Anyone have info on Thurston at Enterprise blocked off early Sunday morning?  Police blocked road off, put up crime scene tape, in front of Thurston Bar and Grill across to former Sensuous Satiables store.  Cleared at 9:30 AM.   Crime tech unit was there, with police cars blocking road.  Also fire department, so it may have been a house issue.  No idea, as I was on my way to work and could not stop to check.  The street was closed for at least an hour prior to that.

Be aware that a solicitor is in the neighborhood, using some questionable practices.   He appears to be licensed to solicit, (? had ID badge) but uses someone elses RGE bill with a message on it saying they will ask the customer for more money since he has not had any meter readings.  So they were going to raise his rate.  The solicitor was implying my rate could be raised, but if I switched to his company, they would save me money.  The bill is questionable in that there is no reason the…

There was a great story in the Business section of Saturday's D&C about Mr. Hunt and his retirement.  Here's a link if you missed it:  http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111001/BUSINESS/110010316/Hunt-s-Hardware-passes-next-generation?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|Business

At 85, he worked in the hardware store…

There have been recent posts in a number of groups about WiFi.  What is that?  Suggestions to get the U of R to help fund, or to have the City help.  What is it, and what are the benefits?

The Treasure Tour event held by the Thurston-Brooks Merchants group and co-sponsored by the 19th Ward Community Association, with help from the CDC, was a great positive step forward in bringing some life back into the area.  Of course, the weather did not hurt!  This is the kind of collaboration the neighborhood needs.  It was a first effort, but if repeated every year, people will look for it and more will participate.  What a great kick-off! 

It was also perfect timing to introduce…

Here's a note I ran by Crime Prevention Officer Kristin R., who urged me to post it, after I sent it to my block club members, E2, for Enterprise and Ellicott Streets.

Congratulations on the Cuomo/Duffy win in the elections! Was there any question who the best candidates were? No!

Let's hope Lt. Gov.-elect Duffy can fulfill promises to help upstate NY and Rochester rebuild and reach some of its potential. I look forward to seeing him work to do more for Rochester in his new position than he could as Mayor, as has been said. It was heartening to hear Cuomo reiterate this thought tonight after the election. We can only…

If you are willing, please turn on your porch lights at night. One resident on Enterprise, and I am sure there may be more, leaves the house to go to work at 11:30 PM. Many times I am just getting home from work then. There are only three street lights on our street area, and it is quite dark, so this would help. It is also known that lighting helps prevent crime, so a good thing for you as well. This was a direct request about lighting from a neighbor, so see if you can help. With Daylight…

With talk around the Ward of block clubs, corner cookouts, and neighborhood problems, I was amazed to read this review today in the current issue of TIME magazine. (CAPS are mine for emphasis.)

"In the Neighborhood: The Search for Community on an American Street, One Sleepover at a Time.

What would you say if your 50-year-old neighbor asked to spend the night at your house? You might be inclined to call the police. You'd almost certainly think he was a…

We had great success last year with Corner Cookouts, and I would like to see them continue in the coming season. We are in planning stage to have at least three in the 19th Ward. The first one will be in the City- owned lot at the corner of Thurston across from Thurston Garage, at Thurston and Midvale.

These are a neighborhood reach-out to show that people who live here care, and want to…