LONDON — The new Duchess of Cambridge was showered with gifts – from head to toe – on her first overseas visit as a member of the royal family.Palace records show that Canadian officials and well-wishers gave the former Kat...
Will And Kate Gifts: Palace Releases Official List Of All The Presents They Received On Their Travels
on January 11th, 2012
James Marsden Mans Up, Returns To Television In ’30 Rock’
on January 11th, 2012
"People think I'm the guy who never gets the girl," James Marsden says, and he has a point. Over the course of two decades, he has established an on-screen reputation as the amiable, boy next door who's sweet enough to take home, but just sq...
City of Good Neighbors, City of New Neighbors: Meshack
on January 11th, 2012
First in an occasional series featuring members of Buffalo’s growing refugee population. Click here for the series introduction. In the summer of 1999, Meshack Emue arrived in Buffalo, ready to turn the page on years of instability and life-threatening political turmoil in his native Nigeria. It was a …
‘Shut Up And Play The Hits’: LCD Soundsystem Documentary Trailer Released (VIDEO)
on January 11th, 2012
You thought LCD Soundsystem was over? You were fooled. The band's final shows at Madison Square Garden may have been last April, but their final act will come later this month at the Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Dylan Southern and Wil...
New recycling program already getting results
on January 11th, 2012
Barely more than a month old, the City of Buffalo is calling its revamped recycling program a huge success. In December, the city began replacing the small blue recycling tubs with larger trash can-size carts. As YNN's Kevin Jolly reports, city officia...
Caribe Café
on January 11th, 2012
Sending a vegetarian out on a quest for good Hispanic food is like asking a dog to fetch (and retrieve) a dog biscuit. On the rare occasion, you might find a dog that actually returns with the biscuit (that story next), and even rarer is it that a vegetarian will find much of anything to eat at his or her corner Hispanic eatery. As luck would have it, I actually discovered what I believe is one of the better Hispanic restaurants in town. In preparation for an unfriendly vegetarian experience I opted to bring a meat-eating friend along with me who, it turns out, had actually eaten there before.
The restaurant that I am referring to is called Caribe Café, located at 469 Niagara Street. Owners Israel Rosado and Julissa Nieves have created a place where home-cooking is king, and the atmosphere is just as good. So many times, in Hispanic eateries, I am relegated to staring at golden fried empanadas, just wondering if they are filled with chicken, pork or mashed potatoes. At this point, I should be a mashed potato empanada expert. Today was different though. As we conversed with Julissa, I became suddenly aware that Caribe Café was different. Before I knew it I was staring at a plate full of boiled root vegetables (that looked like mashed potatoes), a boiled green banana (that looked like a sea sponge) and a heaping pile of yellow rice and beans. Julissa poured some sauce over the rice and beans and I began to mix and marry the creations while adding some hot sauce. The dish was superb... and filling. I must say that I was hesitant at first, as the root veggie and the boiled banana were unfamiliar and therefore looked unappetizing. But I decided to jump full in and the next thing I knew there was not a speck of rice on my plate.
My friend swears that Caribe Café has the best roast pork in town. He ordered his with rice and beans and must have commented ten times on the perfect preparation and the outstanding taste. "Just look at it!" he kept saying. "You have to try this..." I told him that I was perfectly content with my order, and was happy that I had discovered a new option to add to my list of lunch go-tos. Caribe Café sells all sorts of sandwiches including ham and cheese (prepared a couple of different 'authentic' ways), turkey, beef round steak, pastrami and a Cubano. They also serve beef stew (Wed), homemade meatballs (Thurs), and cod fish (Fri). There are daily soup specials, morning breakfast offerings, Puerto Rican style hot dogs, burgers, fritas, tostones, pastelillos and depending on the day some 'out of this world' baked goods (according to my friend). The only issue that I had with the restaurant was that it served parcha (juice) in Styrofoam cups - when are they going to outlaw the production of that environmentally destructive container material?
Other than the food, I also enjoyed the great contemporary ethnic music - it added a funky vibe to the place. It was nice to see that the owners paid so much attention to all of the details of the business. There's nothing like a warm and inviting restaurant that opens your eyes to new food choices... eat in or take out - it's all good at Caribe Café.
Caribe Café
469 Niagara Street
Buffalo NY 14201
716-939-3213
Area consumer confidence hit 4-year high in fourth quarter
on January 11th, 2012
Consumer confidence in the Buffalo Niagara region has improved but still has a ways to go to get back to its stronger prerecession levels.
Ruff on contract chatter: ‘Nowhere close’
on January 11th, 2012
Sabres coach denies rumors of a long-term contract extension.
Mitt Romney Bain Capital Experience: GOP Candidates Blast Front-Runner
on January 11th, 2012
WASHINGTON -- What gives? Some of Mitt Romney's rivals are waging a fierce attack that you'd never think would come from the mouths of Republicans who claim Ronald Reagan as their hero. They're blasting the GOP front-runner for aggressive, w...
LA’s Community Redevelopment Agency: City Council Votes To Skip Successor Agency Duties
on January 11th, 2012
This story comes courtesy of The City MavenBy Alice M. WaltonA divided Los Angeles City Council voted today to not act as the successor agency to the Community Redevelopment Agency, which will cease to exist on Feb. 1, citing concerns over u...
Schumer Announces $272,000 in Federal Fire Grant For Lackawanna Fire Department
on January 11th, 2012
Funding will be used to replace a sixteen-year-old pumper that is no longer appropriate for the department’s life-saving work.
Song of the Day – Robert Earl Keen, “Furnace Fan”
on January 11th, 2012
By Seamus Gallivan Robert Earl Keen is not a household name in Buffalo, but he might could be if we had a respectable radio station that played the kind of music that isn’t molded for the masses. The revered Texas storyteller Keen, who turns 56 t...
One Niagara vote tabled
on January 11th, 2012
A vote to determine the fate of a controversial building in the City of Niagara Falls was delayed once again Wednesday after the Niagara County Industrial Development Agency voiced concerns about back taxes owed by owners of the One Niagara building. Y...
Common Council Items of Interest 1-10-12
on January 11th, 2012
Meeting highlights include: Adoption of a city manager form of government for the City of Buffalo, conversion of Pearl Street from one-way to two-way traffic in the Ellicott and Fillmore Districts, authorized designating the Erie Freight House located at 9 Ohio Street as a local landmark, adopt a plan to restore funding to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority...
1949 photo of the scow American shows the Erie Freight House on the opposite shore; photo used by permission of the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society.
The Council adopted the first resolve of a resolution sponsored by North District Council Member Joseph Golombek, Jr., supporting the creation of a commission consisting of public and private sector representatives appointed by the Council President to research the adoption of a city manager form of government for the City of Buffalo. A city manager form of government combines the leadership of elected officials with the strong managerial experience of a professional manager. Fifty-eight percent of all United States cities with populations over 100,000 utilize a city manager form of government and the Council maintains that it is essential for the City of Buffalo to consider the benefits of implementing a professional city manager form of government.
The Council adopted a resolution urging the New York State Legislature to adopt a plan to restore funding to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority ("NFTA"). The NFTA is New York State's second largest transit provider and the only provider outside of New York City with a light rail system. Since 2009, the NFTA's state transit operating assistance has been cut six times for a total of $4.3 million in losses to its budget. At the same time, workers compensation costs rose 35 percent, health insurance costs rose 17 percent, and maintenance and repair costs rose over 12 percent. The NFTA is currently facing significant budget deficits. To close this gap, the NFTA has already implemented work force reductions and other efficiencies that have reduced their deficit to $7 million, and on December 19, 2011, the NFTA Board decided to pursue further cost savings through service reductions. The Council maintains that the NFTA needs additional state intervention to navigate these difficult economic times.
The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by North District Council Member Joseph Golombek, Jr. supporting the adoption of a Constitutional Amendment and other legislative actions that would ensure that only human beings, not corporations, are endowed with constitutional rights, and that money is not the same as speech and therefore the expenditure of corporate money to influence the electoral process should no longer be considered a form of constitutionally protected speech. The United State Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling in Citizens United v. the Federal Election Commission rolled back legal restrictions on corporate spending in the electoral process, allowing unlimited corporate spending to influence elections, candidate selection, and policy decisions. Corporations are not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution and the First Amendment was never intended to let non-human business corporations spend unlimited corporate funds to influence elections. Although money affects the quality and quantity of speech, it is not, in itself, speech. The Council maintains that corporations are not people, do not vote, and should not be allowed to have such an overwhelming influence on elections.
The Council adopted a resolution sponsored by Ellicott District Council Member Darius G. Pridgen urging the federal representation from the City of Buffalo to ensure that the William Street location of the United States Postal Service remains open and requesting that United States Congressman Brian Higgins organize a meeting with all local elected officials in the City to discuss a plan to keep the facility open. Recently, the United States Postal Service stated its intent to close the William Street branch in the City of Buffalo due to harsh economic conditions, despite the fact that the City of Buffalo is the second largest city in New York State and is in close proximity to Toronto, Ontario, the financial capital of Canada. The closing of this branch of the United States Postal Service would result in the loss of hundreds of jobs, elimination of overnight delivery of first-class mail, and will have a negative impact on the community in which it serves. The Council maintains that keeping the William Street branch open is essential to the growth of the City of Buffalo and quality of life of its residents.
Upon the recommendation of the Department Permit & Inspection Services, the Council approved the following license and permit applications:
Ellicott District
Food Store License
Union Market located at 177 Riley Street
Second Hand Dealer License
Elmwood and Tupper Gallery located at 147 West Tupper Street
Lovejoy District
Used Car Dealer License
Jim Mazz Auto Inc. located at 1267 Bailey Avenue
Niagara District
Permit to Convert a Diner to a Retail Store
J. Forster, owner of the property located at 423 Elmwood Avenue
Food Store License
Bill's Corner located at 314 Hampshire Street
Mt. Everest Grocery located at 139 Vermont Street
The Council approved the following contract change orders submitted by the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works ("DPW"):
The contract with Wilsandra Construction for the City Court Basement Detention Center Project was increased by $20,640 for additional repairs to be performed by the contractor. The contract was initially awarded in the amount of $1,364,000 and with this change the contract will increase to $1,384,640.
The contract with DiDonato Associates Engineering & Architecture, P.C. for the Water Distribution Improvements- Pipes on Various Bridges Project was increased by $19,700 for services necessary to replace the 8" pipe that recently failed on the Best Street Bridge over Route 33. The contract was initially awarded in the amount of $150,000 and with this change the contract will increase to $169,700.
The contract with Watts Architectural and Engineering Services Inc. for the Water Distribution Improvements- Various Locations #2 Project was increased by $138,973 for additional service necessary to complete the project. The contract was initially awarded in the amount of $105,653 and with this and prior changes, the contract will increase to $508,221.
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Division of Citizen Services, the Council:
Authorized the disposal of six vehicles currently assigned to Citizen Services which are damaged, obsolete, and irreparable. The vehicles have been determined to be unsafe and not road worthy and will be disposed of by means of salvage.
Upon the recommendation of the City of Buffalo Preservation Board, the Council:
Authorized designating the Erie Freight House located at 9 Ohio Street as a local landmark - learn more
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works ("DPW"), the Council:
Authorized DPW to enter into necessary agreements with the Federal Highway Administration ("FHWA") and the New York State Department of Transportation ("NYSDOT") for the painting of the Lincoln Parkway Bridge over Scajaquada Creek and the Cazenovia Street Bridge over Cazenovia Creek. The FHWA has designated $470,000 for these projects.
Authorized DPW to hire a consultant for the architectural and engineering services needed for HVAC, Plumbing, and Fire Protection Upgrades at Kleinhans Music Hall.
Authorized DPW to hire a consulting engineer for the design, construction, and inspection management of the conversion of Pearl Street from one-way to two-way traffic in the Ellicott and Fillmore Districts.
Upon the request of the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works, the Council approved the following reports of bids:
Of the bids that were received for the Emergency Water Main Repair at the Intersection of Parkside and Starin Avenues, Visone Construction Inc. was the lowest with a bid of $38,816.
Of the bids that were received for the Johnnie B. Wiley Sports Pavilion Interior Alterations, Phase 1 Project, Miller Enterprises was the lowest with a bid of $312,000.
APPOINTMENTS
The Council approved the appointment of the following individuals to positions within Common Council Offices and the Office of the City Clerk:
Office of the City Clerk
Deputy City Clerk
Mary Baldwin
Deputy City Clerk - Vital Statistics
Mildred Castro
Legislative Assistant to City Clerk
Sharon Adler
Assistant Legislative Aide II
Tashares Burks
Common Council Staff Office
Senior Legislative Assistant
Nelson Rivera
Ellicott District Office
Legislative Aide
Felicia Williams
The Council approved the appointment of the following individual to the position of Intern VI within the Office of the City Clerk:
Deborah Tucker
The Council accepted the appointment of the following individuals to positions within various City of Buffalo Departments at the base salary:
Department of Public Works
Senior First Class Stationary Engineer
Brian Leonard
Charles Kulp
Department of Law
Assistant Corporation Counsel I
John Hannibal IV
Department of Audit and Control
Senior Auditor
Maureen Eck
The Council accepted the appointment of the following individual to the position of Laborer II - Seasonal within the Office of Strategic Planning at the base salary:
Mark Welch
For any questions, concerns, or further information regarding the above, please contact your District Council Member, the Common Council Legislative Staff Office, or the respective City Department.
To view the live streaming of Common Council meetings on a personal computing device with internet access, please insert the following address into the device web-browser:
Instant Live Stream Replays are available at:
To view replays of a Common Council Meeting please visit the City of Buffalo Government Television website at www.city-buffalo.com/Home/Government_TV.
Photos from taken from this meeting can be viewed at:
To view the final Common Council Meeting agenda and/or supporting communications, please visit the City of Buffalo website at
BUFFALO COMMON COUNCIL
David A. Franczyk
Council President
Fillmore District
1315 City Hall
851-4138
David A. Rivera
President Pro Tempore
Niagara District
1504 City Hall
851-5125
Richard A. Fontana
Majority Leader
Lovejoy District
1414 City Hall
851-5151
Michael J. LoCurto
Delaware District
1405 City Hall
851-5155
Darius G. Pridgen
Ellicott District
1408 City Hall
851-4980
Demone A. Smith
Masten District
1316-A City Hall
851-5145
Joseph Golombek, Jr.
North District
1502 City Hall
851-5116
Michael P. Kearns
South District
1401 City Hall
851-5169
Bonnie E. Russell
University District
1508 City Hall
851-5165
Common Council Legislative Staff Office
1413 City Hall
851-5105
David A. Franczyk
Council President
Fillmore District
1315 City Hall
851-4138
David A. Rivera
President Pro Tempore
Niagara District
1504 City Hall
851-5125
Richard A. Fontana
Majority Leader
Lovejoy District
1414 City Hall
851-5151
Michael J. LoCurto
Delaware District
1405 City Hall
851-5155
Darius G. Pridgen
Ellicott District
1408 City Hall
851-4980
Demone A. Smith
Masten District
1316-A City Hall
851-5145
Joseph Golombek, Jr.
North District
1502 City Hall
851-5116
Michael P. Kearns
South District
1401 City Hall
851-5169
Bonnie E. Russell
University District
1508 City Hall
851-5165
Common Council Legislative Staff Office
1413 City Hall
851-5105
James N. Jackson
Legislative Assistant
City of Buffalo Common Council
1413 City Hall
Buffalo, NY 14202
Judge delays Ohio execution, criticizes process
on January 11th, 2012
(Reuters) - A federal judge stayed the scheduled Ohio execution of convicted killer Charles Lorraine on Wednesday, ruling that the state had failed to follow agreed-on reforms for applying the death penalty.