Of course, it did once. Buffalo has a history of tearing down great buildings, but that was then, right? The thought that Chicago would allow the demolition of a YWCA building from 1895 (top image), in a landmark district, makes one wonder.This building and those nearby remind us of the Webb Building, the Guaranty, the Genesee Gateway, White’s Livery, the LCo Building, and more. It’s unconscionable that in a city with Chicago’s wealth, a judge would order a building torn down at the expense of the integrity of those around it.With a winter upon us, we always have fears about those…
Author: JohnInCambridge
Yesterday was the most perfect of days to be at a Bills game. First, there was the 50+ degree weather on November 29th. Then, there was the win over Miami. And naturally, the 4th quarter interceptions were an absolute thrill.It was a fast game, and the 50-yard line seats from way up high on the west-facing side of the stadium kept the sun on our faces and gave us a great view of the playing field. The bare-chested zanies with painted bodies weren’t the only ones peeling off layers of unneeded extra clothing; it was warm and comfortable as we…
A few weeks back, Newell brought designer Lesley Horowitz to the WBFO studios to meet News Director Mark Scott and to talk about the time she has spent documenting the industrial landscape. (See her Facebook album here.)Now a New York City based artist and designer who keeps a unique apartment in Buffalo, in a former church on Bird and West (right), Horowitz says she was forced out of Buffalo for lack of a suitable job, but spends a lot of time here with the hope of moving back some day. Through her partnership in Officelab, Horowitz, who has an MFA in industrial…
Last weekend, 36 students from Syracuse University, the University of Rochester and Cornell convened to address the problem of brain drain in the region, that sends recent college graduates elsewhere to seek jobs.Several different entities and institutions in Buffalo have begun their own separate meetings to address the same. There is the upcoming “I Will Stay if…” meeting hosted by Great Lakes Urban Exchange (GLUE), on December 3rd at the Century Grill and Commissioner of Economic Development, Permit and Inspection Services Brian Reilly, will be holding his own “idea” meeting on December 4th at the Buffalo & Erie County Central…
For a family-friendly activity the day after Thanksgiving, especially for out-of-towners who want to reconnect to the city, Buffalo Tours is conducting tours and a special event during the long Thanksgiving weekend. There’s a good reason to avoid those frenetic trips to the mall! Black Friday is also an ideal day to explore Downtown Buffalo; almost everything will be open, but with less traffic and plenty of parking. Queen City Downtown – Friday, 11/27 10AM – Noon This tour will follow an “Inside Downtown” route, moving from the lobby of one downtown landmark to another, keeping tour goers…
The Broadway Market, after decades of being thought of as the place to go for Easter shopping, is celebrating Christmas for the third year in a row. The Christkindlmarket Christmas Fair will take place on Friday, November 27th and Saturday, November 28th, between 8AM and 5PM at 999 Broadway in Buffalo’s Polonia Historic District. According to Tom Kerr, the new executive director of the market, “For a long time the Broadway Market was thought of just for Easter, but we’re trying to transform it into an international ethnic market and Saturday venue with book signings, music, cooking demos, etcetera.” Kerr…
Two local groups, Pixie Mamas Dog Rescue and Pole Play Dance Studio, are coming together On December 19th at the Riviera Theatre to help raise money for mans’ best friend (the 4-legged kind). Pixie Mamas Rescue (PMR) is a group of volunteer dog lovers whose mission is to rescue, provide sanctuary, and ultimately to re-home abandoned, stray and neglected dogs. They also assist dogs who are unable to remain in their homes, no matter the reason. Specializing in smaller breed dogs, sometimes known as “palm puppies,” PMR understands that these small breeds are not simply fashion accessories, and they need as much attention and affection as any…
After taking a little ribbing about my recent vacation and surfing in Mexico (below), WBFO News Director Mark Scott, Newell and I rolled up our sleeves and got down to Buffalo business on this segment of the Buffalo Rising Roundtable.First up was the upheaval in the Ellicott District. Now that Brian Davis has resigned, many people have let it be known that they’d like the Ellicott District council seat. The first person who came to our minds was Marilyn Rodgers (listen to the podcast above to hear why). Ellicott is a uniquely blended district that needs a free-thinking, hard worker…
Everyone’s favorite mounted sheriff, Wayne Wolf, is back at it with a seasonal slant on keeping his off-duty horse gainfully employed.As explained in this Buffalo Rising Magazine article by Lynn Roberson, the horses within the Sheriff’s Mounted Reserve Unit are owned by the officers, and are not paid for or covered under county funds. The yearly $4K and up to keep a horse cared for and healthy is a big ticket, but Wolf has found ways for the horses to help pay for their own upkeep through Pony Xpression.Not only will Wayne and friend(s) make their rounds for special occasions…
A while back, Newell wrote a story about Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore outlet on Amherst Street. While he extolled the virtues of the store, he also lamented the unfriendly outside of the shop – so very opposite from what one finds within – and its lack of decent signage.Brendan Ryan, an Americorps volunteer with ReStore contacted us yesterday to say that Meredeth Lavelle, of Lavelle & Lavelle Signs and Graphics, saw the story and offered to make signs for Habitat at no cost! (See comment #3 in Newell’s story.)Brendan says the signs were hung last week- one on the Amherst side…