Your coldrush Connections! If you're planning a visit to the Greater Rochester area, here are the best routes to your favorite winter fun times...made even better by planning ahead! - Visit www.goforthecold.com (For great values, be sure to check "Special Offers") - Phone 1-800-VISITROC for general vistor information. - Fax visitor information requests to 585/232-4822. - Write for details to: Greater Rochester Visitors Association, 45 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604 or Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester, 277 N. Goodman Street, Rochester, NY 14607. - Call the 24-hour Events Line at 585-546-6810 for recorded highlights of current events. About the GreaterRochester Visitors Association The mission of the Greater Rochester Visitors Association (GRVA) is to attract conventions, meetings and tourists to the Greater Rochester area and to support the area's economic development. The GRVA's "Rochester Made for Living" marketing campaign touts the area as the first choice for living, working, learning and enjoying life ­ for Rochester and others who wish to join us for a weekend or a lifetime. www.visitrochester.com offers pro-spective visitors the opportunity to visit the area from miles away. The site provides information about area lodging, restaurants, attractions and events. Visitors can use the site to book hotel rooms and find special coldrush offers. About the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester With over 1,000 members, the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester is the regional membership association and umbrella organization for the arts and cultural sector. It has as its mission the functions of funding, coordinating, and promoting all arts and culture in the region. In addition to joining forces with GRVA on coldrush, the council has participated in such other collaborations as Horses on Parade, Celebrate Rochester, and the development of its own website, www.artsrochester.org. The website provides maps and links to the regional arts and culture sector, and is a key promotion and information tool for the community.

Whether you're in Rochester for a weekend or a lifetime, there's a wonderland of cool things to do throughout coldrush. From January through March, you're invited to take part in the third annual "coldrush" celebration. Discover all that's "cool" about the Rochester area. This is not a time to hide or hibernate. It's the height of the cultural season and a chance to indulge in activities that only become possible when the temperature drops. So get ready to take advantage of all the great things to do during this season of shows and sports, lectures and music, and unique fun-for-all times both indoors and out. As always, the arts and culture calendar is an over-flowing treasure chest of activities.

Enjoy Theatrical productions from participatory myster dinners to laughfilled comedies, glitzy Broadway productions, and cabaret shows. More than 30 music and dance companies can be found performing in a range of venues while galleries large and small feature the creativity of both local and out-of-town artists. Experiencing the wealth of outstanding museums in the Rochester area is another great way to spend a winter day. George Eastman House, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester Museum & Science Center, and Strong Museum feature displays to intrigue, challenge, educate and fascinate. The Susan B. Anthony House, Center at High Falls and the house museums of the Landmark Society of Western New York also welcome touring guests.

If action is more your style, sporting events and recreational pursuits offer a wealth of winter fun. Swoosh down a mountain, glide across an ice rink, trek quiet trails or pile people on a toboggan for a rousing downhill slide. For those who would rather watch professional athletes play, the Rochester Americans Hockey and Knighthawks lacrosse teams willing oblige at the Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester Community War Memorial. The fast-moving excitement of their high-speed games is sure to heat-up any winter night.

To claim some family good times, bring the kids along for a real coldrush adventure. After all, Rochester was named one of the "Top 10" best places for families (Child, April 2001). See "Cool Kids Love Rochester" for suggestions.

In addition to all the sports you can name, there's the annual Lakeside Winter Celebration at Ontario Beach Park on February 8. This fun-for-all carnival features snow sculpture contests, ice-carving demonstrations, musical entertainment, horse-drawn sleigh rides and the annual Chilly Chili Challenge -- guaranteed to heat-up any palate. For really cool folks, there's the "Polar Plunge" into Lake Ontario!

College students looking for an active study break will find it during coldrush. In March, you don't have to be Irish to have a great time at the annual St. Patrick's Day parade and Irish Family Festival.

Active seniors will find plenty to enjoy as well, such as strolling the fragrant, plant-filled rooms of Highland Park's Lamberton Conservatory ­ a reminder that winter always gives way to spring. Also popular is the annual "Dutch Connection" exhibit at George Eastman House, where forced tulip bulbs bloom despite snow-covered gardens.

Unique lectures and presentations can be found throughout the community with colleges, arts groups and others hosting special speakers while large shows at the Dome Center and Rochester Riverside Convention Center cater to those looking for boats or automobiles, home improvement or gardening ideas, computer equipment or antiques and collectibles.

Be sure to visit www.goforthecold.com for the latest listing of events and to click on "Special Offers" for outstanding values on lodging, dining, attractions and other offers.