February 2010 Archives

City February 28, 2010 12:46 PM
Powder Keg Festival Pictures, Volunteers Needed, and Team USA Skates
Know that there isn't a lot to say about these pictures of Glenn's, as the pictures say it all.  Enjoy them, and get downtown for today's last day of the biggest party that celebrates winter.
Newell was tired this morning, as one would expect, and he did say that he burnt through a lot of volunteers yesterday.  Want to know how you can help?  We're glad you asked!  Newell says if you're going to the festival and you have time to volunteer, look for anyone wearing a red armband, and ask them to put you to work.
The day is sunnier than yesterday, and the weather is fine, so chances are good that the streets around Pearl, Seneca and Main will be jammed again.  In addition, though Pond Hockey was cancelled, Labatt is inviting festival-goers to Seneca (between Pearl and Main), where they will televise the 3PM game in which Team USA skates for the gold in Vancouver.  Look for the 16' x 12' video wall!
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City February 28, 2010 10:35 AM
Dan Zeis: More About the PK Festival Logo Winner
By Richard Wade
Dan Zeis is a graphic designer who resides in Buffalo. His 20+ years of experience in Graphic design have garnered him countless awards. He designed the logo for The Buffalo Powder Keg Festival, as well as the poster for the upcoming Buffalo Infringement Festival, which will take place July 22 - August 1, 2010.
Yesterday, Zeis, who has recently moved back to Buffalo (but stil works out of NYC), sat down and told us a little of
City February 28, 2010 9:13 AM
Pond Hockey Day 2 Cancelled
Officials at the Labatt Blue Buffalo Pond Hockey Tournament cancelled play for today due to unsafe ice conditions. 
"Continuous snowfall, slushy ice conditions, standing water and a weather forecast with temperatures in the mid 30s, made for unsafe, unplayable ice conditions," said City of Buffalo Commissioner Steve Stepniak, Public Works. "The guys worked so hard over the last few weeks to pull this tournament off. They see the value of it for the City of Buffalo. If there was any way to get that ice ready for today, they would have done it. Unfortunately -
City February 28, 2010 8:23 AM
Amazing Maze!
BRO friend and extraordinary photographer Joe Cascio dropped this in our in box late last night "just because," he said.  
When we first arrived at the Powder Keg Festival yesterday, the first thing we saw was a long line snaking down Main Street.  As we cut through to cross Main, I asked a young guy who was waiting, "So what's the line for?"
He answered, "I'm not sure...".  His friend rolled his eyes and said, "Dude, we're going through the ice maze."  The line was long, but fast-moving,
City February 27, 2010 10:23 AM
It’s Winter: Go Outside!
We know you're checking in for BR news today, but you shouldn't expect much.  There's a Labatt Blue Pond Hockey Tournament and a Powder Keg Festival to attend and celebrate.
If you haven't made plans to be there, expect some posts trickling in as our contributors report back on what they found...but really, shouldn't you go?
Most of the action will occur around Pearl and Swan Streets (including the
Recent Photos[ BR Flickr ]
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City February 26, 2010 4:19 PM
Ice ‘Air’ Hockey and Snowshoeing...
We feel so bad about blowing it on the skating rinks that we called in some backup reinforcements for the kids. Pictured here is So Kimura of Integrity Catering in the beginning stages of his ice hockey table interactive sculpture (based on air hockey). The kids will be able to use ice paddles to shoot the pucks around on So's Creation. So is also carving a life size hockey goalie that kids will be able to shoot pucks at - the goalie will be a tribute to an iconic goalie near and dear to our hearts.

Then Lauren Makeyenko for Tifft Nature Preserve will take kids (and adults) on snowshoeing
Regional February 26, 2010 3:11 PM
Hoyt Forms Petition Against Income Tax Delay
Assembly member Sam Hoyt has announced the start of a campaign to reject Governor Paterson's proposal to withhold state tax refunds in order to balance the state budget.
"This is your money.  Many people rely on the timely return of their state refund to balance their own check books," says Hoyt.  According to Hoyt the state's fiscal crisis can't be balanced on the backs of taxpayers. "It's certainly not fair to the people of New York State," he says. 
"We can find other ways to reduce the spending," Hoyt said. He is
City February 26, 2010 2:32 PM
Forest Lawn To Host Program for Women’s History Month
The history of women often seems to be forgotten and tucked away on a shelf; even when recognized in their own times, women are often not included in the history books.
The idea of declaring March as National Women's History Month was the product of the National Women's History Project, which is celebrating its 30th Anniversary. This organization was started to educate and promote the historic and significant accomplishments of women. Their theme for 2010 is "Writing Women Back into History". The Erie County Commission on the Status of Women and the Erie County Library
City February 26, 2010 1:25 PM
A Brawler To Watch Over Me (as I tube down a Skyway exit ramp)
Workers have begun dumping snow on the Seneca Street exit ramp of The Skyway. A second layer of clean snow will be added after the base is set. As the snow is dumped and spread, more workers are adding snow fencing on the outer side of the ramp. From there, hay bales are added to protect tubers from flying off the hill. Colden Valley Tubing will be dropping off their slick-bottom sledding tubes later in the day, upon which time we're heading up to try out the ride - somebody has to do it, right?

When you arrive to the Seneca Loop tomorrow, you will notice another addition to the Pearl
Real Estate February 26, 2010 1:00 PM
Apartments Planned for Horsefeathers on Connecticut

The vacant Horsefeathers property at 346 Connecticut Street will be brought back to life under plans by Karl Frizlen.  The architect turned busy developer envisions turning the circa-1896 building into a mix of commercial space and upper level apartments.  Frizlen has the 25,000 sq.ft. structure under contract for an undisclosed price.  It has been listed by Hasting Cohn with a $499,000 asking price since Horsefeathers

City February 26, 2010 11:40 AM
We Did It!
Moments ago the Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Ice Maze was set in Buffalo NY, beating Toronto's record from '05. The press conference was held in front of the maze as reporters trained their mics and their cameras on a Powder Keg Festival podium... made of ice - thanks to Paul Strada! I would like to send a special shout out to the volunteers who helped to build the labyrinth, many of whom came down to be a part of the ceremony.

Even today there are members of the crew who are having trouble locating the maze's center, where a throne of ice now sits. The horns at the
Real Estate February 26, 2010 8:45 AM
Convention Center Remodeling Planned

Lacking funding or a push to build a replacement for one of downtown's most loathed buildings, Erie County is about to embark on a multi-million dollar upgrade to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center.  Renovation will to include changes to the building's drab exterior.  The $7 million project is the largest refurbishment for the facility since it was opened in 1978.

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City February 26, 2010 6:54 AM
Buffalo ReUse
Buffalo ReUse is calling all artists and bird watchers for their "Bird Abode Exhibition," a public exhibition that will take place Saturday, April 24th, from 12 to 3PM, at 298 Northampton St.

Now is the perfect time to dream up and build your idea for the best bird house. This can be for

City February 25, 2010 1:55 PM
Make It The Metro Rail!
BRO Submission graciously provided by Nancy Sheridan Siegel:

If you've been following the progress of the Powder Keg Festival, you may have noticed that participants are being encouraged to take the Metro Rail to the festival this weekend.  The Metro is a wonderful alternative to driving and parking downtown AND there are no drinking and driving concerns after a day of 'celebrating' our winter weather.

But if you've never ridden the train before, it might seem like a daunting task.  Never fear, I'm here to walk you through the procedure and show you
City February 25, 2010 11:10 AM
A Buffalo Throne Of Ice
While attending a recent social gathering I noticed an ice carving on one of the bars. As I was examining the creation, my friend Rob Geist from Uncle Sam's Army Navy Outfitters (the largest Army Navy store in the country located in the Larkin District) tapped me on the shoulder and said, "That's Paul Strada's creation - you should talk to him about building an ice sculpture for the Powder Keg Festival." As luck would have it, one of the city's master ice carvers was standing a few feet from me.

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City February 25, 2010 10:14 AM
Snow “Beach Tennis”
When I first received a Facebook request to add Snow "Beach Tennis" to our roster of sporting activities at the Powder Keg Festival I almost brushed it off. First, I had never heard of it (that's a stupid reason), and second I was trying to wrap my brain around more familiar sports like broomball and KanJam (KanJam is a regional company). Thanks to Snow "Beach Tennis" guru and co-creator Dan Johnson, along with his persistence and marketing prowess. I finally sent an email to AllPro Activities organizer Chris
Regional February 25, 2010 9:35 AM
GM Invests in Area Plant
General Motors will invest $425 million and create nearly 470 jobs at the Tonawanda Engine plant to produce the next generation fuel efficient Ecotec engine.  
The investment will add capacity, allowing the plant to produce 370,000 engines per year, and includes facility renovation, new machinery, equipment and special tooling to support this engine program at plants in New York, Ohio, and Michigan.  
The Ecotec engine family is known for its reliability, fuel efficiency and performance. GM Ecotec engines have been on the forefront
Real Estate February 25, 2010 9:00 AM
Construction Watch: BMFCU Expansion

Expansion of the Buffalo Metropolitan Federal Credit Union at 62 S. Elmwood Avenue is underway.  The one-story building is growing a new 5,440 sq.ft. second floor, an updated facade, and an additional drive-thru lane.  It is located directly behind City Hall.

Plans by architectural firm R.W. Lawson Associates call for an exterior of brick veneer, precast concrete, manufactured concrete

City February 25, 2010 8:27 AM
Brian Davis: Stupidity Plea Nets Conditional Discharge
Ex Ellicott District Councilman Brian Davis, accused of misusing $1,900 in campaign funds was granted a conditional discharge by Chief City Judge Thomas Amodeo.
Davis pled guilty to charges of misused funds and filing false reports with the Board of Elections last November, each of which could have maximum penalties of $1,000 fines and one year in prison.  Instead, he will perform 200 hours of community service, as suggested by the Erie County Probation Department, and is prohibited from holding any job that involves the handling of money, as imposed by Judge Amodeo.
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City February 24, 2010 5:52 PM
Vroom Shhh!
So I've been working around One HSBC Center's plaza since Saturday, and in that time I have been in awe of this iconic work of art that constantly looms over the beehive of activity. It was David Granville, Assistant to Commissioner at City Hall, who said to me in passing (with ice block in tow), "Vroom Shhh!" I turned around and said, "Excuse me?" "That's the name of that work of art," he replied. I looked up and said out loud, "Vroom Shhh?" This modernist sculpture... one that I have seen thousands of time... finally had a name (to me). And a pretty cool name to boot.

The creator of
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