With the vast majority of votes counted (97% reporting), here are the current Buffalo School Board Election Results.  We've listed the current leader (in bold) and the second place candidate.   
Central Subdistrict:Mary Ruth Kapsiak - 557 votesBryon McIntyre - 298 votes
East Subdistrict:Vivian O. Evans - 264 votesTheresa Harris-Tigg - 251 votes
Ferry Subdistrict:Pamela Cahill - 658 votesKinzer Pointer - 613 votes
/city/index.html

After years of seeing bits and pieces of LaSalle Park getting the improvements that it needs to be a regular destination for the region, it's time to look at the big picture. Remember a few years ago when they installed the turnabout in the middle of the park to allow cars to turn around without going all the way to the end? That was a great idea because all of the parking is found towards the Colonel Ward Pumping Station.

In a perfect world, that would mean that the rest of the park would be closed to traffic. That would leave an excellent loop for cyclists, walkers, joggers, rollerbladers

Apparently on of the biggest questions regarding the school board elections is, "Where is my polling place?" That's a pretty good question, and a good start in creating change in Buffalo. Don't just sit there and assume that all is well and enough people will vote so that one more vote won't make a difference.

Erie County NY Board of Elections

If that's your attitude, call your friends and your family and tell them to get out there and vote. If you don't know where to go, this website will help you navigate polling

The Buffalo Hiking Group first led a very successful historic hike from the Inner Harbor along the Buffalo River this past February. It was at that time that they announced a second hike, which was to be scheduled in the spring. In keeping with the celebration theme, the club has decided to coincide the hike with one of my favorite festivals of the year - Buffalo Riverfest.

The coming June 18 expedition proves to be one of great interest for anyone who has heard about Riverfest

Allentown Hardware will once again do what it is known for doing best - bringing in out of town music talents to add to Buffalo's already rich mix. From the days back at the Calumet with a buzz of different acts coming from as far away as Cuba, to the more intimate Trinidadian Brownman shows at Hardware, Allentown will, Friday night, come alive with the sweet sounds of Torontonian Laura Hubert.

Mark Goldman fell in love with Laura Hubert two years ago in Toronto. "She's fabulous", he says, "at times channeling Edith Piaf at other times

Fashion Rocks... And so do Sue Morreale and Jeanne Mulkey.

Morreale and Mulkey are the co-founders of Fashion Rocks...For a Cure, an event dedicated to raising funds for Roswell Park Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Research & Education.

What started out, as a 'Sex in the City' themed mini-auction three years ago, has since become one of Buffalo's most anticipated social events. Rock-star local celebrities from Janet Snyder, Lydia Dominick to Ryan Miller all lend a hand to help support Morreale and Mulkey. 

/city/index.html

This ornate building, located at 87 Mariner Street in the heart of Allentown was built in 1896 for the Pan-American Exposition. 
Built as a residential hotel, it originally had a roof-top dining room.
I failed to stump our observant readers

Calling all runners, walkers and supporters of elementary athletics - The 2nd Annual Pinnacle 5K and one- mile run is set for Friday, May 14, 6 pm. Proceeds from the race will go to benefit the students of Pinnacle Charter School and their new athletic equipment including baseball mitts, yoga mats, basketballs, and other equipment. Without support, these students would not otherwise have access to or have the means to purchase this equipment.

While other area schools are cutting back on athletics and culturals, Pinnacle Charter School has doubled the size of their athletic programs

As construction continues on the redevelopment of the historic Alling and Cory paper warehouse into an 88-unit student loft complex, the building's model unit is ready for viewing. Located at the corner of N. Division and Elm streets downtown, Lofts @ 136 is on schedule for a fall opening.
/city/index.html

After my recent article on "Peg's Park" in the Old First Ward, commenter 'flyguy' remarked on the grain elevator in the background: "The old elevator in the back is a very powerful backdrop. Strong lines tall, bulky, and gritty."  I loved that comment, and think flyguy has a couple of good starting lines for a pulp novel or screenplay set in the Ward (perhaps the Buffalo Bushido team would be interested in a noir next?).  So flyguy, here's a story with

Another stumper for our regular attendants. 
Go ahead, you know what to do!!!

Periodically, we highlight one of the ads placed in the Classifieds section of Buffalo Rising.  Today, we're spotlighting a 3/3 double near Delaware Park offered at $249,000 by Gurney Becker & Bourne.  
From the listing: 
Charming 3/3 double with loads of natural woodwork, hardwood floors and garage in the Delaware District.  Gorgeous new kitchen upstairs with granite, new cabinetry and appliances.  Both apartments have renovated bathrooms and kitchens.  Front porches,

Spruce Street's First German Baptist Church faces an uncertain future.  Demolition of the circa-1869 structure was denied by the Buffalo Preservation Board last Thursday.  Owners of the near east side church want to demolish the structure after being cited by City inspectors.

David Torke at Fix Buffalo has been following the story:

The structure appears to be in good condition

Last fall, Extreme Makeover gave the biggest booster shot imaginable to ongoing revitalization efforts on the West Side, but even before the paint was dry and the special aired the discussion was in earnest about how to keep the momentum going.  If recent volunteer activities are any indication, the momentum remains rolling solidly forward.

Last week, on Grant Street I saw several clusters of college students and neighborhood folks working together on street cleanup (unfortunately, when I wasn't toting a camera). 

If you're anywhere in or near the University District this weekend, try to make a stopover to Prisinzano Academy and Institute of Fine and Contemporary Arts. I'm not going to tell you to drive across town to check out the goings-on here... but if you're already in the neighborhood and you want to see something a bit out of the ordinary, then it's worth a visit. The only reason that I discovered PAIFCA was the thrifty lawn sale that I passed by on my way back home yesterday afternoon. Two gentlemen were sitting at a table enjoying their lunch near the sidewalk, surrounded by all sorts of random

Tomorrow, Saturday the 1st the North Park Community Association will be participating in the Great American Cleanup by hosting its first (hopefully annual) Hertel Avenue street cleanup. The heart of North Park is Hertel's commercial strip. Spring is finally here so it is time for the community to get together, put winter behind us, and spruce up our commercial street for the warm weather. We want our commercial street to be in tip-top shape to support and attract new visitors and patrons for its businesses. This is one way that we can start the year off on the right foot.

We would like

Come and keep up the Earth Day spirit Saturday with the Curtis Urban Farm Foundation as it plants trees on the East Side and hosts a benefit concert at Cafe Allegro (tomorrow).

CUFF is among several organizations instrumental in farming on the East Side as means to improve its economic position. "We're trying to make use of the vacant lots on the East Side by using the lots to grow fruits and vegetables" said Bernadette Pawlak, CUFF director of marketing and public relations.
 
The organization, which works with the University at Buffalo Engineers for a Sustainable World

Are you interested in alternative art and want to celebrate the grand opening of a new Buffalo gallery? Come to the opening reception for Dog and Pony Projects on Friday, May 7, from 7-10pm at 561 Forest Avenue in Buffalo.

The gallery will be hosting its first exhibition, Latent Pattern, featuring work by John Fleischer and Arjan Zazueta. Latent Pattern will be on display during the gallery's business hours, from 6-9pm on Tuesdays and by appointment, until June 29. This will be the first time that either artist will present their work in the city of Buffalo.

/city/index.html

Expect a swell of Buffalo pride at the Market Arcade tonight as "Buffalo Bushido" makes its local premiere at 8:00 PM (see BRO interview).  Local filmmaker Peter McGennis will be on hand to introduce his independent feature film that passed through hundreds of local hands and was filmed entirely in Buffalo.  "Buffalo Bushido" has been called the best Buffalo film of the past decade and there has not been a film that puts as much of Buffalo on the big screen (and in positive light).  It's

The corner of Hertel and Parker is soon to be home to a chocolate shop with a built in custom edge. After speaking with Ingeri Eaton, owner of Eaton Chocolate, it was clear that the fledgling enterprise was setting out to tantalize the tastebuds of 'sweet-tooths' from around the city. I was curious as to how Ingeri got her start in the world of chocolate creations, and like so many other industrious Buffalonians, it started off with a whole lot of passion and persistence. Unlike a lot of entrepreneurs, in order to get the business rolling, Ingeri will be keeping her factory job during the day while