There are plenty of people in Buffalo’s storied history that make me proud to be a Buffalonian; many are household names – Mary Talbert, Louise Bethune, Ani DiFranco. In my opinion, Shirley Kassman is up there too. Kassman shattered glass ceilings before the term glass ceiling was even coined. Shirley Kassman is known just as much for her art and as she is for her activism, which makes the latest exhibition of her work aptly titled, Shirley Kassman Artist/Activist. Here’s a little background on this groundbreaking woman: Shirley was hired at Buffalo State College in 1958 to teach art. For…
Author: Courtney Bajdas
This is not a reference to the physical resemblance of a bull and a buffalo. April 20th marks the 176th anniversary of the City of Buffalo. The prosperous village of Buffalo, with over 10,000 people, was officially incorporated as a city April 20th, 1832 by Governor Enos T. Throop. This would make Buffalo a Taurus according to astrological signs. Pshaw, you say? Well chew on these typical Taurus traits. Typically charming and hard working but not aggressive. We are a hard working people and according to many, the City does not accomplish things in a timely manner though plenty of…
The first four parts of this series covered the role of government, management, labor and education in the creation of Green Jobs. The take-home message in this final installment is, no one group is responsible for or able to launch a successful Green Jobs initiative alone. This means that any one group can sabotage such an effort, simply by not playing well or not playing at all with the other groups. But this has been the case for Buffalo redevelopment efforts since the decline began. In the deserts of the southwestern US, there is a toad which lays its eggs…
Right off the bat I’d like to state that this post is not designed to be controversial. Given the ruffled feathers of the last egg article posted on Buffalo Rising, I feel compelled to state my intentions up front. Blossom Hill Farm, known mostly for its pork, also raises other animals naturally and humanely. They breed lowline angus beef, lamb and chicken. And with chickens, come eggs (pauses, looks around tentatively). Last year’s Adopt-A-Chicken program was so successful they sold out. This year, young Madelyn Rose, the Drajem family’s eldest, will be heading the program; which is far more responsibility…
I know what you’re thinking. How can I take a band called “Those Idiots” seriously and polka is the last thing I want to listen to. First of all, you shouldn’t take them seriously. These goof balls are a riotously good time playing fun, light-hearted songs and the energy of their performances is infectious. According to the Idiots’ lead singer, Myron Deputat, “Polka music is all about living life to its fullest.” Secondly, this is not your Grandfather’s polka (no offense Dja Dja). Those Idiots are known for their Polka covers; most famously “The Sedated Polka” a polka version of…
By now there should be no doubts about Buffalo Rising’s (and this author’s) feelings about Dyngus Day, see this and this. And while I evoked your auditory sense in the March issue of Buffalo Rising Magazine with my adulation of Those Idiots polka band, today I’m here to entice your sense of taste. At the Central Terminal’s Dyngus Day Party (Monday, March 24th) there will be some local favorites and a couple big names as well. Bistro Europa will offer their famous hunter’s stew, bigos, and the K Sisters will serve up their award winning pierogi. Ulrich’s is in charge…
In his last weeks in office, on March 4th, former Gov. Elliot Spitzer signed legislation authorizing New York State to join the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. With the State Assembly and Senate’s passing of the legislation last month and former Gov. Spitzer’s signature, New York State joins Minnesota, Illinois, and Indiana as the fourth state to ratify this important interstate compact to ban water withdrawals from outside of the Great Lakes Basin. The strength of this Compact, however, lies in all eight Great Lakes passing identical pieces of legislation ratifying the Compact. Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin…
A trip to one of Buffalo’s Middle Eastern markets is a sensory delight and an opportunity to purchase ingredients not often available at some of the city’s more well-known grocery stores. Fresh *halal lamb? Check. Baklava and other pistachio-laden sweets? You bet. Saffron, tumeric, paprika, cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, mustard seed, bay leaf and tons of other spices in large quantities? Definitely. Mango juice, pulp, concentrate, and paste? Yep. The list goes on and on, providing the creative cook with ample options for delicious meals. With the assistance of my friend Ali Ait Si Mhamed, I’ve profiled four of Buffalo’s Middle…
Since homo sapiens first began copulating, fornication has enthralled mankind. It follows then that discussions on libido and substances with which to increase it have had a place in almost every civilization since the beginning of time. Cave drawings, ancient Chinese lore, and Aztec customs all include references to aphrodisiacs. To clarify, aphrodisiacs, named after the Greek goddess Aphrodite, are substances that are ingested, applied topically, or consumed in an effort to increase sexual desire. This rules out drugs and alcohol which decrease social inhibitions and judgment (and ironically increase erectile dysfunction), and also pharmaceuticals like Viagra that improve sexual…
Ever since my visit to an indigenous community outside Mumbai I’ve been jonesin’ for sweet lemon grass tea. Tru Teas has a tasty lemon grass black hibiscus tea, and variations of lemon grass beverages are everywhere these days, but it just isn’t the same. I needed to take matters into my own hands. Lemon grass stalks are available for purchase at various Asian markets in the Buffalo area, I found mine at Au Chau on Niagara Street. Recalling Research Methods 101, I decided to try a few different approaches to determine the best technique for brewing up the sort of…