Back in November it was announced that a Senior Global Team of IBM Executives would be coming to Buffalo to analyze what this city could be doing to create more job opportunities for young people (learn more here) . The five member team is now in Buffalo for three weeks - the pro bono consulting visit was made possible through an IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant. "I am delighted

The Atlantic Cities has picked up on the latest news regarding the plan to light the grain elevators at the waterfront. With renewed imagination and a series of tests last summer (see here) that gave the public a glimpse of the dynamic nature of the project, the $5,000,000 project could soon become a reality with Phase 1 scheduled for funding clearance as early as this week. Check out The Atlantic Cities for more images from the Erie

What is the name of your group?
What Would Mingus Do? (WWMD)
How did the name of the band come about? When did it form?
Charles Mingus was one of the great American composers, and a hero of mine. Mingus was well known for using his bands as laboratories and workshops for his music; I'm trying to emulate that approach.
What Would Mingus Do? started playing around 2005, and had a steady Monday night gig at the Central Park Grill for several years; recently we've wrapped up

This Friday, the works of photographer Joe Cascio are being featured at the Visit Buffalo Niagara Gallery in the Market Arcade. The exhibit grand opening is from 12pm to 2pm, and Joe will be on-hand to show people his photos and answer any questions that they might have. Joe has been capturing Buffalo for years, capturing brilliant images ranging from architectural to sports to concerts. His panoramic photos are stunning, while his passion for his work is second to none. If you're looking for a beautiful work of photographic art to hang on your wall, consider stopping by the gallery and purchasing

Visit Buffalo Niagara (VBN) has released a new video that is geared towards families with kids. The video showcases a number of regional destinations with kids in mind, in order to encourage families to take a second look at the area as a kid-friendly destination. From the Spirit of Buffalo to the Whirlpool Jet ride, there are myriad adventures profiled that should help to give visiting or relocating parents a sense of the diverse range of activities for the youngsters.
After watching the video, I decided that I would add some of my own kid-friendly destinations to the list,

By Matthew Ricchiazzi: The magnitude of what our city is destined to achieve feels unimaginable today - but it will have seemed inevitable in retrospect.  There is an optimism in our attitude, an energy in our spirit, and a freshness in our thinking that is catalyzing a momentous revival of the highest order.  We are on the brink of transformation, and finally - after decades of decline - we have a wind at our back. But a Buffalonian Renaissance won't happen until we take the first step: liberating families from the stranglehold

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 will profile this year's winners leading up to the May event.

Kathleen Mecca is receiving an award in individual preservation achievement for her decades of work fighting to protect the cultural and historical assets and environmental quality of the Prospect Park neighborhood and Buffalo's West Side.

Kathy stands at equal height to a podium on a small stage in a public

Meet Aung-Kaung Myat. Aung is originally from Burma, but has lived in Buffalo for five years. I ran into the young entrepreneur this afternoon while grabbing a coffee at Sweet_ness 7 on Grant Street. Aung was going over the final details of a lease that he and building owner Prish Moran has drafted, which would provide him with a business location at 212 Grant Street. "You're going to love his idea," Prish told me. "He will be opening an Information Technology (IT) business servicing computers and cell phones."
After talking with Aung for a while, I warmed up to his concept

The Black Rock Historical Society is preparing for the upcoming event called Stars Along Scajaquada. The event's purpose is to share with visitors the area's steeped history as it pertains to the War of 1812. On that day, visitors will have the chance to sit in on a lecture series, check out exhibits, listen to live period music, rub elbows with re-enactors, and witness the launch of a War of 1812 bateau by the Buffalo Maritime Center (at Scajaquada Creek). There will also be Colonial blacksmithing demonstrations, horse and buggy

The fishing season is upon us, and not only are the local fishing enthusiasts taking to the waters of the Niagara Region, some of the industry's top media personalities are in town to fish and write about the premiere fishing conditions in the area. "May is one of the best times of year for sportfishing in Niagara USA," said Bill Hilts, Jr., outdoor sports specialist, at Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation (NTCC). "With the kick-off of the Lake Ontario Counties Trout and Salmon Derby May 3-12, 2013 to sound

On Saturday, May 11, 2013 from 12:00pm until 1:00pm, the third installment of Annie Levay-Krause's Urban Agriculture Series will take place at The Foundry. The idea behind a seed bomb is to create a self contained "seed packet" filled with enough nutrients to support the growth of a small plant. It's a guerilla gardening approach that benefits barren parcels of urban land. The size of the seed bomb is about the diameter of a small meatball.
Whereas a sole seed might not have enough nutrients to establish itself, the nutrient-rich soil bomb allows the seed to

The Erie Basin Marina is making a big splash this summer. There was a groundbreaking for the new $640,000 Ice Cream Stand & Clam Bar yesterday, which is located at The Hatch Restaurant. Besides the new Ice Cream Stand & Clam Bar, other recent investments at the marina include $1.1 million for a new boardwalk, handicap accessible restrooms and new security gates for boaters.  
"My administration continues to make major investments at Erie Basin Marina because we know people want more access to Buffalo's beautiful waterfront, a premier downtown and

Earlier this afternoon I paid a visit to the Outer Harbor to check out even more advancements that have been made since March when I last posted on the wind sculptures (see here). Today I found a pretty cool children's double slide (lead image), a gazebo, climbing stones (see below), rain gardens, tree plantings, repurposed marble perches, plenty of winding paths leading past pedestrian bridges, hills to climb, a beach, and lots of cyclists that are discovering more and more of the fanciful amenities with

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Staff Review by Dorinda Darden:
This is a poignant memoir of Whitney Houston, an iconic singer and superstar, as only her mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, could tell.  Cissy Houston recounts the joys, pains and tragic end of a life that was plagued by drugs but led by faith. In Whitney's final performance the night before her death as she sang "Yes, Jesus Loves Me," Whitney knew that no matter what, she had her faith.  Houston recounts the life of an extraordinary singer who at times just wanted to

So you've been thinking about getting out on the water in a canoe/kayak, but you didn't know where to go, or who to go with. Or maybe you don't have access to a kayak? No worries! Riverkeeper has got you covered and the 2013 River Tour registration is now open. Believe it or not, the Riverkeeper tours are free and open to the public. All you have to do is get yourself to the site and Riverkeeper will handle the rest. And for those of you who still aren't so sure about the water, Riverkeeper now offers bicycle tours as well. 
*Participants may use Riverkeeper's

Canalside will be offering up an authentic Cinco de Mayo waterfront celebration tomorrow from 7pm to 9pm. The Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY has selected The Ruins (located right along the Canal's terminus) as the site for the special event featuring "Citlali de Mexico". 
Citlali de Mexico is a 14-member folklore dance troupe that pays homage to Mexican culture, and tells the story of Mexican traditions through music and dance. With colorful dresses and handsome outfits, the dancers are setting out to capture the imaginations

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and good boys and girls, and husbands of course, are looking for memorable way to celebrate the special woman in their lives that make the world go 'round. If you are truly looking for a way to brighten up her day, and put a smile on her face, consider taking mom to brunch at the Greatbatch Pavilion at The Martin House Complex. Fine food will be followed by a tour that will feature all of the ways that Mrs. Isabelle Martin and the other "women of the House" were able to take such a splendid and complex architectural structure and create a domesticated

Tomorrow is the first ever Cinco de Marcy celebration to be held at The Marcy Casino at Delaware Park. The location for the event is perfect, in that the casino offers wonderful indoor and outdoor settings, with perfect spots to listen to live music, play Kan-Jam, and toast to the warm weather, with craft brews by Flying Bison and Southern Tier, as well as Pacifico and there's also a full liquor license for tequila and margaritas!  Taco options are shrimp and suckling pig, with beans and rice and Spar's sausages (including chorizo). Yum!
An action

By Melanie Shorey:
I had such an illuminating experience last night at the annual Coalition for Economic Justice (CEJ) awards ceremony. It had been my first time to this hallmark event with Buffalo's activist community. After walking to the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, I was whelmed by circles of people who told me about their hard won struggles against major adversity. These extra ordinary people organize together and push campaigns against some of the biggest corporate entities

GO Bike Buffalo is making sure that everyone has a chance to experience the best of Bike Month, as it rolls out myriad offerings to any and all who favor two wheels over four. Over the course of May, there are over a dozen bike-friendly events ranging from free breakfast for bicycle commuters to a bicycle inspired art show at Main (St)udios. Here's the list of the events and the Buffalo businesses and organizations that help to make it all possible. Brought to you by GO Bike Buffalo:
BIKE