In an effort to get to the core of the NFTA's financial problems, NYS Assemblyman Sean Ryan has announced that the New York State Authorities Budget Office (ABO) will begin their audit of the NFTA tomorrow. Ryan set the audit in motion last December when he asked ABO Director, David Kidera, to conduct a thorough review of the NFTA's finances and operations.

Ryan has noted that internal audits by the NFTA are insufficient to address their core problems, thus making the review by the ABO necessary. Earlier this year, the NFTA was faced with a deficit

By NYS Assemblyman Michael P. Kearns
In today's Great Recession a concern keeps coming to the forefront in my district (New York 145th Assembly District) and many districts throughout the country, "Who is responsible for upkeep and maintenance of properties which the families have vacated and banks hold a lien on?"  
Analysis starts with the relationship between lender and customer, both enter into a mortgage contract regarding the sale and purchase of a home or business.  When the customer defaults on a home mortgage,

The University at Buffalo is launching a new doctoral program in Urban and Regional Planning in its School of Architecture and Planning.  The program will begin in September and will be the only such program in the State University of New York system. UB is particularly interested in recruiting students from the U.S., Europe, China, Korea and South Asia.
The new program will emphasize research and learning in areas in which the UB school and its planning faculty have garnered international distinction: assisting declining cities and distressed urban communities;

The annual Buffalo BrewFest, now in its 11th year, is scheduled for Friday, August 10th from 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm at the First Niagara Center.  Craft Beer Exchange at APlus is the presenting sponsor for the event. Savarino Companies, Flying Bison, and Abbey Mecca & Company, are supporting event sponsors. All proceeds from the event go to support the Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center, a not-for-profit organization providing comprehensive diagnostic and treatment programs for children and adults with speech-language and hearing disabilities.
"In 2011 we welcomed

With summer officially here, and temperatures already rising, so will home energy usage in most households throughout the region. Whether you are spending the days beach bumming, hiking with friends, visiting out-of-town relatives, or just staying at home there are many ways to beat the heat without putting a dent in your wallet or sacrificing comfort.
National Grid encourages customers to use these cool, simple summer tips to lower their energy consumption and save on bills.
•Draw blinds, shades, drapes - Close window dressings to

Update: Mario Williams, the new $100 million Buffalo Bills defensive end, has purchased this house for $2m. 
Original Story from 2010:2010 has been a banner year for high-end Buffalo real estate.  A number of of houses have traded for over $1M and a new record price for a city residence was established.  And then the Miller Mansion sold and set a brand

New York's Health Department has approved a $15 million grant to help Erie County Medical Center and Kaleida Health consolidate mental health and drug dependency treatment in one $25 million Regional Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (COE) at ECMC.

The new center, announced as a concept Feb. 13, 2012, is a physician-driven collaboration between ECMC and Kaleida. It will create a state-of-the-art, comprehensive psychiatric emergency program and new inpatient facilities to serve mental health patients in the Western New York community. 

"The HEAL-NY grant will help us

THE BASICS: This charming 1935 comedy by Terrence Rattigan (his breakout play) has by directed by Kate Lynch and plays in repertory at the Royal George Theatre through September 15th. It runs close to 2½ hours with its single intermission.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: The action takes place in the living room of a villa in a small seaside town in the west of France, 1930's. With their sites on the diplomatic service, a small group of privileged and rather effete young brits are taking a stab at learning French, under the tutelage of the gruff-and-grum M. Maingot.

By Eric Stenclik, Trustee, Preservation Buffalo Niagara
This is Preservation Buffalo Niagara's most popular tour, but even if you have taken it before, this year it's a unique and memorable event. Get a ticket, take a date, or take your mother...but don't miss it. Not only will splendid Delaware Avenue mansions be open, but at the exquisite Williams-Butler mansion you will enjoy choice wines and cheeses to the backdrop of the Oakgrove String Quartet and the festive splash of the mansion's piazza fountain. This year's twilight tour, a new concept, is meant

Every few months, there's a new rumor about the next owner of the Buffalo Bills. Of course, that's not surprising given Ralph Wilson is 93 years old, making him the oldest owner in the NFL. 
Jim Kelly's alleged ownership group is one of the favorite topics of speculation. We reported that Kelly had former Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett in town for a Bills game last year. Beyond that, it's been unclear who, exactly, Kelly may partner up with to buy the Bills. Since the team will

The country's largest annual two-day food festival, Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops Markets, is coming up, marking its 29th year of featuring local food and restaurant favorites. The event returns Saturday, July 7 from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday, July 8 from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. along Delaware Avenue and Niagara Square in downtown Buffalo. This year's Taste features 51 restaurants, four food trucks and seven wineries as well as a culinary stage, musical entertainment and plenty of special offerings from a host of national and local sponsors.  A preview of the food extravaganza was held

The demolition is at a stand-still at the Bethlehem Steel Administration building in Lackawanna and tonight there will be a public hearing to discuss a multitude of different topics in regards to its future. The event is called, "A Public Hearing for Old North" where citizens and leaders come together for a discussion about the building's fate. Doors open at 6:30pm, with the hearing beginning at 7pm at the VFW John B. Weber Post at 2909 South Park in Lackawanna, 14218. A newly formed advocacy organization whose co-founders are Lackawanna residents, the Lackawanna Industrial Heritage Group,

Legendary DJ Carl Cox will be in town spinning at Rendezvous the Niteclub located in Statler City tomorrow night.  Carl Cox has been voted the world's Number One DJ of the past 25 years by Mixmag.  Carl's 'Global' radio show is breaking records, now reaching over 12-million listeners worldwide and syndicated across 60 terrestrial FM, Satellite and DAB stations throughout 35 countries, making him one of the most important broadcasters on the planet.

THE BASICS: This classic Shaw comedy was last staged at the Festival in 2003. It's back, with new trimmings, at the Royal George Theatre, where it plays in repertory through October 27th. The production was directed by Eda Holmes, and designed by Judith Bowden. It runs just shy of two-and-a-half hours, with its single intermission.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: Here is Shaw on familiar ground, exploring the curious mating habits of his countrymen, and the ever-perplexing parent-child bond. The action

I have no doubt that the jurors were faithful to their task, and that each attorney did the best possible job.

I also have a general faith in the system.  It may not be perfect, but I doubt anybody could create a better one.

I'm even comfortable with the idea of risking that a guilty person go free, rather than a innocent person be punished.

That said, I have serious doubts about the verdict rendered last night.  I think it is clear that Corasanti was drunk, and hit Alix Rice while driving.  He knew he had hit something, left the scene of the accident,

Submission by Arlene White, Executive Director, Binational Alliance:
Welcome to Binational Doors Open Niagara. Join us this June to celebrate our 10th anniversary!​ 2012 is a very special year in our cross-border region.  We are kicking off the War of 1812 Bicentennial - an event that played a major role in defining Canada, the United States and the 200 years of peace we have shared since that war ended. 
The Binational Alliance invites you to join us this June to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Doors Open Niagara

THE BASICS: The Shaw Festival continues its exploration of the works of Shaw's fellow Fabian playwright, Githa Sowerby, with this domestic drama from 1914. Its original London run cut short by WWI, the play was not revived until 1996(!), and is just now receiving its first full North American production. Directed by Alisa Palmer, MAN/WOMEN is in repertory at the Courthouse Theatre through September 22nd. It runs about 110 minutes with its single intermission.
THUMBNAIL SKETCH: The action takes place primarily in the home of Richard Shannon, successful

In a delightful example of urban/suburban and even Democrat/Republican cooperation almost tailor-made to say "We are one western New York," residents of the Potomac 400 Block Club gathered yesterday with some suburban heroes who came to their rescue after their buffalo sculpture and welcome sign was stolen earlier this year.

You may recall that back in February, members of the Potomac 400 Block Club discovered that the buffalo sculpture they had installed as a

The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) on Wednesday joined with Congressman Brian Higgins, Margaret Overdorf of the Valley Community Association, Tod Kniazuk of the Western New York Arts Services Initiative (ASI), entrepreneur Mark Goldman and representatives from Neto Hatinakwe Onkwehowe and the Hispanic Youth Music Project to launch the first season of summer programming along the Buffalo River and Ohio Street corridor. The venture is based on the model that has been successful in activating the Canalside district on the Inner Harbor, using a variety of events to attract crowds

This post originally appeared on Views of Buffalo
The Bethlehem Steel Administration building got a temporary reprieve from demolition yesterday as preservationists have been publically advocating for the reuse of the historic structure. During the City Hall meeting in Lackawanna this past Tuesday, concerned citizens and preservationists were stonewalled during the meeting. The demolition of the building was not on the official agenda and as a result the group was told anyone