thursday february 5th 2009
If You See This Posting, You're at the Wrong Site
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.
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thursday december 18th 2008
The Wait is Almost Over - BR's New Site
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…
wednesday december 17th 2008
Downtown Free Fare Zone May be Axed
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…
West Coast Perspective
Main Street continues to stir. Ellicott Development is renovating a vacant, three-story, turn-of-the- 20th-century building at 1010 Main St. The property is located near North Street and is along the western edge of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. In Midtown, Regan Development is making progress converting the Packard Building to residential use.
buffalorising
Elvis Presley’s influence on music is legendary. The man was such a force that even after his untimely death, there are still those who refuse to believe he’s truly gone. He would have been 74 years old come January 8th, 2009 and there are a number of musicians out there who still honor him on that date. Now, you can have the opportunity to celebrate the King while listening to his classics – live.
The Elvis Birthday Bash Band isn’t just one band, but three bands combined. Mark Gamsjager and the Lustre Kings add Johnny Rabb of the Neanderthals and Eddie Angel of the Los Straitjackets/Planet Rockers/Ian and the Aztecs to come together and create a powerhouse even the King himself might have a hard time reckoning with. The Lustre Kings have been touring the country for years while Johnn…
tuesday december 16th 2008
Ring out the Old, Ring in the New
Wudenbachs
Ring in the New Year from one of Buffalo's great urban vistas and at the same time help the Western New York Book Arts Center grow. This fund raiser event is a great way to celebrate the past with a look to the future of Buffalo's cultural landscape. From the first and second floors of the Book Arts Center you can see the Niagara Mohawk Electric tower from where the ball will drop at midnight. While the masses wait outside in the cold for the ball drop & fireworks, you can have a panoramic view from the second floor or from the exact viewpoint that Charles Burchfield painted his "Buildings and Street Scene":at the corner of Washington St. & Mohawk (the Slotkin Building).
This "1920s Black Tie Optional" New Year's Eve party wi…
queenseyes
It was only last week when we began to install the parking meter poles on Allen Street that architect and UB professor Brad Wales pointed out to me what their artistic significance really was. "Have you ever seen the words on the poles," he asked me. I told him that I had noticed the words, but was not sure why they were there. "It was part of the Small Built Works (SBW) project back in '01. Each word begins with the prefix 're'. It was done to add a human element to the dehumanizing streetscape that is often found (normally the parking meter poles feature stenciled identification numbers). We did it in conjunction with the Pan Am Centennial.
"The prefix 're' was selected because it has two meanings - back or backwards and again or anew. As a concrete poem, the poem itself looks both forwards and backwards. We were renewing Allen Street and paying tribute to the past. All 103 p…
queenseyes
With everyone talking about the auto bailout and the future roll to be played by car manufacturers, many people are beginning to look at local government's roll in the deal. Car manufacturers are looking for partners within city government that will make the transition to alternative energy easier. Some cities are answering the call by studying infrastructure in order to come up with plans that would allow residents the ability to make the transition a smooth one. There are still big fears when it comes to the prices and maintenance of owning an electric car. And what are the electric companies doing to ensure that the power is there when cities do lead the charge? From Tony Posawatz, vehicle line director of the Chevy Volt, in a recent CNET News article:
"We are looking at communities tha…
