STEEL
After reading a recent Buffalo News story about funding and delays in renovation of the Buffalo State Psychiatric Hospital I was reminded of how much I love that building. This structure designed by H.H. Richardson is massive and I love the whole thing. However I really love the part that no one thinks of, the 1/4 mile long wings (or should I say wing since one wing was lopped off in the 60's). This building is not considered to be one of Richardson's best buildings. But, that is not to say that it is a bad building or that it is not important as a major work …
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STEEL
This house on Richmond Avenue is very unusual for Buffalo. It stands out among its wooden neighbors not only in material but also in detail and form. Buffalo is overwhelmingly constructed of wood with brick coming in a distant second as a material. Stone houses are very rare. Also rare is the Palazzo styling and shape of this house. Buffalo's Queen Anne Victorians are strong expressions of Buffalo's new money attitude in the late 1800's and early 190…
BlueDevil
We've updated Buffalo Rising. Some people haven't seen it yet, though, so if you're seeing this post, you need to refresh your browser to be taken to the new www.buffalorising.com. If hitting refresh alone doesn't do it, hold the *shift* key and hit refresh.
If that doesn't work and you still see this old version of the site, try going to this story. That should certainly take you to the new site and from there, you can navigate around the new BuffaloRising.com.

buffalorising
Though it may only be the fifth time since 1992 that the Albright-Knox Art Galley has increased its admission rate, the higher fee speaks to the changing face of our society and economy. To keep the gallery in good financial health, it is necessary to increase the price of a regular adult admission ticket from $10 up to $12. The new price will go into effect on January 1st 2009.
The director of the gallery, Louis Grachos, has said that due to higher costs in all areas of the gallery’s operation, the modest increase is necessary. The gallery will continue to offer free admission to the Permanent Collection every Friday from 3 until 10 PM through the Gusto at the Gallery series, group admission prices for adult guided tours will remain the same, senior and student ticket prices will not increase, and the gallery’s new program for elementary and high school students will remain…

buffalorising
As we mentioned in our previous post, we’re in the process of changing the Buffalo Rising site. We’re almost there as we expect to launch the new site on Friday, December 19th.
In the meantime, posting will be light as we log new stories in the new publishing system which will only be viewable when we launch on Friday.
As always, we appreciate our users’ patience as we make this transition but we promise it will be well worth it. With faster load times, a comment view feature (allowing users to view their comments prior to publishing them) and the ability for users to upload their chosen photo to accompany their profiles and comments, we’re excited about the new site.
Stay tuned.

Elena Cala Buscarino
Caroline Kennedy was in town for a visit with our mayor yesterday. A possible choice to succeed US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Kennedy's name has been mentioned along with that of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo (son of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo) and our own Byron Brown, among others.
Certainly, Kennedy has "been around politics" all of her life, which is to say she was born into a family of politicos and lived in the White House--neither of which would necessarily factor in to her ability to legislate.
Still, she has been active in politics recently, and much more visible in that vein, having worked on President-Elect Barack Obama's campaign. Her willingness to step out of a rather quiet existence and into that of politics shouldn't surprise anyone at th…

Brandon Schlia
French satire from the 1600's feels like falling asleep in high school english class. But classic French satire with a rock and roll band? That sounds better. We can thank Andy Liegl for this bold modernity on December 26th when his production of Such Foolish Affected Ladies opens at the Alt Theatre. The original play calls for violinists but this role has been liberally opened up to local band The Nepenthe. "I wanted an indie rock sound, something that my generation can click with but will still evoke foot tapping from an older, more classical crowd." You can look forward to seeing classic actors ballroom dancing to a cover of the Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer."
However, this is just a small part of the band's total function in Liegl's vision. Not only are they to provide…

buffalorising
It’s funny how history seems to repeat itself. Florence Foster Jenkins was in the elite member of society, but terribly eccentric and utterly convinced that she was a great coloratura soprano – despite the fact that she couldn’t carry a tune for even a few notes. She even managed to hold a sold out concert, even though she couldn’t sing! Sound familiar? Remember William Hung?
Jenkins’ story happened over 50 years ago. She would hold annual recitals in the Ritz Carlton hotel where she lived with her accompanist Cosme McMoon. News of her terrible singing and conviction that it was fantastic singing spread and soon enough, the hotel would be packed with fans trying to hide their laughter with handkerchiefs in their mouths – which Jenkins interpreted as the fans being overcome with exuberant cheering. She became so popular that she had a concert at Carnegie Hall in 1944 …

West Coast Perspective
Free light rail rides on downtown's above ground section could be derailed thanks to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority's budget mess. That is the news coming out of a Buffalo Place meeting this morning. Facing a budget shortfall and reduced State operating assistance, the NFTA is scrambling for new revenue sources and is contemplating charging for rides along the lengthy downtown pedestrian mall.

Sbrof
Well it is Christmas time in the city and the NFTA helped put people and especially children into the mood in a very festive and fun way. One of my favorite memories of childhood was taking the train downtown with my grandfather. I would gaze out the windows and watch the tunnel speed by. It always felt like we were going a million miles an hour.
Then there was the ability to stand up and walk around during the ride without the need to be strapped down. It was always a fun time to feel the ebb and flow of the motion under your feet. All are unique and fun activities for children on such a simple thing as a train. Something many Americans might never experience in their life.
This year the NFTA took an already fun trip and added some holiday flare. The stati…





