Today was the first time that I stopped into Code Blu on Allen Street to try one of their smoothies. At first I was completely overwhelmed by the selection available. I was also surprised to find that they were offering salads, wraps and paninis, as well as serving breakfast - the menu was quite large. As I pondered what sort of smoothie to order, I overheard a customer say that she had been hearing great things about Code Blu and had decided to stop in. She said that the word was out and the juice bar was creating a buzz. I found that interesting, as I had also been hearing Allentonians

If you were under the impression that the new observation boardwalk at the Erie Basin marina was going to be a bunch of wooden planks set atop the existing stone wall, then you should see what is being constructed at this very moment (see back story). The boardwalk is actually made up of stamped concrete with sturdy metal railings. There is a nice-sized observation area with wheelchair access, which is also great for cyclists who would like to keep their bikes with them

After taking a summer hiatus, the Urban Land Institute of WNY Young Leaders Group is back in action and hosting an exclusive tour of the new $140 million Courthouse on Niagara Square. The Honorable William M. Skretny, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court, will lead the tour.

The tour of the new 10-story, 284,000 square foot building will include highlights like a discussion of the design and various elements that allowed the building to qualify

'room2' recently opened at the Hotel Lafayette, bringing with it the necessities of gift shopping to those in need of something special for just about any occasion. Situated in-between Woyshners Flower Market and the Pan American Grill and Brewery, 'room2' offers visitors to the hotel, nearby office workers and loft dwellers the chance to pick up something nice without having to head across town. 
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Work on converting Buffalo's newest landmark into upscale lofts is in full swing.  Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation is redeveloping the Buffalo Meter Company Building located at 2917 Main Street into 87 residences.  The building was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. 

Designed in 1915 by the nationally recognized engineering company Lockwood, Greene & Company, the Buffalo Meter Company Building is an excellent and largely intact example of a reinforced concrete frame daylight factory. 

Too often, when reflecting back on the Buffalo Bills of the early 90s, the negatives all too prominently swim about at the surface. 
Wide right, four straight losses, cursed; those are the phrases that most hear or remember. A litany of losing that stood as a jumping off point for almost two decades of ineptitude. 
For fans outside of Western New York, the derision cast down upon you by those who discover your NFL allegiance is almost comical. Such overblown, incredulous expressions, such sincere, yet insulting condolences; I

By Elexa Kopty:
The industrial graveyard known as Silo City is springing back to life on September 8th for what promises to be a night of art, history, culture and sustainability. 
City of Night, presented by the Emerging Leaders in the Arts Buffalo (ELAB) is a celebration of all that Buffalo has to offer today presented within the iconic setting of yesterday: the grain elevators in the Old First Ward. From 4pm to

Submission by Rich Sampson:
The Western New York region has witnessed some remarkable progress recently in redeveloping underutilized properties, cultivating historic preservation and growing the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus, but at the same time its public transportation options are receding. Over the past year, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) proposed extensive cuts to its Metro Rail and Bus services, only to walk

By Bernice Radle: Can you imagine what people pay to have a sailboat in places like NYC or Boston? Well, I looked. Docking fees are around $2500 for the summer in Boston and a minimum of $2700 dollars in NYC not including daily fees like parking and passenger pickup! In Buffalo? It cost between $700 - $1200 dollars depending on size for the season. That's half of NYC and you can sail to Cleveland or Canada and back if you really want to. Well, this post is to let you all in on a little secret: Sailing in

Buffalo Bills fans awoke to a bit of a shock Monday with the news that the team was releasing oft-injured former superstar Shawne Merriman.
Though coach Chan Gailey had been talking up Merriman's progress in training camp, often heard declaring how the seven-year linebacker/defensive end was healthy and ready to contribute in the rebuilt 4-3 defense in Buffalo,
It may have all just been a ruse to try and attract a trade offer. It's a moot point now, because whether he was 100 percent for 2012 or not, it appears that the Bills just couldn't

An explorer style 50m motor eco-yacht, built in 2007 by Mondomarine of Italy, is visiting the Erie Basin Marina currently, and it's created quite a stir in the process - mostly by my dad. He spotted the yacht and asked if I wanted to take a trip down to the marina to check it out. It's not everyday that we get a chance to see an ocean-going vessel outfitted with a gymnasium tie up at the waterfront. Not only did the boat arrive, but it looked as if there was an undercover security guard parked in the parking lot watching to make sure that no one took the liberty of strolling aboard.

I've been a fan of The Place restaurant ever since my parents starting taking me there when I was little. During that time there have been a few changes here and there, but for the most part The Place is much as it was back in the day. That's why I was so surprised to see the monumental changes to the bar room that are underway. As I was walking past the corner of Lexington and Ashland a couple of hours ago, owner Kenny Moriarty flagged me down for a quick look-see. 
When I walked in my jaw hit the floor. The rugs were ripped out, there was a new bar with a copper top,

On October 5, Buffalo residents and visitors alike will be treated to a visual spectacular like no other. On that evening, a 30,000-lumen projector will be aimed at the facade of the building and the efforts of a large-scale 3D video projection mapping project will be viewable. In essence, the entire face of the gallery will be illuminated by a 3D video that will transform the building into a living spectacle. 
Albright-Knox Curator for the Collection Holly E. Hughes and Digital Media Manager Kelly

If you were to ask me where I might like to sit down and enjoy a good read, I would probably have to say "Larkin Square". After all, there are so many different nooks from which to choose, it would be hard to decide just where the absolute best place would be to settle in and start reading. 
From 7pm-8pm this evening, Larkin Square will be filled with numerous book-lovers as the 2nd Reading Invasion kicks off. This is an excellent opportunity to sit back and relax while enjoying the creature comforts of Larkinville (and there are many). Whether perched on a boulder or

By Kyle Gunn-Taylor:
The patriotism inspired by the 2012 Summer Olympics has evoked memories of the 2010 winter games when the United States squared off with Canada in the men's ice hockey finals in Vancouver.
Two years removed from the border battle defeat that captured the attention of both nations, a sour taste still lingers. 
Despite the valiant effort put forth by a far less touted U.S. squad, Sidney Crosby and his mates rallied on native soil to bring hockey Canada its 8th gold medal.
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The all-volunteer charity that has reforested Western New York since the devastating surprise October storm of 2006 is once again making trees and supplies available for planting.
Various funding sources have contributed to ensure the continuation of this program. "We are thrilled that we are able to reach out once again to our volunteers that we can supply them with trees this fall," exclaimed Paul D. Maurer, Chairman of Re-Tree WNY, "this is thanks to the John R. Oishei Foundation, Seneca Nation, Garden Walk Buffalo, and several others

Bats have always been one of the most misunderstood creatures. Many people grow up learning to fear bats, which is unfortunate because bats are relatively harmless and are an important part of our ecosystem. Without bats, there are a lot more bugs to ward off during the warmer months. I'll take bats over pesky bugs any day. Then again, I've always had an appreciation for the critters. That's why I am so intrigued with Joyce Hwang's "Bat Cloud". Bat Cloud is an installation that can be found at Tifft Nature Preserve. I first wrote about the eco-sculpture a year ago (see

Now that artists and businesses are making a concerted effort to shine a positive light on the 500 block of Main Street, it's time that The City takes a closer look at Roosevelt Plaza. The plaza could be a serious draw, but instead it is lifeless and appears derelict. To think that Fountain Plaza is a stone's throw away is incredible. In the summer Fountain Plaza is filled with life as people sip their coffees and spend their lunch breaks amidst the water features. In the winter there is ice skating,

By Steven Bales:
Caseylynn Martin of Newfane, NY is a petite young lady packing some big dreams to be in the fashion industry. Caseylynn stands about 5 feet tall with vibrant blue eyes and radiant red hair, which is typically dirty blonde. This fair skinned-small town girl is starting to create waves from the Erie Basin Marina all the way down to New York City. As a junior in Newfane H.S., Caseylynn has been featuring in multiple fashion events in the Buffalo area and plans to do many more very soon. 
Only two weeks ago

The time has come to abandon your inhibitions and channel your inner MCA for Deep Thinka Records' upcoming "Being Beastie" fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
After successfully hosting their "Being BIG" fundraiser and cancer awareness benefit in March, local producer-promoters Damon Bodine and Tony Caferro will be continuing the series with another round on September 7 at Duke's Bohemian Grove Bar on Allen Street. After battling Hodgkin's Lymphoma for one year and subsequently moving into remission, Bodine chose to dedicate his life to promoting blood