New York’s DEC commissioner says hydrofracking can be done safely with proper precautions. Friday, Joseph Martens named an advisory panel to help with the process. Nick Reisman reports.

This video and press release just came in from PUSH Buffalo: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nUgZWqPnJk   Community Challenge to National Fuel CEO David Smith We’ll be at the Public Hearing, will you? Next Wednesday, July 6th, hundreds of community residents, organizations and elected officials will participate in a Public Hearing convened and facilitated by the Public Service Commission [...]

Interview by Tara Sasiadek:

The Buffalo Expat Network, the Emerging Leaders in the Arts and HandsOn Greater Buffalo are pleased to present the echo: Art Fair which connects experienced collectors and first-time buyers with emerging local, regional and international artists in a centralized and creative environment; the Buffalo Central Terminal. echo: Art Fair will showcase a broad scope of fine art disciplines, including painting, photography, sculpture, print, works on paper, video and combined-media. echo will commence with a VIP Reception on July 8th, 2011. On July 9th, the echo: Art Fair will run from 9:30am until 5:30pm. The After-echo party, also to be held in the Terminal, will take place shortly after the ending of the fair featuring live music from The Albrights, Alex Kelly, and will wrap up with a dance party featuring DJ Cutler and AVDJ PROJEX. Here is the next in a series of Buffalo Rising interviews with one of our featured artists, Richard Stamps:

Who are you, and what do you do?

My name is Richard H. Stamps and I am a photographer, and have been a non- camera based artist for over thirty five years. I have received national and regional awards in various disciplines and had numerous one man and group shows in the Midwest and Northeast. I have traveled extensively in the United States and abroad doing commissioned fine art and social documentary photo assignments. My graphics have been used to benefit the Buffalo Zoological Society and Amnesty International. Some of the awards are:

-2008 51st Chautauqua National Exhibition of American Art, Strohl Art Center at the Chautauqua Institution Cash Award

-2006 Buffalo Society of Artists 110th Catalog Exhibition 2006 - (11/03/06 - 01/07/07) Allentown Village Society Award

What are the most essential elements of your work?

Color, Tension in Composition, Dual Points of Convergence, minimalism, spiritualism, irony, beauty, whimsy, and a lust for a new realism that hasn't been seen before.

If you had to choose only 5 materials or tools to work with, what would they be?

Digital SLR Camera, Oils, glass, wood, metal

Would you describe your artistic education as a guided or self guided journey?

Self-Guided, with a formal and informal arts education.  My thanks go out to all the authentic artists who create, that I learned from.  The people like Helen Lyman, Earl Mc Donald and Jane Clary-Miner who supported me in my artistic evolution.

Do you have a connection to Buffalo?

Yes. My Aunt Helen Lyman was a professor emeritus at the University of Buffalo Library School, and my uncle Vreelandt Lyman was an artist from a prominent Buffalo family. My father's family were from Niagara Falls, New York, and my mother's family were from Wilson, New York. My lovely wife Elizabeth was originally from Orchard Park, New York and we currently reside in Collins, New York. I am also a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright.

Is there a Buffalo landmark or meal you plan to visit or have while here?

Since I have lived in the area for several years, I would suggest Niagara Falls, the Frank Lloyd Wright House in Buffalo, Letchworth State Park. Dining at Daniel's Restaurant in Hamburg, Ambrosia's on Elmwood. Enjoying the arts: The new Burchfield, Sheas, Albright-Knox, Shakespeare in the Park and eating extra hot wings at Doug's Dive on the Waterfront.

 How do you define success as an artist?

To conceive a vision, then follow an idea's conception through to its final culmination. Allowing the observer to understand the intent of the creator. Remuneration should not be the prime motive for ones art as it will limit the vision of the artist. I have kept my integrity and have not ignored the lessons of other truly talented artists. Being fortunately selected from an elite group of artists to participate in the Echo Art Fair.

 
Can you share with us a harrowing tale of an artistic disaster?

Although the resulting photographs were not an artistic disaster, one shoot in particular comes to mind.

I was shooting for the Afrikaner Research Center in Buffalo New York in the Republic of Haiti in 1996, after Baby Doc Duvalier government had been overthrown, I was going through security at the American Embassy when one of my large camera flashes started making a whirring noise which alerted armed guards who immediately pointed their weapons at me and asked me what was in my camera bag. Without opening the camera bag I reached inside and manipulated the batteries out of the errant flash, professing sincerely all the while that nothing was wrong. After the noise stopped, I opened the bag to show them there was nothing to be afraid of. They lowered their M-16's.

Do you have a set schedule for studio time?  How do you structure your creative life?

No. Mostly in the early morning and when something needs to be done, I do it.

Can you tell us about where you find resources or inspiration for your work?

I am always on the lookout for new cameras, papers, programs through various camera magazines and online. I have an extensive home library that I have accumulated over the years.

Recent inspirations for my work: Music: Bats for Lashes; Literary: Jim Harrison Arts: Paul Gauguin, Milton Rogovin
 
What quote or mantra or words of wisdom do you have for other creative types?

My restless visual interpretations are there for the viewer to grasp if they can be tantalized into being detectives. I have attempted to challenge the viewer by alienating them from what is visually comfortable, which I believe should be a prime artistic goal. By making an assault on the viewer's sensibilities, it disrupts their preconceived notions, making them react. This reaction makes them think. It is the ultimate goal in the creation process.

Where can we find more of your work?

www.rhstamps.com/gallery or by contacting me directly at 716-532-6283/ stampsrh@yahoo.com

Keenan Art Center, Lockport, New York - Permanent collection Erie Art Museum, 88th Annual Juried Spring Show, which runs from April 16, 2011 to June 2.

For full details on echo: Art Fair, visit the site at www.echoArtFair.com, or find us on Facebook.

A tropical beach setting will soon be in the heart of Genesee County this fall. Construction is underway on a $1.5 million indoor water park. YNN’s Kate McGowan has more.

Buffalo Sabres GM Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have signed unrestricted free agent forward Ville Leino to a multi-year contract.

Council Majority Leader said today that he wants to facilitate a meeting next week between the Brown administration and the Naval and Military Park.

It's lions, tigers, acrobats and more as the UniverSoul Circus rolls into town. Find it at the University at Buffalo South Campus July 7 to 10.

Investigators say 18-year-old Mitchell Kirby was driving while impaired by drugs when he struck an SUV on Zig-Zag Road in the town of Gaines on May 20.

Local singer/songwriter Dave Nolf and his rocking band kick off a busy holiday weekend tonight with a headlining gig at the Tralf, with Donna Lee as opener. Then, on Tuesday, July 5, Nolf and his band take the opening slot at Artpark, supporting Pat Benatar. Catch this up-and-comer before he gets famous.

Police say a 35-year-old man was shot by one or more people around 3 a.m. Friday at the intersection of Ellicott and St. Paul Streets.

Maria Lupas of Lupas Meats of  Broadway Market fame became a United States citizen along with about fifty others yesterday at a ceremony aboard the USS Little Rock yesterday in a ceremony performed by Judge Richard J. Arcara.

From the Buffalo News Article…

Maria Lupas has had 42 years to contemplate becoming a citizen, and she did it with style, giving Arcara a bear hug and posing for pictures with her arm around his shoulders.

Lupas and her husband, Peter, own Lupas Meats in the Broadway Market, and she never quite got around to making her citizenship official.

“I was postponing for a long time. I said, ‘This is the day I have to go,’ ” she recalled. “Before I die, I want to be American citizen.”

She came from then-communist Poland in 1969 and met her future husband at the Broadway Market when he was working for Redlinski Meats. It was love at first sight, with a young cousin interpreting for

her. The couple have two children, Michelle Rozanski and David, who also works at Lupas Meats.

Maria Lupas retired last year, and she was a little afraid of taking the citizenship test.

“I have a hard time with English,” she explained, but that hasn’t been much of a hindrance, given her effervescent personality. “I’m very easy to make friends, wherever I go.”

Congratulations!!!

[read full Buffalo News article here]

The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed forward Cody McCormick shortly before he was eligible to become a free agent.

With warm temps in the forecast, many of us will spend time outdoors, including our pets, who often pose a threat to our nation’s mail carriers. As YNN’s Meg Rossman tells us dog attacks are becoming a growing problem for mail carriers in Niagara Falls, she explains what you can do to prevent it.

Peace Bridge Authority settles for smaller plaza expansion over three years as federal funds dry up

"Team Gary Bisons Benefit Bash" draws hundreds of family, friends to support injured officer's recovery