🌱 Patch AM: What did $500 a month really change for Rochester families?

Hello again Rochester! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• What did $500 a month really change for Rochester families?
• See how Rochester kids turned a concert into 6,000 warm socks
• Will you join the gnomes for this rare nighttime forest walk?

Also on today's calendar: The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Rochester, NY and 8 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Breezy with a little snow, with a high of 32 and low of 8 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Sunday: Windy with snow showers, temps: high: 19, low: 17.
• Monday: Cold; a little afternoon snow, with a high of 24 and low of 19 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Notre Dame study finds Rochester's guaranteed basic income program worked (whec.com) — Rochester’s Guaranteed Basic Income pilot, which gave 351 residents $500 a month for a year, has been deemed successful by Notre Dame researchers. The study found participants opened bank accounts, kept cars running, maintained or gained jobs, and eased day-to-day financial strain without reducing work effort. Most recipients lived in ZIP code 14621, just north of downtown.
   

2. GALLERY: 2025 All In Holiday Concert and Sock Drive (13wham.com) — Rochester’s All In Brass Band just wrapped its annual holiday concert and sock drive, where admission was warm socks for the Open Door Mission’s Women and Children’s Center. Organized entirely by the kids in the band, the event has collected over 6,000 pairs of socks since 2018 and may have hit a record turnout this year.
   

3. Gnomes take over Cumming Nature Center for holiday lights event (democratandchronicle.com) — Rochester Museum & Science Center is inviting local families to a two-night Gnome Roam: Holiday Lights walk at Cumming Nature Center in Naples on December 19 and 20. Visitors can enjoy a .75-mile illuminated trail, bonfire, and hot cocoa, with limited after-dark access and discounted pricing for RMSC members. Tickets are available online or at the door.
   

4. ‘It's amazing': Stray dogs from Mexico find hope with new families in Rochester (rochesterfirst.com) — A Rochester-area nonprofit is helping stray dogs from Mexico find new homes with local families, including more than a dozen adoptions in Hilton this week. Wags and Wings, founded by Alana and Cheryl Conolly, partners with Mexican rescues to transport at-risk dogs to the Rochester area, where residents are stepping up to adopt and support the mission through donations.
   

📸 Around Rochester

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Rochester

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Saturday December 13

• The Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Rochester, NY
  RIT Inn & Conference Center , 5257 W Henrietta Rd , Henrietta
  6:00 pm

Monday December 15

• Wired for Opportunity - Intro to Computers
  Chili Public Library , Chili - Conference Room , Chili
  10:00 am
• Open Page Sessions. Open-mic style poetry reading
  Central Library , Rundel Arts Room , Rochester
  5:30 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Wired for Opportunity - Intro to Computers - Veterans ONLY
  MCLS , 115 South Avenue , Rochester
  1:00 pm
• Holiday Band & Jazz band Concert - Main Stage
  School of the Arts Rochester, NY 14614
  6:30 pm

Wednesday December 17

• Holiday Orchestra Concert - Main Stage
  School of the Arts Rochester, NY 14614
  7:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• Holiday Choir Concert - Main Stage
  School of the Arts Rochester, NY 14614
  7:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Bonsai Workshop at Boulder Coffee Co. Cafe and Lounge
  Boulder Coffee Co Cafe and Lounge , 100 Alexander St , Rochester
  6:00 pm
• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  Temple Theater , 50 Liberty Pole Way , Rochester
  7:00 pm

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

📣 Rochester Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday December 13

• Breakfast With Santa
  Sunshine Camp , 809 Five Points Road , Rush
  9:30 am
• Basketball Boys Varsity Practice
  East Irondequoit Csd Eastridge High School Varsity Gym
  10:00 am
• Cookies with Santa
  Irondequoit, NY Calendar , 450 Skyview Centre Parkway Suite 200 , Rochester
  10:00 am
• Basketball Boys JV Practice
  East Irondequoit Csd Eastridge High School Varsity Gym
  12:00 pm

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

• FOUND!!!!
  MISSING CAT FROM MONROE PARKWAY She’s home ! All safe and no injuries! Thank you all!!!! She came home on her own just now !! Jennifer. (Nextdoor 12 Corners Southeast)
• All safe and found
  2 small dogs got out Both white 1 cavashon 1 bijon Dewey and dorsey Dewey and Tait tracks disappear near stop sign Someone may have picked them up… (Nextdoor Mt. Read)

• Rochester Regional Health posted a job opening for Recreation Aide I in Rochester. Apply here.
• ServiceMaster Clean posted a job opening for Janitor 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 demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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