Better Beverage Society's 2009 Calendar

All events are held at Gene McCarthy’s Irish Pub in Buffalo's Old First Ward. Here's some details from pub owner Gerhardt Yaskow:

Our next Better Beverage Meeting is this coming Monday night at McCarthy’s Irish Pub. The guest speaker will be Tim Herzog from Flying Bison Brewery Co in Buffalo. Tim will talk to us about several of his new products i.e. Rusty Chain etc. . . . As usual, the scheduled meeting time is at 6:00, and the price is the standard $20 . . . . Discounted shots will be available for only $3 for top shelf and $2 or lower shelf shots. As always, mixed drinks of all sorts and wines are included in the program, and as usual, Chef Mike is always preparing his special parings of foods for the drinks for all to enjoy!

February 2nd
Flying Bison Brewery Owner Tim Herzog Speaks and Drinks
Foods: Chef Mike’s Chicken and rice.

March 2nd
The Blessing of the Beers and Live Music Step-in-Time Charity Event
Foods: Corned Beef Dinner with Rye. Outdoor event permitting.

April 6th
Whiskey in the Jar tasting TBA. Seeking sales rep maybe Scotch tasting
Food: Hot Sliced Roast Beef on Weck Sandwiches.

May 4th
Cinco-De-Mayo 5th of May Party Latino Specialty Beers
Foods: Tacos and Spanish rice.

June 1st
Beer Pride Month with “Obama Black and Tans” Guinness and Pride of
Milford. Foods: Summer cook-out with sirloin burgers and dogs.

July 6th
Early American Beers Tastings: TBA including Yuengling, Sam Adams
Foods: Steaks on the grill with corn and salads.

August 3rd
Ommegang Belgian Style Ales from Cooperstown New York.
Foods: Assorted Meats and Cheeses with Chocolates Yummy!!!

September 14
Wine Fest Yeah! Sales Rep best choice with a mixture of brands.
Foods: Chili Cook-off including Chef Mike’s best!

October 5th
“Oktoberfest” German Weiss Beers and American German.
Foods: home-made Sausages and Brat Wurst with sides. Jawohl Mann!

November 2nd
Metzger’s English Cask Ale Night. Bring your own Home Brews to try.
Food: European Style Breads with Luncheon Meats. Pass a dish welcomed!

December 7th
Christmas Party Featuring Holiday Spiced Christmas Ales with speakers.
Foods: Special Holiday Dishes with a Dessert Competition.

"Off the Beaten Track" Tour Schedule

From ForgottenBuffalo.com:

Lurkin’ Round the Larkin District: Saturday, February 21st - 5pm

With the conversion of the former Larkin Terminal Warehouse into high-end office space, a little known area of Buffalo near Seneca & Fillmore Avenues has come back to life. Known for many years as the “Hydraulics,” the neighborhood in and around John D. Larkin’s sprawling factory complex was one of Buffalo’s earliest manufacturing districts. Join Forgotten Buffalo as we tour the Larkin District, learn about this unique urban landscape, visit the famous “Our Lady of Seneca Street” shrine and experience the neighborhood through the windows of classic Buffalo taverns.

Tim and Jim’s Irish Buffalo: Friday, March 6th - 6pm

Forgotten Buffalo remembers two of South Buffalo’s most famous native sons, Tim Russert and Mayor Jimmy Griffin. Walk in the footsteps of these bigger than life Irishman as we visit some of the best Irish pubs in the City. Our journey will begin in the historic First Ward where thousands of Irish congregated after the completion of the Erie Canal. See the grain elevators where Griffin worked as a scooper and railroad engineer. It’s then on to the “Valley” and South Buffalo to visit the childhood stomping grounds of Tim Russert. Along the way we will toast our departed friends, join in on an Irish sing-a-long and taste artfully poured pints of Guinness.

Polonia Pride: Saturday, April 18th - 5pm

For over 136 years, the neighborhood near the intersection of Broadway & Fillmore on Buffalo’s Eastside has been home to some of the region’s most important cultural, ethnic and architectural landmarks. With the founding of St. Stanislaus Parish in 1873, the area became one of the largest Polish-American colonies in the world outside of Poland. Forgotten Buffalo Tours will shine the spotlight on century old churches, an old world public market and art-deco masterpieces. This post-Dyngus Day tour includes stops at friendly, family owned neighborhood taverns and a home cooked Polish meal. Grab your pussy willows and squirt guns and join in on our Dyngus Week celebration!

Black Rock-n-Roll: Saturday, May 9th - 5pm

Although the village of Black Rock lost its battle to become the terminus of the Erie Canal, was burned to the ground by the British and was eventually annexed by the City of Buffalo, this unique are of the City has never lost its individual identity. Join Forgotten Buffalo as we explore this unique neighborhood that hosts a treasure trove of classic taverns and “off the beaten path” historic sites.

Steel Mills & Gin Mills - A Centennial Celebration: Thursday, June 25th - 6pm

Celebrate the centennial of Lackawanna Forgotten Buffalo style. Steel mills, railroads, VFW posts, ethnic neighborhoods, a European style basilica and one-of-a-kind classic taverns…”Your gonna wanna, come to Lackawanna” with Forgotten Buffalo tours. During the tour we will be joined by Lackawanna Mayor Norman Polanski who will discuss the City’s colorful past and what the future may hold for the “Steel City.”

Forgotten Buffalo tours cost $40 per person and include a meal and transportation. Visit www.ForgottenBuffalo.com, e-mail ForgottenBuffalo@aol.com or call 716-833-5211 for details and availability.

Founded in 2007, Forgotten Buffalo acts as an urban explorer's tour guide to the Buffalo-Niagara region specializing in unique aspects of our region’s history. Tours are created and led by television personality Maxwell Truth, host of Off Beat Cinema and trained Buffalo architecture and history docent Marty Biniasz. Each tour is specifically researched and crafted to give patrons a sense why Buffalo-Niagara is one of the most unique urban communities in the world.

Job Openings in Buffalo

Courtesy of the Board of Block Clubs:

Environmental Program Coordinator
Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

The Environmental Coordinator will have the responsibility to coordinate the environmental activities of the Foundation, including the development and implementation of a regional agenda for the environment; the creation of a virtual meeting place for environmental interests; and a program to increase the capacity of environmental organizations in the area.


Two vacant positions
Hispanics United of Buffalo's Domestic Violence Unit:

One Full time Domestic Violence Advocate/Case Manager and
One Part time Domestic Violence Outreach/Community Educator

Must be bilingual / Spanish and English


Spring and Summer Interns
Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo

Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo is a community gardening program working collaboratively with the public and private sectors—including the City of Buffalo , block clubs and other not-for-profit organizations—to revitalize neighborhoods and build quality of life through the reuse and beautification of vacant land.

Internship position #1- Administrative Assistant

General description: Will work directly with Coordinator to assist in the administrative duties and outreach efforts of Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo.

Richardson Olmsted Complex Meeting

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Rockwell Hall, 1300 Elmwood Avenue

Parking is available at any location on the Buffalo State College Campus and at the Albright Knox Art Gallery. Please arrive early to sign in.

Preliminary master planning scenarios for the historic buildings and grounds and an exhibit program concept for the Architecture and Visitor Center will be presented.

The preliminary master plan scenarios for reuse of the Richardson Olmsted Complex, rehabilitation of the landscape, and modifications to surface parking and site circulation are available for review at www.richardson-olmsted.com in the Community Section.

Return of the Ghost Hunters

From the Buffalo Central Terminal:

TAPS Celebrity Ghost Hunt at the Buffalo Central Terminal
Friday, May 22nd. (Event times announced when tickets go on sale)

Guests: All members from TAPS including Jason, Grant, Steve, Dave, & Kris.

The event will include a Meet & Greet Autograph Session, Charity Auction, Lecture by Jason & Grant, Questions and Answers Session, as well as the Ghost Hunt of the Central Terminal with all members from TAPS. More event details will be released as soon as they go on sale.

Price: $250 per ticket. Tickets will be on sale Friday January 23rd for purchase via the link below. Look for and click on the Buffalo Central Terminal graphic to purchase tickets on Friday. The graphic will appear on Friday once tickets go on sale. - http://www.idealeventmanage.com/events.html

Is the Buffalo Central Terminal Haunted?

Buffalo, Home of the Arts

AmericanStyle Magazine has launched its annual readers’ poll to find the Top 25 Arts Destinations in the country. Buffalo has once again been nominated within the mid-size cities category for contemporary art. In 2008, Buffalo won 1st place. In 2006, Buffalo also won the award for No. 1 Arts Destination within mid-sized cities.

To vote, click here and fill out the survey. Let's go for a three-peat!

Big Events at the Historical Society

From BuffaloHistory.org:

American History Girls' Club
Saturday, January 17 from 10 a.m. - noon

Take part in crafts, activities and a lesson surrounding the "Felicity" American Girl® doll and the year 1774 in America's history. Make quill pens and berry and walnut ink, and tour the museum's Pioneer Gallery exhibit. Enjoy apple butter, Johnny Cakes, apple cider and fruit juice. Admission is $20, which includes all craft materials; call (716) 873-9644 ext. 311 to register.


Martin Luther King, Jr. Event
Sunday, January 18 at 3 p.m.

Join the Afro-American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier for this 3rd annual event, which is free and open to the public. Reggie Witherspoon, head coach of the University at Buffalo men's basketball team, will be the guest speaker.


Inauguration Day - Free Admission
Tuesday, January 20; 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Bring your friends and family members to see our Shaking Hands & Kissing Babies presidential campaign exhibit for free, as we celebrate Barack Obama's historic inauguration!


Rail Barons Model Train Display
Every Saturday and Sunday through March 1, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Rail Barons Model Trains
See 200 feet of HO-gauge track, 100 model buildings from around WNY and a scale Erie Canal lock. Included in museum admission.

MLK, Jr. Day of Service

Visit here for more information

Buffalo Reuse and PUSH Buffalo are uniting to clean up some houses on the West Side. Volunteers can E0mail volunteer@buffaloreuse.org or call 885-4131. They are meeting on Monday at 9am to begin working on 397 Massachusetts Avenue, boarding up buildings and putting up murals.

Our Shared Waters Anniversary

The year 2009 marks the 100th anniversary of the Boundary Waters Treaty between the U.S. and Canada, practically ending border disputes between both countries and ensuring that the two countries would continue to share the longest peaceful border in the world. To celebrate, venues in the United States and Canada will hold special events throughout the year. The kick-off event is a film presentation on January 22 at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society. For more information, check out the official website.

Would you like to be a tour guide?

Fill out our online application here

Beginning February 14th, Buffalo Tours will host its docent training program for those interested in sharing Buffalo Niagara’s architectural, environmental, cultural, and historical heritage. During ten Saturday sessions from 9:30am to 12:30pm, trainees will learn an overview of Buffalo’s architectural and waterfront history, increase their knowledge of our cultural heritage, and learn docenting and public speaking skills.

This year Buffalo Tours partners with Roycroft Campus Corporation, Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper, and Forest Lawn Cemetery to train volunteers who are passionate about leading tours in the Buffalo Niagara region. This year's Buffalo Tour is called Queen City Downtown. The Roycroft Campus tours provide visitors a glimpse into the 1900’s arts and crafts community located in East Aurora, NY and Forest Lawn tours bring the biographies of famous Buffalonians to life. Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper EcoTours give participants the opportunity to paddle around Strawberry Island and Cayuga Creek, hike the Niagara Gorge and Scajaquada Creek, and lead programs with Buffalo Audubon.

Each Saturday class includes a training session and related lecture or field trip around Western New York which is led by one of 70 experienced volunteer docents. On field trips, trainees deepen their understanding of local history and current events and the influence of world famous architects like Wright, Green, Wicks, Richardson, and Olmsted while exploring places like the Roycroft Campus, the Larkin Building on Exchange Street, Scajaquada Creek, the Darwin Martin House and Forest Lawn.

At the end of ten weeks, newly trained docents will have learned basic guide skills, increased their confidence in public speaking, and grasped the necessary information to give architectural and waterfront tours.

The first four joint classes run from February 14th to March 7th at different locations. Volunteers choose to continue training with individual organizations for the remaining sessions. A one time fee of $75 will cover the cost of docent training materials and meeting space. To register, please call 716-852-3300 or send an email to info@BuffaloTours.org before February 6th, 2009.

Landmark Historical Markers Online

You can now view, enlarge, and download all twelve panels of Downtown Buffalo's historical marker series, here. These were also featured in our 2008 calendar. How many plaques can you find around town?

Credits:

Dennis Galucki
Chair

Louise McClive
Coordinator

Ramona Pando Whitaker
Researcher/Editor

Matthew Steinberg
Designer

Accident on Court Street

Thanks to the fifty people who took Rich's City Hall tour on Monday! Visitors are perfectly safe on the 28th floor of the Observation Deck, but down on the the ground it was a different story. A police car crashed into a minivan on Court Street, closing off several blocks of traffic. Here was the view from 350 feet up. Hopefully everyone involved is all right.