Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Penfield Gets Best Of 2025 Nod For 'Great Schools, Excellent Teachers' And More

You won't want to miss Wired for Opportunity - Intro to Computers on the Rochester Patch calendar

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Sunday December 21st Patch AM
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Hi Rochester! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Penfield resident praises schools, town pride and quick access to Rochester
  • Why Rochester’s housing market just ranked second-best in the nation
  • How URMC is using AI without losing its human touch

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Rochesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Windy; snow showers, colder, with a high of 30 and low of 24 degrees.
  • Monday: Mostly cloudy and not as cold, temps: high: 37, low: 30.
  • Tuesday: Breezy with a little snow, with a high of 39 and low of 31 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Penfield Gets Best Of 2025 Nod For 'Great Schools, Excellent Teachers' And More (patch.com) — Penfield is being celebrated in a Best of 2025 feature for its strong schools, dedicated teachers, and easy access to Rochester just seven miles away. A longtime resident highlights local pride, nearby colleges in Rochester and surrounding areas, and beloved amenities like hiking trails, parks, sledding hills, and Wegmans. Readers are also invited to nominate their own favorite people and places for recognition.
   

Find out what's happening in Rochesterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

2. Rochester ranked No. 2 housing market in U.S. for 2026 (rochesterfirst.com) — Rochester has been named the nation’s No. 2 housing market for 2026, thanks in part to home prices far below the national median. Local leaders say the ranking reflects strong job and population trends but also highlights the need to add more affordable housing so both longtime residents and first-time buyers can find homes here.
   

3. ‘We really focus on the patient': An inside look at how technology is being used in URMC (wysl1040.com) — Rochester’s University of Rochester Medical Center is leaning heavily on new AI tools while insisting that human caregivers remain at the center of patient care. Local leaders at Strong and Highland hospitals describe how technology supports documentation and early risk detection, while also outlining efforts to tackle nursing and staffing shortages through tuition support and career-advancement programs for Rochester-area workers.
   

4. Eastman School of Music receives $1M grant towards Kodak Hall renovations (rochesterfirst.com) — A $1 million state grant is headed to Rochester’s Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, funding new sound, visual, and LED lighting upgrades that will benefit audiences and performers alike. Announced after a Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Holiday Pops concert, the project marks the venue’s first major capital work since 2009 and supports Eastman School of Music’s long-term renovation goals.
   

5. Rochester man sentenced to 40 years to life for 2023 execution-style killing (democratandchronicle.com) — A Rochester man has been sentenced to 40 years to life in state prison for a 2023 shooting that killed another man at North Goodman Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. Prosecutors say the victim was shot in the head during a morning conversation, and the defendant was later arrested with illegal handguns, drawing sharp condemnation from the DA’s office.
   

📸 Around Rochester

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Rochester

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

    Monday December 22
  • Wired for Opportunity - Intro to Computers
    Chili Public Library , Chili - Conference Room , Chili
    10:00 am
    • Tuesday December 23
  • Wired for Opportunity - Intro to Computers - Veterans ONLY
    Veterans Outreach Center , 115 South Avenue , Rochester
    1:00 pm
    • Saturday December 27
  • Cultural Connections
    Children's Center, Central Library Central -
    2:00 pm
    • Monday December 29
  • Storytime Safari
    Kate Gleason Auditorium, Central Library Central -
    11:00 am
  • Fencing Demo with Rochester Fencing Club
    Kate Gleason Auditorium, Central Library Central -
    3:00 pm

📣 Rochester Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update!
    Linus is home!! One hour shy of being gone a full week. Thank you everyone for all of your advice, concern, and hopefulness. And to those of you who… (Nextdoor North Winton Village)
  • This guy went missing last night...
    he's wearing a yellow collar with a gps tag and this is where he was last seen... please let me know if you see him. His name is Remy. Thank you. (Nextdoor Edgerton)
  • "When we all work together, the winter landscape becomes all the more enjoyable!” said Mayor Evans. Residents of Rochester are encouraged to clear... (X: News_8)
  • God bless the Rochester Police Department and the three officers who were wounded last night. God bless the angels at Strong Memorial Hospital for... (X: BobLonsberry)
  • Unifi Aviation, LLC posted a job opening for Airport Ramp Agent (Delta) - ROC in Rochester. Apply here.
  • Arkansas Best Corporation posted a job opening for CDL-A Local Driver / Forklift Operator, Part Time in Rochester. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Rochester here.

Ok Rochester! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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