One of Allentown's best little Italian eateries is in the process of doubling in size. Fortunately that means that the quaint establishment will still be fairly quaint, as current seating capacity is 30 (though it appears much smaller). By blowing a 5' entranceway through a south wall in the existing space, the eatery will be able to utilize the additional room in order to increase the size of its kitchen, add seating, install dessert display cases and create room for take-outs and catering. The incorporation of two more display windows will also do wonders for the restaurant's visibility. 
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Interview with Jana Eisenberg regarding Paint the Town event to be held at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society on Friday, November 11 at 6pm:
How many years has Paint the Town been around for?  This is the 13th annual Paint the Town.
Why was it started?  It was started as a way to connect working artists, the community, the region and our institution; as a unique way to bring together various constituents in a setting and around an event that

This past Saturday I attended an inspiring event that could potentially lead to one of the city's most valuable culinary initiatives... ever. Developer/architect Karl Frizlen thought up the concept after visiting a similar market in Portland Oregon. When he took a closer look at the Horsefeathers building on Connecticut, he realized that there was great potential in converting it into a mixed use organic producers market (see concept). That's when registered dietitian Niki Klem

By John Nowak:
I attended the First Ward Brownfield Opportunity Area information meeting presentation in the City of Lackawanna, September 15, 2011. A firm was hired to listen to the community, to map out the potential reuse of the brownfields and to suggest streetscape design. The main section of the waterfront was left out of the plan. With some insights from the presentation, I went back my 20-year old design of my proposed waterfront park. I started reworking my 3D concept design.
I designed the 3D concept layout with the elements

While the region was rolling out the red carpet during the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the historic Guaranty Building pulled back its shades to show off an amazing first floor interior. Normally the shades remain closed, leaving passersby to imagine what the inside beholds. It's been a pet peeve of mine for a long time. After the multitude of the renovations that were conducted on the building, all totaled $22,000,000, the public rarely gets to take a peek inside, which is unfortunate. This is not to say that Hodgson Russ, the law firm that occupies the building (and ponied up for

November 6 is coming up fast, and Cross in the Park is gearing up to be one of the most exciting cycling events of the year. Cross organizer Ethan Johnson has formalized the race schedule, categories, heats, age brackets, etc., and now it's up to you whether you're going to enter as a contestant or be an observer. This is one event where the observers, although playing it safe, get to watch the action up close while cheering the racers on.  This year's special events will include a DJ, food trucks (RnR Barbeque, The Roaming Buffalo, The Whole Hog, and Rolling Joe Cafe), a free kids' race,

Interview with clothing designer Steven Bales regarding promotion of 'Pandamonium' fashion show, which is to take place at the Buffalo Museum of Science on December 9, from 7:30-10:30pm: 
BRO: What inspires you when it comes to fashion?
Steven: I am inspired by the different types of cultures in the world and different types of lifestyles here in the U.S.A. that have merged together in places like NYC, Chicago and Florida. You see diversity in all the

From its office floors high above the Historic Polonia District, Buffalo Central Terminal's icon tower provides an unparalleled view of the skyline of downtown Buffalo. Beginning at Noon and continuing until 4pm on Saturday, October 22, 2011, the general public will have their first opportunity to experience this unique perspective "above" the city's architecture. Central Terminal is located at 495 Paderewski Drive @ Memorial Drive.

Volunteers of the Central Terminal Restoration Corporation will be leading tours of the Terminal's tower

Interview with Christa Glennie Seychew regarding the launch of her new cookbook. Launch event is Tuesday, October 25 | 5:30pm - 9:00pm | Artisan Kitchens and Baths | 200 Amherst Street | Facebook
BRO: How long have you been working on the book? 
CGS: It took several months. We decided to take the project on in January 2011. 
What inspired you? 
We knew that Nickel

I still remember going to 7-11 at the corner of Delaware Avenue and Amherst Street when I was younger. It was my go-to when I needed a candy or Slurpee fix. Later in life I began to hit up Wilson Farms for my bachelor cooking items - SpaghettiOs, cottage cheese, chips, PB&J supplies, etc. Eventually I began to shop at The Co-op and Wegmans, once I learned that shopping at convenience stores was supposed to be "convenient" and not a way of life. 
When I opened a retail store on Elmwood (some 15 years ago), I immediately took notice of what disasters the Wilson Farms

The owners of the luxury The Mansion on Delaware Avenue will be joined by national preservationists to make an exciting announcement... A first for the Buffalo-Niagara Region, The Mansion is being inducted into Historic Hotels of America, an affiliate of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  It will join the ranks of iconic hotels including NYC's Waldorf-Astoria, The Peabody in Memphis, and The Sagamore at Lake George.
 
Stephanie Meeks, President, National Trust for Historic Preservation and Lawrence Horwitz,President,

Hundreds of architectural and history enthusiasts will experience Buffalo's mammoth grain elevators during a tour this afternoon, giving electronic and print journalists rare access to some of our signature architectural monuments.

Media are invited to join the University at Buffalo tour for an intimate visual and sensory experience of the historic structures often called "cathedrals" for their enormous size and overwhelming presence.

The tours, held in conjunction with the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference being held this week, will begin at 3:15 p.m. at the

From Rand503 on the Darwin Martin House restoration update post:

They still need millions more to finish the job at the Darwin House, and I hope they get it. In the meantime, that doesn't mean money can't be raised for our other buildings, and I know that they are. Of course, there is almost a limitless supply of great buildings, not to mention restoration of artworks, artifacts, stained glass, woodwork, carvings, metalwork -- you name it.

However,

Tuscany on Main, a culinary market boutique specializing in all sorts of olive oils, pastas, spreads, jams, chocolates, dips, etc., will be opening at 425 Elmwood Avenue in November. Owners Jim and Marlena Maloney opened their original location in East Aurora back in June (see photo below). Now they're expanding their territory to the city and bringing with them quality gourmet delights along with exciting culinary programming. "We love to cook," Jim told me. "And one night we were sitting around drinking wine and talking about all of the gourmet food items that we wished we could find locally.

Written by Julia Rocchi: 
I've used a lot of words in relation to Buffalo these past six months - words like great answer, gimme one second, can you move a little to your left, more coffee please, and I'm hot.
But if I had to pick one (yes, only one, in an evil about-face of our most thought-provoking interview question, I'd first have to ask you, from when?
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MEETING SUMMARY for SEPTEMBER 20, 2011:
Meeting highlights include: Buffalo Zoo's funding grant for Arctic Edge, testing out 50 high-tech parking meters that will accept credit cards and relay stats, architectural and engineering funding for Broderick Park Master Plan.
The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by Masten District Council Member Demone A. Smith urging the United States Congress to enact the "Return to Prudent Banking Act of 2011" ("H.R. 1489") as quickly as possible. In 1933, Congress passed

It's the week for the Darwin Martin House's week to shine.  The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed complex on Jewett Parkway is expected to be visited by 2,000 or more diehard preservationists from across the country during the National Trust for Historic Preservation conference now underway. 

The Martin House Restoration Corporation and contractors have been busy readying the complex for our out of town guests.  While much of the interior of the main house is still gutted, finishing touches were applied to the reception room on

By Thomas M. Murdock:

Buffalo Niagara 360 is excited to announce its 4th Annual Kickoff Celebration will take place on Tuesday, November 15th from 5:30 until 8:30 at the Larkin Center of Commerce at 701 Seneca Street in Buffalo.  The Larkin Center of Commerce is undergoing a large-scale transformation and has recently been profiled on Buffalo Rising./city/index.html

Good news for The Cobblestone District keeps coming. This time it's in the form of a European deli, bierstube, bistro, gastro pub called Lagerhaus 95 (German for warehouse and the street number - double entendre beer reference). Located at the corner of Perry and Mississippi, the establishment is aiming to add another culinary dimension to the district by serving a variety of pub delicacies in a heated indoor/outdoor German beer garden setting. General Manager Mark Slagle is touting the cuisine as fresh, house-made, European style cooking. Executive Chef Jamie Zynda plans on featuring menu

Tonight, Wednesday October 19th is the 4th Annual Biketoberfest at Essex Street Pub from 6-8pm. Yes; it's that time of year where we put together a rolling party for all our friends. Since it's our 4th annual, we did some reflecting and it appears that the number 4 has some serious significance!
It was 4 years ago that we at Green Options Buffalo and community supporters sat down with Tim Herzog at Flying Bison Brewery to come up with a fundraising campaign to install bicycle racks throughput the city. Not much longer after that, Rusty Chain was born out of an initial