Well, hello, Marti, Yes Hello Marti; Its so nice to have you back where you belong– in Buffalo!
You’re lookin swell, Marti…….we can tell, Marti! Youre still glowin’…youre still crowin’…youre still goin’ strong! And let’s all hope…Marti’ll never go away again!!!
This Buffalo lady is unstoppable. And yes, Marti Gorman is soooo up to it again—she’s come out publishing yet another Buffalo heritage book this week—all about our historical postcards legacy (we’ll BROview this wonderful book this week)…Now, that’s three books about Buffalo Heritage published in less than a year! –including Garden Walk and Oakland Place– Plus consider her dozens of Buffalo Happy Hours and two– count ’em– two Buffalo Old Home Weeks!
How does this beautiful lady who just rejoined us a year and a half ago do it?? Marti Gorman is an absolute whirlwind of wonderful Boost-Buffalo activity. Marti just got back this week from Belize where her multi-lingual skills did well while she understudied dentists giving health care to the poor—Marti and other Buffalo health professionals pay their own way every year at this time to volunteer for the poor in Belize.
Marti’s back home—and wants to know this: Have you heard about Buffalo By Choice? –it’s a community of people who are in Buffalo because they want to be and also a wide span group of those who are not in Buffalo but wish they were—and they keep in touch by way of Buffalo Rising!
You can Register here now to receive the free Buffalo By Choice e-newsletter at www.buffalobychoice.com . Stay abreast of the Good News about Buffalo – and learn about interesting endeavors like the Happy To Be Here Hours that take place every month.
The next HTBHHour is this coming Monday, (November 19) at the City Grill, on Main Street. Come have a blat and meet old and new friends. It is always a great gathering of Buffalo sod souls. Here’s the directions: it’s between Seneca and Swan, and lasts from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Here’s Marti’s newsletter…………..
More than 50 Buffalo enthusiasts generally show up to toast Buffalo, share good news and be inspired by each other and a brief speaker to make Buffalo an even better place.
Here’s a scoop: Marti’s led Buffalo Old Home Week is being renamed to the far more appropriate Buffalo Homecoming this year.
Buffalo Homecoming will take place on June 26-29, 2008. Check it out here now—www.buffalohomecoming.com
Don’t miss the Next Happy To Be Here Hour on Monday, November 19 from 6:00-8:00 at City Grill on Main Street (between Seneca & Swan)!
Welcome home to all the expats coming into town for the Thanksgiving holiday! We think you’ll find a great deal to celebrate in Buffalo this year, and lots to give thanks for. We hope you are so happy to be back that you consider coming home for good. Buffalo needs highly skilled, enthusiastic repats to fuel the resurgence of the Nickel City!
We’ve had a busy month here at Buffalo By Choice. We’re working on a several exciting projects that will be announced within the next few months. In addition, we’ve already begun planning The Buffalo Homecoming: Buffalo Old Home Week 2008 (June 26-29, 2008). Did you catch the new name?
You’re among the first to know – feedback is welcome! We look forward to another fun event as we celebrate all that’s great about Buffalo! Niagara University College of Hospitality and Tourism Management students will play a very important role in this year’s event.
With the upcoming Buffalo Homecoming in mind, I’d like to let everyone know that event Sponsorship packages will soon be available. These represent opportunities for your organization to promote yourselves to those who are in Buffalo By Choice, as well as those who are not in Buffalo but wish they were! Keep this in mind as you budget for 2008.
The October Happy To Be Here Hour at The Stillwater was a great success. More than 50 Buffalo enthusiasts enjoyed spectacular complimentary hors d’ouerves and Amy Kedron of Buffalo First inspired everyone to Buy Locally. The Buffalo First Buy Buffalo Bash on November 14th was a huge success!
The next Happy To Be Here Hour is next Monday, November 19, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the City Grill on Main Street, between Seneca and Swan streets.
Andrew Mitchell will talk about the December 1, 2007 World AIDS Day event that he is organizing, an evening of HIV/AIDS themed spoken word, music and visual arts, presented by several of the art community’s premier artists, in response to the HIV/AIDS state of emergency in Buffalo. His story is simply inspirational…don’t miss it!
And be sure to bring all your good news and endeavors with you. These events are excellent opportunities to network and generate interest and enthusiasm among like-mind Buffalo boosters.
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Good News:
Preservationists Converge in Buffalo in 2011
In case you haven’t heard yet — the National Preservation Conference will be held Buffalo in 2011! This event will bring more than 2,000 members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation to Buffalo in October of that year.
Our community’s efforts to reinvent itself through historic preservation, adaptive re-use and cultural and heritage tourism projects will be on display to a national audience who will help spread the word about our region’s revival.
The National Preservation Conference is the largest gathering of its kind in the U.S., attracting more than 2,000 attendees. The 2011 conference will be the 65th annual National Preservation Conference, and the first ever to be held in Buffalo.
Richard Moe, the president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said: “Conference attendees are sure to be impressed by Buffalo’s incredible collection of great buildings – but I believe they’ll also be impressed by the city’s inspiring examples of how preservation can be a springboard for sustainable economic revitalization.” Congratulations to the many organizations that worked together for months to bring this prestigious and important conference to Buffalo!
Anywhere in 20 Minutes
A study by Bizjournals.com ranks the Buffalo area as the nation’s second-best market for commuters, offering a smoother, easier drive to work than anywhere else but Omaha (http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2007/10/22/story1.html?b=1193025600%5E1536547). Scott Thomas of Business First asks: “Do you get frustrated when Interstate 190 runs a bit slow? Do you feel the stirrings of road rage whenever the Kensington comes to a complete halt?”
The typical morning commute in the two-county Buffalo area is only 20.95 minutes long, compared to 32.54 minutes in Atlanta. Just 12,700 Western New York commuters (2.6%) have to drive an hour or more to get to work, compared to 595,000 (11%) in Los Angeles.
BPO on NPR
The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra was featured on the National Public Radio program, From the Top. The program was recorded live July 22 at the BPOS’s Summerfest at Artpark in Lewiston, but aired locally on WNED 94.5 FM at 9 a.m. on October 13th.
From the Top is a weekly show highlighting the next generation of young musicians, hosted by pianist Christopher O’Riley. The BPO is one of only two major U.S. orchestras ever to be featured on the show. http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2007/10/08/daily25.html?f=et55&ana=e_du
Yes, There Are Jobs in Buffalo
Few people have come home after a longer absence than me. George Thomas Apfel numbers among them. After more than 40 years in Las Vegas, he is on his way back to Buffalo! His enthusiastic and knowledgeable posts and blogging, not to mention his participation in Buffalo Old Home Week and support for Buffalo By Choice, brand him as a terrific asset to have back in the fold.
Part of coming back, however, means looking for a way to make a living. Here’s what GT reports based on his personal experience in our local job market: “There are so many new positions becoming available just via Buffalo Niagara Enterprise
(iambuffaloniagarajobs.com) – an average of 15 to 19 new announcements come online every day. Things are really looking up!”
However, this anecdotal evidence is also supported by the New York State Department of Labor: “Private-sector job gains showed the way for the Buffalo-Niagara Falls area in the latest figures from the state. Year-over-year, through September, the area added 2,300 private-sector positions, a gain of 0.5%.
The labor department reported that increases were led by professional and business services (+2,800 jobs), educational and health services (+2,300 jobs), and financial activities (+1,500 jobs). The largest losses were again in manufacturing, down 2,200 jobs. The local unemployment rate was 4.4% in September, compared with 4.5% in August and 4.6% a year ago.
http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2007/10/15/daily35.html?f=et55&ana=e_du
UB’s Downtown Campus
The University at Buffalo will build a new, expanded home for the Educational Opportunity Center downtown as part of its expanded downtown presence. The university has received a $26 million allocation from the state to build a new center adjacent to the M. Wile building at Goodell and Oak streets on what is now a parking lot. The EOC is currently housed at 465 Washington St., where it provides educational and job training services to about 2,500 individuals each year.
Though the building is two to three years away, UB President John Simpson said the project illustrates UB’s commitment to growing its downtown campus. While UB is committed to growth at all three campuses, North and South campuses will see future growth within their existing perimeters.
http://www.buffalo.edu/news/8851
Buffalo Ideas
Paul Wolf, Buffalo Common Council Chief of Staff, known for his Positive News about Buffalo e-mails over the past months, has launched a new website: www.buffaloideas.com, which he describes as a laboratory for new ideas. Join in the discussion by posting a comment of your own, and see why Paul is recommending that we all read the following two books: The World is Flat, by Thomas Friedman, and A Whole New Mind, by Dan Pink.
Living Downtown: Webb Lofts Open for Business
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception marked the final chapter in the Webb Lofts building’s $9.2 million conversion from a demolition candidate to 32 high-end apartments and a state-of-the-art daycare center. Rocco Termini of Signature Development, which redeveloped the building, told The Buffalo News the Webb was “by far the most difficult renovation I’ve ever done.”
The building had no roof and no interior floors when Signature acquired it. Historic and New Markets tax credits helped pay for the Webb’s renewal, designed by Carmina & Wood, P.C. The apartments, which feature 10-foot high windows, exposed brick, fireplaces, covered parking across the street and other amenities, each have two bedrooms and rent are in the $1,050 to $1,150 per month range.
Built 120 years ago, the Webb is at 90-92 Pearl Street, two doors from the Pearl Street Grill & Brewery and within steps of the Ellicott Square Building, One HSBC Center, HSBC Arena and other downtown employers and landmarks. On the Webb’s ground-level and first floors, the Vincennes Academy, a day care center that can serve 167 children, will open in January. Up to 25 percent of the 167 slots are available to special-needs children.
Buffalo Rising
Buffalo Rising is a daily source of Good News and interesting information about Buffalo. Bill Zimmerman’s “ Day in Buffalo” series, now in its 10th month, has brought to light fascinating facets of Buffalo History, and West Coast Perspective keeps readers apprised of news about our built environment – often before the mainstream media (or locals, for that matter) notice. Queenseyes is everywhere, it seems, enthusiastically reporting on the many positive things happening locally, large and small.
A recent article by Edward L. Glaeser, a professor of economics at Harvard University, in City Journal (read the whole City Journal article), sparked some very interesting comment threads on BRO. Parts of two of these are worthy of reproduction here, as they take what is an unusually under-documented and wholly academic bashing of Buffalo and use a new way of thinking to draw very different conclusions.
Howard Goldman (BuffaloBloviator.wnymedia.net) at http://www.buffalorising.com/story/this_tearyeyed_buffalo_bashing#sca has this interesting thesis to post:
Our predecessors struggled so that we could enjoy a better life. Thanks to preservation through neglect in Buffalo, their gifts have survived. We shed our old industry and replaced it with new industry. Moody’s has ranked us #1 in industrial diversity. We led and currently lead the revolution in adapting.
The painful dues have been paid. Now Buffalo is on our watch. Perhaps we should use what we have and not pine over our lack of density and congestion. The God given resources that made us great in the first place are making us great this time around, too.
Isn’t it easy to imagine that the density-congestion cities may soon be pining over what Buffalo has to offer? (Just wait and see what happens when they start running out of water!) Our next problem may be keeping people out!
Could it be that Buffalo, once again, is literally defining to the nation what metro economic success is?
Mark Stempien, who describes himself as: Buffalo born, living in Albany, with my heart still in Buffalo, (http://www.buffalorising.com/story/keep_the_discussion_going#sca)says:
…There is no time like now for optimism . Why? Because:
Diversified economy:
Buffalo is no longer reliant on heavy manufacturing as it has been in the past, following a national trend. It can add industry such as medical research and back office facilities for financial services and insurance as evident in GEICO, Citicorp, United Health Group, Ingram Micro, and Bank of America to name a few.
Job growth:
In the last 9 months, Buffalo has been on the positive side of job growth, and near or at the top for a few of those months in upstate NY, outpacing markets such as Albany and Rochester. This is an accomplishment for a town that traditionally has been near or at the bottom of the heap.
Dollar value:
The dollar value of projects completed or about to commence is in the billions. Health Now, Bioinformatics Center of Excellence, 700+ loft apartments and condos, and waterfront development are part of the list. Some of these include private money, something lacking in the past.
National exposure:
A number of articles in recent history have painted a positive image to a national if not international audience.
Evidence:
There is evidence of naysayers being proven wrong, the biggest example being the remake of the Larkin warehouse. The developers have taken a huge 600,000 SF image of Buffalo’s industrial past and transformed it into an image of 21st century commerce.
There were many who believed it could not be done. It is happening all over Buffalo, from the renovation of an abandoned aircraft factory into a medical linen laundry facility on Buffalo’s East Side, to the remake of an abandoned warehouse in the Cobblestone district into offices for a local contractor. It is continuing today.
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Opportunities
Buffalo Spree
A little birdie told me that our favorite Buffalo magazine, Buffalo Spree, is increasing to 10 issues a year, in 2008. To celebrate, they are making a very special (half-price!) subscription offer to expats and friends of Buffalo by Choice. This offer is for NEW subscribers only (sorry), and only for delivery in the continental US. Click here http://www.buffalospree.com/bufbychoice/ to order your very own 1 year subscription for just $10, and maybe even a gift or two for the deserving expats on your list!
Give the Friends Buffalo’s past for Christmas
Buffalo Heritage Unlimited has a new book coming out next month – just in time for the holidays! Postcard Views: A Walk Down Main Street, Buffalo, NY, circa 1910 offers a fascinating portrait of downtown Buffalo in its heyday. The streets are lined with businesses and thronged with people. Trollies and trains and boats transport people and products, and downtown Buffalo is a vital, vibrant commercial crossroads. This is what Buffalo has been and can be again, a century later. See Buffalo as depicted by the beautiful, colorized postcards that were all the rage 100 years ago. Just 17.95 (multiple copy discount available). Go to www.buffaloheritage.com
Buffalo Green Art
Buffalo green Art was conceived in the spring of 2007 when two passions: creating original works of art and protecting the environment, came together. Local pastel artist, Todd Overturf, has captured the essence of Buffalo’s landscapes in the designs selected for Buffalo green Art, which highlight local green space. And these designs are available on 100% certified organic cotton t-shirts made in the U.S. using only water-based inks. Buffalo green Art is committed to giving back to the community by joining with organizations that share its commitment to preserve and protect the natural resources in the Western New York area. The first design was created specifically for Re-Tree WNY, a local organization that intends to replace the estimated 30,000 trees which were damaged or destroyed in the October 2006 storm. Ten percent of all proceeds from the sale of these shirts will be donated to Re-Tree WNY to assist them in these efforts. http://www.buffalogreenart.com/
CityLove
Have you heard about CityLove Clothing Co.? A post on Buffalo Rising Online (http://www.buffalorising.com/story/citylove#sca) tells all about this new entrepreneurial endeavor by Tony Maggiotto. CityLove now has a total of nine designs — including WINGIN’ IT. Save $5 on two or more shirts online with coupon CLBFLO5. There is apparently a “Winter Line” due out in mid-November!
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Cool Things to Do in Buffalo
Buffalo First is a coalition of 140 local independent businesses throughout Western New York committed to building a strong local economy that values the “triple bottom line:” people, planet, and profit. To find out more visit www.buffalofirst.org/events or e-mail info@buffalofirst.org or call 913-1990.
Buy Buffalo Week, November 17-24,
coincides with the biggest shopping day of the year. During this week, Buffalo First members will be offering incentives to the public to encourage them to shop at local independent businesses and have a more positive impact on Buffalo’s economy, environment and community. Businesses will offer discounts ranging from 5-25%; host special in-store events (poetry readings, food samples, live entertainment, etc.) and give away prizes. Specials will be announced at the Bash. To participate, contact info@buffalofirst.org or call 716-913-1990.
November 19
The next Happy To Be Here Hour is on Monday, November 19 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the City Grill on Main Street, between Seneca and Swan streets. Andrew Mitchell will talk about his battle with HIV and his efforts to address this epidemic in Buffalo. Come be inspired by plans for the December 1, 2007 World AIDS Day event, and Andrew’s amazing story. Bring your own news along, too. Everyone gets a chance to share Good News at HTBH Hours! Mark your calendar now: the December Happy to Be Here Hour will take place on Monday, December 17th – location TBA.
Saturday, December 8 or December 15
The Broadway Market will be honoring our holiday food customs and showcasing the old-world quality of Buffalo’s best loved foods with a cooking demonstration and tasting that will highlight the traditional Polish meal, Wigilia, served on Christmas Eve.
Based on the popularity of last year’s Wigilia, this event is being offered on both Saturday, December 8 and Saturday, December 15 at 1:00 pm. This special Savor the Flavor presentation, presented by Taste of Home Magazine’s Western New York Field Editor and Slow Food Buffalo member Sandy Starks, is expected to sell out quickly.
Prepaid $11 reservations are required and include samples of Wigilia foods, including mushroom soup, pierogi, seafood and the traditional Christmas wafers (oplatek). Fr. Anzelm Chalupka, Pastor of Corpus Christi Church, will join Ms. Starks in explaining the Christmas Eve meal and will bless the Christmas wafers. For further information or to make a reservation, call Your Buffalo Tours at716/839-5150 or order tickets online at www.BrownPaperTickets.com/event/23420.
Two Holiday Favorites at Shea’s
· November 24 and 25
The Nutcracker, with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will be presented for the second consecutive year in collaboration with Shea’s and the BPO. A dazzling holiday production featuring BalletMet, one of the top professional dance companies in the country, and Tchaikovsky’s euphoric score performed live by the BPO on the Shea’s stage. November 24 at 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. and November 25 at 2:00 p.m.
· November 27 and 28
Since its beginning in 1948, Mazowsze (Ma-za – ska) This magnificent song and dance ensemble of Poland features dancers, singers and musicians is back in North America after 10 years for a major live performance tour and public television program. This production, at 7:30 p.m. on both nights at Shea’s, will feature a traditional Polish Christmas performance.
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The Buffalo Homecoming: Buffalo Old Home Week will take place on June 26-29, 2008. Mark your calendar now!!! And tell everyone you know…
This event is for those who are in Buffalo because they want to be, AND for those who aren’t in Buffalo – yet – but are hoping to be here soon. It is an opportunity to fall in love with Buffalo, for some, all over again! Delve into your database and send an e-mail to all those who should be part of this burgeoning community. Invite them to subscribe to this e-newsletter, and encourage them to make plans to be in Buffalo on June 26-29!!
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Jobs
The Buffalo Niagara Enterprise wants you to know that more jobs than ever are posted in www.buffaloniagarajobs.com. Be sure to click and take a peek. The BNE folks will be at the November 19 Happy Hour at the City Grill handing out flyers that give some useful advice on looking for – and finding a job – in the region. Stay tuned.
Lynn Dearmyer (LDearmyer@spsbuffalo.com or (716) 842-6500 Ext. 241), Division Manager for SPS Careers, Inc., sends out a weekly Job Alert. The following positions were among those in search of qualified candidates last week:
Sales & Marketing Manager (Manufacturing) Buffalo, NY. Bachelors Degree in Engineering required plus MBA preferred. 8 – 10 years of relevant Sales/Account Management experience. Proven track record in proposal development and successful negotiation. Results oriented, organized, and able to achieve revenue targets. Excellent judgment in analyzing and developing sound business solutions. Travel up to 30% required. Develop and establish new customer accounts and customer relationships; evaluate potential commercial opportunities. Develop business project strategies and solution proposals to solve customer needs. Negotiate new business contracts. Interact internally and externally with all management levels across many functions requiring negotiation to influence fair outcomes. Manage customer programs from initiation through delivery, constantly interfacing with the customer and company on technical and business issues. Significant customer interaction including on-site visits required.
Human Resource Manager, Buffalo, NY. $40k – $60k. Business degree and FDA experience a plus. Heavy manufacturing experience. Candidates with manufacturing experience to take responsibility for managing the local manufacturing facility and assist with Corporate functions.Generalist responsibilities.
Commercial Servicing Specialist, Buffalo, NY. $30k and up. 3-5 years experience in commercial real estate mortgage servicing and/or legal background in commercial real estate. They are looking for someone who can interpret loan documents, interest accruals and new loans along with mortgage servicing. A light accounting background would be helpful for this person even though it is not an accounting position.
Machinists, Orchard Park, NY. They will train manual machinists and apprentices. People with CNC lathe, setting up, programming, tools and materials. First shift
Senior Product Manager, Orchard Park, NY. Ideal candidate will have a BS in Marketing or Business Administration and minimum 5 years product management experience. MBA and Medical device experience a plus. Responsibilities include creating and maintaining strategic product plans, initiating tactical actions for product offerings, demand forecasting, pricing authorizations and gross margin improvement activities.
CAD, Buffalo, NY. AutoCAD 2007, Microstation V8 and Microsoft – Temp to Perm CAD Technician – six to nine month duration Full time assignment may result. AAS in Civil or Environmental Technology or equivalent experience and 5-10 years experience with knowledge of drawing layout and composition; ability to develop details from engineer’s sketches; and an understanding of geodetic coordinate systems is required. All candidates must be proficient in AutoCAD 2007, Microstation V8 and Microsoft Office. Knowledge of Autodesk Civil 3-D is a plus.
Retail Sales – Store Managers. Expect to earn about $50k and up Run the retail store, supervise employees, etc.
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Parting Thoughts
Buffalo, City of Very Good Neighbors
Have you heard of the BuffaloHistory@yahoogroups.com? It’s a font of fabulous random facts about Buffalo…a recent discussion of the origin and purpose of fruit and root cellars in Buffalo basements was fun to follow. And then there are lovely little ditties like this one posted by Dale:
FRIENDS: Never ask for food.
BUFFALO FRIENDS: Always bring the food.
FRIENDS: Will say “hello.”
BUFFALO FRIENDS: Will give you a big hug and a kiss.
FRIENDS: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.
BUFFALO FRIENDS: Call your parents Mom and Dad
FRIENDS: Have never seen you cry.
BUFFALO FRIENDS: Cry with you.
FRIENDS: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.
BUFFALO FRIENDS: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing and just being together, and then clean up.
FRIENDS: Know a few things about you.
BUFFALO FRIENDS: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.
FRIENDS: Will leave you behind if that’s what the crowd is doing.
BUFFALO FRIENDS: Will kick the whole crowds’ ass’s that left you.
FRIENDS: Would knock on your door.
BUFFALO FRIENDS: Walk right in and say, “I’m home!”
FRIENDS: Are for a while.
BUFFALO FRIENDS: Are for life.
Delightful – and so true. Thanks, Dale!
Bill Zimmermann
Bill runs Seven Seas Sailing school, and is a staunch waterfront activist. He is also heavily involved with preserving, maintaining, and promoting the South Buffalo Lighthouse. When Bill first started writing for Buffalo Rising, he wrote an article a day for 365 days - each article coincided with a significant historic event that happened in Buffalo on that same day.