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Editor’s Note: We had a number of writers attend Buffalo Brewfest this weekend. Two of them have sent me articles, both interesting and both from a different perspective. The first is here, written by contributor John Aramini. The second, which will appear on the site later in the day, was written by BR’s own Beer in the City Dude, Adam Fix. Enjoy! This past Saturday, the Buffalo Central Terminal was bustling with activity as throngs of thirsty people turned out for the Sixth Annual Buffalo Brewfest. Even though the taps did not begin to flow until 2:00 in the afternoon,…

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In just over a decade, the Garden Walk has become one of Buffalo’s most popular annual events. This weekend over 250 local gardeners will show off the results of their hard work to thousands of visitors from all over Western New York and beyond. The Garden Walk wasn’t always such a big deal. West Side residents Marvin Lunenfeld and Gail McCarthy approached the Norwood-West Utica Block Club back in 1994 with the idea of a Buffalo Garden Walk modeled after a similar event the couple had attended in Chicago. They believed Buffalo would be receptive to the idea, and they…

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There’s a reason why they call Buffalo the “City of Good Neighbors.” Simply put, it’s true. And I am testimony to this phenomenon, as proof during a recent visit of mine. In preparing for my move to Buffalo from Toronto to begin graduate school this fall, I made a trip to the city to look for apartments this past Friday. I had arranged to visit a series of apartments in the afternoon. My first appointment, in the Elmwood Village, was on Ashland towards Forest. I thought that 40 minutes by foot would be enough time to get there from D’Youville…

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Our fair city has a rich and fascinating history and a wealth of intriguing stories just waiting to be told. Buffalo is home to marvelous parks, exquisite gardens, world-renowned architecture and one of the largest preservation districts in the United States, Allentown. The Walking Tour Committee of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site has done its homework and is ready to present an entire new slate of guided walking tours this season. Special event tours include: Urban Gardens – An Insider’s Look Saturday, July 7th Artists and Architecture of Allentown Wednesday, August 8th A New Look at Richmond Avenue Saturday, September…

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We met Reverend Fred Jensen at Dennis Hayes’ luncheon Tuesday on embracing renewable energy sources. Rev. Fred identifies with the vision of environmentalists like Hayes, and has his own ideas on how our region should (and can) move toward a cleaner, greener future by freeing ourselves from our dependence on fossil fuels. Erie County and Western New York are making important strides ahead in the field of renewable energy. All of us know about the hydroelectric power we get from Niagara Falls – here are some other initiatives taking place: * NanoDynamics, a local technology and manufacturing company, is developing…

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One of the great things about living in Buffalo is the wide variety of groups devoted to a particular interest or hobby. Whether large or small, formal or informal, these groups add immeasurably to the cultural fabric of our city. The Western New York Book Arts Collaborative is one such group. Devoted to the appreciation and creation of local hand-made book art, the WNYBAC has an exciting slate of workshops and activities planned for Spring. 2007 Buffalo Small Press Book Fair Saturday, March 31 from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. This free event will feature over 50 vendors and the…

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By now most of you who read this are aware that our oft-maligned city has been undergoing a dramatic rebirth in the last few years. As a Commercial Real Estate Agent it has been exciting to watch and participate in the revitalization process and I thought it would be interesting to give you a report from the trenches, literally. First though, for those who need a quick refresher course, Buffalo has been a city mired in a spiral decline dating back to the end of the great steel mill era. A steady loss of population and decades of bad press…

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Dang. Why don’t more Americans know Langston and Zora? Tsk. Everyone respects them as venerable writers but it really is so much fun to read their short stories, articles and poetry. Each astute and witty, both undeterred by the Great Depression and prevalent racism, the best of their respective works are vibrant with joy. Perhaps this is why they became friends upon their first meeting. In 1931, Hurston and Hughes collaborated on writing the comic play Mule Bone. Writing in Harlem, they wrote from their observations of Southern life. For decades Mule Bone went unproduced. On his own manuscript, Langston…

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Press Conference: 2:00 PM – Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society auditorium. Some speakers will be available for interviews. A forum to showcase many of the exciting 2007 cultural initiatives, and the formal launch of a comprehensive, new bi-national cultural tourism website. Location @ Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society auditorium. January 18, 2007 | 2:30 to 4:30. Admission is free. Participants and Speakers:

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The Western New York Book Arts Collaborative will continue its impressive run of events centered around handmade books with a Clam Shell Box Workshop. Confused? Read on. Clam shell boxes have multiple uses in the world of book arts, providing protection, storage, as well as beauty in and of themselves. On Saturday, January 20 the WNYBAC and Quality Bindery will present a half-day workshop where participants will learn more about clam shell boxes and construct one of their own. The box won’t be cheap: the workshop fee is $50 and the materials will cost an additional $20, but participants who…

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