Listen to Nick Mendola live on weekdays from noon-3 p.m.

Hour One: Nick talks about giving back to the community and speaks on the marriage equality bill up for vote in the New York State Senate and on how disappointing the season finale of “The Killing” was. Basketball Hall-of-Famer Dr. Jack Ramsay joins the show as well to discuss his time with the Buffalo Braves and his new book, “Dr. Jack on Winning Basketball.”

Nick with Dr. Jack Ramsay
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Dr. Jack Ramsay 6/21/11

Hour Two: Nick sounds off on his health and legal disclaimers, why “I don’t care” really doesn’t mean what it sounds like, the state of business in the area and the country and the top failed states.
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6/21/11 Nick Mendola Hour Two

At least two workers experience illness at Bank of America branch; levels at four times level considered safe.

- Players will get 48 percent of all revenue. (Currently, players get 60% of revenue after owners take $1 billion off the top.)

- Teams will have a rigid salary “floor,” requiring teams to spend over 90% of the salary cap on player salaries.

- There will be a rookie wage scale.

- A new 16-game Thursday night package will be introduced to boost revenue.

- Owners will get credits for stadium construction.

This all sounds pretty reasonable to me. Apparently a lot of other people think so too, as there’s optimism a deal could be struck within a few weeks. That’d be amazing.

Unfortunately, there is (at least) one man who could screw all this up: Bills owner Ralph Wilson.

… [visit site to read more]

Yes, we know, the state senate should really be focusing its energy on silly things like ensuring all people are treated like actual human beings with basic rights. But there’s another important issue they need to address as well: the rights of small brewers vs distributors.

S1315 is currently in the Rules Committee. It would allow small breweries to terminate contracts with distributors by paying them “fair compensation.” Currently, a contract can only be terminated with “good cause.” In this bill, a “small brewery” is defined as one producing less than 300,000 barrels per year: for reference, Flying Bison is estimated to produce 6,500 barrels this year.

Small breweries can choose to self distribute, and that’s what we plan to do, at least in the foreseeable future. Once you get big enough, though, it’s not feasible: Flying Bison reached a point where it was not worth the amount of effort to manage distribution themselves, and so they use a distributor.

This bill would allow a brewery to change distributors or manage it themselves again. Their current distributor would be compensated and they could then change their distribution method to whatever worked for them. It will allow breweries to expand in a method that works for them. This will lead to more jobs and more beer.

This is a good thing! You need to tell the members of the Senate Rules Committee that you think it is: find your state senator, then see if they’re on the rules committee. That last link autoplays video, by the way, so if you don’t feel like smooth jazz being played on your speakers then pause the first embed on the page. Then, tell them you think this bill needs to come to a vote.

Ideally, this needs to happen today or tomorrow. So don’t delay! Shoot them an email or make a quick phone call now. (If you happen to live in Brooklyn, Senator Golden in particular is on the fence)

A motorcycle collided with a car on Center Road in West Seneca around 10 p.m. Monday.

According to police, two men said they were walking down 24th Street when they were shot at by a man they knew.

The Bank of America Branch on Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo was evacuated Tuesday morning after two bank employees exhibited symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

There is something to be said about a downtown ballpark, a venue situated in a dense walkable neighborhood amidst the hustle and bustle of a great city. Well, here in Sacramento the hustle and bustle is a long home run away, yet Raley Field, opened in 2000, sits tantalizingly close to the big city, yet the neighborhood is pretty much a dog eared warehouse and industrial area, named the “Bridge District”, that is just now receiving some TLC in terms of roads and streetscape improvements.

Make no mistake, Raley Field is a true gem. Other than a clock cupola at the main entrance at home plate, and a large stadium marquee on the first base facade, this is simply a nicely landscaped, pleasant venue that the locals just love. They draw well here, the team has been a perennial Pacific Coast League powerhouse (they won the AAA World Series back to back in ’07 and ’08), and despite some eye popping ticket prices (top ticket $42 yikes!), enjoy consistent big crowds.

Most of the seating lies between the foul poles on the main level; the second level is devoted to a press area, a level of suites and a premium seating area called the Solon CLub (named after the team that used to play in Sacramento in the mid 20th century), where carving stations and a deli bar and full liquor service is available. A spacious outfield berm and grass area and a party deck in the left field corner (offering chaise seating) comprises the rest of the seating area.

The splashes of color in the concourse makes this place. Massive painted concession canopies look inviting, and tile mosaics are embedded into each support beam. Murals of old Sacramento are abundant, and the one piece of art/sculpture that caught our eye was a three dminensional painting near the team store, where the characters pretty much jump out of the canvas.

So more on the concessions – this being Northern California, the heart of wine country, so how nice to be able to order wine by the glass. There are an abundance of beer choices, domestic and imported. WIth the temperatures being so hot in this region (100+ in the summer), the frozen daiquiris and coladas and lemonade drinks are readily available. The menu of food items is wide and far ranging, whether it be brisket or pulled pork sandwiches, and there is even a version of a brat that takes at least two hands to carry that is how big it is.

For the visitor, Old Sacramento beckons just a 15 minute walk or short ride across the river, where one can find a state park with many historic buildings dating back 150 or more years. Plenty of tchotchke shops, taverns, eateires and other shops. Then of course there is the capital, with the signature domed capitol building readily viewable beyond the outfield, and the well manicured streets of downtown Sacramento offer lots of things to explore.

For the third day in a row, we got to watch a San Francisco based affiliate on the field. The Fresno Grizzlies cobbled a 2-1 lead, but the Rivercats came back, and won it 3-2 in the bottom of the 9th thanks to a bases loaded single. Major Leaguer Rich Harden was on a rehab assignment for the ‘Cats and pitched 3 no hit innings, and it was great to see Kevin Kouzmanoff playing for Sacramento. Kouzmanoff was our Artvoice “go to guy” for a couple seasons when he played for the Buffalo Bisons and was always a great guy to talk to and interview.

Props to Chris Schmidt, who work as an urban planner in a suburb of Sacramento and yet maintains a huge passion for his home town of Buffalo. Chris writes development and construction news for Buffalo Rising under the moniker ‘WCPerspective’. His stories are always insightful and we are amazed how he often gets the scoop on downtown Buffalo happenings long before the major media. Chris joined us for the game and hosted some postgame grub at a local downtown brewpub. It was a great afternoon!

Day 4 of the USRT Cali adventure will take us back to AT&T Park in San Francisco. As in Oakland, this is a venue we have not viisted since 2001 and our official stop back then, so just seeing how the SOMA area of San Fran has evolved and developed will be great to see. Joining us will be Nathan Strang, former WNYMedia tech geek, now living in the Bay Area. Check back for updates!

Chris Schmidt joins up with the USRT for an afternoon of baseball, fun and fellowship

5 percent of flora has died along Fuhrmann Boulevard.

John Kane hosts his weekly edition of  “Let’s Talk Native,” giving his thoughts and opinions on the latest issues affecting native people. You can hear “Let’s Talk Native” live on Tuesdays at noon right here on Hometown 1230 WECK.

Download audio file (062111native.mp3)
6/21/11 Let’s Talk Native

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, Ben Perrone:

Who are you, and what do you do?

I'm doing sculptural work now after being more of a painter.

What are the most essential elements of your work?

I have been working with paper for several years sometimes using paper bags other times colored paper for collage.

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

I would use paint, paper, and whatever the project needed. Some of the enjoyment of art is the creative use of materials. Brainstorming to find the answer to new problems, especially in sculpture, brings new materials to use. My extensive experience in woodworking feeds into the need to come up with creative solutions.

Do you have a connection to Buffalo?

I've lived here most of my life, enjoying the art and landscape and especially being able to relate to the art community. People here are friendly and social.

How do you define success as an artist?

Success as an artist is relative. You have to succeed with yourself first, knowing the satisfaction of your art. Then it helps to have feedback from other artists that you respect.

I have been overwhelmed by the response and interest from the public on my last project, "War Ongoing Project" at the Burchfield Penney AC.

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

I live above my studio so it's always easily available but making time for social events and relaxation determines how often I work. Energy is a factor although I seem more energized now because of the number of Ideas and work that I want to complete.

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

I don't know what inspires the creativity. In this world of vast communication we are bombarded by information that can be a source. The problem is filtering out what is more important to you and what you can do with it. I would like to see more artists involved with current social problems rather than the pure acts of creativity that I am also taken with.

What quote or mantra or words of wisdom do you have for other creative types?

From the musician Mose Allison: "The artist is the one who never gets it right."

Where can we find more of your work?

My work and the work of other good artists I know/have known can be seen on the web site www.art-wny.com.

Also look up "War Ongoing Project" in youtube. Or call for a studio visit, 716-884 8563.

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

While other opera companies are foundering, Nickel City Opera flourishes by thinking outside the box.

When you have a parkway like Bidwell that intersects the city's busiest commercial district, there are certain summer events that people always look forward to. Bidwell is the perfect setting for the Elmwood Village Picnic in the Parkway Summer Concert Series. Whether you're taking a date or planning a family outing, the concert series is the perfect way to catch some great music while taking in the green scenery of the city. Thanks to presenting sponsor M&T Bank for fortifying what has become a summer tradition in the heart of Elmwood Avenue.

All Tuesday shows are free to the public and begin at 7 p.m. in Bidwell Parkway at Elmwood Avenue. Here's the schedule:

Tuesday, June 28, kicks off the lineup with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, which brings its ongoing 75th anniversary celebration to the Parkway in a rare free public appearance.

"Feel good and move your body" with Buffalo's own Outer Circle Orchestra, who bring World Beat to the street on July 5th. A stone soul picnic for jazz and soul fans is on the table for July 12, with The Shadows of Motown & Soul Revue, featuring Barbara St. Clair and Billy McEwan.

Looking for a truly exciting and eclectic sound? Gypsy jazz pioneers Babik and their blend of Jazz Fusion, Klezmer, World and Latin music are featured July 19. And don't forget your dancing shoes (or boots) on July 26, when country and western and Cajun greats The Skiffle Minstrels hit the stage with their unique take on classic standards as well as upbeat originals.

The August lineup will be smoking hot, too. The 12 members of N'Dias will entertain and electrify with their high-energy blend of African roots, percussion and plugged-in sonic style on August 2.

Rounding out the series on August 9 will be The Wendell Rivera Quintet, featuring award-winning percussionist Wendell Rivera, who will deliver Latin Jazz heat, flavor and rhythm to the night.

Designs and machines are on display at the Buffalo Museum of Science in an interactive exhibit called "Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion."