When you have a major sports team located on the city's waterfront, you would think that management would be just as interested in the state of the immediate environs as the general public. Can you imagine what the Sabres Organization could accomplish if 'the team' were to buy into the Inner Harbor? Of course the team does great things in the community on a regular basis, but if their front doorstep is in need of attention, then there's no reason not to use a little bit of muscle and elbow grease to spiff things up. While I always imagined that the 'no brainer' move for the Sabres would be to take

For years we've talked about reducing our sewer overflows, in order to prevent sewage runoff into our waters. We see the spewing results of outdated sewer systems mostly after heavy rainfall when the lines cannot accommodate the amount of water runoff that is generated due to non-permeable streets, buildings and parking lots. Without the necessary green infrastructure in place, we will continue to see the negative results. Of course this would mean that a public-private partnership would be required moving forward in order to collectively reduce combined sewer overflows. That is why Buffalo

On Wednesday May 16 join Landscape Architect Joy Kuebler, Architect Catherine Faust and Educator Melissa Leopard at Hallwalls as they present the concept of urban Pop Up Parks, and the effect that they will have on the city's youth and neighborhoods. The Pop Up Park is being touted as a 'design and building opportunity' for middle school students who will be given the tools (literally) that they need to construct built object(s) out of recycled and found materials. 
The first Pop Up Park will come to life on June 9th (location TBA), and then the idea will travel

It is with great pleasure that we are able to announce the artists (see below) who have been accepted to show their works at this year's echo Art Fair on July 7-8, 2012 at the Larking Center of Commerce. Not only will there be exceptional artists presenting their works, the venue itself will be a major draw as most people have never seen the interior space. Event creator Frits Abell wrote to me to say that, "We are extremely excited about echo Art Fair 2012. We're pleased with the organic growth of the fair, and the new programming additions. The

To adults, most bodily functions are just that - bodily functions. But to a kid, there's nothing quite so fascinating as learning about runny noses, body odors, etc. At times, most times, these unpleasantries can be tough to discuss with kids, without embarrassing moments and lots of laughs and giggles. Thankfully, the Museum of Science has got you covered. As of May 25*, you can head to the museum to explore the yucky sights and sounds of 'Grossology' - an exhibit that got its start based on the best-selling book by the same name. 
By using sophisticated

Last week I posted on Allison Adderley's parasitic sculpture hanging in Marine A at Silo City. The sculpture was one of the myriad thesis projects designed and installed by students from the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning, under the direction of Associate Professor Jean La Marche. 
The second thesis project to be featured is an interactive work that literally ties in the Buffalo River. The work, Paper Lever, is incredibly made from paper and cardboard

By Joshua Bauer (Football Nation):
All QB Alex Tanney wanted was "an opportunity to get into a camp" and, thanks to the Buffalo Bills, he now has that chance.
When you're from a small, Division III school like Monmouth College, located in western Illinois and home to only 1400 or so undergraduate students, sometimes a player will have to do something special to get noticed. Sure, Tanney may have set the all-time Division III record for yardage

Where are you from originally?  
I was born and raised in the Southern Tier of WNY. I left after high school and studied and lived in a variety of places all over the world, but always knew I would return to this area to start a family and lay my roots.  
What is your medium? 
I am a lamp work glass artist. I use the glass beads I create, as well as metals, leathers and other findings, to craft unique jewelry.   
How has Buffalo influenced your

By Michele Schmidt
Thanks to connections made through the 2012 Green Drinks Earth Week Happy Hour, 25 families from throughout Buffalo will benefit from fresh, local produce this spring. Prior to the Happy Hour event, Modern Recycling announced that for each pound of perishable food items donated at the event, Modern would match that donation by donating an equal amount of tomatoes from their greenhouse to Massachusetts Avenue Project's Mobile Market. Read on to learn more... 
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Saving Cities is asking for your help to complete their feature length documentary film focusing on the American Rust Belt, titled 'Red White and Blueprints'.  Saving Cities Describes themselves online as:
...an organization dedicated to using media as a tool to advance community development across the Rust Belt. Through the creation of positive, call-to-action content, we aim to inspire a new generation of leaders to take responsibility

Where are you from originally?  
I grew up in Batavia, been in Buffalo since 1995
What is your medium? 
Photography
How has Buffalo influenced your work?
It's given me both a place to grow and thrive as as an artist and with all its great architecture a place to work as a photographer 
Where do you draw your inspiration from? 
All the great photographers that

A multitude of running races continues to be announced in Buffalo, and by now there is a race for just about everyone... and in every part of the city. You might say that we are becoming something of a running town. Jericho Ministries has just announced that it is hosting a race on the West Side of the city on June 16, and what makes this race truly unusual is the layout of the course. Take a look at the map and you will notice that the route is designed to get entrants running along streets that have recently begun to show great promise. 
Regular BRO readers will see

Preservation Buffalo Niagara is recognizing outstanding preservation projects and those contributing to preservation efforts at its annual awards ceremony May 30, 11:30 AM in the Statler's Golden Ballroom.  Award categories were established to acknowledge distinguished contributions to our community through preservation activity. Recipients will be recognized in several areas including: preservation craft; rehabilitation/adaptive use; stewardship; neighborhood conservation; planning/reconstruction; and preservation journalism.  Buffalo Rising will profile this year's winners leading

By Joshua Bauer (Football Nation):
Look out Brad Smith and Tyler Thigpen, here comes Vince Young.
After a much publicized visit with the Bills last week, the former third overall pick by Tennessee (2006) has decided that $2 million was enough to make him a resident of Buffalo for the next year. A former Heisman runner up, Young was the first player in NCAA history (I-A) to throw for 3,000 yards and run for 1,000 in a season and left

If it wasn't for the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo in 1901, there would be no Fowler's Chocolates - at least in Buffalo NY. The founder of Fowler's, Joseph Fowler, came to Buffalo (from England and Canada) to attend the expo where he first began to sell his chocolate confections and sweets. Realizing that he had a major hit on his hands, Fowler quickly established himself in Buffalo as a premiere candy maker. It was his brother Claude who, while working at the family business, decided to branch out to making candied apples and taffy. To this

Sometimes there's nothing like a little interactive art art to feed your soul, no matter how old you are. Interactive art can come in so many forms, including informal group chalk drawings at Gala Waters or a structured community ceramic tile project at the 18th Street Park on the city's West Side. Art projects such as these help people to appreciate working as a group, while sharing thoughts and ideas as the artwork is underway - most solo art projects are extremely personal, and not ready for the public until the unveiling.
Next Saturday, May 19, artist Charles

In the interest of fostering the growth of a stronger high-tech, entrepreneur-driven economy, Buffalo Bright Niagara (a coalition of regional partners lead by University at Buffalo) will host its annual Bright Forum on May 16 and 17. The forum will bring together entrepreneurs and investors for a series of pitch sessions, where entrepreneurs can present their ideas to investors seeking promising technologies to invest in, thus accelerating the deal-making process.
This year's forum merges two events, the annual Bright Forum and the Center for Economic Growths SmartStart

Go Veggies has arrived on Elmwood Avenue (see history). Well, almost Elmwood Avenue. It's actually just a couple doors off the main drag on Bryant Street, just around the corner from Epic, Tuscany on Main and the Nickel City Cheese and Mercantile. Restaurant owner Genga Ponnampalam has opened the doors and is pan frying some healthy veggie burgers that not only taste great, but will make you feel great. Are you in the mood for a spicy mushroom burger with mango curry salsa? If so, Genga has got you covered. Or maybe

The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) announced Wednesday that it has selected Explore-n-More Children's Museum as the operator that will move forward with initial studies for a proposed "Children's Experience" at Canalside.

Located in East Aurora, Explore-n-More Children's Museum has been operating since 1994 and attracted nearly 48,000 visitors in 2011 at its current 6,500 square foot space. Attendance at Explore-n-More is spread evenly throughout the year and is divided 70/30 percent between adults and children.

If you have ever been to an event at the eclectic Essex Arts Center on Buffalo's West Side, then you understand the creative power and energy that flows through the hallowed buildings. The creative vibes created by Larry Griffis, and harnessed by Cindy Sherman, Robert Longo, Charlie Clough and almost four decades of artists are omnipresent in this delightful art space.
The creative fire will be burning bright this Saturday night (May 12th) at 7:30 p.m. on Essex Street when the Ashford Hollow Foundation hosts a fundraising art party, with the regional rock party band