BRO: In a nutshell, what is Buffalo 180?

Sara Emhof (Founder): A three year Extreme Makeover for the City. Buffalo 180 will "turn the city around" with community projects and events that celebrate our past and build the future. All inspired by Buffalo's 180th anniversary in 2012. What better birthday present could we offer the City?

BRO: A lot of people say that there are so many activist groups out there doing work in the city, what makes Buffalo 180 so unique and different?

Sara: There are a lot of great groups out there and

We're not sure many of you know about the Ira G. Ross Eye Institute, but we know that Buffalo and the region has an aging population, along with the eyesight troubles that come with it.  Know that the institute, at 1176

In conjunction with the United Nations Climate Treaty Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, Buffalonians are asked to be part of the "Candlelight Vigil for Survival" in Niagara Square on Friday, December 11th, from 5 to 6PM. 

While paying a visit to LA-based Horizon Realty's Elmwood office building a while back I asked why it was that so much of the commercial office space in the structure was vacant. The reply was that the corporate team specializes in residential and they really hadn't taken the time to market the offices. While looking around at the layout, I was immediately curious about the room configuration. Apparently the former tenants had been a mix of unions and collection agencies. The place would need a lot of rethinking if it was ever to function as a location for businesses. Unless it was opened up to

Of course, it did once.  Buffalo has a history of tearing down great buildings, but that was then, right? The thought that Chicago would allow the demolition of a YWCA building from 1895 (top image), in a landmark district, makes one wonder.
This building and those nearby remind us of the Webb Building, the Guaranty,

Yesterday was the most perfect of days to be at a Bills game.  First, there was the 50+ degree weather on November 29th.  Then, there was the win over Miami.  And naturally, the 4th quarter interceptions were an absolute thrill.
It was a fast game, and the 50-yard line seats from way up high on the west-facing side of the stadium kept the sun on our faces and gave us a great view of the playing field.  The bare-chested zanies with painted bodies weren't the only ones peeling off layers of unneeded extra clothing; it was warm and comfortable as we watched

A few weeks back, Newell brought designer Lesley Horowitz to the WBFO studios to meet News Director Mark Scott and to talk about the time she has spent documenting the industrial landscape. (See her Facebook album here.)
Now

What is theology if not gratitude?  On Thanksgiving week I spent some time thinking of things I am thankful for--in the length of one short walk home--that I will share with you.
Loaves and Fishes:  I can't even get out of my building before I remember that here, in our neighborhood, people struggle to make it, and other people give of their time to offer a helping hand.  Without this kitchen, it would be even harder for poor people than it already is.
Can-can candy:  The place just feels good, and they've got all my old favorites.
/city/index.html

Last weekend, 36 students from Syracuse University, the University of Rochester and Cornell convened to address the problem of brain drain in the region, that sends recent college graduates elsewhere to seek jobs.
Several different entities and institutions in Buffalo have begun their own separate meetings to address the same.  There is the upcoming "I Will Stay if..." meeting hosted by Great Lakes Urban Exchange (GLUE),

It's hard to think that Betty's Restaurant could actually get any better than it already is. There are reasons that the Sunday breakfast waits are unsurpassed in the city, and those reasons range from the thoughtful food selections to the vibrant atmosphere. At long last, the long waits, congested entrance area and the cramped kitchen conditions led owners to reevaluate the eatery's layout. So it came time to make capital improvements in order to step up efficiency and ultimately make the customers happier.

The price for happiness meant that Betty's would have to undergo an intense remodeling

Staff Review by Jennifer Childs

How to Behave So Your Preschooler Will, Too! by Sal Severe is an excellent resource and reference for parents wanting to correct or improve their young child's behavior. Severe is a leading child-care expert who has written several parenting books. This particular title is geared towards parents with

By Tori 

What a magical time of the year!  During this season, the universe really flexes its power.   On a single day during this season, we can experience all four seasons: rain, snow, sunshine, cool greenery, golden leaves, brown leaves,

By Tom Tarapacki (photos by Glenn E. Murray, Esq.)
The Buffalo Turkey Trot has a problem. It's one of those "good problems," but it's still a problem.  So many runners registered this year--about 12,000 runners--that organizers shut down registration. Although the great weather certainly contributed to the record registrations in 2009, the oldest continuous road race in North America has showed steady growth in recent years.
/city/index.html

Earlier this morning I happened upon an Associated Press article mapping out a former steel town's recipe for rebirth. The small town is Vandergrift and the idea is to capitalize on two basic principles - embrace and repair the Olmsted fabric that has been forsaken while researching green technology in the process. They have a new mantra, which if you read between the lines might as well be, "Do or Die."

This is not an overnight revitalization per se, but by enlisting the help of /city/index.html

By Amanda Gabryszak

Most people know that Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, recently rolled through town. They completely demolished a house and built a new one from scratch, improving the area as they went along. What most people do not know, however, is that a local sewing teacher was the head seamstress

We just found out about this wonderful free service for women with cancer.  

If you know of any woman currently undergoing Chemo, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service, Cleaning

By Marilyn Rodgers
[Editor's note: Keeping in mind that the ultimate decision about who will fill the recently vacated council seat will be made by the present members of the Buffalo Common Council, the following is a response by Marilyn Rodgers, one of the many Ellicott District Council hopefuls.  We invite others who are vying for the seat to contact us and, we will be happy to treat them in kind.]

A commenter on Buffalo Rising recently provided

By Gladys Gifford, Citizens Regional Transit Corporation President

The NFTA and the Federal government are currently engaged in planning processes that will directly impact the future of transportation in WNY, both now and for years to come. ="mso-spacerun:

I'm not exactly sure what time they dozed the Elmwood KFC (must have been a few hours ago), but the important thing is that there is no longer a structure standing at the NW corner of Elmwood and Bryant. That is unless you count the faux striped hayloft (or whatever it was) that now sits on its side as if part of a disassembled Little People play set. Elmwood Village can rest assured that another greasy operator will not attempt to re-re-re-open the establishment that caused so much angst in years past.

To think that this block was once a dynamic attraction on the street. A beautiful

Who knew so many people would be prompted to vie for the Ellicott District Buffalo Common Council Seat recently vacated by Brian Davis, who resigned last week.
The current roster of hopefuls is as follows:
Fred K. Heinle,