When I first received a Facebook request to add Snow "Beach Tennis" to our roster of sporting activities at the Powder Keg Festival I almost brushed it off. First, I had never heard of it (that's a stupid reason), and second I was trying to wrap my brain around more familiar sports like broomball and KanJam (KanJam is a regional company). Thanks to Snow "Beach Tennis" guru and co-creator Dan Johnson, along with his persistence and marketing prowess. I finally sent an email to AllPro Activities organizer Chris

Ex Ellicott District Councilman Brian Davis, accused of misusing $1,900 in campaign funds was granted a conditional discharge by Chief City Judge Thomas Amodeo.
Davis pled guilty to charges of misused funds and filing false reports with the Board of Elections last November, each of which could have maximum penalties of $1,000 fines and one year in prison.  Instead, he will perform 200 hours of community service, as suggested by the Erie County Probation Department, and is prohibited from holding any job that involves the handling of money, as imposed by Judge Amodeo.
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So I've been working around One HSBC Center's plaza since Saturday, and in that time I have been in awe of this iconic work of art that constantly looms over the beehive of activity. It was David Granville, Assistant to Commissioner at City Hall, who said to me in passing (with ice block in tow), "Vroom Shhh!" I turned around and said, "Excuse me?" "That's the name of that work of art," he replied. I looked up and said out loud, "Vroom Shhh?" This modernist sculpture... one that I have seen thousands of time... finally had a name (to me). And a pretty cool name to boot.

The creator of

It might look cold now, but this building is going to be a hotbed of activity this summer. While filling out some applications at the Colonel Ward Pumping Station, I noticed that the Centennial Pool appeared to have been completed. The last time that I observed the pool house, the back facade was just about the only work that was noticeably advancing. And the pool had not been started (see post). Not much more visible work took place throughout the summer of '09.

I spoke to Councilmember Haynes

During the week of March 15th, the Buffalo Public School District will hold lotteries to fill vacant seats in the elementary grades for the 2010-2011 school term. 
All applications submitted to the Central Registration Center prior to the School Choice application deadline date (December 4, 2009) are eligible to participate in the lotteries.
The lotteries, which are open

As promised, the Powder Keg is stopping traffic for some good old fun.  Advisory as follows:
The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) has announced that the eastbound (inbound) NY Route 5 (Skyway) ramps to northbound Interstate 190 and Seneca Street, in the City of Buffalo, Erie County, will be closed effective Friday, February 26th, at 9AM thru Monday, March 1st, at 6AM for the Powder Keg Festival.
Motorists are advised to

Join Squeaky Wheel on Thursday, February 25th, for a special screening by French filmmaker Marie Losier, featuring Tony Conrad. Both Losier and Conrad will be in person for this event to present the films and discuss their work. Squeaky is hosting these two great talents and looking forward to an evening of excitement, fun and avant-garde filmmaking!
The first piece, DreaMinimalist (2008, 25 minutes, 16mm), captures two years

There are a few venues downtown tonight that should get the art community and its supporters going.
WAM will be holding their monthly celebration of local art tonight at the Stillwater, at 481 Delaware Avenue, from 7 to 10:30, featuring the On the Sly with the Saakuma Dance Troupe.  House band, as always, will be Free Henry!, and there will be food

This weekend's first ever Powder Keg Festival and 3rd annual Labatt Blue Pond Hockey Tournament will be two incredible events you won't want to miss. So after a day of walking through the world record-breaking ice maze, watching some intense hockey games, and stuffing yourself with

It was only a matter of moments after I published the announcement that we were having a winter festival downtown that I received an email from Reed Rankin at RPM Entertainment asking whether he could contribute something to the effort. Knowing Reed, I was immediately intrigued by what he had in mind. "Don't worry about it," he said. "We'll take care of everything." RPM is... well... what can I really say that would describe RPM appropriately other than... just click on his site and check out this short film clip (it will play right away, so if you're

The Powder Keg Festival dominated the Buffalo Rising Roundtable with WBFO News Director Mark Scott, as well it should have.  In case you think we're the only ones interested in the Powder Keg, here is some national press from Goziac, which is a division of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that focuses on cultural and heritage tourism throughout the country.  I have a feeling that little bit of press is just a start...
You've read about the Powder Keg in various BRO articles,

With the Powder Keg Festival this coming weekend and the weather definitely still exhibiting the signs of winter - I invite everyone to begin thinking about spring. I know it's some time off yet but as we are approaching the tail end we need to start preparing for Re-Tree WNY's Spring Tree Planting.

Thanks to continued support from everyone in the community donating their time, energy and resources together we have truly begun to reforest our city. The accompanying map shows all the street trees that have been planted since Re-Tree WNY's inception in 2007 (this does not include the

With the success of 2009's Tunes4Food events, Event Organizer Bob James continues his mission of using music to reach out to those in need, in 2010. March 19th will see the third Tunes4Food event at 8PM, at Mohawk Place. Instead of a 25-hour marathon of music as in past events, T4F 3 will be a CD release party for another longstanding project of James': the music compilation THIS IS IT, now on the 4th volume.
THIS IS IT volume 4 is the third release in a line of discs celebrating the rich alternative rock scene in Buffalo from 1975 through 1989. The first release,

The College and Community Partnerships Office at Buffalo State College will host "Celebration of Partnerships" on Thursday, February 25, from 8 to 10AM, in room 210 of the E. H. Butler Library on campus. The networking program is designed to build relationships between businesses, nonprofit organizations, and college faculty for collaborative projects that are beneficial to the local community.

All are welcome to R.S.V.P. for the event, which includes a continental breakfast and will showcase model partnerships via posters, brief presentations, and handouts. To make a reservation, call

BRO submission by Eric Crittenden:

Ok, so by now I KNOW you've heard of the Powder Keg Winter Festival going on right here in Downtown BFLO and I KNOW you're going to be there, but what I'm pretty sure you don't know is what's happening musically. Well, I can assure you that the groove and vibe is equally as chill, as the Powder Keg itself.

As we planned our music program we wanted to be sure that we weren't just "selling beer", as is often the case with these types of events. We wanted to be sure we reached across Buffalo's eclectic musical field and are pretty sure

So you don't want to tube down a Skyway exit ramp, or go on a group hike, or participate in a hashing event... maybe we can entice you with a New Era Bubble Hockey Tournament? Just picture yourself right next to the Labatt Blue Beer Garden... in a smaller tent surrounded by people playing bubble hockey. It's your turn to crank up the heat on a game that is manufactured right here in Western New York. I just spoke with Jim Wannemacher at New Era and he is looking for some additional players! If you're interested in entering yourself in the

After a grueling weekend, twenty of the Powder Keg's ice maze's lead builders have managed to construct a small part of the structure. Though the maze was not scheduled to be started until today, Jeff Empric and Swannie Jim (team leaders) decided that it would be best to get a system in place, so that when the crux of the volunteers arrive to help, they will have a better idea who can help with what aspects of the build. Some volunteers must shave the ice, some must transport, or unload, or roll water

Prolific owner of Littleflick Pictures, Jerry MacKay, has a new short film out that highlights the Buffalo Zoo Rainforest and his other recent production (with the help of his wife and partner, Beth), baby daughter Penelope.
The film is embedded below, but video enthusiasts should visit the original site anyway to get MacKay's narrative on the shoot under the headings: Specs, Initial Reactions and Conclusions.
The Buffalo

How are those "get in shape" resolutions for 2010 going? Finding yourself in a slump thanks to the snow and cold? Break out at The Ride Spinning® Event, a training and fundraising event to benefit The Ride For Roswell. 
The Ride Spinning® Event will be held on March 13 at the downtown BAC, plus three other BAC locations throughout Western New York. Pledge to raise just a minimum of $50 for Roswell Park Cancer Institute, plus a registration fee of $10, and

Spring time is nearing once again. With Buffalo's long, snowy winter drawing to a close, the chance to remodel, decorate, and spend some time out of doors presents itself along with the sun. With numerous places to start when it comes to home improvement, the task can be daunting. The Buffalo Home and Garden Show has an answer for any question that may be posed this season.
This year's trends, indoors and out, will be presented at the Buffalo Convention Center for two weekends only in March. There, visitors have the opportunity to listen to and view the work of celebrity