OH NO! SPRING IS HERE!

"OH NO!  SPRING IS HERE" said the surprised snowman in the garbage...


Sunday breakfast with my wife at Riki's Family Restaurant (http://www.rikisfamilyrestaurant.com/) on Main St in Fairport.  A "Riki Omelet" with Italian sausage, cream and cheddar cheese.  Don't mind if I do!


Megan's Frittata.  We've been fortunate at finding some good diners around our new home lately.


After a hearty breakfast, thought we'd walk it off checking out the Village of Fairport.


The Erie Canal


The one-lane Parker Street Bridge


First Congressional United Church of Fairport (http://www.fairportucc.org/).  Unfortunate that they couldn't put the power lines underground...


Another beautiful church with power lines on, appropriately enough, Church Street.  This is Fairport Community Baptist Church (http://www.fairportcommunity.org/)

The Green Lantern Inn (http://www.thegreenlanterninn.com/) in the Henry DeLand House (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_DeLand_House)


Old gas station at Church and Main Streets


First Baptist Church of Fairport (http://www.fairportbaptistchurch.org/)




Town Hall


The true Stairway To Heaven.  To know more than you even wanted to know about the Fairport Life Bridge go to: http://www.eriecanal.org/Fairport.html


MOUSE PAINT!


Not bad looking for an 188 year old...




I didn't know they had a charging station at the Penfield Library.  What a happy little Nissan Leaf.


Even in death, John Nichols wants to remind everyone that he's #1. 

Since it was old and close, Megan and I decided to check out the Oakwood Cemetery at Baird Road and Whalen Road next to the library in Penfield.




Being from the Midwest, it still amazes me that people were doing anything around here in 1829.  My home state of Michigan didn't join the Union until 1837.


"I'd like to introduce you to my daughter; the lovely Delight Goats..."





Irondequoit Creek in Spring Lake Park.  Why is it called Spring Lake Park when there's no lake?  Well, there use to be a dam on Irondequoit Creek near about where East Linden Avenue crosses and created a lake.  The dam broke, I believe, sometime in the 1940s and most of the area that use to be underwater is now a park.


A couple of kittens in the new clinic at Lollypop Farm


Our new holding area for cats receiving medical treatment.  And that light coming from the back of the cages is the windows so they can look at all the birds and goats outside.  Pretty swanky.


Prep area


This explains some of the phone calls I've been getting...


I believe this cat was pondering the meaning of life when I took this picture.  He seemed very deep in thought.


The construction continues, as this guy dragracing his Skyjack in parking lot shows.

Enjoy the nice weather and I'll see you next time!

CHILI CHALLENGE!

Victor Chili Challenge hosted by the Victor Merchants Association (http://www.victorldc.org/)  


Mmmm...  This was from Cole & Parks (http://coleandparks.com/) at Victor Coal & Lumber (http://www.victorcoalandlumber.com/).  It was a very good steak and chipotle chili that was hearty.  And, I now have a new found love of eating in hardware stores.


The Game Gamut (http://www.thegamegamut.com/) hosted Mickey Finn's (http://www.mickeyfinnsrestaurant.com/).  It was a pretty tasty chili with some kick.  Plus, everyone will be getting board games for christmas as I already found something for everyone next year.


The Burger Shack (http://www.burgershackgrill.com/) hosted Chef Chase.  What I learned walking in was they have a Best Plate Challenge where you eat their version of a "garbage plate" (http://rocwiki.org/Garbage_Plates) in 20 minutes and you get a T-shirt.  Little do they know that I have a hollow leg...


Grandpa Bob's Old Fashioned Candy Store (http://pennycandy.me/Candy_Store/Welcome.html) hosted Legacy at Fairways (http://www.legacyrochester.com/legacy.php?location=victor&section=about).  I wish I knew the name of their chef because he had the most gourmet chili I've ever had.  In fact, he won "Most Creative Chili" in the overall competition.  

 
Hopper Hills Floral and Gifts (http://www.hopperhills.com/) hosted the Thirsty Turtle (http://thirstyturtlebar.com/), which won for "Spicey Beef."


Jon Bon Jovi's Music?  No chili here; just rock and roll


First Presbyterian Church of Victor (http://www.victorpres.org/).  No chili here either; just God and a beautiful church..


Apparel Printers Plus (http://www.apparelprintersplus.com/) hosted Bernardo's Pizza & Subs (http://www.facebook.com/BernadosPizzaAndSubs?fref=ts).  Dave's chili won "Most Unique Flavor," but I think it should have won overall best.  It had a great flavor with a little kick.  And, probably the highest quality beef ever in a competition.  



Southeast corner of Maple Ave and East Main St.


Northeast corner of Moore Ave and East Main St.  They are so fortunate to have this village still intact.


The Black Diamond hosted Chef Kevin.  This bar reminded me of home...

To recap, the winners of the Victor Chili Challenge were:

Bistro 11 - Best Overall
Thirsty Turtle -Spicey Beef!
Legacy - Most Creative
Bernardo's - Most Unique Flavor
Bistro 11 - Poultry
Soup Spoon - Vegetarian
Bistro 11 - The People's Choice


Beautiful Building at Moore Ave and West Main St.  


And, since it was such a great weekend outside, we walked over to W Commercial St in East Rochester just to see what was going on.


Another mural on Andrews St between Clinton Ave and St. Paul St.  
Hope you enjoyed the nice weather while it was here!

Master of the House... Doling Out the Charm

"Are you going to eat all of that?"


"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"


Please check the recycling before placing it at the curb.


Checking out the Mexican restaurant, Itacate, at the end of our street.  I have to say, great location.

Some kind of pork thing.  Don't remember what, but it was good.  I had a burrito that hit the spot.  A nice way to start a date before watching Les Misérables, which was pretty good even if Megan didn't care for Russell Crowe.


St. Joseph Church ruins in downtown Rochester.  The facade was preserved after a massive fire.  It's one of my favorite buildings in the region.  Something unique and saving a piece of local history.


From preserving the past to promoting the future.  The ground has broke on the new Regional Transit Service (RTS) Transit Center and will open in 2015.  A way better land use for downtown than a black tar desert surface parking lot that it replaced.  


Master of the house, keeper of the zoo
Ready to relieve 'em of a sou or two
Watering the wine, making up the weight
Pickin' up their knick-knacks when they can't see straight
Everybody loves a landlord
Everybody's bosom friendI do whatever pleases
Jesus! Won't I bleed 'em in the end!

"So, that's the song George Costanza sings in that episode of Seinfeld..."