Neo-Buffalonians
They've been here since mid-August, and they already have BBFFs (Buffalo Best Friends Forever) and a three-bedroom house, the monthly mortgage of which is a fraction of their rent in Boston for a single bedroom apartment.
Anna Kuehl, a masters student at the University of Buffalo is a native of Nebraska. David McNamara, Albany native, is the owner of Sunny Outside Press. The duo moved here because, out of all the schools Anna looked at, UB had the best program in Early 20th Century German Art History.
Anna said she likes the East Coast, though she'd like to be nearer to the ocean. "One of the Great Lakes does in a pinch," she said. She also said she has a soft spot for "things down on their luck," and she sees a lot of people trying to make Buffalo grow. Considering she just came from Somerville, Massachusetts, near Boston, where the 4 mile square area holds around 70,000 people...we'll accept that.
The couple bought a house in the University district, where David is happy to be in close proximity to Parkside Candies and does a lot of his manuscript reading at Amy's. David publishes poetry for the most part, though he has a little fiction and wants to get into more non-fiction, specifically something about the railway history of Buffalo, as all the dead ended streets leading up to tracks that he's discovered here greatly interest him.
Anna said she initially felt selfish dragging David here (He interjects a quick, "You were."), but as it turns out, she may have done him a favor. Rust Belt carries all of his books, he's awaiting word from Talking Leaves, and he's in proximity to one of his favorite poets, whose book he just published; Jason Heroux of Kingston, Ontario.
The books David publishes are unique and quaint paperbacks. He uses an old letterpress, one he describes as the Yugo of presses, as well as some more modern means, but he often sets his own type and uses woodcuts, giving his books a distinctive look. In addition, one of he books he's published has covers that are individually hand-painted by the author.
David's website is sunnyoutside.com.
The couple is ftting in nicely here and are happy and comfortable, but the following is such a typical Buffalo experience, that we have to share it:
A fan of artist Marcel Duchamp, David googled him one day...and found the thesis/video by Rich Kegler of P22 fame, involving the Duchamp work, The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even. He had used Kegler's type for years...and then last weekend he ended up at Kegler's house for a Barbeque. This week, just before David could get a thank-you note off, he received one from Kegler. How genteel is that?
Which only makes Anna and David's comment about being terrible networkers all the more inconsequential. They don't have to network in Buffalo, the friendly locals will take care of that for them.
What Others Have To Say
What Do You Think?
Related Articles
-
Buffalo's First Museum District
BRO viewer submission by Mark Weber, www.myspace.com/markwebermusic.
This past week, I sang at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, located at the corner of Elmwood and Lafayette, as part of the Elmwood Village Association's holiday tree lighting ceremony. It was the first time I ever sang my very personal song, “Who Wants To Cry At Christmas,” in front of the public. There were about 80 people gathered to hear me and my piano-playing friend Johnny Juarez present our “Chri … - Today, 3:05pm
- Continue Reading
- 2 Comments
-
Outsourcing Journalism for Less than a Penny a Word: Is T …
As the global financial crisis throws economies around the world into recession, more and more industries are getting hit. Banks have been bailed out. Auto manufacturers are drowning. Newspapers, though, were ahead of their time as they've been dying slowly for more than a decade.
Warren Buffett, the legendary investor and owner of our hometown Buffalo News, acknowledged the fate of newspapers in his 2006 shareholder letter when he wrote:
Nevertheless, this operation faces … - Today, 2:10pm
- Continue Reading
- 1 Comments
-
Got a Good Photo? Win $100 Gift Certificate
As you look outside your office window today, you're likely overtaken by the sheer beauty. Blowing snow. People hunched over, freezing, trying to walk into a 30MPH wind. You're probably reading from the script of American Beauty:
Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it... and my heart is going to cave in.
Or, maybe you're just thinking "Oh f#@!, I have to drive home in this s*$#."
Either way, we're here to lift your spirits.
If you'd li … - Today, 12:35pm
- Continue Reading
- 1 Comments
-
Delaware Avenue Make-Over Approved
A two-story Delaware Avenue office building is getting a new face and a third story. The Buffalo Planning Board approved renovation plans for 334 Delaware Avenue at this morning's meeting. Owner 120 W. Tupper Street Inc. is undertaking the $1.2 million project. The bland building will get a new look and a glass third-floor addition.- Today, 11:08am
- Continue Reading
- 10 Comments
Comment Options
bobbyraz49
A couple of things for the "new" Buffalonian's.. Hot dogs..Teds Roast Beef..Schwabl's in West Seneca Wings...Duff's Ice cream...The Hatch at the Marina Breakfast...Zorba's in Depew Pizza..just about any corner pizzeria in or near Buffalo And finally....Welcome !
Report this
al-alo
loganberry. you forgot loganberry. oh, wait, webers mustard too. mmmm, i eat it with a spoon.
Report this
bobbyjohnny
GAG. Please people do these look like the types to be interested in all that old school crap. Point them toward the good coffee houses, the veggie food restaurants, the cafes, the funky art shows. Do you cretins all have a tin ear. This food is crappy bar food at best, and it's not a selling point for some people. Know your audience before you send them toward the fat-ass express. Next thing you know you'll be encourging them to sit inside all day watching 12 hours of television and fearing the latest layoff, 4 alarm fire, or deadly consumer issue squawked about by Irv Weinstein. There's a best side to Buffalo and it's not this mediocre bar food. Get out and see the world a bit. To Anna and David: Welcome and we hope you don't get too put off by that subset of the community that exists in every city: the myopic inbred parochial provincialists, in this case trying to sell you Anderson's custard like it was frozen Jesus cream or something. On a positive note, there really are kindred souls for you here. The lake and delaware park and the homes here can be quite beautiful, the university is actually one of the finest, and you can pretty much find what you need here and Toronto is a nice close vacation getaway. I'm sure you'll make your own list of favorite things before long. Best of luck.
Report this
ECB
They were asking about good Chinese too. They can't get much closer to the best in Buffalo. Sam and Helen, it's time to roll back the metal grates at Ming. We miss you!
Report this
SilentMajority
Slightly off topic but...
Why in god's name did UB not build their Center for the Arts on South Campus? You already had the School of Architecture there. I think Main St and the University district could have become a great Art community had things been done right! How is the Art community doing in Amherst? of wait... there isn't one! Having been a Graphic Design major... I often spoke with many who were fustrated having no where to work other that the CFA. The CFA is more of a satellite for the Art community rather than the Hub it could have been. Artists want to live with other artists... and have space to work where the doors don't lock after 10pm. What they don't want is to have to live in a dorm or suburban apartment complex where any creative thought will have to wait till the next morning to become reality. Thankyou Art space for atleast giving those who have moved on from the University a starting point. Again sorry if this is off topic but I wondering why Anna and Dave had chose the University District to locate... then I thought of the potential for that area... then... well you get the idea.
Report this
ECB
This may be my favorite sentence of the week:
...trying to sell you Anderson's custard like it was frozen Jesus cream.
But bobbyjohnny, you can't discount those odd regional favorites. It's the whole 'when in Rome' deal. No harm in that.
Report this
bobbyjohnny
I'm just saying, let's not define Rome as "Vinny's Deep-Fried Dough Hut".
Report this
judipatooti
I moved to Buffalo from Atlanta 7 years ago. I absolutely love it her. There are very nice and interesting people, lots of cultural experiences, not to mention for the most part beautiful breezy summers. But....also Buffalo wings and pizza are just the best here. Nowhere in Atlanta can you get these two that are worth the time it takes to put it in your mouth.
There are many positive things about the Buffalo area and a little something for everyone however, I do agree with bobbyjohnny about Andersons and it is not holy! I constantly hear people praising Anderson's like that is where the second coming is going to happen. For petes sake, it's just an ice cream shop. Big deal!
From one newcomer to another.......... .Welcome
Report this
ChristaSeychew
Regional favorites are what they are. They exist all over the country, sometimes a single bite is a revelatory moment, but I find that most often it is a pale replica, a bastardized version of the original. That happens everywhere.
There's always a place for bar food- yes, in Buffalo we have an awful lot of it but we also have an extraordinary number of bars per capita.
Finding good, fresh food and ambiance is not terribly difficult, I'm sure that this resourceful couple will easily find a favorite place or two.
Chill out people- and, if you really want the best soft serve, head to Lewiston for a beautiful drive along the river and a stop at Hibbard's!
Report this
Keith
People, people puhhleeaze. Don't scare our new neighbors.
Report this
Frankster
What on earth does "How gentile is that?" mean? A Gentile is a non-Jew, and in Utah, a non-Mormon.
Report this
ECB
Ha! Right, genteel from the French gentil, not to be confused with gentile, as in no Jewish person would send a note. Apologies never mean as much when you're laughing, right?
Report this
buffcitygirl
How pretentious can some of you people get?...anyway...the reason people here get all crazy over Anderson's is because we all grew up with it and it has more to do with the nostalgia of it than the taste....so I agree with you in saying what's the fuss about...however...being as intelligent as you try to portray yourself to be...you probably should have been able to add that into the equation and . 'Jesus cream?'...How 'cute'...ugh May he forgive you and not bring BAD KARMA on you. In any case, I welcome our new neighbors and may I say it isn't often we get people moving in, so there are some youngsters here who don't know their manners...being able to choose the right forum for their little knit picking, annal squabbles. Hey, I call it as I see it...why am I always trying to iron out these things here? Seems every time I pay a visit, you kids are fighting among yourselves. At the very least being rude and derogatory. Have SOME class. Behave! There. Done.
Report this
al-alo
now lets not get too pretentious about food. for the most part, buffalo food is good honest american food. im not claiming that perogies with onions and sausage is high cusine, but you know what, its damn good.
every celebrity chef goes overseas, and where do they go? to the street vendors, the holes in the wall, to where the locals go. i grew up eating spagitti carbonara, pasta and peas and frittatas. now they cost crazy money at fancy places. just like paella and bouillabaisse were ways to make use of what was on hand for common folks.
so pass me a loganberry martini - copyright pending.
Report this
BuffedOut
For the old timey Buffalonians living in the northern suburbs, Anderson's is the place. Believe me, I don't care for it, but I know people in their eighties who manage to get out and go for a custard there. The Buffalo area also has pizza found no where else. Everyone has a favorite.
I do like Hutch's too. La Marina on Hertel is very good. Of course, the late night bar scene everywhere is always going strong.
Report this
chris69
Actually in North Buffalo there was a place called Candells and they had I think Ice Cream and Candy (not sure if their still there because I havent visited in a while)....
Although anyone who could drive to Sheridan went to Andersons.
Report this
MRodgers
Okay, got to weigh in on the ice cream/custard thing (excuse the pun). I, too, have a nostalgic view of Anderson's, but I have discovered something even better. I know, I know - Blasphemer! But, if you go our Main past Transit, look to the left at a (sorry to the planners on board here) strip mall. It has a pond sulpply store and a place called Bill Grays. This place boasts the World's Greatest Cheeseburger, and it certainly is.
However, they also have a regional delight located in-store and that is Abbott's Custard from Rochester (I used to go to the stand on Lake Avenue in Charlotte (pronounced Char-LOT) - WHOA BABY! Ask for the French Chocolate Almond - In-freakin-credible! You'll never have a better custard, whether on a cone, in a dish, or used in a sundae, it is not to be missed. Anyone we've turned on to this frozen delight wants one to move into the city.
Report this
ECB
Second favorite:
Jesus and karma together in a thought.
But seriously, why wouldn't David and Anna just go to Parkside Candies for ice cream, or to Fowler's for the malt ball gelato?
And Chris, it's Condrell's you were remembering, I think (just over the Kenmore line), and the red licorice nibs are to die for.
We are so hopelessly about junk food...
Report this
chris69
Ive ben to Bill Grays and Abbots....dont buy it....ITS TYPICAL ROCHESTER HYPE...ITS BETTER BECAUSE ITS FROM ROCHESTER
There are plenty of places in Buffalo that do just as good or better hamburger than Bill Grays
Its the same thing with Rochesters Zweigles Hot Dog....ALWAYS ROCHESTER HYPE....ITS BETTER BECAUE ITS FROM ROCHESTER but teds and Sahlens and Buffalo Hot Dogs are just as good if not better!
Its always been that way....a relative of mine was a delivery guy for Buffalos Iraqois Beer and do you know that they beat up a Buffalo guy and told him not to bring Buffalo beer to Rochester, they had to turn the truck around and go home. Rochester has always been that way...they buy local....and they boost rochester products and they put down Buffalo and Syracuse as being low class blue collar.
Funny how Buffalonians never talk bad about Rochester and never turned away rochester products to buy local...its to bad maybe today we would still have a local beer company or two.
Report this
bobbyjohnny
All so off topic. anyone remember Anna and David? I wonder what their most favorite and least favorite things are about Buffalo?
Report this
Marti
Anna and David -- welcome!!! As folks who have chosen to live in Our Fair City, I invite you to find other like-minded Buffalo By Choice folks on a new website by this name: www.buffalobychoice.com. While there, be sure to subscribe to the Buffalo By Choice bi-weekly e-newsletter. We have monthly Happy To Be Here Hours -- the next one is on Monday, October 15 at The Stillwater (on Delaware near Allen) from 6:00-8:00 p.m. that make networking a cinch -- and we celebrate all that is great about Buffalo at Buffalo Old Home Week, which will take place on June 26-29 next year. It will be the 101st anniversary of this event, designed to bring together all those who are in Buffalo because they want to be, and those who are not here but wish they were! Feel free to contact me directly, too. Marti@martigorman.org. Not only am I a regular Welcome Wagon, I am also a publisher, David. Buffalo Heritage Unlimited, when it was still Canisius College Press, published (among many awesome books) the History of Railroads in WNY...go to www.buffaloheritage.com. Let's talk!! Great to have you in beautiful Buffalo!
Report this
GraphicRage
Anna needs to be my new BBFF too, I went to UB for a degree in Art History and at the end of my final semester my comment card to the University was PLEEEEEEEAAAASE more early 20th century German Art. At the time, there was virtually nothing. I was trying to sculpt out some German even in Italian Renaissance Architecture course. The following semester, a German specialist was hired. I'd like to believe it was all my doing, but I'm sure it had been planned. Now that I've entered the real world and don't have time to go back, I envy Anna's options!! So Anna, if I run into you one fair day, beware, I will pick your brain and bug you to be my new BBFF. Fellow German Art lovers, unite! /end geeky comment.
Report this
MRodgers
Sorry for going off-topic, but to each their own, chris69. Just realize that everyone has different tastes and this was a way for us to show the good folks just coming in to town the wealth of variety in their new city. Welcome!
Report this
icecreamsub
the nite life is great in Buffalo. The Brass Palm Tree on Hertel ave rules and tartar sauce ain't just for fridays
Report this
chris69
MRogers, my point is that Rochesterians do enough bragging about Rochester and Rochester products...while the toxic pessimism of Buffalonians seems to make them so humble that they DO NOT stand up for their own locally made products.
You can call it diversity of different tastes....and thats fine....but I for one will not let Rochester Braggers outshine Buffalo and Buffalonians in their own hometown.
Buffalo....can stand proud with its locally made products to Rochester and any other city in NYS and the Great Lakes.
Report this
MRodgers
Gee, I thought when a business opened in WNY, they, too, became a WNY business. Guess anything coming IN from outside WNY doesn't cut it as per your restrictions. Therefore, under your restrictions, we'd better not allow any business to move to WNY from elsewhere. Don't the businesses transplanting from other cities, including Rochester 70 miles away, contribute to our economy when they open up here, hire locals, and pay taxes?
Additionally, you state that Buffalonians may not stand up for their local products. I submit to you that there were a number of posts regarding home grown products on this topic that were shot down. If anything, your admonishment to ignore other businesses not home grown, although transplanted, may be one of the issues affecting the economy of the area since it seems that WNY is not a welcoming place to do business.
The more we learn to celebrate newcomers to our area, whether individuals or businesses, the the better we will grow.
Report this
chris69
"Additionally, you state that Buffalonians may not stand up for their local products. I submit to you that there were a number of posts regarding home grown products on this topic that were shot down"
thats an example of the toxic pessimism that holds Buffalo and Buffalo entrepreneurs back.
MRogers....Ive been to rochester and I have kids that went to school in rochester. I know Rochesters pride and hubris....I know how they put Buffalo down and hold their noses up. I know how they buy local and self promote their local companies and local products. Ive seen them push out products that had no local connection infavor of local products.
Please dont belittle Buffalo by saying that Buffalo is a welcoming place....they have embraced franchises and entrepreneurs from all over the country including rochester but please dont stand up in Buffalo and bring your Rochester RaRa here. Buffalo has its own products and we are proud of them.
We dont need Rochesterians coming to Buffalo and putting on airs that because their from Rochester their better.
Its rude and Buffalonians arent going to swallow it.
Report this
ECB
Chris-
Attend this: http://buffalorising.com/story/kick_off_friday_night_with_bro#sca
And then attend this: http://www.buffalorising.com/story/buffalo_first_and_always#sca
I only wish the meet and greet was the other way around with the beer, but you have to do what you can. And forget what Newell said...wear a tag;-)
Report this
polydacTal
It's nice to see you getting off on a good start in Buffalo, my ex-neighbors David + Anna! This is what happens when you leave Boston? Well, I bet you no one has neon blue turf in their backyard, and that's probably because you have real grass up there. You were the best upstairs neighbors I've ever had, so these Buffalonians better treat you right and party as hard as we did in Somerville. The best of luck to the both of you.
Report this
CoolLikeColossus
haha its funny how there are comments about the people of buffalo being kind and friendly.. but numerous blogs on here end up in bickering..
anyway- Welcome to the city! I moved here to for school and stayed. There's an awesome comic book store in the heights... also 2-4-1 milkshakes on tuesdays at Lake Effect...and drunk frat guys and girls wandering around at 4am on thursday, friday, and saturday nights (awesome people watching- I'm not being sarcastic).
Report this