True, that's a lot of headline, but we had a lot to talk about on the Buffalo Rising Roundtable this week with WBFO News Director Mark Scott.
Listen to the WBFO PODCAST and find out what happens when I'm chided about using a styrofoam cup (it was an emergency).  Newell challenged me to recycle it, so I made him the happy recipient of 1 maple, 1 chestnut and 2 ginkgo tree saplings, along with some hardy lichens.  I've never seen him so touched in all the years I've known him, so I'll keep the vegetation coming until

With Mickey Kearns and Bryon Brown making it official over the past week, the Democratic primary for Mayor is now set.  To get an early read on where the Kearns-Brown match-up stands, participate in our weekly poll and let us know how (or if) you'd vote. 

I'm happy to say that more and more people are taking a liking to Emerald Beach. Each time that I post on the beach a few more fans come out of the woodwork to offer any help that they can. One such person (seen here) came out to help me clear some of the driftwood away from the perimeters earlier this afternoon. His name is Darren Cotton and he's a student at UB. I found it interesting that Darren had never even seen the beach before, but after reading the recent BRO post he contacted me and asked how he could contribute.

When Darren and I met up, we immediately began to discuss the

Remember going to the 2001 Junior League Decorators' Show House?  Well, either way, the Chapin Parkway mansion that was rehabilitated and redecorated for the 2001 Junior League event has just been listed for sale with an asking price of $1.4 million. 

The towering tudor sits on Chapin between Potomac and Saybrook and contains nearly 7,000 square feet of living space.  That's an asking price of just over $200 per square foot.  The house last sold in November 2000 for $550,000.  This $1+ million listing comes on the heels of another notable Buffalo mansion selling

After a grueling journey, the Spirit of Buffalo has arrived in Buffalo (see back story). It arrived yesterday, navigating through some tricky weather along its final leg. The crew reports that despite some problematic snafus, including losing a prop in the Erie Canal, the ship and its occupants are safe and ready to embark on an entirely different journey here in WNY. Even today, all hands were on deck preparing the boat for service on Lake Erie. Most of the ship is being repainted, and a number of features are being

On an East Side residential street near St. John Kanty, Kim Lewis and her extended family have ‎established an enclave where she enjoys assisting with the care of her ‎grandchildren. But on a street showing the danger signs of lead hazard--homes

These days it's hard to find a neighborhood on the West Side that doesn't have some sort of gardening or farming initiative rooted. Whether it's a tree farm, garden cooperative, organic garden or anything else that revolves around the idea of reclamation through grassroots empowerment. Take this group of MAP, PUSH and Americorps workers that I ran across yesterday (near the corner of Brayton and Mass) - believe it or not, this urban farm has been around since 1998. Since that time, 50-60 youth a year learn the importance and practical applications of tilling, seeding, reaping and providing.
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Sports talk radio fans surely are familiar with Chris "The Bulldog" Parker, who co-hosts a show on WGR-550 with Mike Schopp from 3-7 weekdays.  Loyal listeners to his show will frequently hear Parker say great things about Buffalo.  He loves the city and is a reliable Buffalo booster.  I had a chance to ask him about some of his favorite places and memories involving Buffalo./city/index.html

I wonder if anyone at the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter prepped this dog for her big Elmwood debut today. Of course they did. They made sure that she had her shots and made sure her coat looked pretty. But did they whisper in her ear that she was embarking on the most important day of her life? I think they did. Each Saturday an Animal Shelter volunteer (normally Stephanie) picks a lucky dog from the lot and throws an 'Adopt Me' jacket on him or her. Then, it's off to Elmwood Avenue... the ultimate catwalk. Talk about pressure!

I'm a big believer that animals have an inner sense as

At one time, the original Coda was one of my favorite restaurants in Buffalo. I don't know if it was the food, the service or the atmosphere that made it such a quality place. Even after the restaurant closed, it only takes one look at the empty building to bring back memories of special times with special people. That's why I'm happy to say that a new restaurant called Prospero is moving in. At long last, the Kleinhans neighborhood will, once again, have a cozy, elegant restaurant in its midst - perfect for philharmonic-goers and scores of locals who have been busy sprucing up the neighborhood

Every once in a while I see something that makes me wonder... really wonder. Like on Wednesday when I saw this pothole. At least I think it's a pothole. Either that or it's in the beginning stages of growing into a sink hole? This thing was so big that someone actually circled it with a car tire! And there is dirt in the tire... and small plants growing in the dirt. I couldn't believe my eyes. Apparently The City has already been notified as there are City-looking paint markings surrounding the hazard.

To me, the biggest hazard was trying not to fall off of my bike, as I was laughing

Dust off your old bike and get it ready for the road. Rick's Cycle teams up with The Resource  this Sunday for a Bike Clinic to get people excited for a summer with their bikes. 
The clinic is from 2PM to 3PM at The ReSource.  It is a great opportunity to get some bike safety and maintenance tips.  Get some help on reconditioning an old bike so that you can take it out for a ride during our beautiful Buffalo summer. 
The ReSource is located at 298 Northampton Street in Buffalo. 

See Rick's

The 6th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser takes place at Buffalo State College this Sunday, May 17th. Hundreds of hand crafted bowls will be available for purchase throughout the event, and all the proceeds will benefit the Food Bank of Western New York and Friends of Night People.  
Bowls are usually priced at less than $10, and the purchase entitles the buyer to includes a meal.  The bowls are meant to serve as a reminder of all the empty bowls around the world.  

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The Elmwood Village Association has announced plans to update their gift certificate program by partnering with Evans Bank.  You've seen it; it's the bank next to ETS at 925 Elmwood and the corner of Delevan. 

Gift certificates are available Monday-Saturday during office hours.  Included with the certificate is a list of participating Elmwood establishments.  To date, 40 Elmwood merchants have committed to the program, and each is to receive a sticker designating their participation in the gift certificate program, so there's no confusion or embarrassment when you try to use one at

The lineups are out. The anticipation is over. The schedule for the 23rd season of Thursday at the Square has finally been unveiled. I still remember the first one, back when it was called Thursday in the Park, on grass parking lots at the corner of Main and Chippewa, before the Key Towers were built. Later on 1993 brought the Goo Goo Dolls. In 1995 the 10,000 Maniacs performed, with at least that many fans.

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It didn't take long for the neighbors in question to respond to last week's Sugar City post. In a recent post titled, Keep Allentown Artistic, I spoke of the precarious situation that the art organization found itself in. In the piece, I mentioned that due to neighborhood noise concerns, the group was facing being shut down by The City. At the time, I was told by Sugar City that they were having a hard time working with City inspection officials in order to clearly identify what the actual accusations were and how

By Jessica Biegaj

This Saturday, May 16th, will be the start of the third season of the University Community Farmers Market on the University at Buffalo South Campus.  This year's market promises to be better than ever, with new vendors and wineries on various weeks selling fresh food and local products.

Held from 8:00AM to 1:00PM each Saturday through October 17th (except July 4th), the market is set up on the

Last night the Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority unveiled a dramatic new lighting system for the Peace Bridge. There were no fireworks or a grand display, but there was music synchronized to a light show on the bridge. Whether tacky or not, it was a good way to show off what the computerized software could do with the unlimited light combinations and various effects to the gathered on-lookers. A beautiful night to be in the city, and the weather held off for a great event. A media

Local independent filmmaker John Paget, partner to Nelson Starr's True Blue Buffalo series, All Access Pass with Nelson Starr, has been declared winner of The Congress for New Urbanism CNU 17 video contest for his short, Built to Last (embedded below). 
No

Your music might kill you... if you listen while you bike.

The other day, I saw for the thousandth time, a guy biking with earbuds in his ear.

I am yelling at you on BRO to keep from yelling at you on the street.

I'll admit, I am not the king of bike safety.  I rarely wear my helmet, and I occasionally run a light or stop sign.  However, I don't do earbuds.  When biking, one has to hear the people around them.  Take them out.  I already do enough funerals.

Once you take the earbuds out, not only will you have additional warning of oncoming traffic,