Honest Man: The Life of R. Budd Dwyer, is an independently produced documentary six years in the making, which will be premiering in Buffalo this Friday, January 7th.  The film tells the story of R. Budd Dwyer, the storied Pennsylvania politician who shot and killed himself at a live press conference in 1987 after being convicted of bribery.  The now-infamous footage of Dwyer's suicide can be found with a simple internet search, and his controversial last choice has sparked an ethical avalanche regarding the media's responsibility to broadcast disturbing imagery.  We recently

Second Chance Sheltering Network, Inc. is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit animal rescue group serving the Western New York area.  Their goal is to help place homeless animals while simultaneously helping interested individuals find a new furry companion.  Every Sunday, we will be running a homeless pet spotlight to help these animals find families. Due to the holidays, today we have two cats who are looking for homes...

Ms. Tracey came to us with her kittens and proved to be a wonderful mama.  This wonderful, healthy kitty had one more roadblock thrown at her. 

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Staff Review by Peggy Errington:

A Dog's Purpose by humor columnist W. Bruce Cameron (author, 8 Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter) is the equal parts hilarious and poignant story of Bailey, a dog in search of his life's purpose.  The book follows Bailey through various reincarnations, each life building on the last to achieve his purpose.  Although his canine form may change throughout the book from a mutt to a Golden Retriever, a German Shepherd and a Labrador Retriever, his voice remains constant. 

 Ring in the New Year with a great downtown Buffalo view at the Western New York Book Arts Center. The Book Arts Center's 3rd Annual New Year's Eve Party is quite possibly the best place in town to watch the Electric Tower Ball Drop - and more! Groove to live downtempo jazz by featured musician David Kane on the first floor, and kick up you heels to the DJ stylings of Matt Olmsted on the beautiful second floor.

The night would not be complete without the opportunity to bid on artwork in the Silent Auction by regional and national

With the New Year comes that ritual promise that you're going to get into shape and start working out.  Living in Buffalo can make that a difficult promise to keep with the cold weather and snow.  Instead of paying for that expensive gym membership to stay out of the snow, why not embrace it?  One of the best ways to get into shape is cross country skiing, and Buffalo Nordic Ski Club is Western New York's only club that works to promote this sport in the local area.

"Our tag line since the club was founded in 1980 has been: 'Why hate winter when you can enjoy it by learning

FASHION MANIAC TEAM:

Features Editor : Cassie Elsaesser   
All Photography & Managing Editor : Cheryl Gorski
Stylists : Cassie Elsaesser & Cameron Richard  
Makeup : Dani Weiser
Hair Stylist : Whitney Curry
Prop Stylist  : Todd Warfield, Lucy Mancuso, Michael Merisola
Executive Producer / Video Journalist : Richard Renda

She Wore Black Velvet by: Cassie Elsaesser  
 
With New Years looming around the corner, some of us probably

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Staff Review by Pat Covley:

What happens when a long time successful defense attorney is asked to cross the aisle and act as special prosecutor of an accused child murderer?  In the case of Mickey Haller (The Lincoln Lawyer), he is asked to act as prosecutor after convicted child killer Jason Jessup has been granted a retrial on the basis of new DNA evidence.  Despite serious misgivings, Haller accepts the offer with two caveats - that he is allowed to select his defense team and that his ex-wife, Deputy District Attorney

The holiday season is as good a time as any to give back and help others in their time of need.

Next Thursday, December 30th, from 4 to 9 p.m., the "It's A Wonderful Life With The Arts" mixer and fundraiser for local arts and cultural organizations will be taking place at the 464 Gallery.  The event will be in support of the 33 cultural organizations whose funding was recently cut.

Sue Cholewa, Marcus L. Wise and Empower Arts Buffalo are hosting this event in order to not only help raise money, but also to raise awareness about the situation that these organizations are

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Staff Review by Carol Ann Strahl:

For over a year, the author was embedded with a single platoon based at a remote outpost in eastern Afghanistan.  We are introduced to what it means to be a comrade.  It is part trust, honor and courage.  Courage is just another word for love.  Combat infantry ("grunts") carry the most, eat the worst, die the fastest, sleep the least and have the most to fear.  They are the backbone of an army, the first defense against the enemy.  We see in these pages how they live, what

FASHION MANIAC TEAM:
Features Editor: Cassie Elsaesser   

All Photography & Managing Editor: Cheryl Gorski

Hair Stylist: Whitney Curry
Makeup: Vanessa Vaz


Bones, Feathers, Fur & Sunglasses: Fashion Accessories Designed by Marilyn Hammer & Yadira Maldonado

Interviewed by: Cassie Elsaesser  

The local creative and artistic talent here in Buffalo is impressive, to say the least. Fashion Maniac had the opportunity to sit down and chat with two such talents.

Local Argentine Tango instructor Travis Widrick is offering a holiday gift package for both the beginning or advanced dancer.

Widrick heads Buffalo Tango X. He has studied with Tango Instructors from all over the world, including many from Argentina.
 
The Argentine Tango is a dance that originated in Argentina in the late 19th century, combining  elements of  African, European and Latin American cultures in a very romantic and sensual expression.

The Argentine Tango Gift Package includes:

- 4 Private OR Semi-private One-hour

All the snow in Buffalo would not keep me away from seeing the touring production of Dreamgirls now being hosted at Shea's Performing Arts Center. The original Broadway production of this high energy, exciting show is one of my fondest theatergoing experiences. The original production is on the same list of personal favorites as Broadway productions of Follies, Seesaw, Company and Promises, Promises, coincidentally or not, all shows staged or choreographed by our lantzman Michael Bennett.

With each successive show he helmed, Bennett demanded

The posted details of Crispin Glover's visit to the Market Arcade seemed simple enough. He was to narrate a slide show of pages from books and his 2007 fantasy drama It is Fine! EVERYTHING IS FINE would be screened followed by a Q&A with a signing in the main lobby. I was aware that Glover had a knack for dabbling in the unorthodox and unconventional. Yet nothing could have prepared me for the content I was to see that night on December 15th.

The slide show had altered pages of books

By Jennifer Westerholt:

Country music legend Willie Nelson's daughter Paula, who has been named one of Great American Country's (GAC) top ten video artists, is scheduled to headline a special night of performances to benefit Mercy Flight Western New York this Saturday, December 18th, at Babeville Asbury Hall, the home of Folk sensation and national recording artist Ani Difranco and her record label, Righteous Babe Records.

Patriot Energy Services LLC will help sponsor the concert that is the finale of several shows Nelson will perform in Western New York this week.

Recently, the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens opened "The Arcangel Gallery" in memory of local resident Brent D. Arcangel.

Arcangel was a very motivated individual whose life was cut short in a tragic car accident involving a driver who fell asleep at the wheel. This man was known for his belief in "giving life your best every day" and was very proud of being a Western New Yorker.  He was an undergraduate and graduate student at the University at Buffalo with a passion for living life to its fullest.  His parents, Wayne

Friday Dec 17 & Saturday Dec 18.
In the spirit of community and conspicuous consumerism, a great way to buy thoughtful obligatory gifts and support your own community is by shopping locally and buying locally made items. This is nothing new, but always worth remembering when the thought of your shopping dollars going out of town could in fact stay here and support local artisans. Of the many holiday shopping opportunities this year, the "Last Minute Panic Holiday Marketplace" at the WNY

By Julia Foy:

Factory Nightlife is bringing yet another big name to Buffalo this Friday night at PURE Nightclub.  Markus Schulz, the #8 DJ in the world, will be headlining the Factory Nightlife Holiday Party for an extended three hour set.  Best known for fusing progressive house and trance into a unique hybrid sound, Markus Schulz has wowed fans for the past ten years. Schulz has proven himself as one of the most talented DJs with his instinctive track selection and flawless

Most people have differing opinions on someone as distinctive as Crispin Glover. One may view him as a burnout from the 80's, struggling to maintain some sort of relevancy in contemporary culture. Others may see him as a bit of an enigma, even if he's playing it up as a facade much like Andy Kaufman or Tommy Wiseau. I just see him as a sorely underrated talent with great, standout performances including, but not limited to, Back to the Future, Charlie's Angels, Alice in Wonderland, Beowulf, and The Doors.
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The gist of every play with a Christmas theme or a yuletide setting is finding the real meaning of Christmas. This is true whether the central character is saintly or suicidal. This is true even if there is a grinchy, scroogey villain intent on breaking hearts and stealing presents. This is true whether the tone of the play is sincere or sarcastic. No matter where the show starts, or how long it takes, by the time we leave the warmth of the theater for the cold of the street, we are imbued with the real meaning of Christmas.
 
This is certainly the case with Theatre Of Youth's holiday

Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Staff Book Review by Suzanne Colligan:

If you've watched a serious news program only to hear a phone call that sounds a little off and is punctuated with a "baba booey", you've heard a Howard Stern radio show fan make reference to his long-time producer Gary Dell'Abate. Dell'Abate's autobiography lightly grazes his involvement with the Stern Show. It's really about how Gary, nicknamed "Baba Booey" after a gaff while referencing the cartoon character Baba Looey, became the man who runs the show and is often the butt of jokes.

Dell'Abate