Upstate economic development received a much needed boost when Governor David A. Paterson signed into law legislation sponsored by Assemblymember Sam Hoyt (A10839/S7556) amending the current Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit law to allow banks and insurance companies to now claim the tax credit.

"This is a major victory for economic development in Buffalo and Upstate New York," Hoyt said.  "The amendments will create a ripple effect of private sector investment that includes the creation of hundreds of new jobs and historic structures in communities across upstate will be saved and restored."

Dozens of local projects have been on hold waiting for the law to take effect. The new law expands the pool of investors, allowing for hundreds of millions of new dollars to be invested in current and future developments in Western New York.  This will propel new construction, which will create new jobs.  Developers now have more incentive to invest in local projects, especially those in downtown Buffalo.

"Without Sam's efforts and the efforts of Senator Valesky, the Lafayette Hotel and the AM&A's department store would not be getting done," said Rocco Termini, head of Signature Development, who has been a leader in rehabilitating structures in downtown Buffalo.  Termini expects to soon start work to transform the Lafayette into a mix of retail, hotel, residential and banquet space and complete work by next October.

Many high-profile projects in Western New York will receive a boost by allowing banks and insurance companies to apply for the tax credit, such as the Lafayette Hotel, AM&A's Department Store, Horsefeathers Building, Bethune Hall and The Cooperage.

"Banks and insurance companies are among the most experienced users of the federal rehabilitation tax credit program," said Jay DiLorenzo, President of the Preservation League of New York State.  "Thanks to Sam Hoyt's persistent leadership in the Assembly, higher levels of private investment will finally begin to flow to redevelopment and revitalization projects across the state."

"This legislation inches us ever forward in our efforts to fix this critical program and put New Yorkers back to work," said Robert Simpson, President of CenterState CEO.  "Upstate's urban areas are poised to see hundreds of millions of dollars of reinvestment from this program.  To ensure this catalytic infusion in our urban neighborhoods, the Governor must still repeal his decision to delay payment of these tax credits for three to six years."
 
Many advocates of the new legislation believe it is a major step forward that strengthens the already important existing historic rehabilitation tax credit law.  The legislation expands the opportunity for the reinvestment and development of existing buildings, many of which anchor communities of all sizes in New York State, will have a positive impact for decades.

"That the Governor signed Hoyt's bill is a tribute to Hoyt's leadership in Albany," said local preservation architect Clinton Brown.

"We are thrilled that the process for amending the HRTC legislation to permit banks and insurance companies to invest in worthwhile historic properties is finally complete," said Steven Weiss, a Buffalo attorney who specializes in historic tax law.  "This progress is a major step forward and reflects the tireless effort of Messrs. Hoyt and Valesky, among others, who recognized early on that while the passage of the initial bill was itself historic, the improvement of it was necessary.  The amendment will result in the ability to show the legislature and the Governor that the program will deliver what is expected and we hope that with these positive results, a further amendment will ultimately be enacted to allow the state and federal credits to benefit separate investors, further enhancing the value of the state credits."

Hoyt and Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) were the prime sponsors of the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit legislation signed into law in 2009 that provided tax incentives for investors of both commercial and residential development of historic structures across New York State.  Since the law took effect on January 1, 2010, the residential component of the original bill - which covers owner-occupied structures listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places - has already seen a rise in applications.  The commercial aspect has been strengthened by the passage of the new amendments.

"Making the HRTC available to banks and insurance companies will result in tens of millions of dollars of investment in our downtowns, hundreds of jobs and a revitalization of our upstate urban cores," Valesky said.

"I do not want to see another historic building in Western New York become derelict or demolished," Hoyt said.  "Many key rehabilitation projects locally and statewide have been on hold, waiting for this amendment to become law. Now that it has, developers can get to work stimulating our local economies.  I have fought hard to pass this law to ensure Western New York gets the economic boost it needs."

We’re talking UB2020′s demise and how I’m appalled at what Barack Obama said Monday…

BillO August_31_2010_09_05

Bills running back Fred Jackson was given a timetable of four to six weeks for the broken bone in his hand suffered in the preseason opener on Aug. 13. Just 18 days later, Jackson had the big bulky...

Of course going into the season, every NFL team starts 0-0, but that doesn’t stop the ‘experts’ including ESPN in drilling their own opinions about how teams and players will play this season.

It first started this morning on Sportscenter where the Monday Night Football crew sat around and predicted how many games each team in the AFC East will win.

When it came time to talk about the Bills, the questions was: Will the Buffalo Bills win more or less than five games?

Ron Jaworski answer was less because “Chan Gailey needs a little bit of time to get his type of players in that organizations.”

Jon Gruden was the next to answer and although he didn’t answer the question directly, he certainly made his feelings on the Bills well known:”They’re just not as good as these other teams in this league is how I see it, Jaws. C.J. Spiller, though, he’s the best player in this year’s draft.”

To read the rest of their AFC East predictions click here

Next Up came ESPN’s John Clayton’s QB Rankings on ESPN.com entering the season and can anyone guess where Trent Edwards ended up?

31 out of 33 with only Matt Moore and Jake Delhomme behind him, and here is Clayton’s explanation.

“Analysis: Call it deja Bills. When Edwards entered the league in 2007, the Bills were a bottled-up offense desperately looking for receivers who could pull coverage away from Lee Evans. Edwards’ lone target remains Evans, but the offensive line is now much worse. Chance of being elite: 0 percent”

To see the rest of his rankings, click here

Of course we shouldn’t expect the Bills to be ranked anywhere but last due to their lack of success throughout the years, but day after day of hearing the hate gets old real fast. I only hope Chan Gailey forces his players to read all of the negativity and use it as added fuel to turn some heads in 2010.

New York State is scheduled to start collecting taxes on Indian cigarette sales on Wednesday, but the Seneca Nation plans to retaliate against the state’s new cigarette tax by withholding casino payments. After a state judge refused to block New York from collecting taxes on cigarette sales to non-Indian customers, the tribe decided to hold back the state’s share of casino revenues starting on Wednesday, the day New York says it will begin the collections. Tribal leaders are now hoping a federal judge will prevent the tax from being implemented. The last time the state attempted to enforce the tax was during the George Pataki Administration, and members of upstate tribes protested by blocking traffic on the Thruway. This time, taxes will be collected at the wholesale level before the cigarettes even reach the Indian dealers. Governor Paterson has warned that the enforcement could result in violence and death.

Two local businessmen have won the right to purchase the landmark Statler Towers in downtown Buffalo. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge approved the sale to Mark Croce and James Eagan, at a winning bid of 700-thousand dollars for the property and back-taxes owed. A 15-day waiting period now begins for others to contest the judgement. A California-based investor was disqualified for failing to properly submit a 100-thousand dollar deposit before the stated deadline. Eagan and Croce are hoping to close the deal in mid-November, but have not announced their future plans for the property.

UB President John Simpson surprised the university and community withhis resignation announcement yesterday. Simpson will hand over the reins in January, in order to return to the West Coast with his family. Senior VP and chief operating officer Scott Nostaja will take over on an interim basis, and a national search for a replacement will be conducted. The 63-year-old Simpson has been at the helm of UB since 2004.

Metro Bus and Rail riders will see some big changes starting tomorrow. The NFTA is doing away with multi-zones fare in favor of a single-fare system. It will now cost one-dollar-75 cents for each boarding regardless of local distance. Commuters can also buy four-dollar daily passes which allow for unlimited boardings. Monthly passes are being reduced from 77 to 64 dollars. Other major changes include increasing the frequency of popular runs, while reducing service on less-traveled routes and shifting weekend schedules. The changes are expected to save 850-thousand dollars per year.

The man suspected in the City Grill killings had his bail set yesterday at 500-thousand dollars. Riccardo McCray is facing four murder counts for the August 14th shooting rampage on Main Street. McCray turned himself in last week, but has maintained his innocence.

Jury selection will resume tomorrow in the Renee Greco murder case. Nineteen-year-old Anthony Allen of Rochester is accused of killing the Lockport youth counselor in June 2009. A judge denied a request to halt jury selection as the defense tries to get the case moved out of Niagara County, arguing that a fair trial will not be possible because of the media attention. In two days of jury selection last week, not a single candidate has been chosen. The third day of jury selection is scheduled for Wednesday, but a change of venue hearing is not set until sometime next week. The co-defendant, 18-year-old Robert Thousand, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is expected to testify for the prosecution.

As the school year starts, New York State is celebrating its win in the federal “Race To The Top” education grant contest. At an event in Albany yesterday , U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said New York is now on the leading edge of reform.  New York’s application for the contest was highlighted by numerous reform efforts, including challenging low performing schools and thinking differently about teacher and principal evaluations. Governor Paterson says the win is a new chapter in the state’s commitment to education.

Governor Paterson isn’t planning action against his staff for involvement they may have had in a domestic violence case against former top aide David Johnson. Last month the State Court of Appeals concluded that Paterson and several members of his administration had erred in the way they handled Johnson’s alleged altercation with his girlfriend. Paterson, Johnson and special assistant Clemmie Harris came under fire for allegedly attempting to coerce Johnson’s girlfriend into not filing domestic charges. Paterson has kept Johnson on suspension since the incident and says he will continue to do so while state police continue to investigate.

Part A retirement numbers continue to rise for the state. On Monday a total of 45-hundred-93 state government workers had applied for and been approved for the retirement incentives. Close to 200 applications were received yesterday and state leaders hope the numbers continue to rise in order to help trim money from next year’s budget.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio says he has big plans for education spending. Lazio says he believes more money should be spent on early childhood education and other reforms that promote positive changes throughout school districts. Lazio also says that less education spending would most likely take place for the rest of the 2010-11 school year and not increase until the next budget year.

BUFFALO, NY – The Seneca Nation is striking back at New York State following a judge’s refusal Monday to block the state from taxing reservation cigarette sales to non-native customers.

Ah, Summer, we barely knew ya.

As we turn the calendar over to September and make out last minute preparations to send our kids to school, we do so with a heavy heart, knowing that the calendar might say there’s still three weeks left in Summer, but, really, it’s over.

Earlier this year, I said, “This is the year that I cross more things off the list than not. This is the year that I refuse to let the warm months slip by. This is the year that I refuse to let life get in the way of living.”

I wish I could say I was successful in that. I wish I could say that I didn’t let the warm months slip by. But 2010 was very similar to 2009 in that fashion.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I didn’t do anything. Oh, I did plenty.

I went to Darien Lake with the kids, Toronto with a cute brunette, and took a nap in Delaware Park all by myself.

I ran into friends at the Allentown Art Festival, Canal Fest of the Tonawandas, and the Elmwood Avenue Festival of the Arts.

A saw Pearl Jam at HSBC, Public Enemy at the Town Ballroom and George Thorogood at Artpark.

I enjoyed Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, the Erie Canal and every vantage point of the Niagara River.

I ate tasty food at the Taste of Buffalo and drank tasty beers at the Buffalo Brew Fest.

Despite that laundry list of accomplishments, though, I still feel like Summer slipped by because this is Western New York, where we’re blessed with summertime entertainment 24/7 and there’s so much I didn’t get to do.

I guess I’ll have to stick around another year and see what I can accomplish in 2011.

Maybe my accomplishments will be of the laundry list variety I displayed above. By the way, that laundry list is abbreviated. There’s just too much to write. Or maybe my list of accomplishments will be something more meaningful.

I’d love to improve our community. I’d love to find the magic bullet that makes everything all better. Or have a hand in removing the cancerous things that keeps us down.

What Western New York really needs is better leadership and vision. Less promises and more action. Less talk about the next great fishing store that’s going to make everything better and more doing away with burdensome taxes and regulations that make it hard to keep afloat.

As much as I love our free concerts and festivals, when the summer ends, we’re reminded that the problems we had in spring are still problems. Bread and circus might work in the warm months, but when the days get shorter, the circus leaves town and we remember who the real clowns are.

Summer is a great time to forget our problems and just go with the flow. But as the kids go back to school, we need to get back to work. We have an election coming up. Better start studying.

Of course, if you’re content with just three good months a year, sit back and do nothing. It’ll be festival season again soon.

Rarely have I seen so much garbage strewn about than at the corner of Hertel and Delaware. It was so bad in fact that I hopped off my bike and began to look around to see what could be done. Stuff was everywhere - Tim Hortons and Dunkin' Donuts coffee cups, McDonald's and Burger King bags and soda cups, Mighty Taco wrappers... you name the business found anywhere near that intersection and it was represented. Unfortunately, ever since the North Park Branch Library closed, the park fronting the building has fallen into the hands of litterbugs. It doesn't help that there is a bus stop at the corner, just across the street from Burger King.

It took me about 20 minutes to clean the park, and though it wasn't spotless it was a big improvement. I began by throwing garbage into the big blue garbage can located ten feet from the bus stop bench - how lazy can people get? Then I happened upon a box (Dunkin' Donuts of course) and took that around the park filling it up. It eventually overfilled so I threw more litter directly into the blue can. There was some hard-to-get junk under the bushes - I think that there might be someone actually living in the brush as I found his or her hidden spoon and discarded cans of food.

You would think that one of the neighboring stores would adopt this park, since all of the garbage is generated from their places of business. For example, in exchange for sending an employee over to the park to clean up once a week (say ten minutes), Burger King would be allowed to fly a flag on the tall flagless pole that sits right in the middle of the lawn. That's big marketing bucks! Or maybe the NFTA would want to adopt the park since so much junk is left behind by bus riders. Regardless, until the branch library is occupied once more, some group needs to figure out what to do about the ridiculous amount of garbage that acts as a welcome mat for people visiting Hertel Avenue.

*By the way, I biked down both sides of Hertel and the street looked spotless (from Delaware to Main Street) except for this corner. Maybe the businesses on Elmwood that stretch from Utica to Bryant could learn a lesson or two regarding how to clean up in front of a business.

Check out Forgotten Buffalo’s fan page to the R&L Lounges’ Lottie Pikuzinski—>

Great Stuff!

This is what I’m thinking:

* And the winner in Sunday’s head-to-head match-up between the Buffalo Bills on Channel 7 and the Emmy Awards on Channel 2 is…

 The Emmys.

 But not by much, especially when you consider the Emmys were live and the Bills’ 35-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday night was on a one-day tape delay.

 The Emmys averaged an 11.3 rating on Channel 2, which was only slightly lower than the 12.5 rating last year’s award show had when it aired three weeks later when there were more potential viewers and it wasn’t competing with  Bills game.

The Bills’ win over the Bengals averaged a 9.8 rating, which was more than double the 4.1 rating a tape-delayed preseason game had a year ago on Channel 7.

 At 10:15,  just before the big awards were given out, the Emmys only held a slim edge with an 11.4 rating to the 11.3 rating for the Bills game.

The TV ratings this summer for the Bills have been so much higher than a year ago that the perception that interest in the team is down seems way off-base.

Of course, the Bills game with the Bengals benefited from the knowledge that the Bills had performed well and that first-round pick C.J. Spiller is living up to or exceeding expectations at running back.

* It was amusing to hear Channel 2 anchor John Beard say on “Daybreak” this morning that the station “had learned” that bail for Riccardo M. McCray, who is charged with murder in the Main Street shootings, had been set at $500,000.

 As many people undoubtedly learned, the bail story is on top of page 1 of this morning’s Buffalo News.

 I’m not saying this is the case with the bail story, but TV and radio stations routinely take information in the newspaper and claim it as their own without attributing it to the News or it reporters.

 * NBC used the Emmy Awards Sunday to showcase its talent and its new fall shows. I’m sure much of America was wondering “who the heck is Joel McHale” when the “Community” star appeared in the opening “Born to Run” number. I’m also guessing many Americans don’t know the low-rated “Community” even is on the air.

 * As far as the new shows, I’ve seen them all and wasn’t wowed by any of them. However, that is a subject for a later blog. The promos for the conspiracy series “The Event” with Jason Ritter (John’s son, see above) explained more things than were explained in the hour pilot. Unfortunately, they also give away some surprises, too. But NBC’s promo department is known for doing that.

 pergament@msn.com

Sun, Aug 29 2010

[Files pdf - see archive of bulletins here]

By: Syrie Roman

Just when I thought I had food figured out and not much else could impress me, I set out to do a tasting of Bistro Europa's newest menu items. I sat at the bar of the cozy eatery and took in the great atmosphere, which I've learned is a direct reflection of the proprietors and their crew. This place is warm, relaxed and inviting, it encourages you to "eat up" and have another beer. The bistro's menu is moderately priced, the portions are completely satisfying and the décor is eclectic. The music alone gives off a cool, funky vibe without being obnoxious. Overall, Europa has an air of understated sophistication, but it offers is real food, for real people. There isn't an overuse of foams or essence, this is real, hearty, crave-able, stick to your ribs and makes you feel awesome type of food. This is the kind of innovative cuisine that inspires the diner, rather than leaving them feeling confused, or worse, intimidated.
 
Dan, the bartender/server/walking culinary encyclopedia has all the answers to any of your menu questions, so feel free to ask.  The chef and staff here want you to ask questions, it's almost encouraged.  Their menu, a compilation of pan European dishes, is the perfect example of "less is more". There are about 12 different small plates that range from Poland to Paris. Buffalo favorites such as potato pancakes and pierogi are served right next to items like my personal favorite, a charcuterie masterpiece,  "Two-way Pate, Coppa di Testa & Butchers Pate." The menu also features six or seven entrees that include Portuguese chicken piri piri, Ukrainian spiced pork borscht, and the local T-Meadow Farms pork chop served with roasted corn budino and potatoes.

Europa's commitment to using local, fresh ingredients shows in every single one of their creations, from the menu staples to their kick-ass daily specials. On that particular evening the specials that graced the small blackboard on the wall included: clams and mussels flown in fresh from Boston and served in a romesco & chorizo broth, veal sweetbreads, and a Southern classic; whole roasted chicken with dirty rice, stuffing and fried green tomatoes.

The menu tasting quickly became a prime example of shameless gluttony and I savored every second of it. My first course was Snapper Crudo served with grapefruit champagne sorbet, white soy and shrimp oil (pictured above). The play of textures, temperatures, and flavors in this dish is out of this world. Crudo means raw in Spanish so the diner experiences the texture of the raw fish, the sweet and citrus-y chill of the sorbet and the spice of the yuzu chili paste. It's a winner in my book. My second course was one that has a lot of people talking, one that truly showcases Gedra's outside the box cooking; Braised Sunflower with housemade ricotta and a raisin caper vinaigrette. This was totally unexpected, the sunflower was meaty and it tasted earthy and grassy (lead image). I imagine it is what an artichoke and a green tomato would taste like if combined. The ricotta added a smoothness to it and the vinaigrette the tanginess; it's a must try and a great alternative for vegetarians. The third course was a refreshing Peach Caprese Salad (pictured below). Here was a fresh and rich mozzarella di bufala, three basils, amazing peaches and saba. At first glance I thought it might be too sweet because of the saba, which is essentially sweet grape syrup, but I was completely wrong. The mozzarella helped contrast and balance the sweetness of the other components. It was delish!

After these 3 courses, I was starting to wonder how much more I could eat since I was supposed to only "taste" the dishes in order to have room for all of them. But my hand was on a mission! It was going to shovel every morsel of food in sight straight in my mouth, and boy was my mouth willing to comply! I was salivating in anticipation of what was coming next. Each creation was even tastier than the one before, how could this possibly get any better? The fourth and fifth course came out at the same time. I took one look at them and smiled because if this was my last meal (I was about to go into a food induced coma, so it was possible that it might be) I would die one happy girl!
 
I started with Seared Potato Crusted Diver Scallops, which were served with a saffron/corn emulsion & roasted fingerlings. The scallops, also flown in from Boston, where the size of my fist and cooked to perfection/ The accompanying olive tapenade gave the whole dish an entirely different layer of flavor, and the fingerlings where perfect little sponges with which yo soak up the tasty saffron corn emulsion. The last course was my favorite. It is one of those dishes that transports you, that speaks to your senses and leaves you unsure as to whether you should laugh or cry. Housemade tagliatelle pasta is served with heirloom tomatoes, housemade ricotta, sesame and shaved summer black truffles. This is what simple, yet refined, cuisine is all about. The pasta was perfectly al dente, the tomatoes tasted as they had been picked that morning, the sesame seeds gave the surprise factor, the ricotta imparted that hint of cheese associated with pasta dishes (without making it heavy), and the truffles where fragrant and delicate, yet they made their presence known. It was the perfect end to this food journey, simply perfect!

It's no secret that this tiny restaurant is a force to be reckoned with. It's been called the "three-headed monster" for a reason, it makes reference to the talented individuals behind all the fabulous food: Steve Gedra (chef and owner), Ellen Haag Gedra (pastry chef and owner) and Chef Bruce Wieszala (charcuterie and butchery genius). These three chefs, along with the rest of their crew, are redefining the food scene in Buffalo. Bistro Europa is not only a dining experience, it's a journey of the senses. It evokes emotions and it speaks to the needs and wants of its guests.

If you haven't had the opportunity to dine at Bistro Europa, I exhort you to do so.

Bistro Europa
484 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14222
(716) 884-1100


----
Woman. Puerto Rican. Wife. Culinarian. Loves to cook, eat, drink, write and read, Syrie Roman Legnon can't swim, curses like a sailor and is convinced there are few better things than a really cold beer.

Click here to view 08/29/2010 bulletin – pdf—>

If you wondered where The Buffalo Juggling Club members were for the better part of the summer, they took some time off after being required to fill out park permits. I guess that's what happens when your club gets too big and the chainsaw jugglers start snooping around. Now that they have their permit filled out, and are meeting each and every Monday (by the Delaware Park Rose Garden) once more, there are some acts that I suggest you catch.

Meet Jim Neff. Jim is Buffalo's resident top spinner. What does that mean? He loves to spin tops - big, small, colorful, crazy tops. It's fascinating to see. Until speaking with Jim last night, I didn't event know that top spinning was becoming so popular. I can see why it is though... when he let the big top fly and it stood spinning effortlessly on his hand it was absolutely mesmerizing. Then he pulled the rope on a smaller one, lifted it into the air with one finger and placed it upon his tongue. The show had gone from cool to crazy in seconds.



The Buffalo Juggling Club is always looking for juggling enthusiasts to join in. Or Hula hoopers, balancers, and anyone else who loves to take objects and play around with them. Just no chainsaw jugglers, or worse... cat jugglers!

The University at Buffalo has announced that men’s basketball player John Boyer and women’s diver Meili Carpenter have been selected as the 2010 Student Athletes of the Year. The pair were honored at Sunday’s Student Athlete Orientation Day.
Boyer, the point guard on UB’s men’s basketball team, led the Bulls to an [...]