Trio charged with steroid distribution on August 8th, 2011

One of the men pleads guilty; could face up to 20 years.

Fashion Outlets owners may buy nearby trailer park on August 8th, 2011

If so, new owner Macerich Co., a real estate investment trust with headquarters in Santa Monica Calif., would demolish Sabre Park.

Creating an Identity and a Legacy for Buffalo on August 8th, 2011

By Chris Catanzaro:

On a recent family trip to Burlington, VT and various areas of the Central NY Adirondacks, I realized that many admirable aspects of both areas could be translated into "hot spots" in Buffalo.  The immediate areas that came to mind were Chippewa St. and Canalside.  The likely counterparts were Church St. in Burlington, VT, and The Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, NY.  Both areas appear to have recognized their relevance to the communities, targeted meaningful and appropriate avenues to showcase their talents and utilized the most important tool of all... involvement of public feedback/focus.

I have visited the Church St. District in Burlington, VT, many times and each time I wonder, "Why can't we duplicate this in Buffalo?"  The recent debate on closing off Chippewa St. to make it more manageable rang in my head as we strolled past the many cafes, restaurants, storefronts, street vendors (with allowable permits I assume) and finally street performers.  They have closed off the main street way (Church St.), but allowed for traffic from streets perpendicular to pass through a highly visible crosswalk.   The establishments were mostly filled with sizable crowds and the "walkers" measured about 100 or so for roughly four blocks.  Everyone appeared to be enjoying all that Church St. had to offer... and we were there on a late Sunday  afternoon (5ish) when most signs revealed a closing time of 6pm. Our local guide stated that this "slow" crowd usually quadrupled in size on a late weekday and was significantly larger on a weekend night. 

The best part of all was that the crowds varied from the old to the new, families to couples to singles, the "grungy" to the "preppy" and all intermingled as though they each found their own place on Church St.  After various conversations with our guide and some employees of establishments, the consensus was that Burlington, VT, as most of Vermont, provided something for everyone from "all walks of life."  For those concerned for safety on the streets, there was a definite presence of police patrol via foot, bike and squad car throughout our walk.  Burlington, VT, boasted a few colleges nearby, a beautiful waterfront and a varied group walking the streets.  There wasn't  too much of a difference between the geographic makeup of this place and ours.  So, I asked myself again, "Why can't we do this in Buffalo?"

My second adventure took me to a place that is one of a kind, the Adirondacks, but boasted a museum that buffalo could most definitely emulate, The Adirondack Museum.  As soon as I began my jaunt through this gorgeously designed and redesigned museum, I again thought, "Why can't we have something like this in Buffalo?"  Everywhere I turned, there were aspects of the museum that would be great for a museum on our jewel, the waterfront.  The museum was set in a picturesque setting in the backdrop of the mountains and overlooking a wonderful lake.  Beyond that, the entire museum screamed Adirondack culture and history.  And once again, the visitors were folks of all shapes, sizes, colors, languages and personalities, with the same goal in mind... to learn of the wonder of this place.  The exhibits were visually astounding, highly organized, wonderfully described and best of all, highly interactive.  I felt as though I had been transformed to the era of that particular time in history.  Time and time again, I thought of the possibility to showcase our linkage to our waterfront through a collaborative museum. 

Ideas of our canal days, steel industry, grain elevators, weather, leisure, travel and our overall connection to Buffalo history were only a few racing thoughts that I could corral in my mind.  Then we passed though such exhibits that featured types of boats used in the area, the "old ways" of cleaning clothes and a vast history lesson of the region.  All of these parts of the museum were easily transferable to a waterfront museum.  The most astonishing part of all was that my family and I spent 4 ½ hours at the museum and saw perhaps 1/8 of its offerings (2 children under the age of 3 will get you stuck at such things as the giant Adirondack chair and the steam train).  I do know one thing... all 15 "newbies" were ready to go back as soon as possible.  It pains me to spew redundant phrases, but I was again relegated to wondering, "Why can't we have something like this in Buffalo?"   

My words can't do either of these places the justice they deserve.  It is my hope that the leaders of our community travel to places and walk their avenues that showcase hope, forward thinking and acceptance of their identity.  Places like Burlington, VT, and The Adirondack Museum.  It is the times that we are able to step outside our own small worlds that we can then realize the potential for what can be. 
         

The Way Too Early Pre-Season NFL Power Poll on August 8th, 2011

It’s way too early for this, but what the heck. I always enjoy reading the utterly meaningless NFL “Power Polls” you see around the Internet during the season. Sure, they don’t mean anything, but that’s part of the fun. There’s nothing like getting outraged because your team is ranked #27 when they really have to be rated at least #23. “Come on man, we’re way better than the Bengals. This is crap!”

Anyway, throughout the season I’ll be adding to the insane number of power polls out there with one of my own. Sure, a Power Poll this early means even less than the meaningless in-season ones, but it’s all in fun.

And because I’m a ridiculous homer, I’m sure I’ll have the Bills at least five spots higher than they should be. And since (as you’ll see) I have them pretty low…you get the point.

1) Green Bay – I feel that in any poll the defending champions should be number #1 unless there’s a very good reason not to have them there. Not so here. The Packers are loaded and are still the favorites. Aaron Rogers is great and this roster is stacked with young talent.

2) Philadelphia – Speaking of “stacked,” here’s the Eagles. After an amazing free agency period in which the Eagles obtained great talent like CB Nnamdi Asomugha, DL Jason Babin, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, DL Cullen Jenkins, QB Vince Young, RB Ronnie Brown, OT Ryan Harris, and others, Philly rightfully has Super Bowl aspirations. But Michael Vick stay healthy and play anywhere near as well as last season? Coach Andy Reid might be the best Monday-Saturday coach in the league, but will his awful clock management doom them in a close playoff game? It might not matter. This team is great.

3) NY Jets – It’s painful to put the Jets this high, but they deserve it. The defense is going to be great. They lost out on the grand prize of Nnamdi Asomugha, but bringing back CB Antonio Cromartie softens the blow. Sticking the franchise tag on ILB David Harris is also big. If they can get enough out of Mark Sanchez, this team is the favorite to win the AFC.

… [visit site to read more]

Cougar Warning for Moorman? on August 8th, 2011

No, Brian Moorman need not be on the lookout for a cast member of “Desperate Seahags of New York,” rather the two-time Pro Bowler and member of the Bills 50th anniversary team has some true competition at camp this year.

It seems absurd, as Moorman is as beloved as any Bills punter this side of Paul Maguire — what? — but he had an awful time punting in 2010… even taking into account the blustery confines of the Ralph.

The Bills’ special teams ranked 24th in the NFL, and their punting finished in the negatives of Football Outsiders’ stats. They are just two years removed from being the No. 1 unit in the league.

I’ve been told that former Washington State punter Reid Forrest (left) was considered a draftable prospect and expected to give Moorman the fight of his life to be the Bills booter. Forrest improved every year with the Cougars and even took off for a 28-yard fake punt during his freshman season.

Moorman is one of the most beloved Bills, not just for his on-field abilities but for his PUNT Foundation amongst other off-field activities. He’s a great personality in the locker room, but at 35-years-old has he reached the end of his time in Buffalo? I was told it’s a possibility for the first time in a long time. Far from a likelihood, I was just told to “not be surprised.”

Brad Riter and I talked about it well into Monday’s podcast.

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Martin Cooks… for You! on August 8th, 2011

I spend a lot of time going out to eat. Not being able to do much other that boil water, I am dependent on others to take care of me when it comes to food. That's why I'm fascinated with chef Martin Danolowicz's latest project called Martin Cooks. The concept is an easy one to grasp - Martin comes to your house, sets up his culinary gadgets in your kitchen, and cooks you some of the best food on the planet. I called up Martin a couple of weeks ago right after I got married. I figured that it was the least that I could do for my wife who cooks for a living and never gets to relax at home with anything other than pizza and Indian food.

When I talked to Martin he asked how many people I wanted him to cook for. It was then that I thought that I might also invite a few of our friends over since most of them are in the same boat that we are in when it comes to home cooking. "Um, eight," I told him, wondering what I had just got myself into. Martin asked me a couple of things about the kitchen, allergies, preferences, etc. and we set a date. One week later Martin was at our door carrying some very bizarre looking contraptions that I was completely unfamiliar with. One apparatus looked like a fish tank. "Is this some sort of mobile aquaponics unit?" I asked myself. It turned out to be an immersion circulator - a device that cooks air tight plastic packed sealed food evenly in water - a technique called sous-vide. The other device was a smoking gun that could be used inside the house with wood chips, tea, dried herbs, etc.

Before Martin began to cook, I asked him if he wanted the guests to help, or did he want us out of the way. He told me that he preferred an interactive experience, although the decision was really up to us. That was all I needed to hear. I informed the troops, and soon everyone was gathered in the kitchen as Martin proceeded to cook. We helped, we asked questions, we laughed, we drank beer and wine, and we had the most fun that we had had in a long time. There's something special about having someone cook for you in your own kitchen - someone who has as much knowledge and experience as Martin. He's a chef who loves to concoct very unusual dished that taste like nothing you have ever tried. For us, he made everything vegetarian, though he is also a hotshot with meat dishes. As he talked, he was chopping and dressing and mixing and seasoning. He told us where everything came from, and why certain ingredients go with others, even if they are not traditionally married in recipes. He described the process, asked us to chop ingredients, stopped to show us culinary tricks of the trade, and then eventually told us to take our seats.

The entire meal consisted of menu items like mozzarella soup with tomato and tempura basil, cauliflower, tabbouleh, roast eggplant (with harissa), seared tofu, carrot demi glace and beet marshmallow. At different junctures, Martin would say something like, "I used tapioca maltodextrin to make the olive oil powder. Tapioca maltodextrin is designed to have a very low bulk density. It can stabilize high fat ingredients which can be tranformed into powders." We ate and Martin continued to call us to the kitchen where we would find the next best dish was awaiting us. Each time he would tell us what we were embarking upon before heading back to the kitchen to clean dishes and check on the next course. At the end of the night, Martin shared a glass of wine with us as we marveled about the special dining experience we had all shared. By the end of the meal we were all trying to figure out what other occasions would be perfect to call upon the talented and personable chef. Martin told me that he has cooked for two people just as many times as he has cooked for twenty. For him, this intimate way of cooking is also a chance to meet new people, share experiences, try out different dishes and cooking techniques while being flexible. There are a lot of people out there who could certainly benefit from a service such as this.

Best of all, Martin does all of the shopping for you - that's half the hassle of cooking. We figured that for our private dinner party we ended up paying roughly $16 per person for his time, though all menu foods must also be paid for. A pretty good deal when you think about it. You can contact Martin via email or call 716-713-1218.

If you're interested in Martin's cooking, and you would like to learn about his food in a setting that's not your home, he is hosting a food and wine pairing at Artisan Kitchen on August 24th. 

PLACE---- Artisan Kitchen
TIME--------6:00
DATE-----Aug 24th
COST------ $40 per person - lots of fun, interesting food and good wine.

Food and wine pairing, 4 wines 4 bites of food live music - wine provided by Gates Circle and food by Martin Cooks.

#buffcashmob – City Wine Merchant on August 8th, 2011

Here is the video from the first #buffcashmob:

Do you want to make a difference in your community? Do you like social media? Are you someone who digs doing cool stuff with cool people? Do you love supporting local small business? Well, welcome to the hastily formed #BuffCashMob!

This is a tough economy and many small businesses in Buffalo and WNY are looking for ways to increase cash flow. That’s where we, the organized social media denizens ofWestern New York, come in.

Even expats can get involved in the action through online purchases:

Rather than do the slacktivist thing, posting links to businesses we like and writing on their Facebook pages, let’s get out, en masse, and show them some straight up cash love. Buy their goods, pay for their services, patronize their establishments. And have a great fucking time doing it!

The goal will be to get 100 people to “flash mob” a local establishment to spend $10-$20 each on the goods and services offered. No discounts, no coupons, no special deals. Just spend $10 in their business.

You nominate the business and whichever garners the most votes, will receive a visit from the mob.

 

8/8 Podcast: Nick & Brad on August 8th, 2011

I made a pitstop between meetings to talk with my former boss, Brad Riter, about Ryan Fitzpatrick, home projects, “Mad Men,” Brian Moorman and more.

Listen to it via Brad’s site HERE.

Email: nick@fcbuffalo.org

Colbie Caillat at the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts on August 8th, 2011

End your summer with a poppy, upbeat, burst of energy by catching singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat in concert at the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts on September 13, 7:30pm. The multi-platinum selling artist has won two Grammy Awards for her collaborations with Taylor Swift and Jason Mraz. Caillat’s third album, All of You, was [...]

For pets that panic in a storm, the Thundershirt on August 8th, 2011

While trying to help his dog cope with her thunderstorm phobia, a North Carolina entrepreneur hit upon the idea of a snug-fitting, wraparound shirt now known as the Thundershirt.

Local Art Organizations’ Collaborative Efforts Result in New Organization on August 8th, 2011

Years of brainstorming how to best serve the Buffalo and Western New York artistic community has led to the creation of the Arts Services Initiative (ASI) of Western New York, which officially began operations on August 1, 2011.  The Arts Services Initiative will coordinate the work of many local art organizations to effectively and efficiently serve the needs of the Buffalo art community. According to Paul Hogan, a board member for the Arts Services Initiative and vice president of the John R. Oishei Foundation, this collaboration will "provide an entire regional agenda" to guide management and services for local art groups, which "have specific focuses [within the art community]. Any [of these groups] can hire a consultant, but ASI can [consult] several art groups at once, which is the value that ASI can bring to the arts community... there are a lot of things this kind of organization can do on behalf that individual organizations can't do alone." By focusing on assisting art organizations and individual artists so that they can more effectively gain funding, educate Buffalo and gain recognition, the Arts Services Initiative will act as a unique, invaluable resource to the Buffalo art community.  
        
The ASI will address the need for common direction in the local art community by serving as an "umbrella organization" to three organizations: the Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance (GBCA), Art Partners for Learning, and Advancing Arts and Culture (AAC). Both GBCA, a network of Buffalo's not-for-profit art organizations, and Art Partners for Learning, an organization that coordinates art education in schools and support for young artists, will remain independent organizations. However, they will receive guidance from ASI such as staff support, technical and managerial assistance. AAC, which promotes Buffalo's local cultural and artistic offerings to establish Buffalo as a both a touristic and national art center, will cease to exist separately from ASI, but its mission will continue through ASI's efforts. ASI, as a collective endeavor, will also draw many of its initiatives from the defunct Art Councils of Buffalo and Niagara, as well as the Institute for Arts in Education into its mission. The ASI will ensure that these art organizations can retain their mission's focus to enrich the art community but also network more efficiently through their connections to other organizations. By juxtaposing many valuable programs, ASI can promote art more effectively.
 
ASI will employ a variety of experts to best advance the organization's plans. Its board of directors will include teachers, artists, businesspeople, and private and public funders with experience in promoting art. Additionally, ASI is also currently in the process of finding an executive director to successfully guide the ambitious initiatives of the group. After an executive director is hired, which Hogan predicts "will happen at the earliest on October 1st," the ASI expects to arrange permanent headquarters in the Buffalo Erie library. ASI members will then begin planning different projects to best educate and serve local art through a strategically planned process.
        
The ASI will tailor their efforts into three distinct groups to best serve Buffalo's art community. The three areas have been titled "Management and Technical Assistance, Public Education and Engagement, and Promoting Arts Education" by the ASI.  They plan to implement these focuses through technical assistance, management, education, and training classes and seminars, and education consulting. As Mr. Hogan noted, "these three areas of work overlap all the time. For instance, the AAC recently brought in a seminar for a couple dozen organizations regarding public policy engagement. [This involved] consultation with schools on how to add art immersion into their curricula, and also discussed the best financial software packages." The ASI's interdisciplinary, collaborative approach to guiding local artists and organizations will allow the organization to achieve all their objectives.
         
While the ASI has a well-prepared approach to achieving their goals, Hogan noted that, "[the immediate goals] for the program will be something we figure out as we go along. The challenge will be to offer [the best] value to our community with funding that may have been elsewhere without the ASI." However, Mr. Hogan noted that the usage of ASI's funding will be considered carefully by ASI's employees and board of directors. ASI seems to be off to a promising start: they secured funding for their first two years through the Fund of the Arts and New York Council on the Arts. Furthermore, financial and legal services will be provided to the group by Innovative Charitable Initiatives, a subsidiary of the New York Council on Nonprofits, and offices are expected to be located at the Buffalo and Erie Public Library. ASI's services will extend to Erie, Niagara, Chatauqua, Cattaragus, Orleans, Allegany, Wyoming and Genesee Counties.
   
The great effort required to formulate ASI's program exhibits the project's great potential, as well as the great generosity of those involved in its creation. As Hogan graciously stated, "none of this would be possible without the Fund for the arts and the foundations that are part of the Fund for the Arts. They have really worked hard to make this work." He also explained that this is a great testament to the uniqueness and dedication of Buffalo's art community: "the idea that [local] foundations are working together to help our arts community work together, [and so successfully following] what the ASI would like organizations to do is incredible. This [type of communion] is uncommon in other areas. It is very important to acknowledge the dedication of the Foundation for the Arts." With both the greater Buffalo art community and ASI's efforts, the ASI will help Buffalo's art community thrive. 

PODCAST: Brad Riter and Nick Mendola on August 8th, 2011

Today we discuss Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Bills, Mad Men vs. The Wire vs. The Sopranos vs. Lost, unemployment, and a bunch of other bunk.

Download audio file (Brad-and-Nick-podcast-8-8-11.mp3)

Brad and Nick podcast 8-8-11

This Post Available on August 8th, 2011

Full disclosure time at Tommunisms: my hobby of a website isn’t a money maker. Sure, the occasional person who clicks on a google ad on tommunisms.com helps defer my hosting costs, and while I don’t promote the few t-shirt designs available from The Tommunist Gift Shop (including the expanded “Buffa-Load” line: with 9 different t-shirt designs!) I may have cleared a hundred bucks last year. Chump change, for sure.

However, my articles are syndicated at WNYMedia.net (the well known liberal-media-biased smear machine). I also pen an occasional article for them that isn’t on my own site (like this one), and also collaborate with them to create videos and such. And I have yet to see a single goddman dime from them for any of the work I’ve done slagging local politicians and towing a partisan line. Perhaps I shouldn’t have done it on spec. So, it’s time to cut out the middleman: Tommunisms is for sale!

That’s right! Are you a local politician? Or do you represent a union or an organization that needs to push a certain issue or a agenda? Sure, we all are! But for less than the price of a cup of Tim Horton’s coffee a day (assuming a “double-double” large) then I can craft an article to fit your needs! Whether or not you want poorly designed photoshop jobs making fun of your political opponents, or you want a goofy song or a biting sarcastic tome, Tommunisms will gladly take cash or check or PayPal from you, or your shadow-agents working on your behalf! Or perhaps you’d rather have your own staff write the piece. I WILL PUBLISH WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED…Except, of course, “How much moolah will the ole’ Tommunist get for it?”

And because I have no scruples, unlike the fine folks at WNYMedia.net, it doesn’t matter what your political affiliation is or what side of an issue you are on! Dogmatic religious views? I don’t care what denomination you are (only what denominations are going to end up in my wallet; tens and twenties are good!). And my cheap shots are cheap! For as little as five bucks I can spin your tale.

So, when it comes to blogger for hire, think Tommunisms! Much better than “McCarthyisms”! “Donate” today with PayPal!

If I don’t generate some revenue soon, I may have to rob a bank!

Cuomo takes to the virtual stump on August 8th, 2011

New York's governor has been using email, Facebook and Twitter to rally support and skirt the media.

Verizon strikers prepare to picket on August 8th, 2011

Will target locations in Buffalo and Niagara Falls.