
buffalorising
This afternoon at 3, in the Market Arcade Building at 617 Main Street, Buffalo First, Brian Reilly and dozens of small business owners will gather to unveil Buffalo’s very first, all-local coupon book.
The book features over 150 businesses from every neighborhood in Buffalo - businesses that are independently owned by residents of Western New York. In these tough economic times, independents need all the help they can get.
For a mere $10, purchasers have the opportunity for $2,500 in savings. In addition, the coupon book also features smart consumer tips that will help Buffalo make healthier and greener choices. There are also practical coupons for daily necessities such as groceries, clothing, and home supplies, as well as coupons for restaurants, theatres, coffee shops and galleries.
Books will be sold at over 80 retail locations starting today, and a complete list can be found at

RaChaCha
One of two important agenda items (see post below) for today's Buffalo’s Preservation Board meeting is an issue sure to catch people’s attention: Should the Darul-Uloom Al Madania Mosque on Sobieski Street be allowed to replace the historic spires with fiberglass domes? The mosque occupies the former Holy Mother of the Rosary Cathedral, and is a City of Buffalo designated landmark.
According to concept drawings submitted by the mosque, the spires—which were removed last spring after a windstorm under an emergency permit granted by Dick Tobe—are to be replaced with gold-colored fiberglass domes, atop fiberglass bas…

RaChaCha
On today’s agenda for Buffalo’s Preservation Board is an issue of David against Goliath.
Buffalo State College has submitted a request to demolish a fine little house they own at 649 Grant Street. Built in the mid-19th century, and expanded in the back over the years in classic telescope fashion, this house nestles against much larger houses, including classic Buffalo doubles, built much later. Its size allows for a tree, welcoming front yard, and even sidewalk, which its larger neighbors don’t enjoy.
Bob Franke of the Grant-Ferry Association said, “If Buffalo State has a coherent plan for this area that they'd like to present to the community for open discourse, I have no di…

Notice: Save the Date
December 26, 29, 30 and 31, 10 AM Till Noon Inside Downtown You don't know Buffalo if you don't know the landmarks by master architects Louis Sullivan, Daniel Burnham, Richard Upjohn, and E. B. Green. St. Paul's Cathedral (whose interior image graces this post), the Ellicott Square Building and the Old Post Office are as magnificent on the inside as on the outside. We'll keep you indoors as much as possible as you trek between towers. The tour includes One M&T Plaza, Old County Hall, lower Pearl Street and more. Meet at the Market Arcade, 617 Main Street, $10
December 27 and 28, 10 AM Till Noon Legendary Lincoln Parkway One of the most beautiful avenues in Olmsted's park system, Lincoln Parkway was a magnet for lavish homes built by many prominent Buffalonians. John Larkin, founder of the Larkin Soap Company, even bought …

BRO Reader Submission
By Don Brenner
The New York State financial crisis weighs heavy on the shoulders of students attending any SUNY school. The price increase of $310 per semester for each undergraduate student, and $490 per semester for graduate students, is supposed to cover a portion of the $210 million budget cuts all across SUNY campuses. Students are now paying more money for less services. Students did not put New York State into a budget crisis, so why should they have to pay for it? There are other ways New York State can get money for education programs so the students do not suffer.
So where can the state get $210 million? That seems like an extreme amount of money, and there is no way the current budget can be balanced to give this money to schools. There is a simple way to give students the facilities and educational opportunities they deserve, though. It all has to do …

West Coast Perspective
James Hengst, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of ZeptoMetrix, has been researching the history of the Hoyt Mansion his firm is currently renovating at 878 Main Street. With help from local historians and preservation officials, he has assembled a comprehensive timeline of the building's history.
Dr. Orson Hoyt built the mansion at 878 Main Street. In the 1850’s, Dr. Hoyt purchased a large tract of land where he built two houses; these homes stood on N. Pearl Street immediately behind where 878 Main Street would later be built.

buffalorising
The 6th Annual Red Ribbon Community Awards Ceremony will be held at Asbury Hall at Babeville tonight. Designed to recognize the outstanding dedication and contributions of our community members in regards to HIV/AIDS, there will be 5 Red Ribbon Community Awards and 1 Excellence in Service Award.
The Award Recipients, are as follows:
Red Ribbon County Awards: Judy Deane Barton - Erie County Department of Health, AIDS Education Katherine A. Boger - Alianza Latina, Inc. Clara Gillies - is a community member affiliated with Trinity Episcopal Church Julie Rapp - American Red Cross, Greater Buffalo Chapter Pat Van Etten - Chautauqua County Department of Health
Excellence In Service Award: Ida J. Parker - Buffalo Prenatal Perinatal Network - Community Action for Prenatal Care(CAPC)

queenseyes
After long last (actually not that long) I'm happy to announce that Rusty Chain beer is ready and the first series of bike rings will be installed on Allen Street tomorrow morning (see back story). Of course we're a bit biased, but the Rusty Chain team is very pleased regarding the outcome of the beer. It's super smooth and clean, no strong aftertaste with decent hop character. The beer is so good that the first few kegs have already been kicked at the Flying Bison brewery. Beer fans and cyclists have been filling up their growlers (at FB) as the bars and restaurants have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the first commercial shipments. Those shipments should be arriving at an establishment near you any day now. I just leaned that The Village Beer Merchant has Rusty Chain, Buffalo's Bike-Friendly B…

buffalorising
Thank you to all the readers who submitted photos to Buffalo Rising’s photography contest. This week’s winner is Alex Shaver. Alex receives a $100 gift certificate from Duo for this winning photo (above).
We received many inspiring, adorable and interesting photos. Below is runner-up Matthew Perrello’s photo submitted with a caption.
There will be another BRO contest announced this week. It requires creativity, but not the kind seen through a camera lens. Stay tuned!
WHAT? Bass Pro Is Coming To Buffalo? **** Just Another False Alarm.

queenseyes
Many of you may not know Days Park by name. Many of you might have heard of the park, but are not exactly sure where it is. Days Park is the neighborhood community that is found where Allen Street becomes Wadsworth in Allentown. It's the quaint little park that, at one point not too long ago, was in jeopardy of becoming a forgotten park. The ornate fountain had been stolen, the grounds were in disrepair, the vagrants outnumbered the residents, and the blight was rubbing off on the houses. It was not until the surrounding community, led by activist Mary Simpson, decided to take action that anyone discovered just how tragic the loss had become.
Back in 1986, neighbors rallied together and illuminated the perimeter of the park in order to show solidarity toward eliminating the blight. It was a signal of hope that the community was strong – like a animal that stands taller in orde…





