Biking around Conesus Lake

Sunrise

I like to bike around Conesus Lake in a clockwise direction - not just to be on the slightly shorter "inside" of the loop (about 18.5 miles), but also to avoid left turns.  Since West and East Lake Roads hug the shore most of the way around, you get some great peeks of the lake in between cottages, and there are even some decent expanses where you have some lovely unobstructed views.  The best time to ride is in the morning - traffic seems quieter both off and on the lake, and it usually isn't too windy.  The terrain is mostly flat, unlike around some of the other Finger Lakes.  There's only one real hill, and even that is only an elevation gain of 100 feet!

(I used to do the ride with Charlie's sister Gay.  Despite my having a real road bike, wearing proper bike attire (including a helmet, which she disdained), and being years younger, she still sailed past me, quite a sight on whatever 3- or 10-speed bike she had found abandoned on the road or in the woods, wearing her overalls and sandals.  Whether I'm riding alone or with friends (like Ted & Susan, or Theresa & Ryan) or family (like Maria & Mark), I still miss her and imagine her being just up ahead of me...)

Stella Maris

At the north end, there's a sign for the Conesuscam, which is fun to check in on at different times of day or year.  Near the north end on the east side, Camp Stella Maris overlooks the lake.  The camp is across the road from the lake, but they have a handy bridge so the kids can safely cross.  Word is it has improved since the summer poor Charlie was sent there as a kid.

Farther south is Shoreless Acres General Store - a great pit stop where locals can be found sitting outside with their coffees.

Shoreless Acres General Store

Just before you come to the bottom of the lake, there's an interesting farm - llamas and alpacas!

My favorite part of the ride is the garden across the road from Long Point.  Each year the garden expands, in both length and variety.  The man who tends the garden was mowing the grass on one of my rides and caught me admiring his handiwork, so I had a chance to chat with him about his garden versus his wife's, across the road, and his annoyance at people who help themselves to his flowers.  It's obviously a labor of love, and it makes me wish I had the patience to garden and a tolerance of bees and bugs and dirt.  Alas, I'd rather admire someone else's handiwork, preferably from a safe distance - say, on a bike!

Geva - The Author's Voice: Greg Kotis

Geva is experimenting with a number of ways to create direct relationships between their patrons and artists.  One is the "Cohort Club," in which I am participating this fall.  Another is "The Author's Voice," where several of the upcoming season's playwrights will discuss their work in a facilitated conversation, sort of like Inside the Actors Studio.  This particular evening featured Greg Kotis, author of All Your Questions Answered, which is one of the plays I am watching develop as part of the Cohort Club, and which will open on September 19, as part of the Fringe Festival.

I was honored to be invited to this event, and while I understand Geva's desire to keep the evening intimate, I also think it's too bad there wasn't a broader and fuller audience - I can see this type of thing being useful to engage a younger crowd and get them excited about theatre in general.  My sister was in town, so she accompanied me. I'd estimate there were about 50 of us in the audience, and Greg sat at the edge of the stage, with Jenni Werner, Literary Director / Resident Dramaturg, who guided the conversation. The first question she asked him was how he got into theatre, and his reply was that he'd had a crush on a girl in the drama club in high school, and joining the club was his way of approaching her.  Of course his crush led to love - of theatre - acting first, writing next.  He acknowledged that his goal is to make people laugh, and described his foray into improv and work with the Neo-Futurists in Chicago, primarily writing short skits.  His endeavors weren't particularly lucrative, and he decided to write "one last show" (Urinetown the Musical), then "get a real job."  With that show's success, he didn't need to leave theatre after all!

Kerry, Greg, & Jenni

He was joined by Kerry Young to read a few scenes from his first solo play, Jobey and Katherine, which read more like a novel, with somewhat stilted, non-conversational language.  They also read from Pig Farm, and he explained the messages he was trying to communicate in the show - the impossibility of staying clean, personally and politically, as well as how we survive the success of humanity.  Big issues for a farce.  The final scene they read was from a play called The Truth About Santa, in which Kotis portrays Mr. and Mrs. Claus as Greek gods, along with their immortality and peccadilloes.  Mythology is central to many of his plays (along with a mild obsession with Sam Shepard).  It was interesting that in describing these plays, he'd forgotten some of the details and needed to be prompted (almost as if, having written them, he was free of them).  He also insightfully admitted that the play that's in his head doesn't necessarily survive the collaborative process, but grows and (hopefully) improves with the input of the actors, directors, designers, etc.

Kotis explained that All Your Questions Answered will consist of a series of 2- to 10-minute plays (when does a "skit" become a "play"?), some of which have previously been staged, others have not, and still others were written specifically for this production.  One of the challenges will be to make something "scattered all live in the same evening and feel satisfying."  Indeed, it will be interesting to watch the process of rising to that challenge over the next several weeks.

It might have been nice if they'd opened the conversation up for a few brief questions from the audience before breaking.  On the other hand, in keeping it 'short and sweet' I left wanting more, rather than wishing I had sneaked out early.

Tuscany?...Provence?...Pittsford!

Reasons I hate biking on roads around Rochester:

Sunflowers on Clover Street in Pittsford

- careless drivers, or worse, dangerous drivers
- lack of shoulders on many roads
- obstructions on the shoulders of roads, where they do exist (for example, tree and bush trimmings in the spring and summer; piles of leaves in the fall; litter, like metal bits and broken glass; roadkill - ew!)
- chewed up gravel or depressed grates on shoulders, even those designated as 'bike routes'
- drivers who honk at you when you enter the lane to avoid any of these obstructions

But, oh, the reasons TO ride on the roads - just look at those sunflowers!  The rolling hills of the suburbs of Rochester provide some of the most wonderful views and varied scenery, from farms, like the one above (which reminds me of Provence or Tuscany), to housing developments, to parks.  My friend Susan rides with me occasionally (I'm slower and worse on hills than her normal biking buddies), and has shown me some beautiful, lightly-trafficked roads in Pittsford and Mendon.  On one ride in Mendon, we stopped to admire a gorgeous garden, while pretending to take a water break.  We were caught in the act by the owner - he emerged from his house, and when we complimented him on his landscaping, he invited us onto the property to admire his wife's fairy garden!  We were also welcomed to walk around the front yard, where I gathered more ideas for my own garden.

On another ride with Susan, she showed me the Mushroom House.  Too bad it's not a museum or B&B, because the photos of it on-line make you want to visit - it's very Gaudi-esque.  (It would be a difficult house to live in - not much room for your own furniture or artwork.)  I took Nanette by, when she visited recently, and we boldly walked up the driveway for a better view, since the property is currently for sale (for only $1.5 million?!).

I hope Susan hasn't tired of riding with me, because I haven't tired of discovering the beauty of suburban Rochester!

PGA at Oak Hill

If golf is a "good walk spoiled" then how do you characterize watching golf, in person?  It's certainly not as exciting as attending a football or hockey game. And with no assigned seats (and very few seats, to boot), and no central audience stadium, you need to have a strategy.  Do you (a) choose a player or two and follow him/them hole to hole?  Or do you (b) select one location and see all of the players as they pass by?  And if the latter, where do you position yourself - near a tee?  a green? wherever there are bleachers, so your heels and knees aren't killing you after an hour of standing?

Charlie and I had "clubhouse passes" to the PGA at Oak Hill for the week, and I was happy to go a few days, and let him invite people who would really enjoy it the remainder of the time.  We headed out Monday afternoon for the first day of practice rounds, to develop our strategy for the rest of the week (the answer appeared to me to be (c) wander aimlessly...  Every hole looked the same to me, even though Charlie patiently explained the differences).

Monday's other goal was to take advantage of the shopportunity in the enormous merchandise tent.  The projected economic impact of the PGA on Rochester is $78 million, and we certainly had to do our part!  I managed to find a couple of things to buy, despite the disconcerting dressing-room mirror that made me look 5'7" and 120 pounds, but Charlie was very successful.  Plus, we bought 2 folding tripod chairs, which should come in handy!

Given that some of the players (including Tiger) had just finished the Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio, we didn't see many 'stars.'  The only recognizable golfer we saw practicing was Vijay Singh.  Interestingly, he only had one caddy with him, and was alone on the hole, whereas most of the other players were in at least twosomes, and had whole entourages.

Phil's in the white pants waiting to tee off

Thursday was the first day of tournament play, and we started out at the green on the 13th hole, where we had some nice shade to sit in, but no one really famous to watch (we did see David Hearn, who was in the lead for quite a while in the morning).  Then  I convinced Charlie to move to where we would see Tiger, so we schlepped over to the green on the 5th hole in time to see Ernie Els, David Toms, and some others (none of whom I actually recognized) before Tiger, Davis Love III, and Keegan Bradley arrived.  Tiger didn't appear happy (but does he ever?) because he hadn't done well on the 4th, and he putted poorly under our watch.  Then we had a quick bite to eat in the Clubhouse (and the use of a proper ladies room) before catching some of the afternoon rounds.  Interestingly, the 1st and 14th hole shared a tee, so while we were standing there waiting for Phil Mickelson's group to appear at #1, we got to watch some other golfers who had started on the back 9 tee off - a 2fer!  It was fun being at the 1st tee, because an official announced each golfer, where he was from, and when he last won a PGA tournament.  We recognized Miguel Angel Jimenez (we'd seen him practice on Monday and remarked on his distinctive ponytail) who teed off just after Bubba Watson and Lee Westwood departed. The crowd erupted when Rory McIlroy (2012 winner), Vijay Singh (1998 & 2004), and Martin Kaymer (2010) arrived, and they were all very gracious.  Finally, at 1:45, enormous applause heralded the entrance of Phil Mickelson, and he waved to the crowd as he crossed over us.  He hit a solid drive, and as the crowd dispersed (mostly to follow him), we made our way upstream and back to the parking lot, hot and exhausted, but happy.

Charlie will go again on Friday and Sunday with friends, and on Saturday with me, but if I didn't get to go again, I'd be satisfied that I can now successfully cross 'attend major golf tournament' off my bucket list!

Ryan Mont Bleau Band at Vitale Park

Conesus Lake from the air

Just about a 40-minute drive south of Rochester is one of the most accessible of the Finger Lakes - Conesus Lake.  The town of Lakeville sits at the northernmost end (the bright lights right at the edge of the lake on the left).  One of the nice things about the lake, besides its proximity, is the number of parks and restaurants located right on the lake, giving non-residents, as well as those with waterfront homes, the opportunity to enjoy the scenery.  Unfortunately, the North Shore Grill's view is better than its food or service;  the Conesus Inn, on East Lake Road, has closed (tax reasons?);  and the Beachcomber, on West Lake Road, is fine for a very casual meal or drinks...  (The best dining in the area is the Ember Woodfire Grill, in Livonia (the lights in the middle of the photo), unfortunately not on the lake.)

boats lined up to enjoy the music

However, on Sunday evenings from 6-8pm in the summer, there are free concerts in lovely Vitale Park, in Lakeville (this is the 18th season).  Our friend Tim, of Livonia, books the bands, and invited us to join him and his wife, Kathy, this past Sunday, which was a lovely evening - cool and clear - for what he said was the best band of the season.  The budget for the entire season is $15,000 for 10 concerts, and is funded by the town and about 50 local individuals and businesses, including Wegmans, Les Cole (owner of many local businesses including the

the "bandshell"

North Shore Grill), and Livonia Music Supply.  We brought a picnic dinner and a couple bottles of wine, and Charlie's nephew Yair, his sig-ot, Sheila, and their 2-year old daughter, Fiona, also stopped by.  The park was pretty packed with people dancing, or, like us, just sitting and enjoying being outside listening to some good music by the lake (Fiona entertained us with some boogying to the beat).  The inlet was also full of boats and people wading in the water.

Looking over the series program, I am sorry to have missed It's My Party, a teen girl singing group!  Upcoming concerts include:
8/11   Derek Davis & The Tasty Groove
          (contemporary country)
8/18   Maria Gillard Band (fun folk)
8/25   Sim Redmond Band (either they
          ran out of room on the program
          or this band defies description?)
What an enjoyable way to spend a lovely summer evening and return to Rochester before dark!

ARTISANworks

Parking is extremely limited...

Visiting ARTISANworks is a curious experience.  It's not a museum, per se, since everything in the gallery is purportedly for sale.  But it's more than an art gallery, since there are some pieces that are museum quality (and price) and you cannot imagine anyone ever purchasing.  And then there are the strange and creepy things, like the stuffed giraffes or the stacked tins topped with doll heads, that could be nightmare-inducing.

When I first moved to Rochester, I bought a membership thinking it would be a cool place to take company.  My first guest was Theresa, from NYC, and we rushed through, stopping briefly to admire Mark Groaning's beautiful painted windows, Mike Kuyt's inventive wooden clocks, and Ross Rider's gigantic wood sculptures of ordinary items like pencil sharpeners and telephones, while trying to avoid the really disturbing stuff or thinking about the dust that must collect on the upper reaches of the galleries.

On another visit, with Mary Beth, from NYC, a wedding was in progress in the main showroom

(where the creepy headless biking bride used to hang), and we felt simultaneously uncomfortable and welcomed passing through to the other galleries.  

Mark Groaning window

We got to chat with Mark Groaning in his workshop (yes, various artists also have their own studios, which might or might not be open on any given day) about his works and inspiration.  I had previously bought one of his gorgeous painted windows, at a Clothesline Festival, and Mary Beth and I both bought several of his unusual metal ornaments.

Because ARTISANworks is crammed with art from floor to ceiling (and many ceilings are also covered with art), it is overwhelming to try to take it all in.  There are works by renowned artists, such as photographs by Robert Farber (back in the 1980s I bought a large print of a hip called The Curve, when I had no idea who Farber was), and paintings by Rochester artist Ramon Santiago, as well as by the as-yet undiscovered.  There's something for everyone, and then some...

Several months ago I had the opportunity to hear founder Louis Perticone speak at a Rochester Arts Council roundtable. He shared not just his vision of ARTISANworks and his desire to to roll out the concept to other cities (he mentioned Baltimore as a possibility, but his first choice was Detroit - this was before that city declared bankruptcy...), but also his ignored vision for a redeveloped Midtown Plaza, and his frustration with the politics of the city of Rochester.

My friend (and Concentus' conductor) Gwen and I visited recently to scope out the acoustics in the aptly named Vertigo Heights gallery, since the group has been asked to sing there at the upcoming wedding reception of one of our members.  While we were there, a wedding was being set up, and a couple were meeting with a wedding planner to discuss options for their future nuptials. It's an unconventional, but obviously popular, venue for such an event, and I'm looking forward to attending a function in that space!


To learn more about the gallery:
http://www.artisanworks.net/home.php