going to the playground, par- pating in federal benefit programs. demic and learn our new normal. people who have completed all necessary ticipating in group play days, going to Out-of-school-time programs like Continue to follow COVID-19 health and doses of the vaccine, the vaccines have the library, or going to the park can all those offered at the Urban League, safety standards/protocols been extremely effective at preventing be opportunities for your children to in- Boys and Girls Club and through City A recent study by the CDC shares hospitalization and death from COVID. teract with others. The research shows of Rochester R-Centers are also great that there has been little evidence that Everyone aged 12 and older is now eli- that through play, we can help our kids ways for kids to catch up in school, but schools have contributed meaningfully gible to vaccinated, and the vaccines are heal from the trauma of the past year. also interact with their peers and build to increased community transmission in free. Talk to your health care provider To get some ideas of playful activities up important social-emotional skills. the United States and abroad. This study about the vaccines, and call 585-753-555 to do with your kids visit the following To learn more about what programs shows that current health and safety to find out how to get a vaccine, includ- resources: are available reach out to the Child standards by the Center for Disease ing if you are homebound. While studies Playworks: www.playworks.org Care Council. They have a list of all reg- Control and Prevention, New York State are taking place for vaccines for children WXXI and PBS Kids: www.wxxi.org/ed- istered out-of-school-time programs Department of Health and the Monroe younger than 12, many of our children ucation/parents and can help you navigate available County Health Department are working. are unprotected without current health The Strong Museum of Play: www.mu- programs. www.childcarecouncil.org However, as cases of the Delta variant and safety protocols and vaccine efforts. seumofplay.org Also be sure to check out the free pro- continue to rise, vaccination alongside To learn more about the COVID-19 Rochester Public Library: https://rocci- grams offered by the City of Rochester the proper health and safety standards vaccine and where you can get it, vis- tylibrary.org/ Department of Recreation and Human are one way we can continue to keep it: https://youdeserveanswers.org or Generation Two: https://www.g2roch- Services. Their new R-Central online our kids safe and protected. We’re not https://merecerespuestas.org. ester.org/please-play-campaign/ system will let you view, enroll and see sure yet what guidance will come out of Find time to play with your kids Take advantage of hands-on learning what recreation programs/activities are New York State Department of Health The COVID pandemic is compounding opportunities currently available: https://www.cityof- for the Fall and when schools reopen. existing trauma in our children and im- One of the keyways we can support rochester.gov/drhs/ Keep up to date on current guidelines pacting their overall brain development. our kids is finding those opportunities Seek out mental health and trauma sup- by visiting the Monroe County Health We can promote brain healing and con- for healthy relationship building. One ports Department website. In the meantime, tinue to build resiliency of our children by great way of doing that outside of un- Schools are such a key place for continue to follow proper health and supporting families and fostering healthy structured play is to take advantage many kids and families to receive crit- safety standards including masking, relationships between kids and adults. of hands-on learning experiences and ical support services like school based hand washing and social distancing. The best thing that we can do as adults out-of-school-time programs. Roch- mental health supports, special edu- Learn more about current health and is making time to play with children. ester has amazing museums, galler- cation, intervention services, health safety standards from the Monroe Coun- Play is a great time for you to build a ies, and programs available for kids to care access, emergency needs, and ty Health Department https://www. healthy relationship with your child, learn and explore. Most of the local monroecounty.gov/health-COVID-19 learn from them, and allow them to ex- cultural institutions now have SNAP continues on age 10 Continue COVID-19 vaccine education – press themselves. Play is also a great pricing for families, which lowers the

REF & South Wedge Unite for a Book Drive for City Students

Joan Gerrity

Rochester Education Foundation (REF) into the hands of a RCSD student! Lo- is reaching out to the South Wedge to cal businesses and the South Wedge help in giving city school children the Planning Committee (SWPC) have been gift of a new book in the coming school wonderful partners for the book drive. season. Research has demonstrated We are grateful for this opportunity to that having books in the home for chil- share the drive in the WEDGE Newspa- dren and reading with parents and per. We will also have a booth at SWPC’s siblings is critical to success in school. Farmers Market at 357 Gregory Street Recently, through REF’s efforts almost on Thursdays (4-7 p.m.) in August to ac- 20,000 books reached children in their cept new books of the donors’ choice. homes during the COVID-19 Pandem- The booth will also include a key ic. As children return to the classroom component of our College Access pro- full-time in September, REF wants to gram-- our College Help Desk where make sure that students continue to students can file for financial aid on receive new books for their home li- the spot or sign up for a one-on-one braries, and the South Wedge can help. appointment to learn more about col- REF was founded in 2003 by com- lege life, admissions and financial aid. munity volunteers who believe that The College Help Desk is also available Research shows reading books in the home is critical to success in school success at Teen Central at the Rochester Public every child in Rochester deserves a Library every Tuesday afternoon in Au- great education. The Foundation is a for Rochester Students; and Spring Through our Give Back, Give Books gust and everyday through our website. 501(c)3 non-profit that is independent for Music and Arts Opportunities. program, we have donated almost We want to highlight some of our from RCSD. Since its inception, REF has Our Spring for Music and Arts Oppor- 70,000 books to classrooms and home business partners who are working been providing programs and resourc- tunities program provides instruments libraries. REF wants to make sure with us to help Rochester’s children. es to improve learning and success for for city students, supports summer during the 2021-22 academic school Advantage Federal Credit Union will be all Rochester City School District stu- music lessons at Hochstein School of year that students continue to receive promoting our drive in all of its branch- dents through partnerships with edu- Music, and provides art supplies. We new books for their home libraries. es. Hipocampo Book Store on South cators, business, and the community. also provide funding for the wonderful Our South Wedge book drive will be a REF promotes three core programs: Marching Band and for all-district mu- crucial part of reaching that goal. Every continues on age 10 Give Back, Give Books; College Access sicals like Frozen, Jr. and much more. new book we receive will find its way 10 August/September 2021 www.swpc.org The WEDGE

Kids’ Success continued from page 9 crisis intervention. Schools can use We also know that access to available American Rescue Plan Stimulus dol- services and opportunities isn’t always lars to fortify and expand these sup- there. Our community and parents like ports to address the wellbeing of kids. you need to keep pushing our local If you’re noticing that your children districts to continue to prioritize the have been impacted by the COVID-19 pan- social-emotional health and wellbe- demic, reach out to your child’s teacher ing of our kids. That’s why the Healthi and building administrator to find out Kids coalition continues to center kids’ what additional supports are available and families’ voices to advance what’s through your school to support your child. best for kids’ health and well-being. Parents of teens should know that, Our grassroots coalition is an initiative recently a group of youth in the Finger of Common Ground Health. Together Lakes region came together to develop the team advocates for policies, sys- mental health literacy supports for oth- tems and environmental changes that er youth through a project called “FLX support kids’ physical, social emotional Teens are Alright”. The joint project was and cognitive development in the City of managed by Common Ground Health, Rochester and Finger Lakes region. That (l-r) State Assemblyman Harry Bronson and John White (Photo by Ove Overmeyer) Monroe County Library System, Pio- means our whole team and coalition are neer Library System and the Rochester actively moving every day to ensure our Regional Library Council. The resources kids have the healthy relationships they Harry Bronson & John White Wed and zine are available online or at any need to support them, and the safe se- local library in Monroe, Wayne, Living- cure environments they need to thrive. Nancy O’Donnell Hale ston, Ontario and Wyoming counties. Visit www.healthikids.org or reach To learn more about the FLX Teens out to [email protected] for more Partners in love and business, John On July 17, the couple was married at are Alright Resources visit here: https:// details about how you can join our coa- White and State Assemblyman Harry Lamberton Conservancy by Reverend www.healthikids.org/flxteensarealright lition to advocate for whole child health. Bronson, became a South Wedge fixture Stephen Cady of Asbury First United Become a resident and parent advocate! Jenn Beideman is Advocacy Manager at when they opened the Equal=Grounds Methodist Church. Witnesses at the There is a lot we as a community can Healthi Kids Coalition at Common Ground Coffee shop in 2006 in what had once nuptials were James White (John’s fa- do to support our kids as we navigate Health been the historic home of Lauterbach’s ther) and stepmother Joanne White. back to in person learning in the fall. Hardware Store on South Avenue. Ten Bronson’s two witnesses were friends years later, they remained business part- Jennifer Skoog and Scott Fisher. The ners but went their separate romantic wedding party celebrated Farmer’s REF Book Drive ways. After ten years more years, the Creekside Tavern and Inn, a 200-year- continued from page 9 COVID pandemic hit, and the two friends/ old historic site, in Leroy, NY. The cou- Avenue in the South Wedge will fea- es who will be supporting the book drive. business partners decided to hunker ple’s honeymoon plan is a drive along ture wonderful books that are sure to For those who would like to learn down together in White’s country home. the coastline of Maine, stopping at ro- delight city school students. On special more about REF or donate online to “It’s like a Captain and Tennille mantic little towns, eating seafood and days during August, Tap & Mallet on the South Wedge book drive, please song—'Covid brought us together,’ staring into the moonlit Atlantic Ocean. Gregory Street will be offering a $1 off visit our website at rochestereduca- said White, laughing. Within the year a pint for anyone who can show that tion.org. For questions about the book the now coupled made wedding plans. they donated a new book to REF. And drive or to volunteer to help us, please Equal=Grounds Coffee Shop and Happy call Joan Gerrity at 721-1267 or email Earth Tea Shop, both on South Avenue, [email protected]. We will also be promoting the drive and serv- are so grateful for all of your support. ing as a drop-off point for new books. Joan Gerrity is REF’s Coor- We will be keeping the community post- dinator of Special Projects. ed on social media and our website, re- garding all the other wonderful business-

Instant Relatives... continued from page 4

Douglas, the POW camp in Chicago. I purified water and “liattle bit of magic.” was able to find out about the soldier, (Spray it under a bed or into closet). found his photograph (in uniform) and Her house blessing bottles contain white about the author of the letter’s husband rice, sage, sea salt and lavender--keep the as well. Come to find out that both the bad energy out and the good energy in. families had originated from Western Recently, Giglio attended Comic Con, New York, and her husband was from but she reported that attendees wanted Victor. I love when people get excited something to attract not repel a monster. to see them and want to “adopt” one.” Giglio is back in her lab concocting a Giglio’s cemetery in a cup is a playful recipe for “Monster Bait.” reminder that we only get one life to live. Stop by Patti Giglio’s table at the Despite the rainy season, the Cypress Street Victory Garden’s individual Monster Repellent lets you exchange the South Wedge Farmers Market on boxes of green continue to flourish. This Spring the Victory Garden added smell of sulfur with a delightful scent of Thursdays, 357 Gregory Street, 4 - 7 p.m. either lavendar or clary sage essential oils, a perennial herb bed filled with three kinds of basil -- (sweet, lemon, and Thai), chives, cilantro, dill, lavender, parsley, rosemary, sage, and thyme that is shared by all its members. Make sure to write a reminder in your Untamed Nutrition continued from page 4 2022 calendar to apply to either the Hamilton Street or Cypress Street peanut butter cup? The list is long. their “Boosted and Lit Teas contain Victory Gardens, both part of South Wedge Planning Committee’s mission Since Untamed Nutrition is all about 100% of your daily recommended to build community (Photos by Kenneth Rich) choice, it may take awhile to make a choice. dose of Vitamin C, 300% of your B6 The 40 flavored teas come in varying and 200% of your B12 as well as other caffeine levels from caffeine free to “lit” energy supporting B vitamins…all of and are sweetened by plant-based Stevia. our teas are thermogenic therefore Newbies to nutrition can join gym rats naturally boost your metabolism.” who are welcomed both “pre and post The UN team welcome workout.” questions, so stop in and ask away. Smoothie adds-on among others 1409 South Avenue, Hours: M-F include probiotic, collagen, belly busters, 6 a.m. - 5p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and immune support According to the company’s website

The South Wedge Planning Committee (SWPC) invites you to join us in making a difference in southeast Rochester. Join our board of directors or serve on a committee. Founded in 1978, SWPC acts as a conduit for federal or state repair grants that help keep people in their aging homes. SWPC works in a myriad of ways to build community through the annual South Wedge Farmers Market (June-September), South Wedge Victory Gardens on Hamilton and Cypress Streets and The WEDGE Newspaper that publishes six issues each year. Your time, talent and passion can help us to continue SWPC’s work. If interested, please call 256-1740 or e-mail [email protected] or board chair Frank Logan at [email protected]. August/September 2021 www.swpc.org The WEDGE The WEDGE www.swpc.org August/Septemr 2021 11 Poke Sushi in the South Wedge

Nancy O’Donnell Hale

It’s hard to get an interview with ues in a store on State Street). In more Lauren Dax, manager of Poke Sushi on recent history Banzai Sushi held the South Avenue. It’s the same thing for space, followed by Harry G’s until 2021. owner and head chef Adam Hamilton. Now sushi is back. Hamilton cre- The Japanese fusion restaurant has ated an intimate space in the been slammed with customer since it South Wedge that seats about 30/ reopened in March. The food and vibe The menu is comprehensive with op- are that good. Once people discover tions for carnivores, vegetarians and how good it is, they keep coming back. vegans. Ten starters from miso soup “We are absolutely short staffed,” to tuna takai (Togashi tuna seared and said Dax. With loosening of pan- served over shredded daikon tossed demic restrictions, the restaurant is with a spicy ponzu sauce). Raw rolls and ready to serve, but short on servers cooked rolls and maki rolls and tempu- Dax describes her partner’s sushi jour- ra rolls (Hamilton makes his own se- ney as “pretty unique.” His delight in cret tempura batter Dax said) and chef eating sushi led him to life of making su- specialty rolls with names like Muscle shi. “I think we’ve watched Jiro Dreams Beach, Laird Hamilton and Johnny Ca- of Sushi a lot of times,” Dax said, laugh- shew (34 total to choose from). Add ing. “Adam loved eating sushi, and he sashimi and finally, kitchen entrees- in started training at California Rollin’. clude a Kobe Burger and Pork Udon For several years Hamilton offered Dan Dan among others. If there’s still his talent at the Hideaway and week- space, desserts are available—Japanese ly pop-ups. For a time, he shared cheesecake souffle and mochi ice cream. a space in Roc City Ramen Corn Along with beer, and wine, the Hill right in time for the pandemic restaurant offers craft cocktails. and then the BLM protests nearby. “People loved our Honeydew Lime- “We could see the cars on fire ade. We used local fruit as fresh as pos- from the doors of the restaurant. sible. No fake ingredients,” Dax added, The crowds were basically peace- explaining Poke Sushi’s one of their ful, but it was impossible for people continues on pg. 13 to get into the parking lot because Adam Hamilton and Lauren Dax (Photo by Roberto Lagares) the streets were closed,” said Dax. “We picked the South Wedge, and it picked us at the same time. It was perfect timing. The space was available. There’s more ener- gy and more foot traffic,” said Dax. When South Wedge location became available. The space has had a few iter- ations. A few decades ago, it housed a Santeria botanical shop with a resident python (Obatala Shango still sells their candles, oils, herbs, incense, and stat-

Poke sushi

Poke sushi craft cocktail

The South Wedge Planning Committee (SWPC) invites you to join us in making a difference in southeast Rochester. Join our board of directors or serve on a committee. Founded in 1978, SWPC acts as a conduit for federal or state repair grants that help keep people in their aging homes. SWPC works in a myriad of ways to build community through the annual South Wedge Farmers Market (June-September), South Wedge Victory Gardens on Hamilton and Cypress Streets and The WEDGE Newspaper that publishes six issues each year. Your time, talent and passion can help us to continue SWPC’s work. If interested, please call 256-1740 or e-mail [email protected] or board chair Frank Logan at [email protected]. 12The WEDGE www.swpc.org August/September 2021 South Wedge Went Wild for the Somewhere in the Wedge Bigger Better Earth Tea

The line of eager tea shoppers reached Gregory Street from the entrance on South Avenue. (Photo courtesy of Happy Earth Tea) The larger space allows Happy Earth to include more products-- pottery, bath scrubs, honey, tea pets, and room to hang a well- loved quilt composed of pieces of clothing from Indian women. Photos by Nancy O’Donnell Hale

Farmers Market host Barnaby Flint on a snack break (Photo by Nancy O’Donnell Hale)

More room, more beautiful pottery

Botanicl Bath Salt - Himalayan Rose Salt, Organic Rose Petals and Chamomile

Mary Boland added a colorful Indian quilt to the wall in Happy Earth Tea

Honey from local bees On one wall, large silver jars hold bulk tea selections from Darjeeling to the Himalayas. Tables hold work from local potters. Another table glows with bottles of golden 100% honey “made by resident bees in Wayne County.” The honey is touted as “strained, not filtered…pure, natural, raw.” Along with the devoted re- turning customers, the expand- ed space has attracted new ones. “A young kid in high school who said he was learning Mandarin came in with his mother,” said Wineberg. “They had never been here before, and he said he wanted to explore Chi- nese tea and see how tea was served in a traditional gong fu cha manner.” continues on pg. 13 The WEDGE www.swpc.org August/September 2021 The WEDGE www.swpc.org August/Septemr 2021 13

Vetter’s Beef

continued from pg. 5

total of 100 years of farm experience, will continue the commitment to cleanliness, quality, and sustainability utilizing the systems already in place for silos, pastures, barns, and feed. They are also using crossbred cattle, Holstein (dairy) and Black Angus (beef.) This combination produces hybrid vigor: bringing out best traits of the breeds while decreasing the worst traits. In this case the result is excellent marbling in a lean meat that enhances flavor and tenderness without a heavy outer covering of fat. Vetter adds, “Everyone wants Black Angus, but I’ve eaten some tough Black Angus. I’ll put my steak up against a Black Angus steak anytime.” Each day the cows on this farm are checked and walked to confirm overall health and are fed a largely home- grown diet with a complete nutrition package. Their bedding is natural hay, and barns are cleaned daily with the manure carted to a separate pit to use for crop fertilizer. Cows are put Working together is keeping two businesses going: a 66-year-old family farm and a growing beef business. The partners are, from left to right, into the free-range pasture in the Andy Mroczek, Joe Mroczek, and Bob Vetter with his sons Evan and Wyatt. (Photo by Glynis Valenti) morning and wander back into the barn out of the mid-day sun, where are much of it comes from a big facility water and fresh hay are available for that processes large quantities of meat grazing. When the cows are sent for a day,” explains Vetter. “You don’t Beef from Vetter’s can processing, it’s to a local, relatively know where it came from or what the be purchased at the South small USDA-inspected facility. animals have been through. It makes In the barns, the lights and noises a difference in what you’re eating.” Wedge Farmers Market are low. The cows are serene—curious Vetter says that working with his farm (see the SWFM Facebook about visitors, but not anxious or clients and seeing their commitments to page to see when he’ll jostling or bellowing. Humans in the quality food led him to “want better” for barns speak in quiet tones and move his wife, Jessica, and two sons, Evan and be there,) through the slowly. This is by design, according to Wyatt. He says each day inspires him to website www.VettersBeef. Vetter. The calmer, less-stressed the Bob Vetter shows one component of what the provide not only a living, but an improved com, and at Weaver’s Farm cows are, the happier they are, and cows eat daily. Alfalfa and hay are stored in quality of life for his family, the animals, this is reflected in the end product. silos and ferment naturally, providing nutrients and for his clients and customers. Market in Canandaigua. “When you buy ground beef in and probiotics, aiding digestion, and keeping grocery stores and fast food, chances the cows happy. (Photo by Glynis Valenti)

Braiman Happy Earth Tea Poke Sushi continued from pg. 5 continued from pg. 12 continued from pg. 11 After earning a certificate lock the Roc, a group on social media from the Institute of Integra- that introducing people to all that’s In this tradition, a small teacup, sans tive Nutrition in NYC, Braman new and wonderful in Western NY. handle, is placed on a small wooden box revolving menu of craft juice cocktails turned his focus health coaching. “We eat healthy, it takes away our with a slated top that holds the spilled And then there its menu of fruit “It’s helping people see all the op- hot water or tea. A tea pet can be placed blended, non-dairy milk tea with tapi- tions, holding accountability and space The main goal is on the tray if requested. (Tea pets are oca pearls with a jolt i.e. “Drunk Bub- so people can get healthy in their own to make as many animal- shaped clay figurines to keep bles.” Try Strawberry with vodka, Irish way, their own pace,” Braman said. you company.) Before drinking the first cream, coconut cream, shiso bitters Today Braman may work from 3-6 people as possible cup, tradition says it’s good luck to give and mint or Taro with Mezcal or Man- months with a client in a variety of happy and healthy the tea pet the first taste with a brief go with Tequila, Coconut with rum, ways. He described how clients may spill over its head, and even a bit more Green Tea with bourbon, oh, my! want to lose weight, but they don’t through Integrative with each steep. With some teas you can Along with the in-house sushi extrav- know how to change their lifestyle. “I Nutrition Coaching get at least five steeps said Wineberg. aganza—if you can’t get a seat—give work with a client, and if possible, their Every cup of tea can come with a les- a call, because Poke Sushi also caters. doctor to start their health journey.” which helps you start son if you want. Lama or Wineberg will 682 South Avenue, 585.270.8890, Hours: One client had arthritis in her toes learning how to love explain the importance of using the right Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., 5- 9 p.m. and Braman helped her eat in ways temperature, the right amount of steep- Fri, & Sat. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., 5-10 p.m. to reduce inflammation and find food and cooking ing, the difference between the subtle fla- Closed on Sunday. Visit www.pokeshuiroc. ways to reduce cravings. In anoth- while crowding out vors—some floral, some vegetal or nutty. com for more info. er example, he says a mother would bad habits to make On opening day, the iced tea was come home stressed from work and named “Verde Delight” by Tara Lama. would reach for a bowl of candy be- room for more self The tea combined green tea, cucum- fore dinner. He helped with ideas for care, confidence, and ber syrup and lemon. Iced tea flavors The WEDGE meal prepping to avoid triggers and change each week. In the last week of ways to make the day less stressful. completion of your July iced tea flavors were Lavender Field, Wants You! “Twice a month over Zoom I hold cook- biggest dreams. Happy Hibiscus and Bombay Iced Chai. Do you have a ing classes and workshops showing Edible tea companions come from people how to start on a health journey a happy collab with Hedonist Artisan story you want to and how not to plateau,” Braman said. --Robbie Braman Chocolates These handcrafted truf- tell? “My cooking classes are not the fan- fles are flavored by Lama’s teas and -in ciest. I prepare foods that maximize fla- A photo you cravings. Or rather our cravings change. clude Ra-cha-chai, Earl Grey, Lapsang vor. One of people’s favorites is a cold Souchong, Matcha and Rooibos Gin- want to share? asparagus salad with herb dressing.” When I changed my diet, I discovered I ate more vegetables, and I wanted to ger Lime. Finally, there’s sweet and Recently, Braman made connec- savory nuts, cookies, and brownies We want to hear tions with Wickham Farm CSA in Pen- eat more vegetables,” added Braman. To learn more about Braman’s from Red Fern Vegan Restaurant. from you. field, and now contributes recipe 696 South Ave. 585.730.7754 Info about and health tips to their newsletter. health coaching, cooking classes or Please email catering, visit robbiebraman.com. future tea tastings or classes will be post- On social media he’s exploring Un- ed on Instagram and Facebook. thewedge@ swpc.org or call 585.256.1740, ext. 4