Health + Wellness

The Gift of Eyesight

How Two Rochester Doctors Help Patients See Their Best Article by Suzie Wells | Photography by Submitted When Dr. Sarah Klein joined Dr. Earlene Siebold’s private ophthalmology practice, it wasn’t just a career move—it was a partnership built on shared purpose, preserving and restoring the “gift of eyesight.” After a decade at the University of Rochester’s Flaum Eye Institute, Dr. Klein, an optometrist specializing in primary eye care and ocular disease, was drawn to Dr. Siebold’s unique...

Life + Culture

Illuminating the Season

Neighbors Turn Holiday Cheer into Acts of Giving Article by Katrina M. Randall | Photography by Submitted The holidays mean many things to many people—family gatherings, festive parties, delicious food and drink, and, of course, giving. But “giving back” can take many forms. For some, it’s donating warm clothing or pantry items to those in need. For others, it’s volunteering time, sharing kindness, or finding joy in the simple act of giving. Sometimes, the greatest holiday joy comes from...

Local Services

Heart of the Community

How Rochester Businesses Turn Success into Service Article by Suzie Wells | Photography by Submitted Across the Greater Rochester region, many businesses are proving that giving back is just as important as doing business. From supporting veterans and uplifting neighbors in need to investing time, talent, and resources in local causes, these companies show that community service isn’t just good practice—it’s part of what makes a community thrive. Their stories remind us that generosity takes...

Arts + Culture

Finding Healing Through Movement

Gracious Dance Inspires a Cycle of Giving and Hope Article by Sarah Keeler | Photography by Submitted; Erich Camping As a teenager, Rebecca Phelps found healing in a dance studio. Now 28, the Rochester native helps fellow trauma survivors find hope, healing, and community through the art of movement. Her organization, Gracious Dance, launched in 2019 and specializes in therapeutic dance and movement programs for survivors of interpersonal violence. “Dance was my safe space growing up,” says...

Life + Culture

Diverse December: Celebrating Light, Hope, and Community

Exploring the Many Ways Communities Bring Light to Winter’s Darkest Days Article by Katrina M. Randall | Photography by Submitted While Christmas may dominate December’s landscape, it’s far from the only holiday bringing light to the year’s darkest month. Across the region, residents honor traditions that span the globe, from Yule and Yalda to Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Each celebration reflects its own story of hope, renewal, and togetherness. Yalda Yalda is a Persian festival that celebrates...

Arts + Culture

Full Circle: Music, Love, Rochester

A journey of immigration, artistry, and life coming full circle Article by Suzie Wells | Photography by Mike Bull and Keith Trammel When world-renowned pianists Marina Lomazov and Joseph Rackers describe Rochester, their words carry a mix of affection, gratitude, and belonging. Though their paths to the city were different, Rochester has become the home where their lives have come full circle. Born in Kiev, Ukraine “at the tail end of Brezhnev’s Stagnation and Gorbachev’s Glasnost and ...

Health + Wellness

The Science of Gratitude

What Research Reveals About a Thankful Mindset Article by Suzie Wells Thanksgiving often reminds us to make a more conscious effort to appreciate the small and large parts of life. Gratitude is more than a polite or obligatory, “Thank you.” It’s increasingly recognized as a practice with measurable benefits for mental and physical health. According to University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) researchers, consciously making time and space to appreciate the tangible and abstract parts of...

Local Services

Partners in Change

Uniting voices to strengthen youth, families, and community Article by Katrina M. Randall | Photography by Aaron Rosario; Submitted In the 1990s, a group of civic and community leaders united around a single goal: preventing youth substance abuse. Nearly three decades later, that effort has grown into Ontario Cares (recently rebranded from the Partnership for Ontario County), a backbone organization that brings together schools, government, law enforcement, nonprofits, and neighbors to spark...

Event Planning + Services

Skyline Legacy, Modern Vision

The Metropolitan’s transformation honors history while opening new doors for the city Article by Katrina M. Randall | Photography by Ray Sheley Since 1973, the Metropolitan Building has been a defining part of the Rochester skyline, originally built as the Lincoln First Bank headquarters. Rising 27 stories and 392 feet, it remains the city’s third-tallest building and a downtown landmark. For years, the tower functioned as commercial space, but the Gallina family of Gallina Development...

Food + Beverage

A Healthier Thanksgiving

Smart swaps and habits to enjoy the holiday without guilt Article by Shaina Zazzaro with Alexandra Buckner | Photography by Submitted Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It’s about family, gratitude, and of course food. But it can also be one of the hardest times to stay on track with health goals. The average Thanksgiving dinner runs over 3,000 calories, leaving you sluggish and guilty instead of energized and grateful. With planning and smart swaps, you can enjoy the holiday without...