I love walking in the Elmwood Village for exercise and visual stimulation. Now that the gardens are no longer attracting attention, the storefront windows definitely are. What could be more fun than window shopping while making a list of holiday gifts to buy? There is also the benefit of socializing when I dip inside a store or run into someone on the street. Did you ever think of the small business owner who took a risk and works diligently to provide us with those opportunities? A huge fan of small businesses, I frequent local shops not only on Small Business…
Author: Judith Frizlen
A consignment shop that opened in 1945 at 648 Auburn Avenue just off Elmwood – Scoop Shop – feels like it’s been there forever and completely new at the same time. That’s because every time you go in, there are new “pre-loved” clothing items. There are also shoppers to share the “dress up” experience, provided by the warm and enthusiastic presence of owner, Wendie Reed. Despite the sign out front that says it’s a Women’s Consignment shop, there are both women’s and men’s clothing, from cashmere sweaters to gowns and disco shirts, and even four button suits. If you need a…
When the Elmwood Bidwell Market winds down, the Horsefeathers Winter Market gets going. On Saturdays, November 5th through the first week in May, the Winter Market at 346 Connecticut Street will be open from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.. The hours have been adjusted to accommodate the habits of shoppers which in years past involved getting a later start on cold Saturday mornings. If you want to come earlier, you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Lait Cru; they open at 9:00 a.m. The Horsefeathers Market is a family friendly shopping experience where you can purchase groceries and have breakfast,…
September is the time for going back to school, but learning is not for children only. Buffalo has many places where adults can learn; the Himalayan Institute is an example of one. In a historic mansion at 841 Delaware Avenue and Barker Streets, the Himalayan Institute offers hatha yoga on all levels, therapeutic yoga, yoga teacher training, and holistic health classes. Visit the Institute on Thursday, September 15, 2016 from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. for the 45th anniversary celebration of the Himalayan Institute. Former co-director of the Buffalo Center, Mary Gail Sovik, will present information about the institute’s history, tradition,…
Saturday morning was hot and rainy when we headed down to Aurora Waldorf School, eager to see old friends. When we arrived at 525 West Falls Road, the clouds parted and the sun was shining. A circle of about 65 people gathered outside the front of the school for a commemorative circle; a circle that has been unbroken for twenty-five years. The moment was marked by a verse, heartfelt expressions of gratitude for the school and community, as well as optimism for continued success in the next 25 years. The anniversary event was sponsored by the Aurora Waldorf School alumni…
One of the benefits of summer is the array of outdoor activities to participate in any day of the week. One of the drawbacks of summer is the array of outdoor activities to participate in any day of the week. Usually at some point during the season, if we have young children and we are going out a lot, we notice they have reached their saturation point. Too much activity and not enough sleep are draining; running on empty is no fun for anyone and children let us know by their behavior, i.e. meltdowns. What can we do? Dare to…
The five year olds in the “Acorns” program at the Rose Garden Early Childhood Center sanded and waxed wooden boats. Then they attached the mast and stitched the sail. Lastly, they knotted the rope and fixed it onto the bow of the boat. What’s better than building your own boat? For the children, I would guess it is launching their boats in Delaware Park’s Hoyt Lake on a beautiful June day. The boat “regatta” was a culmination of weeks of preparation. Teachers, parents and children gathered on the side of the lake for a circle including songs and verses that…
There is no shortage of healing practitioners in Buffalo. When you find one who is steeped in both mainstream medicine as well as alternative medicine, you’ve got your bases covered. That’s the complementary approach; bridging the gap so you can get the best of both worlds. Acupuncturist Barbara Simpson has over thirty years of hospital nursing experience as well as a Masters’ degree and experience in Five Element Acupuncture. She provides a professional and relaxed environment for clients to experience this healing art in her home on the west-side of Buffalo. What is traditional acupuncture and why would someone seek…
As new businesses pop up around the West Side, there is a storefront at 484 Connecticut Street whose signage is subtle so it might not have grabbed your attention yet. It’s called Mindgardens and its purpose is to teach Mindfulness Meditation. In our highly stimulating world with so many things vying for our attention at all times, it can provide balance to sit and focus inwardly, to practice attending to our thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations through mindfulness meditation. After all, our inner world affects us at least as much, if not more than the external information coming in. The…
In recent years public awareness has grown about the importance of diet and fitness for our health, but few people are well educated in the third pillar of health which is sleep. As you know, a good night’s sleep impacts how we feel not only in the morning but throughout the day. When we start the day without enough sleep, we are more likely to go for coffee and carbs and to avoid exercise, so it’s a vicious cycle. Last year, the Center for Disease Control classified sleep deprivation as a public epidemic. The latest reports indicate that one in…