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.