Soulful Cinnamon – 585 magazine

One Rochesterian’s blend of art and advocacy

In a time when many things feel lopsided and low, it is nice to find moments of genuine human connection. For me, it’s these tiny moments in a day that spark joy and instill a sense of hope for a chance at something different or better or just a little less blue.

Sitting across from Joyce “Cinnamon” Jones in a coffee shop on a winter afternoon cures my blues in an instant. “I’m a queen—all day, every day,” she says with confidence and a laugh that w

Naturally At Home

As of 2022, the two companies became 100% Employee-Owned as an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), which, according to Pioneer Millworks General Manager Alan Lamparella, means employees more equitably share in the successes that result from their hard work. It also allows the company to offer their team more competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package, which fosters long-term careers in domestic manufacturing and skilled trades.

Most recently, the company partnered with cele

Rochester's Winter Wonders

On the flip side, we also know how to capitalize on activities during the colder months. This winter season is no exception. With many events planned over the next several months, make sure to mark your calendar for the Lakeside Winter Celebration at Ontario Beach Park, the Fire & Ice Winter Festival in Downtown Canandaigua, and the Ice Wine & Culinary Festival at Casa Larga Vineyards in Fairport.

One of the festival’s biggest crowd pleasers, check out the ice carving competition on Saturday, w

A Staycation to Remember

Whether you are visiting from out of town or happen to live within the city of Buffalo, the Curtiss Hotel is the quintessence of comfort, luxury, and style. Located in the historic Harlow C. Curtiss building in the heart of a vibrant downtown only steps away from the famously renowned theater district, this hotel is the perfect place for a vacation or staycation.

The Curtiss currently offers special staycation packages for two that feature a one-night stay at a discounted rate, both during the

Unique Date Night Ideas in Rochester

We all know how busy life gets, and with a never-ending to-do list, it can be difficult to prioritize social events. With holidays like Valentine’s Day, it can be particularly challenging to find new and creative ways to celebrate with your loved one.

Have no fear, because here in Rochester, we have lots of great ways to make the month of love a memorable, fun, no-stress adventure with your special someone. Whether you sample a cooking class, go out for an art night, or spend time outdoors, the

Yes, And: Life's Biggest Improvisation is Life Itself

As per usual, I overcomplicate most things in my mind, and in doing so, my brain will try to un-complicate the tangle of thoughts and find the logic; find the reason. That's my go-to: how can I intellectualize this? How can I make this make sense?

Someone once told me that trying to make sense of "it all" is kind of useless. Like essentially, there is no making sense of it. Which is an awful thing for me to try to make sense of! You see where the problem exists for me?

Looking for an explanati

We are all mucklings

“Sometimes, creativity hurts a little,” says Casey Arthur, founder of Muck Duck Studio. Arthur, who prefers to go by her artist handle, Miss Casey, sits across from me as she drinks a cup of coffee that has just been reheated in the microwave. “That’s okay,” she continues. “Be with your discomfort. You have to release the pain.”

As I hear Miss Casey speak, I am acutely aware that Muck Duck Studio is unlike any nonprofit I have experienced before. I listen to her and a few members of her team fo

Five Ways to Prioritize Your Mental Health, Right Now.

Here are five ways to put your mental health first, because remember - you deserve it!

Life is tough - there are no two ways about it. Whether or not we plan for difficult moments or challenges to come our way, those moments arrive. When they do, our mental health often suffers, because we are in survival mode. The "hard" in life will always be there, but it is for that reason that we need to ensure that we prioritize our mental health. That way, when difficulty comes knocking, we have a strong

The Center for Disability Rights Honors the 33rd Anniversary of the Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act

On July 26th, 1990, President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law by declaring it illegal to discriminate against people living with disabilities. The landmark legislation was a pivotal moment for disability rights in the US.

National Disability Independence Day now falls annually on July 26th to commemorate the signing of the ADA. 2023 marks the Act’s 33rd anniversary, and here in Rochester, NY, the Center for Disability Rights will host a gala to celebrate.

Enough

Enough. A powerful word. A complete thought or answer, as in, "I've had enough." I've had enough of this - whatever 'this' is - and when you have had enough, that is valid. You don't need to justify your response.

You don't need a reason to feel ready to move on, or better yet, to just stop doing something. If you feel in your bones that something in your life is not right - maybe you have had enough. And if there is a chance you have power over that something, you can say, "I've had enough."

Running on Horsepower

Maya Schneider has loved horses for as long as she can remember. From her first time riding a horse at summer camp as a young girl to performing and competing in national horse shows, Maya has happily identified as an equestrian for most of her life. Recently, she qualified for the world-renowned Devon Horse Show and Country Fair in the jumpers – a huge undertaking for any equestrian – which is a show that has been on Maya’s bucket list for years.

In addition to her love of horses, she is passi

NY Bee Wellness Teaches Us How to Protect Honeybees

Did you know that May 20th was National Bee Day? That’s right, the United Nations created this holiday to recognize bees for their crucial role in our everyday lives. Bees are pollinators that help maintain and protect our agriculture and allow our food crops to flourish. Without them, we would face extreme food insecurity, among other concerns.

While there are many different types of bees, an organization here in Rochester focuses on honeybees. NY Bee Wellness is a nonprofit that educates beek

Ridge’s Rescue Gives Local Dogs a Second Chance at Health and Happiness

National Dog Rescue Day is Saturday, May 20th, and I can think of no better way to celebrate than by highlighting an incredible foster-based organization here in Rochester that caters to our favorite canine companions – Ridge’s Rescue, Inc.

Kelley Murtha began volunteering at Rochester Animal Services several years ago, and she hasn’t stopped since. As an avid animal lover and a big proponent of helping wherever possible, Kelley decided to create Ridge’s Rescue in 2022, a volunteer-run foster-b

Green Warsaw Celebrates 1st Arbor Day with Tree Planting Event

Earlier this year, a group of local residents in Warsaw, NY, founded Green Warsaw, a volunteer-run community tree board that hopes to bring more trees to the Village of Warsaw. Green Warsaw is connected to other community teams around the Finger Lakes region through the Color Your Community Green network, facilitated by the local nonprofit organization, Climate Solutions Accelerator.

Within just a few months, the Warsaw Tree Board has become a part of the Warsaw Village Board and received an Ar

At Home with Norah Pritchard

On any given day, you can find Norah Pritchard teaching English as an adjunct professor at Nazareth College, picking herbs from her garden for the night’s meal, or putting the finishing touches on her upcoming novel, The Other Side of Forever, set to release this summer. Originally from Henrietta, Norah is a creative soul, a mother of three, and married to her high school sweetheart. She has a busy schedule, but that doesn’t slow her down. With kindness, a love of connection, and a positive outl
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