Last week, GObike Buffalo teamed up with Hamlin Park School to offer a Recycle-A-Bicycle program for students so that they could learn how to fix up bikes, get them out on the road, and benefit from the health and wellness initiative. I reached out to Beverly Crowell, Safe Routes to School Outreach Coordinator for GObike Buffalo, to ask her how the program went, and what we can expect from Recycle-A-Bicycle (RAB) in the future.
How many schools have you done this at?
Since 2004, GObike

You may recall a recent interview that I conducted with Carl Schmitter, owner of Chateau Buffalo (see here). At that time, I noted that the business was moving to the Niagara Frontier Food Terminal (Facebook) at 1500 Clinton Street, just across from the Clinton-Bailey Market.
Today the winery and ciderhouse is in full operation (although not quite yet open for regular business

By Jason Yots

In October, we posted a piece explaining the need to repair New York's fledgling historic tax credit program.  Specifically, we were concerned about the lack of investor demand - or "appetite" - for New York's historic tax credit (HTC),

It's a celebration of cycles. The seasonal and two-wheel variety, as well as the cycle of time. From Thursday, April 11 to Sunday, April 14, 2013, the Burchfield-Penney Art Center will be paying homage to the idea of "cycles", by showcasing Charles E. Burchfield's artwork, which undoubtedly played upon the cycles of the season captured in his brush strokes. The cycles of the past, present and future will be a focal issue, as they relate to a variety of Burchfield-Penney artists... and finally, Elmwood Avenue's new bike lanes will come into play in the form of a day-long celebration marking

There's one specific event coming up on Friday, April 12 that promises to be a real eye-opener for those who are interested in a variety of progressive Buffalo architectural and design initiatives. It's a chance to learn about happenings at Silo City, ArtFarms, along with all sorts of architectural and design directions that are being taken by a variety of local and national players in the field. The presenters are coming together as part of PechaKucha Night Buffalo Vol. 13 - a presentation that is based on showing 20 slides, with 20 seconds to explain each slide. This format keeps the

Preservation Buffalo Niagara (PBN) has included in its latest eNews blast that there is money available to camouflage butt ugly outdoor gas meters. At one point there was an initiative that saw the removal of many of these misplaced eyesores, though there are still plenty of meters that detract from otherwise beautiful historic properties. At this time, there is up to $500 that can be secured to hide the meters. The money can be used to plant in front of the meters, or even to conceal with artistic enhancements. Both residential and commercial properties can take advantage of the opportunity. 
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If you're an artist, and you're also a cycling advocate, then consider entering a work of "bike art" into the upcoming People Powered Movement at Main (St)udios. GObike Buffalo is looking for artists to take part in a gallery showing that is designed to promote bikes culture through art. 
The goal of the show is to promote bike advocacy in Buffalo by raising awareness and money through the sale of bike inspired works of 2-D and 3-D art. GObike Buffalo is looking to celebrate bicycling and promote the added benefits that the recreational sport

When we think of the Garden Walk, we tend to think about the gardens. But there's a lot more that takes place behind the scenes that benefits the city. For example, the Garden Walk Buffalo Beautification Grants, which are awarded to worthy causes each year - causes that desperately need money in order to fulfill the missions that they set out to achieve. 
The 2013 Marvin Lunenfeld Beautification Grants are are awarded to block clubs, non-profits and neighborhood associations, and are generally beautification

Students in the Undergraduate Academies at the University at Buffalo are working towards identifying solutions to the problems that have plagued The Heights neighborhoods for years, thanks to a grassroots effort that has been orchestrated by members of surrounding community. The students are looking at ways to achieve economic stabilization through neighborhood revitalization, which will ultimately help to create healthier and more prosperous business districts. 
The initiative that is now underway is called "PULL", which is a multiyear Pop-Up Living Laboratories

On April 26th & 27th, the Artists in Buffalo and Burchfield Penney Art Center (BPAC) will be showcasing a series of local artists in an event that is being called "A Spring Show Event". BPAC has invited 30 local artists and artisans to participate in the event, with proceeds benefitting both the artists and the venue. Available for purchase will be original artwork, textiles, pottery, jewelry, handmade journals, wreaths, glassware, purses, art prints, bath & body products, photography, and note cards.
The collaborative artist event is

THE BASICS: This is the 22nd incarnation of the Alleyway Theatre's signature short works program, saved from the guillotine in the 11th hour by a few exceptionally generous donors. This year's edition of seven short plays features both WNY playwrights and out-of-town talents. It's been directed by the Alleyway's Joyce Stilson, who is also a member of the company. All four actors play multiple roles. With its single ten minute intermission, the show runs approximately 90 minutes.
THE PLAYS AND THE PLAYERS: The seven

What is the name of your group(s)? The Theresa Quinn Duo, Trio, Quartet, and Quintet - I sometimes work with a drummer, guitarist and two fabulous harmony singers, Stephanie Bax and Annie Deck Miller. No one can sing the American songbook like these women.  For bigger R&B gigs, we add Phil Sims, trombone and Jim Bohm, trumpet. I also am in the 'all-girl' band Girls Gone Mild with the famous Alison Pipitone, Mary Ramsey and Sue Rozler.  I play occasional gigs with The

Preservation Buffalo Niagara is recognizing outstanding preservation projects and those contributing to preservation efforts at its annual awards ceremony May 31, 11:30 AM at Kleinhans Music Hall.  Buffalo Rising is profiling this year's winners leading up to next month's event.

The Evans Bank project is being recognized as an outstanding example of adaptive re-use of a historic building. The existing Mennonite Meeting House was used only for storage of the Town of Amherst Archival records. The building at that point was in serious need of maintenance and repair. Iskalo

Starting on Wednesday April 10, there will be a free live jazz music series kicking off at the Pan American Grill and Brewery inside The Hotel @ The Lafayette. Each Wednesday, for the foreseeable future, the establishment will dedicate its Wednesday post work happy hour (from 6-9pm) to some of the best live jazz performance from the region and beyond. The Pan Am has a built-in stage area, and with the help of sound and lighting guru, Elias Benavides, the venue will once again come to life with the sounds of sweet jazz.
This Wednesday the Pan Am will feature the

One of the newest entrepreneurs to set up shop at The Foundry is probably also its youngest resident yet. Twelve year-old Zandra Azariah Cunningham started her very own business specializing in homemade, all-natural bath and body products in early 2010. With the help of her mother and right-hand woman, Tamara Lewis-Cunningham, she has expanded her business and now has a production space to call her own at The Foundry. 
Zandra's business, Azariah's Innocence, sprouted when she joined the KidzBiz training program

By Suzanne Jaszcz: A new trend is emerging for film makers as more and more of them look for new ways to raise money for their productions.  What is being called Crowdfunding is gaining popularity with both large and small films alike.  Whereas in the past a filmmaker would reach out to one or two investors with deep pockets, now they are reaching out to the masses that can help to collectively fund a project.  
Filmmakers large and small are able to leverage

[ Here's a rarity. It's one from the archives that I wrote way back in 1997. There are a lot of anachronisms in it, but it is still very relevant. Also, this should not be considered overly specific to Indianapolis, because the thinking is pervasive, though thankfully improving in a lot of places - Aaron. ]
It is almost considered a truism in Indianapolis that one of the biggest obstacles to getting people to come downtown to shop, see the sights, etc. is a lack of free, convenient parking. People driving in from the suburbs are forced to either park on the

If you've yet to stop into the brand new CooCooU retro furniture and mid-century design warehouse, also being referred to as Projekt 27 (learn more), this weekend couldn't be a better time to pay a visit. Friday through Sunday, select pieces will be on sale, with prices being slashed anywhere from 25% to 50%. 
Even if you're not in the market for new furniture, a visit to Projekt 27 is an experience unto itself. It's time to Bring in Spring at the warehouse, which means that they need

This post originally appeared on Views of Buffalo
As the population of Buffalo continues to shrink we are often left with an increasing catalogue of vacant homes, many of which become the property of the City of Buffalo. Ownership falls to the city for a wide variety of different reasons like failure to pay taxes or a

By GirlFriday:
As spring continues to unfold all around us, our social calendars of lively outdoor events serve to welcome and celebrate our vernal rebirth. But really, what better way to say goodbye to the winter season, and usher in the resulting warmth and sunshine, than with a party in the beautiful Olmsted Park System, surrounded by all of the lush infilling flora?
The historic Marcy Casino, along with The Good Neighborhood, will host the inaugural Springfest celebration, Cinco de Marcy, which is sure to be the Cinco