For the last four years Susan Stevenson has, twice a year, planted hundreds of small flags at Soldier's Circle. You can see her out there the day before Memorial Day and the day before the Fourth of July. Why does she do it? "Because it's Soldier's Circle," she told me. "And I know that if I don't do it nobody else will."

It's funny... a lot of people in Buffalo don't even know that's Soldier's Circle. Ever since the three cannons were removed (for scrap) the circle lost its identity. In recent years there have been people rallying around an effort to bring the cannons back, but as of yet nothing concrete has been decided upon (see BRO post). Personally, I would love to see the cannons come back to bring the historic element back to what appears to be a pretty nondescript turnabout. Susan told me...

In a unanimous decision at the July 2 session, the Erie County Legislature voted to reduce its size from 15 members to 13 members. The Legislature also voted to increase the length of a legislator's terms from two years to four years in the same 14-0 vote. 

Not only are the rowboats on Hoyt Lake back in operation, there is a new model to test out. It's the six-hour canoe built by the Maritime Center and I must say that it's piqued my interest for a couple of reasons. I didn't get to take it out on the lake yet, but I intend to in the near future. Why? Well, the attendant on duty told me that it was an interesting boat to maneuver. Besides the maneuvering, the six-hour canoe is one of the models that anybody can go build down at the Maritime Center. That's right... instead of going out and buying a canoe, you can head over to the Outer Harbor and build one for yourself (in just one afternoon). So if you enjoy the model at Hoyt Lake, go build one for yourself.

Other than the six-hour canoe (this model has...

On a night where there were half a dozen places in Buffalo to hear really outstanding music, including the kick-off to Buffalo Rocks the Harbor, I chose the 2nd floor back patio of the Pearl Street Grill to hear an free concert featuring the outstanding foursome from Dublin, Ireland called Stand. When one favors the Pogues, Riverdance, U2, the Cranberries, and even Buffalo's own McCarthyism and Jackdaw, it's not a tough call for me at all. It was quite a different experience from the last time I was there. Although the crowd again was a who's who of the local Buffalo music scene.

As an added treat to First Fridays, Campieri's Gourmet Pizza at 888 main is offering an All You Can Eat Penne Party (with Dan's homemade red sauce)for $8.  Right around the corner from the First Friday happenings, imagine filling up on Penne before, during or after your gallery romp.  

Though most galleries serve wine, Campieri's also has a new wine list, with several offerings that will either get you started or top you off, as Dan Campieri will be running his special from 5PM to 9PM.  A walkable feast for the eyes and the stomach, we think Dan's timing is just right.

After all of that, take the train down Main Street for a fireworks display at Coca-Cola Field, where the closer you get, the better your chances are of hearing the Buffalo Philharmonic as they precede the fireworks display.  

To help celebrate the July 4th weekend, we're happy to offer our first Buffalo Rising t-shirt sale.  If you order anytime from now until midnight Sunday (July 5th) and use the gift code FIREWORKS, you'll be able to buy any Buffalo Rising shirt for just $15.00 plus shipping. 

This sale allows you to save a couple bucks on all of the Buffalo Rising shirts including Queen City, Lake Erie Yacht Club, Buffalo Braves shirt, Buffalo Polo Club shirt, Buffalo Rising Underground shirt and the standard Buffalo Rising shirt.  And the sale extends to women's shirts as well.

So get shopping.

By Claudia C. Gray, DVM

Lulu is a calico cat with quite a tale.  She was a stray, relying upon the generosity of humans to feed her and show her affection every now and then.  At some point in her short year or so on the street she managed to not only get pregnant (something almost all stray female cats do), but also be involved in some sort of traumatic accident.  It's possible she was struck by a car or may have fallen from a significant height.  Either way, when Lulu came to Ellicott Small Animal Hospital, the damage had been done.  Her owner had been feeding her for a while and ultimately had taken her into her home.  She realized it was important for Lulu to see a vet since she didn't seem...

By Tom Tarapacki

Get ready for the race that bills itself as "The Social Running Event of the Summer."  The Elmwood Village will be home to the 29th running of the Buffalo Subaru 4-Mile Chase, one of Buffalo's great summertime celebrations, on July 17th.

Here are some of the particulars: The 4-mile race starts and ends on Bidwell near Elmwood on Friday, July 17 at 7 p.m. sharp. Early entry costs $17.75, and it's $20 on the day of the race. However, if you're a first-time Subaru runner the early entry fee is only $10.  It's just $5 for anyone 14 and under, and anyone 70 and over is free.  Shirts are given to the first 800 entrants, and you're advised to register early as they always run out on race day. Proceeds will benefit the Police Athletic League of Buffalo.

There's a great Pre-Race Party as...