January 2011 Archives

The Chautauqua Institution, an educational community and summer resort located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in the Southern Tier of Western New York, will be featured in a one-hour documentary entitled Chautauqua: An American Narrative to premiere nationwide on PBS (WNED locally) tonight at 10PM. 

Often called "the original PBS", the Chautauqua Institution was established in 1874 by an Ohio inventor and philanthropist Lewis Miller and John Heyl

Buffalo Rising first ran this story (see the progress then) on July 21, 2006.  It is about the spectacular and unlikely restoration of the wonderful shingle style house at 32 St. John's Street at the western edge of Allentown in Buffalo.  A few of my recent stories have focused on the this West Allentown / Kleinhans neighborhood (with a few more planned). Of those recent stories the comment section on one of them turned to a discussion on crime.  Often when I have shined a positive light

We've heard it over and over... why don't we illuminate or paint the grain silos and elevators? Maybe it's because we can't imagine what they would like like if they were painted. Jim Charlier, creator of the site artofgardeningbuffalo.blogspot.com has showcased that initial step in order to identify just what the structures might look like if they were handed over to the creatives. From Jim:

Tony Goldman envisions creating "Arts & Industry Island."

Submission by Matthew Perrello:

I threw together some dreams - thought I'd see what anyone thought of them. I'm sure there are a thousand people who think they know what needs to be done to make the "Buffalo Renaissance". I know almost all of those ideas will never get done - still it's fun to float some concepts around from time to time.
 
So my $0.02, the major concept is similar to the Boston Big Dig, bury the 190 and the rail lines that follow it for about a 3-mile stretch. Above it you now have a long green space/park, with a wide

Sometimes referred to as "one of Buffalo's best kept secrets," Blessed Trinity Church is one of the finest examples of Lombard Romanesque churches in the country. The Leroy Avenue church stands as a testament that the old idiom holds true, they don't built them like the used to. The original cost was $531,000 ($6.3 million in today's money), and if the church were to be rebuilt now, it would cost an estimated $425 million due to the incredible craftsmanship involved. However, this church arguably cannot be rebuilt in

Michael Kimelberg is back in Western New York.  In early 2009 Kimelberg was introduced as the new Buffalo City Planner only later to back out.  He's now been hired as Chief Planning Officer for the Senceca Nation of Indians. 

Michael is the brother of David Kimelberg of Seneca Holdings and has an extensive resume in planning in the public and private sectors.  He was given a three-year contract at a rate of $140,000 per year.  He has relocated from Seattle leaving a position with

I've created a new word: "Acropolicious." It is used to describe the delicious Greek food I had last week, when a friend and I headed to Acropolis on Elmwood Avenue for the first time to have dinner. We were in the mood for someplace low-key, but not too casual. What we found was a great spot for a Friday night out.

The atmosphere inside the restaurant was very relaxing and inviting.  The blue interior, spot lighting, and simple décor gave it the feel of an upscale bistro.  Subtle details like the border of blue glass bottles along the ceiling and the full wall-sized chalkboard

Second Chance Sheltering Network, Inc. is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit animal rescue group serving the Western New York area.  Their goal is to help place homeless animals while simultaneously helping interested individuals find a new furry companion.  Every Sunday, we will be running a homeless pet spotlight to help these animals find families.

Alone and trying to fend for herself and her remaining kitten was the fate that this beautiful 4.5 year old kitty faced when her owners left her behind in an Alden campground and went back home after the camping season. 

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Staff Review by Ann Kling:

Alex Patrick is a junior and a talented music major at the prestigious boarding school, Themis Academy.  After attending a concert with friends, Alex wakes up in the bed of a school jock, Carter.  Alex can't remember exactly what happened, but she knows that she lost her virginity to someone she doesn't even know and doesn't like, let alone love.  She is filled with guilt and shame, but doesn't feel she can report what happened to the school's administration.

The teachers and administration

Who doesn't like a good game of bingo? OK, I'm sure that there are a few people out there who say that they don't like it... Bingo is just one of those games that kinda sucks you in before you know it. Especially if you're playing with a group of friends who tend to get overexcited. Even if you're just being stubborn, and won't admit that the game can be fun, you have to admit that the idea of playing a game of bingo at The Church (Ani DiFranco's Babeville - Asbury Hall) is rather enticing.

As part of Hallwalls' Friend-raising-through-Fun initiative, Bingo Bizarre gives the player

Over three years ago the Diocese of Buffalo announced the devastating news that they were seeking to close St. Adalbert Basilica on Stanislaus Street and merge it with St. John Kanty. The parishioners took action and petitioned the Diocese to allow St. Aldalbert's to remain an active place of worship. After appealing to a higher power, the Vatican, the parishioners are pleased to announce that the St. Adalbert Basilica will remain open.

As great as this news is, the Diocese is choosing to ignore the Vatican.

"We were overjoyed

This week, Uniland Development Company announced that a lease has been signed for 23,877 square feet of office space at 300 Airborne Parkway in Cheektowaga.  The Class A offices will be occupied by a division of

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... according to the NY Times. As NYC gets dumped on, some are calling The Big Apple the New Buffalo this winter season. I've had friends and relatives trapped there. I've seen some of the funniest videos, including this one where all hell breaks loose as a high loader is caught on film as it mangles a minivan - "Are you out of your mind? What are you doing?!"

One thing can be said about living in

If you didn't know any better, you might think that Sun is strictly an Asian Market. For those in 'the know' Sun has become a destination eatery serving up a variety of Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Korean dishes unlike no other place in the city. Upon entering, guests must navigate through aisles of Asian groceries before winding up at the elevated dining area towards the back. Once there, depending on the time of day of course, diners must first find an empty table - a task that is not necessarily easy considering the popularity of the place.

One look at the extensive menu provides the

Bids are in to stabilize and perform interior demolition work on the Bosche Building located at 918 Main Street.  The City-owned building has had a growing hole in its roof for several years leading many to fear for the building's future.  A $1.2 million ReStoreNY grant was obtained last year to conduct a Phase I environmental study, retain a structural consultant and start the selective demolition

By Michael R Weekes (mission):
 
John isn't from Buffalo.  He's from Brooklyn, home of Bensonhurst, Italian and other ethnic neighborhoods, Saturday Night Fever, Coney Island and Ebbet's Field.  Like Buffalo it is a place of deep, rich heritage and history, with so many wonderful threads that make up our American Experience.  One could argue that Brooklyn is as quintessential an American a city any.
 
John fell in love with Buffalo upon his first encounter

January is National Train Your Dog Month, where dog owners are encouraged to make an effort to partake in training and socialization with their canines.
 
On January 29, The Family Companion will be hosting an all-day, free event in observance of National Train Your Dog Month.  The event will take place at Animal Outfitters and will feature several presentations, a chance to consult with dog-training experts and a canine good citizen test. 


By Amanda McLaughlin:

El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera Gallery is pleased to announce its newest exhibit Streetscapes, a photography exhibition showcasing the talents of George K. Arthur, former Buffalo Common Council President.  Streetscapes is a collection of twenty-two color images of Buffalo graffiti.  

Born in Buffalo, Arthur completed his primary education in the Buffalo Public School System, and graduated from Seneca Vocational High School with a major in photography; he was the first African American in the school to graduate

Earlier today, at the Pearl Street Grill and Brewery, Buffalo's Wing King Drew Cerza officially announced that he would be moving forward with the operations of the Powder Keg Festival. Jeff Empric and I are happy that Drew has decided to run with the festival, thus allowing the two of us to dedicate our energies elsewhere. Our biggest concern was that the festival land a qualified operator - one who was familiar with large-scale urban festivals. Drew was our man.

I spoke to Drew after the press conference regarding some of the change-ups