Nelson Making Case For Roster Spot on August 30th, 2010

On a Bills roster that is yearning for more playmakers, wide receiver David Nelson may have found himself a home.

The undrafted rookie out of the University of Florida has made quite a name for himself this preseason. Despite missing the second preseason game due to injury, Nelson has been able to pull in 7 catches for 81 and 2 touchdowns in the other two games.

“To be honest, I’m willing to bring to the table whatever this team needs. Whether that be a possession receiver, whether that be a slot, outside, whatever it takes to get this team better, whatever it takes to get us to the next level,” Nelson said.

What a change of pace from a certain #81 on last year’s roster. Instead of having a receiver opposite Lee Evans that ‘needs’ the ball, here’s a young player that has the fire to not only to make the squad, but to contribute to the team by any means necessary.

And with a coach like Chan Gailey that has a knack for getting the most out of his talented players, one can be sure to see more of Nelson out on the field if he keeps producing.

The Buffalo Bills and the rest of the NFL must cut down their roster to 53 by September 4th.

Hometown News at Noon: Monday, August 30 on August 30th, 2010

Today could mark the beginning of a new era for the beleaguered Statler Towers. The Buffalo landmark overlooking Niagara Square is set to be sold at a bankruptcy auction. Local businessmen Mark Croce and James Eagen are reportedly up against a California real estate investment company. The sale will be conducted in the offices of the court-appointed trustee before a federal bankruptcy judge gives the final approval. The two bidders have not yet revealed their plans for the vacant building. Previous owner Bashir Issa was forced into bankruptcy in April of last year.

Both sides still await a judge’s decision on whether to delay Native American cigarette tax collections. The Seneca Nation filed suit against the state in order to delay the Governor’s action, set to go into effect this Wednesday, September 1st. Native American tribes have noted their sales tripling as smokers attempt to purchase cigarettes before the deadline. Governor Paterson has expressed concern about possible violence. Tribal protestors blocked the Thruway with burning tires the last time a New York governor tried to impose such a measure.

Buffalo resident Randy Sargent kicked off a 600-mile walk against violence this past weekend. Sargent was joined on the steps of Buffalo City Hall Saturday afternoon by dozens of people who have lost a loved one to homicide. Sargent plans to take his message to the nation’s capital, where he will express his concerns to national leaders. He says he stepped up, and stepped off, because our communities need Washington’s help.

A West Valley man is dead after a car crash in Cattaraugus County. 50-year-old Christopher Schmitz’s car was hit Sunday morning in the Town of Ashford. Police say the other driver, Linda Baker, ran through a stop sign at the intersection of Thomas Corners Road and Route 240. Schmitz was taken to a hospital in Springville where he died from internal injuries. Baker suffered non-life threatening injuries.

A shooting victim was discovered near a Buffalo gas station over the weekend. Police say they found the victim near Main and Glenwood around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The victim’s condition has yet to be released. No suspects have been taken into custody, but police canvassed an east side neighborhood to search for suspects after they located the victim.

Buffalo police are investigating a report of a rape early Saturday morning. Cops say a woman told them she was grabbed off the street by a person or persons she did not know. The woman reported that she was taken into an apartment above a Delaware Avenue bar and forced to drink a liquid which made her fall asleep, when she was allegedly attacked.

Amherst Fire Control is blaming a bird’s nest for an attic fire. The Snyder Fire Department responded to the blaze in an attic at a home on Devon Lane at about 5:00 p.m. Sunday. The fire was quickly controlled, but caused 25-thousand-dollars of damage to the structure and 50-thousand-dollars of damage to the home’s contents. Officials believe a bird’s nest and a malfunctioning ventilation fan caused the blaze to start. No injuries were reported and the family’s pet was saved.

Tom Petty’s second appearance at Darien Lake in a couple weeks was a busy night for law enforcement. More than 30 arrests were made at the show Saturday night. 28-year-old Adam Phillips of Brockport allegedly punched a deputy in the face and now faces charges of assault, trespassing and resisting arrest. Cops say he repeatedly tried to get into the wrong seating area before allegedly squabbling with officers. A father and son from Lockport were busted for allegedly fighting with security guards and an Akron man allegedly threatened a deputy. Police say there were also various drug and alcohol related arrests at the show, which also featured Crosby, Stills and Nash.

Governor David Paterson is being sued by the Columbia Journalism Review over disclosure of a series of emails. The publication filed suit against Paterson seeking seven weeks worth of emails involving Paterson’s former Communications Director Peter Kauffmann and former Press Secretary Melissa Shorenstein, from a period before Kauffman stepped down in March. The review, published at Columbia University, critiques the news industry.

The lead organizer behind New York City’s controversial Muslim cultural center and mosque owes back taxes on the proposed site. The “New York Post” reports that Sharif El-Gamal’s company, 45 Park Place Partners, didn’t pay estimated taxes in January and July. City records show he currently owes more than 224-thousand dollars in back property taxes. The debt could be a possible lease violation. A spokesperson for El-Gamal says he has paid the taxes.

Passing the hat… for good. on August 30th, 2010

For the first time in as long as I can remember, the Elmwood Festival of the Arts had two full days of sunshine without a cloud in the sky - perfect weather for artists of all sorts. As much as I found the various artists' works a draw, I was particularly interested to see all of the buskers who set up throughout the show. There was a young violinist at Ferry, a guitar player at Breckenridge, a magician at Cleveland, and so on. At every corner there was some sort of entertainment. The diversity of the musicians was fascinating, as was the crowd's reaction to each.

The sight of all of the different musicians brought me back to a conversation that I had earlier in the year with various people who were looking to spice up commercial districts. I'll be throwing a few of the spin-off ideas out there throughout the week, starting with one where designated busking stands would be set up at areas of artistic interest. For example, commission The Griffis Family to construct a music sheet stand out of metal (with a shelf to place a hat) at Elmwood Village Park where buskers can set up to play and people can safely gather to listen. There could be various stands constructed that would help to promote the artists who often times get booted from place to place (whether they have permits or not).

We're starting to see more and more roaming artists around the city. Thankfully we are embracing them for the most part. By incorporating artistic designed busking stations into everyday city life, Buffalo would be helping to promote a scene that has taken root and is looking to grow.

 

Funding Secured for Livery Rehab on August 30th, 2010

It took some time and patience from both the developer and neighborhood residents, but work to create a 14-unit apartment building at the White's Livery site at 428 Jersey Street is a significant step closer to starting.  Developer Sam Savarino is teaming with West Side Neighborhood Housing Services Inc. on the $3.4 million project.  The development received $2.1 million in funding from the NYS HOME Program last week allowing the reuse project to proceed.

The project is a victory for neighborhood residents who stepped in to stop an emergency demolition by the City after bricks started cascading from the neglected property in 2008.  Residents successfully lobbied the City to save the structure's front and rear facades and distinctive tower.  Savarino's plans call for new construction within the building's remaining walls.

Units will range in size from 700 sq.ft. for a one-bedroom apartment to 1,025 sq.ft. and two bedrooms. 

Twelve enclosed parking spaces will be provided on the ground floor along with laundry facilities.  Plans for two parking spaces in front of the building have been dropped after neighbors raised concerns at a Zoning Board hearing.  Revised plans show landscaping along Jersey Street.

Due to funding restrictions, the fourteen units must be rented at an affordable level.  These will not be low-income apartments, rents are determined by income levels in the immediate neighborhood.  The gross rents (rent plus utilities) will range from $600 to $715 a month and will be affordable to nine households with incomes at or below 50 percent of the area median income, and five households with incomes at or below 60 percent of the area median income.  Two units will be fully-accessible units for persons with mobility impairments and three will be accessible units for persons with a hearing or vision impairment.

Project financing is through the NYS HOME Program, City of Buffalo, Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program, NYS RESTORE Program, and private equity.

The development team consists of West Side Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CHDO) as developer and management agent, Oxford Consulting as housing consultant, Savarino Construction as general contractor, and Stieglitz Snyder Architecture as architect.  Upon completion, the project will be owned by White's Livery Apartments HDFC, Inc.

In all, Governor David A. Paterson Thursday announced $119 million in housing and community renewal awards to help communities across the State develop affordable housing, revitalize downtowns, and upgrade water and sewer systems.Get Connected: Savarino Cos., 716.332.5959

Visions of Outer Harbor Opportunities on August 30th, 2010

You can't say no to Tucker Curtin. Well, you can, but it will just feed the fire which powers the intense energy of this local businessman. Before meeting him, more than one person had told me of his entrepreneurial spirit, which landed him in Seventeen magazine as a teen. Age hasn't tempered his big ideas, and by the time we met one another four or five years ago, he was well known for transforming an old dining car into one of Buffalo's favorite diners and operating The Steer on a stretch of Main Street where many had already pulled up their stakes and moved on.

I told Curtin "no", in a way, about four years ago when he inquired as to how he could bring more local foods into what are now his three restaurants (Lake Effect Diner, The Steer and Dug's Dive). There is no distribution system for local fruits and vegetables, and those chefs who are buying local meat are chefs from boutique restaurants who are willing to break down whole (or nearly whole) animals in their kitchens. At the time, I believed that the kind of volume Curtin needed to do, and the casual dining prices he fetches at his restaurants would make sourcing local a less viable option for him. But he didn't want to  listen, though he was very polite, and I had soon learned that I had severely underestimated him. The handful of phone numbers I had provided him proved a challenge, of sorts, for Curtin, and before long, he was serving 100% local beef burgers in his restaurants, smoking and curing hams and bacon, sourcing local maple syrup and blueberries and wowing customers in droves. Curtin had proven that dedication and the ability to buy and process in large quantities had made "local" a possibility and a viable business venture for his restaurants.

On a gorgeous sunny day last week, standing with our backs to the river overlooking the mammoth buildings known as Terminals A & B on the Outer Harbor, Curtin begins to unfold his plan for transforming this part of the waterfront. The idea is an undertaking that would overwhelm most--the scale of these buildings is hard to fathom, even while looking at them. The idea of choosing to be responsible for their success would terrify most. As he talks he points out the breathtaking waterfront view, the rail car lines and the design of Terminal A, with its ability to make the use of natural light and the breeze off the river, both of which make the building naturally efficient. Additionally, the building seems to have a fascinating manufacturing history, which includes names like Ford and Edison. I say, "I'd tell you it will never happen and you're crazy to even be thinking about it, but I know the more you hear that, the more you'll do to prove us all wrong." Curtin laughs.

Up until now, the buildings, which belong to the NFTA, have been sublet to handful of businesses who don't come close to utilizing the full extent of the property. Prior to that, Terminal A had spent some time as the headquarters for Nanodynamics. The NFTA has given the ECHDC until mid-September to submit a proposal for the area, but Curtin thinks it is unlikely the ECHDC board has had time to develop a plan for this area when there is still so much work to do downtown. Curtin proposes another idea for the space, a mixed-use food processing plant, apartments and restaurants, think Toronto's Distillery District mixed with the farmer-friendly food processing that Western New York so desperately needs. "We have the talent, we have the product," Curtin says, speaking of our local farmers, "but for many years there hasn't been a demand. Now there is, but we're missing the processing facilities." Canning, freezing, pickling, drying, all of these types of processes would be available to WNY farmers, cooperatively.

Below is the letter submitted by Curtin to the NFTA. We'll let you read it for yourself, but despite the scale of the project, Curtin's enthusiasm and drive are undeniable. Now that he's spent a few years on the front lines of local food sourcing here in WNY, he sees all of the gaps in our agricultural system that are preventing our region from being able to really thrive economically, and to provide healthy, fresh food for our region.

Right now, he is hoping that the NFTA will work to keep the buildings open during the winter. While it may seem cost prohibitive, Curtin fears that a single winter on the waterfront with no heat and nobody inside will result in plumbing issues, moisture problems, vandalism and unreported leaks that could cause long term damage. "It seems like no big deal, but once you close one of these buildings up, it can cost half a million dollars or more to recover. I think the recovery rate on re-opening a building of this size after winterizing is pretty low."

"If the New York Port Authority built the World Trade Center, why can't the NFTA help revitalize the waterfront? I think that this can not only become a success for the farmers and restaurant owners, but the NFTA could even reinvest some of their profit into the infrastructure of the waterfront and downtown. Culturals are great, and we envision some of this project being like a museum in that people will come here to see things and to learn things and we could have tours and works studies and more, but it would also produce a product and create jobs and wealth."

"Our community is always looking at other successful projects and saying, 'why can't we have that here', like Faneuil Hall and Seattle's Pike Place Market, but this is an opportunity to lead the way and to capitalize on our region's commodities. Our area is famous for harnessing the river and creating wealth from electricity, maybe it's time that we harness our harvest."

Anyone interested in speaking with Tucker Curtin about this project should email him directly.

Here is the letter sent by Curtin to the commissioners at the NFTA.

The objective is to form a cooperative of food processors and local farmers to process, store and sell their commodities under one entity. Terminal A could be divided into different incubator spaces, each specializing in their prescribed food products.

"The Butcher Block" could be a section devoted to the humane processing of local beef, chicken and pork. The block could have many diverse tenant/members that could include sausage makers, European and Kosher butchers and similar type purveyors of artisan meat products.

A Produce section would feature a year round market open to the public. It would be equipped with a processing area for washing, canning and freezing of the local seasonal harvest. Among the tenant/members could be vegetarian restaurants and producers of fruit and vegetable based foods such as soups, sauces and baby food.

A Bakery section featuring locally milled wheat and other grains with specialized products such as pizza, hand made pastas, breads, cakes and candy makers. Baked goods and confections could be sold wholesale, to the public as well as individually quick frozen for future sale. Production areas would be glassed in for public inspection and entertainment.

The facility lends itself well to different types of restaurants that can be exposed to the waterfront as well as the ability to create within a streetscape with a mall type open air feel during the more inclement months. A focal point, such as a village square, could feature a gathering place for weekend cooking demonstrations and a live music/theater venue.

The list of potential tenant/members from apple pie makers to wine makers is too numerous to list. The ability for local farmers and small food producers to bring their products to the mass market through cooperative methods will allow tenants/members to share services, marketing, processing equipment, byproducts and knowledge. The local farmer can and will continue to increase production knowing that there is processing and storage capacity for the commodities farmed. Products produced would be sold to other cooperative members, the general public, local specialty stores and supermarkets. Commodities could also be shipped via truck and rail widening future markets and lowering costs through bulk purchasing and shipping amongst tenant members.

The cooperative would be committed to green technology and efficiency through environmental responsibility. The facility could also employ hundreds of people with jobs paying $10-$25 or more per hour. The location could also act as a conduit providing seasonal rural farm jobs to the inner city unemployed through job temp services. The Terminal could be a waterfront attraction for tourists as well as becoming a catalyst for year round outer harbor development. Vendors could accept food stamps allowing the poor access to local wholesome foods at reasonable prices. Projects such as this could be financed through the US Department of Agriculture and could qualify for many grants and subsidies. The Cornell Cooperative currently has resources and expertise in this type of initiative that would promote rural farming and the processing and storage of local agricultural commodities.

There exists a tremendous demand from the farming community to have more USDA processing facilities so that they may grow more products and feed more people. The consumer currently has gone back to the basics acquiring an insatiable appetite for wholesome nutrition. The demand and market share for these type products continues to claim its rightful share in the marketplace.

Please consider this request to further develop our waterfront.

Sincerely,

Tucker Curtin

P.S. Louis Fuhrmann was a four term Mayor of Buffalo. He was raised poor and worked at the Elk Street Terminal cleaning stalls and eventually worked in Kansas City at a meat packing facility. He married into a Buffalo meat packing business and worked his way to the top. He became successful and very wealthy in the food industry before and after his public service. His
accomplishments as Alderman and Mayor include the construction of the outer harbor wall, electrified city street lamps, improvements to the Buffalo River and the construction of the Hamburg Turnpike to name a few. Fuhrmann believed that the people of Buffalo should utilize all our natural resources and capabilities for the betterment of its citizens.

 

Fallon Rocks as Emmy Host on August 30th, 2010

Jimmy Fallon rocked.

The host of the 62^nd annual Emmy Awards was so good Sunday night that any fears that show producer Charlie Haykel of Williamsville had that this year’s awards show couldn’t live up to last year’s hosted by Neil Patrick Harris were unwarranted right from the opening number.

With the help of “Glee”cast members, Fallon friend Tina Fey and “Mad Men” star Jon Hamm, the musical number to Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” set the stage for a spirited, fast-moving and entertaining show that rivaled last year’s critically-acclaimed program.

 Hamm’s hamming it with his new dance partner, Betty White, was only one highlight setting the stage for the opening song.

 Fallon didn’t do a typical monologue, but he got in an early subtle crack about NBC’s treatment of Conan O’Brien, also scored with his musical parody salute to departing series “24,” “Law & Order” and “Lost” and kept things moving throughout the three-hour show.

 The only misstep was the use of Twitter comments from fans to introduce some of the presenters.

But just about all of the other comic bits – especially George Clooney’s cameo as the potential replacement for Phil (Ty Burrell) on “Modern Family” – worked well.

That even includes the silly questions asked of writers, directors and producers before their awards were given out. Several of them realized that comedy was the way to go when asked things like what was the worst “note” that they received from a network asking for changes.

“Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner noted that he was once asked to change a Shakespeare quote to make it “clearer.”

As for the awards themselves, it is hard to argue with any of the winners even if the dramatic voters repeated themselves by naming AMC’s “Mad Men” the best drama for the third year in a row and gave Bryan Cranston another best dramatic win for the little-watched AMC series “Breaking Bad.’

 If you’re scoring at home, I accurately predicted “Modern Family” would win best comedy, Edie Falco would win best comedic actress, Jane Lynch would be best supporting actress in a comedy, “The Pacific” would be named best miniseries and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” would win best variety, musical or comedy show despite the buzz that “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” would win and embarrass NBC for prematurely canceling him.

 Jim Parsons of “The Big Bang Theory” won as best comedic actor a year after he was expected to take the honor away from Alec Baldwin. Considering how many repeat awards were given out, Parsons’ win was a surprise. Not as big a surprise as the win of “Top Chef” as best reality series or Kyra Segdwick of “The Closer” as best dramatic actress but a surprise nonetheless.

 Unfortunately before he won, Parsons was a presenter with Sofia Vergara for some crude and sophomoric byplay about the title of his show.  

It wasn’t surprising that presenter Ricky Gervais received two of the night’s biggest laughs.

After a rambling start, Gervais said of disgraced star Mel Gibson: “He’s been through a lot. (Pause) Not as much as the Jews.”

Then Gervais had some fun at the expense of the name of Bucky Gunts of NBC Sports – before Gunts won for his work on the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Olympics.

When it comes to comedy, timing is everything and Gervais had perfect timing with his Gunts’ remark.

 For perfect inanity, there was interviewer Billy Bush on the red carpet show before the awards began.

 He asked Hamm and his girlfriend of 12 years, Jennifer Westfeldt (see above), when they were going to get married.  Hamm took the silliness in good spirits, saying they were going to do it in between commercials.

 After noting Sofia Vergara of “Modern Family” had said she would run naked on Sunset Boulevard if the show won certain awards, Bush told her: “A lot of people would like to see you naked. I’m not one of them.”

 I lot of people think Bush is good at his inane job. I’m not one of them.

 I’m also not a fashion expert but I called in a stylish woman for advice and was told that the blue outfit of January Jones of “Mad Men” was hideous and that Claire Danes’ outfit looked “gorgeous.”

 As far as the speeches, Julia Ormond of “Temple Grandin” may still be talking. Her speech was dull and endless.

 Eric Stonestreet, supporting actor winner for “Modern Family,” scored early with a speech that moved co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson to tears.

 The best speechmaker was creator-writer Steven Levitan of “Modern Family,” who was both funny and poignant – just like his show. Well, actually he was funnier than he was poignant. He and co-creator Christopher Lloyd also scored with a parody of the Old Spice commercial in which they ended up sitting together on a horse.

 All in all, it was a great night for Fallon, Levitan and Clooney to horse around.

 pergament@msn.com