 | El Cheapo Productions and strobx1 takes you on a nostalgic tour of the last "new" Great Lakes Passenger Steamship; the SS Aquarama. This mag... |
SS AQUARAMA TOUR 1988.
on January 17th, 2012
Rumore complains to the commissioner
on January 17th, 2012
The BTF president sent a letter to Albany that has some School Board members seeing red.
Three plans for schools get most scrutiny
on January 17th, 2012
Principal-developed proposals shift staff.
Public Bridge Authority Moving Forward with Plaza Renovations
on January 17th, 2012
The Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (PBA) issued a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) from licensed professional architectural firms to serve as general architect for various prospective facility modifications, including renovation of the 62-year-old Customs Commercial Building located in the U.S. plaza.
The PBA is moving forward with the upgrades following a recent decision to terminate the decade long Peace Bridge Expansion Project environmental review process that could have resulted in a significantly expanded plaza footprint. This decision follows extensive consultation with federal and state agencies, and was undertaken in light of recognition that the U.S. plaza design requirements - crafted to meet the objectives of the project - caused the overall costs to escalate beyond available funding levels.
"There remains little doubt though that the current plaza is woefully inadequate and in desperate need of reconfiguration and renovation to meet today's security and processing requirements, as well as to improve aesthetics and environmental condition," said Authority Chairman Anthony Annunziata.
A number of overdue facility upgrades are expected to be undertaken in coming years in order to improve the overall efficiency of the plaza.
The first design projectis to develop architectural plans for the renovation and expansion of the commercial warehouse facility (right) with an existing square footage of approximately 40,000 square feet. The building consists of 11 commercial dock bays constructed circa-1950 and an adjacent office annex constructed circa-1980. According to the RFP, the design challenge for this phase "is to renovate the entire existing space and expand the building based on a given program of requirements while maintaining operations and giving consideration for a positive aesthetic outcome."
"The Customs Commercial Building will get a completely new look as well as energy efficiency upgrades and improved access for the disabled," said Authority Operations & Facilities Manager Anthony Braunscheidel. "Most importantly, it will provide new and reconfigured space for U.S. Customs and Border Protection as well as Customs brokers to more efficiently conduct their business, thereby reducing delays and congestion in the plaza."
The RFP seeks a multi-year term agreement, with preference given to those firms currently retaining an office presence in the Western New York area. The selected firm is expected to be utilized for both the Customs Commercial Building renovation work and on an as-needed basis for potential future facility upgrades.
Official responses to the RFP are due by 11:00 a.m. on February 2, 2012. The selected firm will be notified on February 27, 2012.
Images courtesy of PBA
Apparently Cheap Ain’t Really So Cheap
on January 17th, 2012
I just finished reading a fascinating study on our economy titled Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture by Author Ellen Ruppel Shell. Shell is a correspondent for the The Atlantic and has written for several major publications including National Geographic, the New York Times, Washington Post and Time magazine. By day she is professor of science journalism at Boston University. As the title suggests, this book documents the true price we pay for our love of everything cheap (or should I say inexpensive?). The book runs through a history of discount retailing and the progress of mass production up to our current time where a large portion of our economy has been given over to massive discount retailers such as Walmart. The book also includes a very interesting study on the psychology of buying selling and pricing. We live our lives believing we are in tight control of our actions and decisions. In fact we are not so in control as we like to think. A very detailed science has developed which studies this aspect of human psychology and how we make decisions especially with regard to how we decide to spend money. After reading this portion I felt less like buying stuff.
The basic thesis of the book, however, is that cheap stuff has hidden costs. We already know these costs of course. Cheap for us means a 'throw away' society where products are no longer designed to last. Cheap for us means that places like Buffalo have lost thousands of good paying jobs to low wage countries like China. Cheap for us means workers laboring under conditions which would be considered unacceptable in this country. Cheap for us means that many of the practices we don't condone here are shipped to other countries which don't have those pesky regulations that protect children, families, and the environment. The book focuses on several specific businesses as examples of how cheap is actually expensive. It takes a detailed look at iconic 'high design-low budget' furniture retailer IKEA. It notes that unlike Walmart's cheap and frumpy image, IKEA has developed a deep discount market of highly trendy but not so long lasting products. The book also suggests that IKEA has also cultivated a reputation for being good to their employees and environmentally responsible. The book notes that, as the world's third largest buyer of wood products, IKEA's corporate policy is to only purchase wood from sustainably managed forests. Of course most of their wood is purchased from countries such as Russia and Vietnam which have little to no regulation or inspection of forestry operations (or anything for that matter). IKEA admits in the book that they employ only 9 forest inspectors world wide to enforce their policy (and lets you draw your own conclusions). The book documents many other hidden costs of discount mania - from the loss of local retail to the dangers of our industrially produced food.
Interestingly, the book reserves high praise for WNY's own retail icon - Wegmans grocery stores. As a privately run company Wegmans has had a certain freedom to operate outside the rigid 'quick return on investment' mentality used at many public companies. Wegmans has shown that a company can be successful and profitable over the long run without subjecting every corporate decision to meeting the lowest possible cost. The company is annually listed among the best places in America to work. Their policy is to treat staff with respect by providing good training, good benefits, and general respect. Wegmans employee attrition rate is in the range of an extremely 6 %. The industry average is about 30% and Walmart is said to have an attrition of between 50 to 70%. The result has been Wegmans reputation for a high level of service which has helped them develop a dedicated (almost cultish) customer base despite higher than normal pricing for its industry.
While everything may appear cheap these days, and we have more money to spend on items that we don't necessarily need... unlike generations before us that spent a large part of their income on necessities such as food, we need to step back and ask, What is important?" A good start would be to read this book - it's a real eye opener.
Era of e-books has arrived
on January 17th, 2012
Libraries say usage is skyrocketing, as age-old tradition begins its descent.
The full story on those turnaround plans
on January 17th, 2012
You won't find the full turnaround plans anywhere else. But you'll find them here.
Evaluations of teachers, risk of fund loss collide
on January 17th, 2012
With grants suspended, district needs formula for implementing new teacher evaluations.
Cosmic Gate @ Statler City
on January 17th, 2012
Interview with electronic music promoter Brian Nelson regarding upcoming trance show at Rendezvous @ Statler City:
How long has Factory Nightlife been around?
We have been involved with dance music for just about 20 years, we adopted the name "Factory Nightlife" in 2001 I believe (see Facebook).
What sort of music does it promote and who are some of the acts that have come through Buffalo?
We promote dance music primaraly EDM, we have had many big acts come to Buffalo, starting with just about every dnb act known, large Trance and House acts such as Tiesto, Markus Shulz, Ferry Corsten, Dubfire, Skrillex, Above and Beyond, Cosmic Gate and a few hundred others.
Factory Nightlife has an upcoming show at Rendezvous @ Statler City. How did you land that venue?
Well, Mark Croce contacted a friend of mine, we sat down and the rest is what it is.
Did you ever think that you would be promoting a gig at The Statler?
Sure, we promote at the biggest and nicest venues in Buffalo - Town Ballroom, Pure... Rendezvous (FB) was a great choice, Statler is like a city inside - it is breathtaking.
What is Cosmic Gate?
Cosmic Gate is a global dance act from Germany (see FB event). They play uplifting dance music on a global scale from major festivals to the top clubs in the world. We are very excited to have them in Buffalo.
What's the scene going to be like on Friday, January 20 (10pm-4am)?
Strictly 21+. It will be a fun time with lots of people dancing, drinking & having fun. There is something about EDM Dance music that brings people together - the energy it brings is amazing. With all the shows I have done I do not think I have ever seen a true altercation. That's amazing to have that many people in a club and they are just there to dance and have fun.
How would you describe the electronic music scene in Buffalo?
Bigger than ever... it is bigger than ever. There are promoters like us that bring huge events, and there are some great groups doing dance nights at smaller venues with local DJs (QCC, Igloo, Jesse Aaron's team at Epic) there are great local DJs that are on the global scale also. Mike Parker travels the world every month playing in Japan, Italy and Germany. Jarvis just put out two tracks on Cable recordings and Paul K is a hungry up and comer who is on the rise, not to mention all the Factory DJs (Mike Parker, Angelo Petrucci, Jarvis, Jesse Aaron, Nik Styles, Ryan Liddel, HXLY and so many more). It is good to see. and for the most part we all get along. We need each other - if there were no regular dance nights in Buffalo, the big shows would not work, and vice versa. With the big shows it grabs everyone's attention and they want to do it every weekend and that helps the local community thrive.
What will this do for Buffalo's image in the trance music community as well as the local music scene as a whole?
Well I think we have already have a great image - just look above at all the acts that have been here and the local nights. But this is a FREE show so hopefully it will bring some new fans out to see for themselves.
How many people does Rendezvous hold?
I'm not 100% on the fire code (we will not exceed that) the place is massive but intimate at the same time. Mark and his team did a great job on that room!
Will you hold additional shows at Rendezvous?
Yes and others too. There are enough shows to make all the venues happy, and that's a good thing. Fans will not get bored as quickly if you have multiple venues.
What else should people know about the show?
SHOW IS FREE BEFORE MIDNIGHT! Relaxed dress code - dress to impress, but dress to DANCE.
Get FREE Show Voucher on your phone to show at the door (before midnight).
Cosmic Gate @ Statler City
on January 17th, 2012
Interview with electronic music promoter Brian Nelson regarding upcoming trance show at Rendezvous @ Statler City:
How long has Factory Nightlife been around?
We have been involved with dance music for just about 20 years, we adopted the name "Factory Nightlife" in 2001 I believe (see Facebook).
What sort of music does it promote and who are some of the acts that have come through Buffalo?
We promote dance music primaraly EDM, we have had many big acts come to Buffalo, starting with just about every dnb act known, large Trance and House acts such as Tiesto, Markus Shulz, Ferry Corsten, Dubfire, Skrillex, Above and Beyond, Cosmic Gate and a few hundred others.
Factory Nightlife has an upcoming show at Rendezvous - The Niteclub @ Statler City. How did you land that venue?
Well, Mark Croce contacted a friend of mine, we sat down and the rest is what it is.
Did you ever think that you would be promoting a gig at The Statler?
Sure, we promote at the biggest and nicest venues in Buffalo - Town Ballroom, Pure... Rendezvous (FB) was a great choice, Statler is like a city inside - it is breathtaking.
What is Cosmic Gate?
Cosmic Gate is a global dance act from Germany (see FB event). They play uplifting dance music on a global scale from major festivals to the top clubs in the world. We are very excited to have them in Buffalo.
What's the scene going to be like on Friday, January 20 (10pm-4am)?
Strictly 21+. It will be a fun time with lots of people dancing, drinking & having fun. There is something about Electronic Dance Music (EDM) that brings people together - the energy it brings is amazing. With all the shows I have done I do not think I have ever seen a true altercation. That's amazing to have that many people in a club and they are just there to dance and have fun.
How would you describe the electronic music scene in Buffalo?
Bigger than ever... it is bigger than ever. There are promoters like us that bring huge events, and there are some great groups doing dance nights at smaller venues with local DJs (QCC, Igloo, Jesse Aaron's team at Epic) there are great local DJs that are on the global scale also. Mike Parker travels the world every month playing in Japan, Italy and Germany. Jarvis just put out two tracks on Cable recordings and Paul K is a hungry 'up and comer' who is on the rise, not to mention all the Factory DJs (Mike Parker, Angelo Petrucci, Jarvis, Jesse Aaron, Nik Styles, Ryan Liddel, HXLY and so many more). It is good to see. And for the most part we all get along. We need each other - if there were no regular dance nights in Buffalo, the big shows would not work, and vice versa. With the big shows, the scene grabs everyone's attention and they want to do it every weekend and that helps the local community thrive.
What will this do for Buffalo's image in the trance music community as well as the local music scene as a whole?
Well I think we have already have a great image - just look above at all the acts that have been here and the local nights. But this is a FREE show so hopefully it will bring some new fans out to see for themselves.
How many people does Rendezvous hold?
I'm not 100% on the fire code (we will not exceed that) the place is massive but intimate at the same time. Mark and his team did a great job on that room!
Will you hold additional shows at Rendezvous?
Yes and others too. There are enough shows to make all the venues happy, and that's a good thing. Fans will not get bored as quickly if you have multiple venues.
What else should people know about the show?
SHOW IS FREE BEFORE MIDNIGHT! Relaxed dress code - dress to impress, but dress to DANCE.
Get FREE Show Voucher on your phone to show at the door (before midnight).
Awaiting wedding, now funeral
on January 17th, 2012
Bride-to-be is slain in N. Carolina.
To refuse $2 million, it takes a village
on January 17th, 2012
Somehow, a guy offering $2 million to build something that is sorely lacking in most communities was being made out to be a villain.
Miller brothers have a get-together
on January 17th, 2012
Sabres' Ryan and Red Wings' Drew play against each other for fifth time in their NHL careers, first since March 2010.
Funding for schools a key part of budget
on January 17th, 2012
Cuomo eyes linking aid to teacher evaluations.
AV Photo Daily: 1/17/12
on January 17th, 2012
Untitled by fixBuffalo. www.flickr.com More in Buffalopundit: AV Photo Daily pool