Submission by Michelle Gigante, Director Shakti Yoga:
Two years ago I opened Shakti Yoga on Grant Street with the intention of raising energy and awareness in the community not only through the practice of yoga but with live music events. In that short time I am pleased to say that we have done just that! Shakti translates from Sanskrit (ancient Indian) as "energy force toward consciousness". What better way to experience that, than through live music?
What has amazed and delighted me is that our home on Grant Street

Although not yet completed, the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) Linear Park is well underway to being a leading example of what a community space should look like. So many times we are stuck with benches that look like they came from a generic design catalog. Or lighting that dates back to the 70's. No thought at all - just generic functionality. Parks are meant to inspire people to use them. They should not be an afterthought intended to fulfill the requirements of a mandate. 
If you take a look at Ellicott Park, it is designed to run the length

By Jason A. Zwara:
On Tuesday the Buffalo School District received word that the State Department of Education again rejected the District's agreement to implement a teacher evaluation system in the six PLA schools. As a result, the freeze the State placed on $5.6 million in SIG funding intended to help turnaround these six schools will continue. Moreover, Buffalo may have missed its last chance to have the funds restored. Many have and will continue to accuse the State Education Department of "withholding" the funding. These claims are patently false:

You still have a few days to enjoy Local Restaurant Week. If you haven't already taken advantage of the sweet special, then you have until Sunday to do so. For those of you who have already gone out to indulge in a discounted meal, may we ask what you thought of the experience. What restaurants have the best food during Local Restaurant Week, in your opinion? There are a lot of restaurants participating, from the dives to the pricier establishments (here's the

As if Gene McCarthy's neighborhood tavern could get any better, four new owners will be constructing a small brewery and beer garden on the backside of the historic tavern. Along with a revamped tavern menu (from zero to 60), the establishment will launch its first crafted beers in about six months. "We'll be brewing a hoppy West Coast-style IPA," co-owner David Bittner told me. "Along with a pale ale and a wheat beer. The brewery will be located on the shady side of the building, which is perfectly situated for production. The beer garden will be nice and sunny... a great spot for sampling our

One of the the things that I like most about the Ship Canal Commons is that there are reminders of the site's industrial heritage lined throughout the project. Take, for example, the large grassy mounds that pay homage to the coal piles that were once found alongside the canal. Or the remnants of the railroad tracks that line the walkways. Even the use of steel girders erected as holders for historic and interpretive signage. ="font-size:

Power Yoga Buffalo will welcome singer/songwriter and yoga enthusiast Trevor Hall to Buffalo's Asbury Hall to perform a benefit concert to raise funds for the Africa Yoga Project--a not-for-profit, grassroots movement that works to provide free yoga classes and developmental programs to those living in impoverished communities in Africa.  
"We are so excited to bring Trevor Hall to Buffalo," said Marie Phillips, yoga instructor at Power Yoga Buffalo. "This is

Preservation Buffalo Niagara is recognizing outstanding preservation projects and those contributing to preservation efforts at its annual awards ceremony May 30, 11:30 AM in the Statler's Golden Ballroom.  Award categories were established to acknowledge distinguished contributions to our community through preservation activity. Recipients will be recognized in several areas including: preservation craft; rehabilitation/adaptive use; stewardship; neighborhood conservation; planning/reconstruction; and

The Seneca Nation unveiled a new design for the Buffalo Creek casino complex on their nine-acre site in the Cobblestone District.

It's a much smaller proposal than what was once envisioned.

In 2007, the Senecas proposed a 206-suite, 22-story luxury hotel tower, 90,000 sq.ft. gaming hall and 2500 space parking structure.  Construction on the $333 million project stalled in 2008 due to a sputtering economy leaving a four-story steel skeleton to rust.  Crews have begun dismantling the steel

Whether it's a mixed crowd or a mixed drink, MIXology hopes to attract those looking for a different nightlife scene - one that is totally relaxed, a bit eccentric, with yummy cocktails and fun music. Owner John McNeill, with the duly noted help of friend Barton Crowell, has dreamed up a groovy getaway that has got to be seen to be believed (see background). John is a professed lighting nut. While waiting for the liquor license (for six months), he spent his time tinkering around the place - hooking up vintage lava lamps,

The Buffalo Green Code is entering its second phase this spring with citizens, planners, and consultants turning their attention to the work of actually writing a new zoning ordinance that will shape Buffalo's regeneration in the 21st century. The new code will make Buffalo more sustainable in the years to come - economically, environmentally, and socially.

Much has happened since last fall when about 400 citizens assembled on "Planning Day in Buffalo" to review the first draft of Buffalo's Land Use Plan. Staff from the Mayor's Office of

Painting for Preservation's first "Art-In" of 2012 is scheduled for this Saturday at the circa-1863 Colonel Wilkeson house, 771 Busti Avenue.  The landmark is one of seven properties the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority is seeking to "donate" or demolish.  The event takes place from 9:30 am to 1 pm.  
The Painting for Preservation initiative

By Mark P. Lazzara:
In the 1960's Buffalo's economy was at its peak, and the notion to engage in cultural exchanges started to take hold in some artistic and academic circles at a time when such exchanges were almost unheard of, and considered by some a risky new idea.  Risks aside, a group of citizens moved forward to establish a cultural exchange between the city of Buffalo and Kanazawa, Japan. Now, fifty years later, one of the oldest cultural exchanges in the country, the Buffalo-Kanazawa, Japan Sister Cities Alliance is still thriving! 
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Letter to the Editor by Julia M. Spitz:
I firmly believe Explore & More Children's Museum should be on the Buffalo Waterfront. Personally, as resident of the Cobblestone Lofts @ 95 Perry Street, I spend a lot of time at the Inner Harbor waterfront park on a daily basis to walk my dog.  In the summer, I regularly eat at Clinton's Dish, attend the summer concerts & yoga classes & can often be found relaxing on one of those infamous bright colored lounge chairs.

Erie Community College officials are determined to build a $30 million academic building on its North Campus in Amherst.  Governor Cuomo's proposed 2012-13 budget allocates $15 million in funding for the 110,000 sq.ft. building.  Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz is supporting a county match of $7.5 million as previously proposed by former Executive Chris Collins.  The college and its foundation are expecting

Luminus Media LLC settled into their new location last week in the Pierce Building downtown in Main Street's 600 block. The company is run by the young dynamic duo of Mike LaDuca, the creative director, and Tim Bouchard, the programming director. The pair works on all things design related and social media including, website design, graphic design, and email marketing. Basically, everything a company could want to effectively and creatively get their brand out to the public.

The company moved from their

Boomdays is an event that is truly unique to Buffalo. It incorporates so much of our past, present and future... it actually tells a story of where we are and where we are going. Boomdays was the idea of a number of movers and shakers who understood that in order to capitalize on our future we need to pay tribute to our past. Each year we see hundreds of people flock to the Buffalo River, the Peace Bridge, the Inner Harbor... all along the waterfront to experience the past as it transforms into the future. This year, Boom Days will be even that much more special because the venue is changing

Oh, how I love good Chinese food. I'll go just about anywhere for it  - passing by many a quick fix along the way. Unfortunately when it comes to solid home cooked Chinese food places, there are only a couple around, which means that I'm always interested when a new place restaurant up. Fortunately there is a fresh contender in town called Kung food, and believe me, the offerings are as good as the name. Not only is the food freshly prepared, the atmosphere is welcoming and the service is some of the best around. Maybe that's because the owners, the staff, friends and family are some of the

A 'town square' for the Larkin District is shaping up.  Construction is taking place on every corner of the Swan/Seneca/Emslie street intersection.  Larkin Development Group has three projects underway and recently completed two residential units at its Schaefer Building.

The circa-1930 Larkin Gas Station is under renovation.  Long hidden behind white panels, the refurbished brick building

Each year the Parkside Community Association rallies the neighborhood together to showcase some of the most beautiful houses in the city. One of the things that I like so much about the Parkside neighborhood is the variety of architecture that one can see from street to street. From bungalows to Victorian's... there's even a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece - the Darwin Martin House. 
As much as I love The Martin House, I'm a particular fan of the Toshiko Mori visitor's center - a stunning example of Buffalo's modern day architecture, and a perfect example as