Plymouth Rocks

Just before Thanksgiving I quit my diet cold turkey. I did it for the sake of tradition because you can definitely bet your bottom dollar that Squanto wasn't running around counting net carbs. However, since I still value principles of health and sustainability almost as much as the Macy's Day Parade, I opt to shop at Abundance Cooperative for all of my Thanksgiving needs . 

Abundance, located at 62 Marshall Street, is just aisle after aisle of bounty, a cornucopia of natural, tasty, organic groceries. They have your hormone and antibiotic-free turkeys along with wild tofurkeys. They have your cranberries for sauce, pumpkins for pie, spinach for casserole, and potatoes for baking. In my family it is customary for us to go around the table sharing what we are thankful for: holiday re-runs, laughter, health, good company, and delicious food. It is also customary for us to gobble everything in sight. 

Tea For Two and Two for Tea

Annie Hall: Oh really? Well, [La-Tea-Da]!

Alvy Singer: [La-Tea-Da.] If I-if anyone had ever told me that I would be taking out a girl who used expressions like "[La-Tea-Da]"...

Annie Hall: Oh, Alvy, it's not an expression. It's the name of that tea parlor at 258 Alexander.

You dot your "i"s and cross your "t"s. You start your homework weeks before it's due. You are known for being conventional. Yet, on the weekends, every so often you step through the looking glass and into whimsy. Of course La-Tea-Da is your cup of tea. Located in an old Victorian, where each room contributes its own personality: there's the fair Lady Victoria's Parlour, the capricious Alice's party room, and the more comfortably domestic Prince Albert's Parlour. Take a seat before the mismatched tea sets and in your best British accent, ask the "nippie" for a spot of tea and a sandwich, soup, salad, pastry, or dessert. Bedeck yourself with a boa and hat in order to play the part. Although it's not necessary to BYOH (bring your own hat) it grants you a scrumptious dessert on the house. Dress in full Victorian garb, and automatically halve your bill.
Just let the leaves seep before you read or drink.

Use the RED discount for a free scone at brunch or lunch.

Ghoulwill

Girl 1: What are you going to be for Halloween? 

Girl 2: Sarah Palin

Girl 1: So, is that a pre or post Neiman Marcus Palin? 

Halloween looms like the shadow of a grave. It approaches with the bay of the werewolf and the cackle of the witch. It's an excuse for girls to dress like whores and for boys to dress like girls. Costumes are everything. Growing up, my parents never let me buy that prefab costume-in-a-bag, instead favoring creativity. Thus, each year my brother and I would assemble our own home-made award-winning killer costumes.

According to Stace and Clint, this year creative is in.  And  ABVI Goodwill at 376 Jefferson is your muse. As T.I. assures, "you can [be] whatever you like." In October, Goodwill transforms into a Halloween superstore of ghostly proportions. Up front there is the lot of all-inclusive costumes: the princess, the trophy wife, the grim reaper, the jester, the wizard, the cheerleader. In the back and off to the side are the accessories both spooky and regular: the glasses, the devil horns, the butterfly wings, the nuns' habits, the beaded bracelets, and bobby socks. Sift through the middle, the clothes: the wooly sweaters, puffy coats, jumpers, and jeans. Browse the back: the little bit of this and that, the house-wares, the books, the children's games and toys. You can throw it all together, voile, or brace yourself for the alternative, for the trick, and SMELL MY FEET! 

Now Hiring!

Everyone knows that when Paris Hilton coined "that's hot" it was in reference to Rochester Every Day. Yet, in spite of RED's  uber hotness, next semester I have other plans. I'll be traveling and immersing myself into a new language and culture. I'll be testing out new hot spots and cultural locales. 

Hot Stuff, however the point is that I am on the prowl for a new RED hottie: someone who loves to explore, to blog, to work independently, and to create. Consult the job board for more information or shoot me an email. 

XOXO

Spice up your Life

By now I have tasted my share of cuisines. Dim Sum in China Town and homemade ravioli in Little Italy. I frequent aisles of Asian groceries and Russian markets. I let loose on avgolemono and dolmades. All in all I have eaten enough pho to know what's real. But, never have I ever eaten Ethiopian (that is until this past weekend.) 

Abyssinia situated on 80 University Avenue is a jewel of rich Ethiopian authenticity. The atmosphere gives off a relaxed vibe, conducive to conversation. Each order is poured over injera an absorbent sourdough, and you eat with your hands. It's flavorful, earthy, and oh so filling. Thankfully there are plenty of options for vegetarians and carnivores alike. Even when you take all of this into account, it's the spices that make the meal. 

Baby, Ginger, Posh, Sporty, and Scary, "why don't you spice up your life?" 

Hot Study Spot

Welcome back to the Roc and for all of you freshies, welcome to the first of your four glorious years here! This year make sure to push the envelope and explore!

When the PRR doubles as a sweltering sauna and Gleason as a raucous madhouse. When a place in the Great Hall is as coveted as a ticket to Anderson Cooper. When you just aren't feeling Mr. Rhees. Don't even think twice! 

Drag that book bag to Spot Coffee, a converted car dealership down by Eastman at 200 East Ave. With lofty ceilings, long windows, a grandiose fireplace, soft music, and an assortment of antique parlor furniture, Spot emanates a sort of productive coziness. Grab a coffee (they also have all sorts of inventive drink combinations), and a nosh, before kicking back with the laptop to plug out that 10 pager. Note to self: although Spot's free WIFI may be tempting, try to resist stalking everyone and their mother on Facebook and get your work done. 

I Want to Ride my Bicycle

Queen’s “Bicycle Race” is the booming anthem for the City Cycles RED collaboration. Come on, the city of Rochester is blooming and the quad has even beaten out the library in terms of the turnout. On Tuesday, City Cycles, the University’s bicycle lending-program kicks off with a bang with 15 bicycles to borrow. RED is setting up fort with bike maps, promotions, discounts, and coupons galore. A funky band, On Beyond Penguin, will be jamming beside on the green. The bonus of a free bicycle water bottle for the first 250 students surely puts the icing on top of the cake.

Cutie, don’t let those brains rattle around too much, wear a helmet.

Come. Tuesday the 15th from 1 pm to 3 pm on Wilson Quad

Life is a Bowl of Cherries

As the 2007 -2008 school year winds down, the stress builds up. You have exams up to your neck, homework up to your eyeballs, presentations coming out the wazoo, and a Leaning Tower of papers to write. At least the snow melted (it's about time!) How about you pop a non-prescription chill pill, turn on your whale sound cassette tape, and relax.

Pssst... there's a better remedy. I once heard an old wives' tale that painting pottery is the academic anxiety cure all. "Painting pottery?", you say with skepticism, but you don't have to take my word for it; why don't you try it yourself? Sit down at Bisque and Brush at 713 Park Avenue and choose a piece of bisque (not lobster.) Unleash your pent up creativity whether it be through glazing a mug, a bowl, a plate, or even a piggy bank. If you are creatively or artistically inhibited, like many a folk, there are stencils and templates to spark plenty of ideas. What more, the prices are reasonable, covering the cost of: the bisque ware, the glazing, and firing. Within a mere week your masterpieces are ready for pick up.

It's a bit more creative than painting by number, don't you think?

Let's Book It

There is something romantically mystifying about used books, like older more experienced men with hidden pasts. Used books are soft and exude a warm musty odor. But, you say there’s no time because you spend it watching Tila Tequila and procrastinating studying for organic chemistry. Give me a break and make that Hooked on Phonics set worth its buck. Reading is like candy sans calories, candy for the brain that is. Stuff your face: Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude, Toni Morrison’s Beloved, J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Graham Greene’s A Burnt-Out Case, Joseph Heller’s Catch-22. Sometimes Danielle Steel even hits the spot, guilty-pleasure trashy romance. Pinky swear, I won’t tell.

Greenwood Books, located on 123 East Avenue, is cozy and packed with literature on every topic under the sun. In front, there are classic old postcards and pictures for sale. One thing is for sure, this little shop certainly won’t break the bank, considering each book is priced at only a couple of dollars a piece. Wasn’t it Francis Bacon who said, “Knowledge is power” ?

Now that I think about it, it could have just as easily been that guy from Reading Rainbow.

Any Given Sunday

The pictures from last night just got posted. What were you even thinking taking glamor shots in the Wilson Commons’ 4th floor bathroom? You’re tired, you’re groggy, and it feels like there’s a locomotive rattling your temples. For breakfast it’s about time for a change of pace; babe, its obvious that those runny eggs at Danforth aren’t so good when it comes to quelling morning-after nausea.

So how about a plan B? Luckily, Mt. Hope Diner, located practically around the corner at 1511 Mount Hope Avenue is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from campus. The atmosphere is quaint comfortable: book exchange in the front, candy by the register, and bountiful cups of Joe (what a godsend.) Look to the menu for cheap consoling diner fare, plus the board tacks on an additional 10 specials each day, to liven up your palate /plate. With amicable wait-staff, the options are fairly customizable, butter on the side, hold the onions, add tomatoes. I personally have a soft spot for the cheese and broccoli omelet. Even better yet, Mt. Hope Diner is completely URO and WIFI compatible.

Although it may be no breakfast at Tiffany’s, it’s exactly what you need.

Mt. Hope Diner is the RED featured business of the month.

Roses are Red

Violets are blue... yadda, yadda, yadda. This time of year all of the sugary sweet talk is enough to give you cavities. Feel free to forward Hallmark the dental bill. But, by now, no matter your facebook relationship status you should just accept that Valentine's Day will roll around and unless you are up for a mascara-running cry fest, you better make some plans.

Like a Big Pizza Pie, that's Amore
Obviously Sweethearts provide only so much sustenance, so that's why you should hit up some local eateries on V-Day with your significant other or fellow single minglers. Look towards Disney's Lady and the Tramp as proof that Italian cuisine is ooh la la romantic. Say buongiorno to Cibon, Portobello's Ristorante, and Mario's Italian Steakhouse. Dinner by candlelight is quixotic; love is in the air at Restaurant 2 Vine and Edibles.

With a Cherry on Top
Valentine's Day is the perfect excuse for dessert (like you need one.) Post dinner, indulge at Cheesy Eddie's and Simply Crepes. Don't worry about those love handles after all it is Valentine's Day.

Life is More than a Box of Chocolates

Face it sweetheart, you deserve something special and so does your one and only. Shop at Craft Company No. 6 and the Jewelry Exchange Outlet Boutique for gifts beyond your standard box of stale drugstore truffles.

Save the Date

Honey, get out there and experience the city with your lovey. I heard that Rochester is quite the aphrodisiac. Oh the places to go on Valentine's Day: the Cinema Theatre, the MAG, Color-Me Mine, the Little Theater, RPO, RockVentures, and Clover Lanes.

No Strings Attached

For the unattached, Valentine's Day is not designated for sulking, watching soaps, and binging on greasy leftovers. Instead, treat yourself to some pampering at Park Ave Salon, Healing Art, Meridian Massage Therapy.

Wherever your heart takes you, don't forget to stop in the name of love and fully appreciate the day.

All of the restaurants, shops, and services above supply RED discounts.