Flight 3407 legislations moved along…Lockport schools to close….Watch out for flooding…
Anchored by Tom Schuh:
Hometown News at Noon: Thursday, March 11
on March 11th, 2010
Barbara Miller-Williams is not leading by example
on March 11th, 2010
“How are things on Elmwood these days?”
on March 11th, 2010
BRO submission by Lorne Opler:
What are some of the thoughts that cross our mind in the course of any day? How about, "What am I making for dinner?" or, "I hope my rent check didn't bounce." How about, "Why can't this country have universal health care?", and then there's the ubiquitous, "Am I too fat?" Recently, another question crossed my mind, "How are things on Elmwood these days?"
What prompted this thought was my realization that it's been two years since I moved out of my beautiful attic apartment on Ashland near Bird, returning to the "True North Strong and Free." There are a lot of things I miss about Buffalo, but top among them is EV.
From the first time I landed there, I felt at home. Sure, there are other nice parts in the city; North Buffalo and Allentown are two. But for a newcomer to Buffalo, Elmwood was much more than a "strip". It clearly did feel like a village. It provided me a sense of place and comfort, and for an out of towner wanting to feel the "vibe" of the city, this was the address for me.
But EV was not just about comfort, or the convenience of living near so many stores. It was the sense of connection I felt with my environment. Coming from Toronto, where most in-town urbanites use their feet to get around, (when they're not on the subway, streetcars or buses) , Elmwood's walkability was a real draw. Another reason why "village" seems an appropriate moniker for the neighborhood.
Beyond it's "ped" friendly feel, one other factor endeared me to EV; The Lexington Co-op. I knew about the co-op long before they moved to the new site, but when I actually saw it for the first time, I was bowled over by its beautifully modern design. It was bright, clean, airy and has a fresh, streamlined effect. The co-op became my home away from home. It was a place where I could actually have a nice conversation with the check-out clerks, or the floor staff. It was a place where I found even the shoppers were more approachable and friendly. No question that is due to the fact that many people who frequented The Co-op were not just shoppers, they were shareholders, creating a sense of community and ownership that we don't feel when we shop at Top's or Wegmans.
If Elmwood is a village, then in my mind, The Co-op is its anchor. With the store on the east side of Elmwood, and Delish on the west, this one block always seemed busy with foot traffic, reminding me of street life in Toronto.
But I can't ignore the fact that EV was also about its people; friendly, unpretentious and down-to-earth - that's what village people (no, not those ones) are known for being. Case in point; an incident that happened to me in the winter of '07-08. I was at my M&T branch on Elmwood withdrawing money from the ATM for my monthly rent. I clenched the wad of bills in my hand, walked out the front door, when suddenly a gust of wind scattering my $20 bills all over the street, the bank's driveway, the parking lot, and even in bushes on the opposite side of the Elmwood. In shock, I frantically ran all over the place trying to scoop up whatever cash I could grab. Just then the bank's security guard came out and began running around helping me retrieve as much money as possible. Miraculously, I gathered just about all the money I lost, in no small part to the efforts of the security guard. Without him, I would have been hundreds of greenbacks in the hole. What better of a story to highlight the kind of people I met in EV.
But for all its greatness, nothings is perfect. EV can get even better. How? Well, here's my wish list for what I'd like to see added to the street. I've kept my list realistic. Sure, we'd all like to see an H&M, and Apple Store, a Whole Foods Market. But in the likelihood these do not pop up, here's what I want to see:
1) a good butcher shop
2) a kitchen supply store
3) a hardware store
4) a real bakery (not a bagel place or a coffee shop that sells pastries)
5) bike sharrows
Another thing I always felt would make an elegant addition, is a signature archway at each end of the village, letting people know, in no uncertain terms, they've entered a special place.
Finally, for any in-town neighborhood to be truly livable, it needs good transit. Unfortunately, this does not exist in EV. When I had to spend about an hour waiting for an Elmwood bus to arrive in the middle of a weekday afternoon, it's enough to make someone want to visit a car dealership. Fortunately, until transit improves, EV is lucky to have the Buffalo CarShare cooperative as a sustainable, enviro-friendly option to get around the neighborhood.
Some readers may conclude I am looking at EV through rose colored glasses. But to any naysayers, I say, rose is a beautiful color, and that's the memory I have when I think of Elmwood; a place that no matter where I live will always be close to me.
Following are some recent Elmwood developments:
Blue Monk
Lu Modern
Zetti's
Penzey's
Spot Coffee
Coffee Culture
Falls man killed after stepping into fight
on March 11th, 2010
NIAGARA FALLS -- A 22-year-old man who apparently stepped into the middle of a fight between another man and a woman was fatally shot early this morning outside a Niagara Falls apartment complex, city police reported.
Lancaster meeting tonight on airport plan
on March 11th, 2010
The Lancaster Zoning Board of Appeals will meet tonight and hear a lawyer's claim on behalf of neighbors that the Lancaster Airport - which they dislike for its noise and low-flying planes - has already expanded beyond its legal limit.
The Latest Update From Glox News
on March 11th, 2010
Expect Sabres to start Lalime Friday
on March 11th, 2010
Patrick Lalime should spell Ryan Miller in net for the Buffalo Sabres against the Minnesota Wild on Friday so the Michigan native can play in front of friends and family at the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.
Pearl Jam coming to Buffalo
on March 11th, 2010
Pearl Jam is coming to HSBC Arena at 7:30 p.m. May 10, concert promoter Live Nation announced today. Details at BuffaloNews.com Live at http://blogs.buffalonews.com/live/2010/03/pearl-jam-coming-to-buffalo.html
Rotary Rink closes for the season
on March 11th, 2010
Rotary Rink is closed for the rest of the season, Buffalo Place announced today. For more, go to BuffaloNews.com Live at http://blogs.buffalonews.com/live/2010/03/rotary-rink-closes-for-season.html
Regier tonight’s guest on Gary Bettman’s SIRIUS Radio show
on March 11th, 2010
Darcy Regier of the Buffalo Sabres and Mike Gillis of the Vancouver Canucks, general managers of two division-leading clubs, are today’s guests on NHL Hour With Commissioner Gary Bettman on NHL.com and SIRIUS XM Radio at 6 p.m. ET. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly will be the guest host for today’s show.
Regier, one of the [...]
Bill O’Loughlin Show: Thu 3/11/10
on March 11th, 2010
Review Gleason’s Inside the NHL chat
on March 11th, 2010
The Buffalo Sabres have started a winning streak after a dry spell with the end of the regular season a month away. News hockey columnist Bucky Gleason answered your questions on the league and the Sabres in a live chat.
Bills bringing DT Kennedy in for a visit
on March 11th, 2010
One day after addressing their offensive line needs, the Buffalo Bills are focusing on filling a big hole in the middle of their defense.