Reader Craig sent us this link to a Sports Illustrated article from 1969, written after a disappointing Bills season and before the term “politically correct” came into play. “As a Bills fan and someone who loves Buffalo,” Craig explains, “I found the whole article incredibly interesting. I hope you do as well and maybe can fit it into the site so others can read it.”We will, with this warning: We have never seen anything quite this derogatory written about Buffalo. Many of the issues the article lambastes are things we’ve either since lost (our steel industry) or gained (The Sabres),…
Author: Dan Fisher
Yesterday I got an email from Sewell Chan, bureau chief of the New York Times City Blog. He said he follows Buffalo Rising (also said it was great), and he had some questions about the city. Mostly, it turned out, he needed some directions as he tried to pinpoint neighborhoods around town. I caught up with him via cell while he was on Hudson and Niagara, and he was wondering just where the Lower West Side began and ended. It’s a good question for even those who live in the region. We talked as he continued to drive around, touching…
Following up on last week’s charges, Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello says residents may breathe easier following the arrest of Mark L. Kamholz, the Environmental Control Manager for the Tonawanda Coke plant.Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that Kamholz has been charged with failing to notify government officials that levels of a hazardous substance beyond what U.S. code allows was being released into the air. The complaint against Kamholz says he knew about the emissions, but failed to notify the feds.Recently, the DEC released a study that revealed that air samples taken from the area around Tonawanda Coke had…
The Ice Ball, the New Year’s Eve party at the Statler this year, according to founder Steve Poland, could likely the last event occurring before the Statler gets mothballed in January and officially closes. “Likely for years, much like The Central Terminal, AM&A’s building, The Aud, and other historic Buffalo landmarks,” Poland says. “Today there will be a hearing where the trustee of the Statler is going to recommend shutting it down, which would take place in January,” according to Poland. [Note: The terminal and AM&A’s are enjoying a reincarnation.]Poland says his Ice Ball “has now kind of twisted into a…
We always look at developer Carl Paladino with a mixture of awe and fear, which I suppose can be the same thing from time to time.He knows what’s wrong, says what’s wrong, and sometimes…he goes somewhat off center. He can deliver an insult deftly, and he doesn’t stop at buying air and billboard space to do so. No one in their right mind would want to be caught in Carl’s crosshairs. Then there’s the delivery; no matter how salient his argument, there is always that extra little twist of the knife. And at some point Carl gets to name calling…
Sponsored by Fairground Gaming and Raceway, Taxi Ad Central, Entercom Radio and Liberty/Yellow cab of Buffalo, the idea is to prevent alcohol related accidents and fatalaties on New Year’s Eve. In launching their 35th year of Liberty and Yellow cab of providing free cab rides on New Year’s Eve for customers celebrating at local bars and restaurants, Liberty’s “Safe Ride Home” program provides participating bar and restaurant customers, who are not in a condition to drive, the opportunity for one of its drivers to get them home safely. In 2008, an estimated 11,733 people died in alcohol-impaired traffic crashes in the United States.* The…
We haven’t visited Ulrich’s in a big way since Anthony Bourdain’s visit earlier in the year, except to show you plans for their renovations.Owner Jim Daley gave us a nudge this week to let us know the new 16-seat dining room was open and ready for holiday business. The room, a former 19th century barbershop and later a sometimes hideaway for Courier Express and Trico workers, had been nothing more than a store room for the past 25 years.Now a quaint seating area with exposed 1866 brick walls, a view of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus on one side and Ulrich’s…
SPoT on Elmwood has opened its new space, and the former location is getting the finishing touches that will allow faithful patrons to enjoy the coffee shop as a whole this coming Thursday.According to Vice President of Facilities Luke Goetz, it’s been a long time coming, but SPoT fans are sure to think the new build-out is worth waiting for. There will be two entrances, a revved up menu including pizzas (like in the Toronto and Williamsville SPoT locations), Belgian waffles and breakfast all day, with plenty of lounge space – and best of all for some of us -…
Groundwork Buffalo, an independent, not-for-profit environmental organization, is looking for an executive director.Part of the Groundwork USA network, and working in conjunction with communities, the National Parks Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, Groundwork’s purpose is to build sustainable communities through joint environmental action. Their goal is to empower people to create better places and bring about prosperity through practical projects with people, business, government and community organizations.Based in Buffalo, the person chosen for the position will be responsible for managing the office and operations of Groundwork Buffalo, including fund-raising and development, financial and program management, progress reports and grant…
We know that Buffalo Public School District test scores and scholarships are on the rise, due in part to curriculum set in place by Superintendent of schools Dr. James A. Williams, and through partnership with a University at Buffalo.Yesterday, national attention was given to the great initiatives set in place by UB and the Buffalo Public Schools in this New York Times article. Groundbreaking research through a program called “Building Blocks” at the Stanley M. Makowski Early Childhood Center, Buffalo Public School 99, has netted information based on cognitive science in relationship to how young minds work.Principal Dawn DiNatale (left) points…