HOLIDAYS: Memories & Traditions

We often complain that Christmas and other holidays have become over-commercialized, where the religious or historical meaning is lost within a realm of retail madness. Yet, some of our favorite holiday memories are often associated with shopping.

HOLIDAYS: Hitting the liquor store

Pusser's Rum

Tis the season to hit up the liquor store before the holidays, and that's exactly what I did today on my day off from work.  Browsing the wonderfully-wide aisles of Lisa's Liquor Barn in Penfield, I searched out some of my favorite drinks before making my decision.

I chose a bottle of "Maker's Mark" bourbon for me, and my mom went for the "Baileys Irish Cream".  Both will be nice additions to the liquor cabinet.

My "Maker's Mark" will go nicely alongside the half-gone bottle of my favorite rum - which is really the purpose of this blog post.  I always hear people say how much they love "Captain" or one of the endless varieties of "Bacardi".  When people ask which rum is my favorite, they get a bewildered expression when I reply "Pusser's".

FALL FUN: Navigating a dinosaur corn maze

This Sunday was the last day the Dinosaur corn maze was open at the Country Way Garden Center in Penfield.  Luckily, me and my colleagues Caroline Tucker and Patrick Kelly were able to rise to the challenge last weekend.  This was my first corn maze experience, and I was excited to put my navigation skills to the test despite dire warnings from our 11 o'clock producer (she was stuck in one at night at a young age and it took her three hours to get out.  She continues to hate them to this day.)

TELEVISION: Remembering Andy Rooney, 1919 - 2011

2008 photo by Stephenson Brown

Known for his grumpy end-of-show commentary, Andy Rooney has been a beloved mainstay of "60 Minutes" for more than 30 years, and a fixture at CBS for more than 60 years.

Rooney died Friday night from complications from a minor surgery. His death came only weeks after announcing he would no longer appear regularly at the end of 60 minutes. In all, he wrote and delivered 1,097 essays for the news program.

SNAPSHOT: Penfield Sunset

I caught this neat sunset after dinner at the Penfield Four Corners.  I snapped this photo with my phone from the parking lot of the Pattaya Thai restaurant.

ADORABLE: Getting ready for winter

We've had a resident woodchuck in our backyard for several years now - and this is the time of year when they start to get really fat!  This year momma woodchuck has two little ones, and they all seem to spend most of their time under our apple tree or our neighbor's pear tree.  The best part is - they sit upright on they're hind legs and eat the fruit with they're paws.  The way they eat is so human- like, they almost look like cartoon characters.

The Legacy of Peter Jennings

It's hard to believe that six years have passed since the world lost Peter Jennings.  The Canadian-born, American broadcaster - who later obtained earned U.S. Citizenship - is the reason I have always wanted to be in television journalism.  As early as I can remember, before even the start of elementary school, Peter was part of my daily routine.  Each night, after dinner, we would watch the end of the local news - and then sit tight for ABC's "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings".

His career was impressive: after several years of reporting for Canadian television - Jennings would come stateside to spend the next 40 years at ABC News.  First as a reporter, then as chief foreign correspondent, and finally - for 22 years - as anchor and senior editor of "World News Tonight".  During his tenure in that final role, he shaped the news coverage of the entire network - and became the face of the news division.  He was adamant about covering events around the world - issues that mattered, whether they were popular or not.

He drew on his extensive reporting background to make editorial decisions when anchoring from New York ("from ABC News world headquarters in New York, this is World News Tonight with Peter Jennings").  When the story couldn't be told from behind a desk, he was on a plane to report and anchor from the field.  It was that genuine drive to not only cover the story, but get to the bottom of it, that earned the respect of viewers, colleagues, and competitors alike.  Peter's delivery conveyed a measured sense of importance and experience, yet wasn't sensational...and he could do it with or without a teleprompter.  It was that skill that made him indispensable during breaking news special reports - in particular the week of 9/11.

That special relationship he formed with his viewers made the news of his death on August 7th, 2005, that much harder to take.  He had announced in early April he had been diagnosed with lung cancer - admitting he had been a smoker for many years, had quit, and started back up during 9/11.  The response was immediate.  Messages of sadness and offers of condolences came pouring in to the comment section on the ABC News website - and not just from the United States, but all over the world.  Viewers in Canada who have access to American television...and people in the UK who watched "World News Tonight" rebroadcast by the BBC.

The wide range of people Peter connected with during his long career speaks to the quality of his work.  Everyone in television news can still learn from his story telling.  By doing so, we can continue his legacy of telling stories that matter and that resonate - perhaps even changing people's lives.  He set the bar high - and we should be inspired to follow his lead and not take the easy way out.  To find ways to make important stories visual, and find characters who will make complex issues hit home.  Yes, at the end of the day, the news is still a business that needs to remain viable - but it's also a public service, a duty to the viewers we serve.  A true journalist won't lose sight of that.

The day after Peter died, ABC News began honoring his life and career.  Below, in three parts, is the special edition of "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings" that aired Monday, August 8th, 2005.  Anchored by longtime friend and colleague Charles Gibson, the broadcast was just one of many well-done tributes to the legendary reporter and anchor.








LINKS TO ADDITIONAL PETER JENNINGS TRIBUTES:

ABC News obituary for Peter Jennings

Peter Jennings page at the Museum of Broadcast Communications

The Peter Jennings Project for Journalists and the Constitution

The Documentary Group (succeeded "PJ Productions" - Jennings' production company)

Resources to quit smoking

HOW TO: Properly inflate your car's tires

It seems like common sense!  The tire looks a little flat, so you go to the gas station and put some air in it.  That's all there is to it, right?  Well - sort of.  A tire can lose nearly half of its recommended pressure and still look properly inflated.  That's why it's important to check tire pressure at least once a month.  And while many of us grew up with dad whipping out the chrome cylindrical gauge - the one with the little tape measure thing that pops out when fitted to the tire - experts recommend more accurate digital gauges.  So you go to the auto parts store and get one of the those - so now what?  How do I know what the tire pressure is supposed to be?  Many people look at the tire itself - which is wrong!  The value on the tire is the maximum pressure it can safely handle - which typically is significantly higher than what is recommended for your particular car.

 

Every car manufacturer posts proper pressure values somewhere on the vehicle.  Typically, a plaque like the one pictured above is located near the driver's door - either on the door itself, or in the door jamb.  You are looking for the "cold tire inflation pressure", and there should be numeric values for the front and rear tires - measured in PSI (Pounds [of air pressure] per Square Inch).  Now, it says "cold" because the pressure inside the tire changes as the temperature goes up and down.  An accurate reading, or "cold" reading, is taken before the car has been driven, or within a few miles of driving.  In other words, driving to the local gas station to use its air machine is fine, but checking pressure right after a trip down the thruway is not the time to do it.

Once you've determined what the pressure should be, and have found the need to add air after taking the cold pressure readings of all four tires - you're ready to pump some air.  Simply inflate your tire until the gauge shows it's where it should be.  And don't forget to check your spare once in a while.  As your set of tires age, there may be one or two that will lose air faster than the others.  I've now had this problem with two cars - which is why I've become quite experienced on this whole topic.  It's important to recognize when this is happening, so you can be extra careful to check those particular tires - perhaps each time you fill up the gas tank.  Eventually, you may want to consider having your mechanic try replacing the valve stem.  I did this, and also purchased a small portable air pump that plugs into a car cigarette lighter.  It cost less than $30 and prevents the hassle waiting in line for air at the gas station.

Regardless of what specific steps are taken to keep your tires properly inflated, it's important that you do it.  Not doing so not only means reduced gas mileage, but greatly increases the risk of an accident.  Over-inflating your tires reduces the amount of tread hitting the road - meaning worse handling, and making it harder to stop (especially on wet roads).  Under-inflating tires means too much of the tire tread is in contact with the road, which creates increased friction and heat.  This can lead to tire blowout and tread separation - either of which can cause a vehicle rollover.

ADORABLE: Deer Rest in the Backyard

Several nights this summer we've gotten some four legged visitors to our backyard.  This picture was taken earlier this week - one of two deer laying on the grass for at least 20 minutes.  They're usually drawn the shade and the food provided by our apple tree.  We're wondering if this deer was in a fight with another animal, or was in some sort of accident - there's a few spots near its rump (look for the light colored patches on the right) that look torn up.  Overall, it seems pretty healthy.

Here's the second deer poking at the grass looking for anything tasty!  I started keeping my camera on hand so I can take a few pictures on the nights they show up.  These shots would probably have come out better if I didn't have to shoot through the screen of a sliding glass door.

This has been a common sight in our backyard for the past 20 years or so - ever since we moved in.  Before several new sub-divisions popped up around us, there used to be a lot of orchards and fields in the area.  The deer had a regular route from one to the other, that involved our backyard along the way.  Despite the new home developments, there are still a lot of fruit trees left  - so the deer continue to make their rounds.  And we continue to enjoy their visits!

BOOKS: Not a happy ending for Borders

Seeing as I'm on vacation this week, and have plenty of time on my hands, last night I decided to make a final trip to the Borders bookstore in Victor.  I remember the first time stepping into a Borders back in elementary school. My father and grandfather had discovered the store in Henrietta, across from Marketplace Mall.  This was several years before rival Barnes & Noble had opened up shop in Rochester.  I've always loved books, and as a little kid - a store like Borders was almost magical.  Seemingly endless titles spread across a massive sales floor.

Fast-forward to last night, and it was a much different scene.  Still in the parking lot, I was greeted by a huge "store closing" banner stretched across the facade - in addition to many smaller signs shouting "25% off" that were plastered across the windows.  After stepping inside, it was a similar story - yellow and red liquidation posters everywhere.  The music was playing overhead, but gone was the aroma of fresh coffee and book-lovers milling around looking for the next great read.  Nope - the cafe was closed, its furniture stacked and price-tagged.  And the people - they were looking for deals, not necessarily for those hidden gems.

Ashamed to admit it - I was among those looking for a bargain.  I can't really remember the last time I was in a Borders - and I'm sure I wasn't the only one there with that particular memory lapse.  I guess that's the problem in a nut shell - why the business failed.  We're people who love books - but we couldn't show up to the bookstore until it was too late.  While many have expressed sadness over the liquidation of the nation's second largest book seller - myself included - there are many good reasons why Borders failed.  There's a reason why I can't remember the last time I was in a Borders, yet stopped in Barnes & Noble just a few weeks ago.

In a press release, Borders cited the changing book industry and e-readers as being among the challenges that led to the decision to close.  These were longtime weak spots for Borders.  Up until a few years ago - Borders' website was tied to Amazon.com (a website that is probably now the largest single threat to every book chain left).  Amazon represents a dual-threat.  By having central warehouses, or by placing orders directly with publishers, there's less of a supply-chain distribution system than what's required for brick and mortar stores.  By sending items directly to the customer, Amazon can offer greater selection at a lower price.  And for those who don't want to wait for a book to be delivered - they can download it in seconds on their Amazon Kindle (the most successful e-reader on the market).

The folks at Borders realized this threat too late.  By the time they launched their independent online book store, many were already loyal to Amazon - or had been shopping at the Barnes & Noble's "bn.com" since its launch in 1997.  Barnes & Noble was also quicker to embrace the e-reader market, with the company's "Nook" line now in second place behind the Kindle.  How many people do you know with a "Kobo" - or have heard of it, for that matter?  While Borders doesn't straight out own Kobo (it has 11% ownership - which is good news for Kobo owners, because the brand will continue), it was the e-reader the company invested in and promoted.  Probably unfortunate, given Kobo's low popularity, and that only a fraction of the revenue went to Borders.

People like me didn't even consider the Kobo when selecting an e-reader.  And while it was a tough decision between the Kindle and Nook, I bought the Nook - will all of the profits from the hardware going to Barnes & Noble, and the profits from the e-books being split between B&N and the publisher - no third party company to cut its own slice of the pie.  That's a big deal, because more people every day are embracing e-readers.  So much so, that e-books on Amazon are already outselling traditional books.

A few years ago, I never thought I would like reading on an electric tablet - not being able to turn the pages and take note of my progress as the pages in my left hand grew thicker.  But I said the same thing about film cameras, and it wasn't long before I was clamoring for the ease of digital.  While I think I can safely say "I'm done with film", the same can't be said for traditional books.  There will always be a place in my life for those glossy pages filled with photographs, or over-sized diagrams of historic buildings.  And it was in search of those types of books that drew me back to Borders for one last purchase, and as usual, the bookstore didn't disappoint.  Hopefully all of the other traditional stores will learn how to adapt, and continue to serve generations of readers to come.

SCHOOLS: RCSD capital project may have hit snag

An article in the Democrat and Chronicle today highlights a potential snag in the Rochester City School District's $1 Billion capital project to modernize facilities.  The story really focuses on the red tape that's holding up payment to the company contracted to manage the construction and planning - which is interesting all by itself.  You can read that article at the D&C's website by clicking HERE.  But that's not the part of the story that got my attention.

The name of the building company the District contracted with is Gilbane, Inc.  I knew I recognized that name before, so I did some searching on Google, and found what I was looking for.  Gilbane is the same company handling a major school renovation project in Syracuse.  The company stuck out because the project got a lot of attention, and scrutiny, from the Syracuse media.  If how things are going there is any indication of what's in store here in Rochester - we'd all better fasten our seat belts.

Now, to be fair - the scope of the work that needs to be in both cities is significant.  We're talking about some buildings that are nearly a century - or more - old.  And amid massive deficits and cuts, neither district is in the best position to finance all the work that needs to be done.  And at least in Syracuse, there was plenty of blame to go around - including the district and city hall.

I've dug up several articles from the Syracuse Post-Standard that shed some light on just some of the problems in Syracuse (links below).  Hopefully Rochester can learn a few things.

Syracuse Post-Standard articles:

Joint board cuts fee for manager of troubled Syracuse school construction project 

Schools on hold: construction project must get back on track - quickly

80 percent jump in Central Tech cost has officials bewildered

Other Links:

Rochester Schools Modernization Program 

Syracuse Joint Schools Construction Board 

VIRAL: City pride, Grand Rapids style

I saw this video pop up on Gawker more than a week ago, and have been fascinated ever since.  The video - referred to as the "Grand Rapids LipDub" and set to the tune of Don McLean's "American Pie" - was made in response to a "Newsweek" article referring to Grand Rapids, MI as a "dying city."  About 5,000 residents turned out for the making of the single-take film on May 22nd, which virtually shutdown downtown Grand Rapids for the afternoon.

I find it so remarkable and inspiring that a negative ranking brought and entire city together.  A true community effort is what made this response so successful.  The Mayor, firefighters, police officers, TV stations (their personalities and live trucks), radio DJs, recent college grads, and others from all walks of life took part.

The project was created and organized by Rob Bliss, who's been behind several other eccentric events in the Grand Rapids area (click HERE to read the Grand Rapids Press' profile on Bliss from a few years ago).  Bliss was featured last Friday as the "Person of the Week" on ABC's World News with Diane Sawyer.  Since it was uploaded on YouTube, the video has been viewed more than two and a half million times.

Hopefully this video will inspire residents of other cities to take pride in their community.  There are so many people in Rochester and Syracuse who complain about the bad and are blind to all that's good.  Every city has great, unique features that can't be found anywhere else.  If Grand Rapids, a city of 192,000 people (that's smaller than Rochester), can be so creative in promoting itself, so can we.

HOW TO: Tie a bow tie with Christopher Seaman (and a fond farewell)

Sure Christopher Seaman is a world-renowned conductor, who's led some of the finest orchestras on the planet.  But he has another special gift outside the realm of music.  He can tie a bow tie.  Some people can just do it all!  Could a person be any more amazing?  As it turns out, yes - he's also British.

All the more reason to celebrate Seaman's 13-season tenure as Music Director of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.  A tenure that came to a close Saturday, as he took the stage of the Eastman Theatre for the final time as music director.  RPO fans know how fortunate they are to have had the pleasure of hearing an orchestra perform under the command of this man.  They also know how fortunate this city has been to have recruited and retained such talent.  To have a conductor who is in demand around the world.  Who has conducted all of the major orchestras in London, in addition to orchestras in Israel, Australia, Budapest, Prague, and Warsaw...to name a few.

While other orchestras across the country have declared bankruptcy, including the SSO in Syracuse, the RPO has held its own. The donors came through, and the patrons came season after season to watch and listen - to the orchestra, and to Christopher.  They came to learn about the music in his pre-concert chats.  They came for the passion he brought to the stage.  Seaman will return for guest appearances in the future - as Conductor Laureate, a special title created just for him. And come next season, an equally accomplished conductor will take the helm - and will bring his own unique vision to the orchestra.  But Christopher Seaman will be fondly remembered - in the halls of the Eastman Theatre, and in the mirror the next time we have to tackle a bow tie.

To learn more about Christopher Seaman's career, Click HERE to view his biography.

POLITICS: Sarah Palin & American History

Since Memorial Day, Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has been touring historic hot spots along the east coast.  In a stop in Boston on Thursday, she seemed a little confused on Paul Revere's exact role in the Revolutionary War.  As you can see in the clip above, the media had a field day with it.  A columnist from the Boston Globe really let her have it (you can read what he had to say by clicking HERE).  Despite widespread speculation, Palin has yet to announced whether or not she intents to enter the 2012 Presidential race.  I'm sure many in the media are hoping she does - it certainly would make the campaign trail a lot more interesting.

FESTIVAL: Roc City Rib Fest

 

Somehow I've missed the first three years of this new Rochester tradition, so this time I was ready for the fourth annual Roc City Rib Fest.  The four day event at Ontario Beach Park started Friday and wraps up on Memorial Day.  The first sign that this is a popular event was the situation in the parking lot!  Cars circling, darting, and stalking festival goers on their way out.  Finally, an empty spot.  Next: paying for the $5 (and very reasonable) entrance ticket - luckily there were no lines for this and we got right in.  That would be the end of not having to wait!  After circling the major food vendors, we decided to try "Alex's Place", a BBQ joint from Batavia.  They won the best ribs award last year, so we figured we couldn't go wrong.  The only down side - they had the longest line (as you can see above).

It took more than 30 minutes from the time my friend and I hopped in line to when we got our food.  Yeah, it's a long time to wait, but what else would I be doing?  Got a chance to talk, catch up, and listen to live music.  In the end, it was worth the wait.  As you can see above, I got a pulled pork sandwich with a cornbread muffin, and a quarter rack of ribs.  Absolutely delicious!  The sauce was amazing, and the meat was tender - the ribs fell right off the bone. 

 

Despite being full from the ribs and pork, you can't go to Charlotte and not get Abbott's frozen custard.  Luckily, they had a tent within the festival grounds - preventing having to wait in more lines at their shop across the street.  And, yes, I'm boring and got plain old vanilla.  It was the perfect end to a fun afternoon by the lake.  And better yet, a portion of the proceeds is donated to four local resources: the Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong, the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester, the YMCA's Invest in Youth Campaign, and the Charlotte Community Association.  I'm already looking forward to next year!  For more information on the Roc City Rib Festival, click HERE.

FOOD: Pattaya Thai Restaurant

Looking for a good Thai restaurant in the Rochester area?  I highly recommend "Pattaya" in Penfield.  The food is great, the portions are large, the prices are extremely reasonable, and the service is excellent.  While I'm no expert on Thai food, I do enjoy it, and have tried similar dishes at Thai restaurants in other cities, including London.  The dishes at Pattaya measure up, and are among the best I've had.

The ingredients always seem fresh, and my meal has always been delivered piping hot from the kitchen.  I typically go on Saturday nights and have never had to wait to be seated - and the food is out in less than 10 minutes.  Prices are very affordable - most dishes are ten dollars or less, and you can easily do a dinner for two for under $25.  My favorite dishes are the Drunken Noodles with chicken (pictured above), and chicken Pad Thai.  If you're a vegetarian, no problem - there is a menu just for you.

If you want to check it out, it's located in a former bank building on Rt. 441 in the Four Corners of Penfield (just east of the intersection of 441 and Five Mile Line Rd.).  There is ample parking in the back, and handicapped spots near the doors.  The restaurant does offer take out, but does not deliver.  For a link to Pattaya's website, click HERE.

NEWS: Fire at Perinton Apartments

I was just about to leave work Friday night when I heard over the scanner that there was an apparent structure fire in Perinton. It was about 11:30. The dispatch described flames coming from an apartment complex. Having nothing better to do, I headed over to the scene on Blackwatch Trail (across Rt. 31 from the Perinton Wegmans.

I could tell it must have been a good sized fire when I saw smoke in the distance as I got closer. I parked in a plaza next door and walked over. A firetruck was blocking the entrance to the complex, and was pumping water from a hydrant. There were no visible flames by the time I got there, but a good deal of smoke rising from the space once occupied by a roof.

Armed with a BlackBerry, I started taking pictures and shot about 5 minutes of video. Amazingly, the 3.2 MP, pen-tip-sized lens actually captured some half decent stuff. My hands were freezing (ironic - watching a fire with fingers so cold you could barely feel them), so there was no way I was going to try to get an interview. We could call the next day for that.

The details to be learned the next morning: multiple fire departments responded to the call, with flames from the roof by the time they got there.  Luckily no injuries, but several units were destroyed, and about 6 families have been displaced. The Red Cross is providing assistance. No word on cause - although I did notice rolled up carpeting in multiple dumpsters around the complex. Makes me think a remodeling effort was underway - perhaps related somehow - but that's pure speculation. At the end of the day, a sad experience for residents. For me, an interesting Friday night that led to what I'm calling "cell phone journalism."

SCIENCE: "Super" Full Moon

I dragged out the camera and captured the image above of tonight's Perigee Moon (click on image to enlarge). What is a Perigee Moon? The video below from NASA explains it nicely.

TELEVISION: Jeanne Moos celebrates 30 years at CNN

She's known for her quirky reporting, unique voice, and creative story ideas on CNN.  But when she started at the "Cable News Network" 30 years ago this weekend, Jeanne Moos was a serious hard-news reporter.  Her coverage of the '91 Gulf War earned an international journalism award.  Moos also covered the Beijing Student Uprising, interviewed Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, and reported on political corruption cases.

That all changed in the mid 90's, when a new segment debuted called "Making the MOOSt of it".  From then on, her niche became odd, quirky, off-beat stories.  Luckily, these reports, that usually range from 2 to 2 and half minutes, are available to CNN affiliate stations (which means I can put them in my local newscast in Rochester, NY).  Since I began producing I have become a huge Jeanne Moos fan, and was excited to come across the behind the scenes video posted above.  I was even more excited that she is a fellow Syracuse University grad! 

To see the report marking her three decades at CNN, click HERE.  Before CNN, Moos got her start at WPTZ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Plattsburgh, NY.

HOLLYWOOD: Behind the Scenes

Stargate Studios 2010 Virtual Backlot Demo from Stargate Studios on Vimeo.

Ever wonder what everything looks like behind the scenes of your favorite TV show or movie?  This video from Stargate Studios offers a glimpse of the smoke and mirrors that bring the sound-stage to life.  Truly fascinating.

We use the same green-screen technology every night on the news, but obviously on a much more simple level.  Smaller green-screens in television news studios allow us to put the meteorologist in front of full-screen weather maps, and give us the option of putting reporters in front of still or video images.  You have to be careful though - no green clothing at all, or viewers at home will see right through you!

The whole thing works with computers that are calibrated to recognize a particular shade of green.  The computers then replace the green with whatever image is desired, say a weather map for example.  A person standing in front of the screen blocks the green, and therefore appears in front of the image.

I came across this by accident.  About two years ago, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper stopped the presses, cut staff, and went to an all digital format.  I wanted to see what the website, seattlepi.com, and came across this video.

TECH: Motorola's Super Bowl jab at Apple

In a play on Apple's legendary "1984" commercial in which the computer company unveiled the Macintosh, Motorola is now accusing it's tablet rival of having become "Big Brother." It's no secret that Apple's Ipad dominates the tablet PC market. With Motorola gearing up for the launch of it's Google Android-based "Xoom" tablet, the Super Bowl proved the perfect venue for a 1984 rematch. The ad shows the open-source Android tablet as non-conformist, and portrays Apple users as mindless consumers accepting the latest Apple products. To see Apple's classic 1984 commercial, play the video below.

SNOW: Doesn't get in the way of Rochesterians

I saw this leaving my Grandmother's townhouse in Penfield tonight.  The plow left a huge snowbank that blocked the sidewalk to front doors.  Not for long!  Not sure who made the tunnel, but looks pretty cool.  I wouldn't want to be walking under it when it starts to get warmer.  It doesn't look like that will happen any time soon though - the 7 day forecast doesn't show highs anywhere near 32 degrees until next weekend.  Good thing I got a snuggie for Christmas this year.

TELEVISION: Syracuse station now in HD

News Channel 9 (WSYR-TV ABC) in Syracuse debuted it's new HD studio, graphics package, and website this weekend. Above is a clip of the station's morning news "on the go". Channel 9 is the dominate local station in Central New York, and is the first to switch to HD. It's owned by Newport Television, the same owner of 13 WHAM in Rochester - which started broadcasting in HD this past September.

Above is a promo the station has has been running for the past month. Aside from the new studio and graphics, going HD means many other changes. New cameras in the field and in the studio, new broadcasting equipment behind the scenes, new makeup for the on-air talent, and even more limited wardrobes. The amount of white and certain other bright colors needs to be limited on set so the viewer is distracted or blinded by how they come across on the TV.

Included with the other upgrades, Channel 9 got a refreshed logo and new slogan (The Local Station). The logo, the style of the "9" in particular - harkens back to the loco used in the late eighties and early nineties.  Channel 9 had advertised that HD newscasts would begin in February.  As typical when stations debut new sets and graphics, management has elected to roll out a "soft launch" over the weekend to work out the bugs before the more formal debut on Monday.  Click HERE to visit the station's refreshed website.

DEVELOPMENT: Townhomes Coming to Downtown

There's more good news for downtown Rochester.  In a unanimous vote at its January 25th meeting, City Council approved the sale of 116 West Main Street to a developer for $1.  The current site - a city-owned surface parking lot - will be turned into 24 market-rate townhomes and a mixed-use commercial development.

The city is selling the property to Plymouth Terrace, LLC - headed up by John Summers, of Graywood Custom Homes.  This is a departure from the suburban housing tracts that Graywood has already developed in the area - Kensington Woods and Auburn Estates in Pittsford, and Bristol Harbour in Canandaigua.

The Plymouth Terrace project will be going up in what's referred to as "Scott Alley", across the street from the Hochstein School of Music, and two blocks west of City Hall.  The diagram above shows how the plots have been divided up (this could always change).  There are 24 narrow parcels, each containing an approximately 1,850 square foot, two and a half story townhome with a 2-car detached garage. 

So far, the developer has not released any schematics, but with the parcels being so long and narrow, a logical possibility is a row-house look on the front (which I would assume would be the N. Plymouth Ave. side) with patios and detached garages at the back, facing Scott Alley.  This is pure speculation, but it would make sense.  The city is retaining a right of way in the middle of the block, to eventually connect Scott Alley and N. Plymouth.  This would approximately align with Church Street.

A commercial development would anchor the project on the south side, along West Main Street.  That building will be at least two and a half stories as well, and will include office and/or retail space, along with parking space. 

This comes as the City is trying to bring new life into the Cascade District - an area of old warehouses on the west end of downtown inside the inner loop.  Once along the original route of the Erie Canal, the neighborhood has declined in recent years.  It boarders rougher neighborhoods to the west of 490, and an area of downtown that's home to many government buildings.  This development is part of the Cascade Area Urban Renewal District.

The Plymouth Terrace project is the latest announcement in a series of encouraging developments for the area.  Just down the street, Nothnagle - the Rochester area's largest realty firm - is renovating a series of old buildings that will become the company's new headquarters.  There are also reports that the City is close to making an announcement on the former Josh Lofton High School Building, across the street from Nothnagle.

The property being sold to Plymouth Terrace, LLC for $1 has an appraised value of $1,176,000.  The City gives several reasons for the bargain-basement price tag.  While recent housing studies show there is a demand for owner-occupied units in downtown Rochester, the cost of building them is not attractive for developers without incentives.  This tactic of offering "dollar deals" has been used in many large downtown projects, and was key in sealing the deal with Christa Development / Morgan Management to re-purpose Midtown Tower, as well as attracting ESL to build its new headquarters downtown (which also went up on a city-owned parking lot).

Construction on the Plymouth Terrace project is scheduled to begin this spring, and is expected to take about 18 months to complete.