Author: queenseyes

The Broadway Market and Arts for Learning WNY, along with the support from City of Buffalo Common Council Member Mitch Nowakowski, are introducing a series of Family Art Days, featuring live music and art activities for kids. The series – taking place every Saturday in June – is the perfect way for families to explore the artistic side of Buffalo, at the city’s oldest public market – The Broadway Market. From book making to jump rope making, there’s something for every family to enjoy. Best of all, the live music and art activities are free, and open to all ages.…

Throughout the month of June, Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy (BOPC) will be educating the community on its efforts to eradicate invasive species within the parks system. Events and activities include buckthorn harvesting and ink making, invasive species walks, and a native species scavenger hunt. In recent years, invasive species have become more and more of a problem, as they have entrenched themselves into the regional landscape. From the emerald ash borer to Japanese knotweed to the spotted lanternfly, there is no dearth of invasive enemies to deal with. For that reason, BOPC is dedicating the month of June to the…

It’s been a hot minute since we talked about all of the art and cultural advancements at Silo City – a 27 acre campus that sits on ancestral land of the Haudenosaunee peoples. When we discuss art and culture, we must also discuss the reclaimed natural setting that encompasses and embodies the former industrial site. The Lyceum – a holistic urban land management nonprofit – is the official operational entity that acts as steward of the reclaimed Silo City land. The nonprofit is run by Executive Director Maris Grundy, who works hand-in hand with the Lyceum’s Director of Arts and…

On Thursday, June 15, Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning invites people to attend a Smart Street Design public meeting to discuss existing street and infrastructure conditions, while exploring the benefits of Smart Streets. As the world advances to more “futuristic” forms of transportation modes, our city’s infrastructure must keep up with the swiftly changing times. What might seem like a good idea right now, might not be a good idea ten years from now. Therefore, the best thing to do is to get ahead of the curve, by researching best practices. Buffalo’s Race for Place is about “advancing the City…

The world is still reeling from the death of culinary great Anthony Bourdain. In Buffalo, we fondly remember his visit to a number of establishments in 2009. We also still have an even greater connection to the renowned chef, thanks to the on-again, off-again presence of Bourdain’s Russian sidekick, Zamir Gotta. These days, Gotta travels the world, reaching out to people who have been affected by the ravages of suicide. In September of 2022, Gottar’s own son committed suicide – a bewildering circumstance that compounded his grief from Bourdain’s tragic loss in 2018. If there’s one thing that we can…

There are few properties in the WNY region that can compare to 193 Elk Street – a fabulous Gothic revival cathedral and rectory in South Buffalo. When I first paid a visit to this cultural oasis back in 2020, it was known as Elk Tree Gardens & Castle. At the time, the owners were busy transforming the nave, the various rooms, and the grounds, into a cultural mecca for artists and musicians. It is interesting to note that the nave has City-approved plans for an event and entertainment space, if that is the direction that a new owner is interested…

In 2021, a historic Buffalo Creek flour-carrying rail boxcar (Boxcar BCK 1424) made its auspicious return to Buffalo. The project was spearheaded by Charlie Monte Verde of the Flour by Rail Legacy Project (FBRLP). Charlie, who works in the rail industry, has made it his mission to help reinvigorate our city’s love of the railroad. This is an important and admirable project considering that Buffalo was once the second biggest rail city in the nation. (L-R) Rick Smith of Silo City and Charlie Monte Verde of Flour by Rail Legacy Project | Image courtesy Buffalo, USA Foundation After successfully trucking the…

Some of the first visitors to the newly expanded, updated, and renovated Buffalo AKG Art Museum campus, have come away with sensational reports of what it’s like to venture into a couple of the gallery spaces. While the Gundlach Building is still underwraps, the Ralph Wilson Town Square is a real showstopper. The glass canopy overhead – Common Sky, by Olafur Eliasson (Icelandic, born Denmark, 1967) and Sebastian Behmann (German, born 1969) of Studio Other Spaces – is as magical as one could ever hope for. “… as if it was a crystal palace,” noted one visitor. Between the kaleidoscopic sunburst refractions, and the cast…

Get your bikes ready, and bring your family and friends along, to the inaugural Larkinville Day of Fitness! All day long, on Saturday, June 3, guests to Larkinville will be able to participate in Zumba, pickleball, yoga, and a four mile run. Not to mention hooping, a lounge by Lululemon, the Breezy Bowl Food Truck, a health market, and Barre… and the list goes on! There’s so much to see and do, while getting fit, having fun, and enjoying some amazing sunny weather at one of Buffalo’s most coveted urbanist retreats. Included in the mix is the opening of Fitness…

Here’s a real opportunity to do something great on Main Street. At this stage in the game, we need to looking at better infill opportunities, whether we’re looking at a sprawling surface lot or any other underutilized property. I would have to say that 1458 Main Street falls into the latter category. The single story 5,536 square foot office-with-retail warehouse is prime for a complete redevelopment. It’s going to take someone with some vision to understand the potential here. With a 12 car garage (3,087 square feet), a 3,974 square foot detached warehouse, a 48 vehicle on site parking lot,…