Break

Strolling the Bird Island Pier at dusk

The break wall winds its way along the Buffalo shoreline, separating the Black Rock Channel from the Niagara River.

Sato

Sato Sign, Elmwood Avenue

Sato summer supper...

satobuffalo.com

Alchemy

Vera Pizza Mixology

Chemistry...alchemy...? Vera, rocking the art of the pour. Buffalo's original artisanal barkeeps are still keeping it real on Lexington Avenue, and don't forget the pizza.

Aroma

There's Only One

Sundown

Sun going down beyond Buffalo River, Michigan Ave. Bridge and Elevators

Marina

Erie Basin Marina

Westside Stories

Westside Stories on Grant Street

Straight out of the West side of Buffalo comes a purveyor of quality use books and records, possibly even a little Leonard Bernstein. Yeah, Buffalonians are bookish. You gotta problem with that? Westside joins the ranks of some great used books stores, Rust Belt, Second Reader, and the superlative Old Editions. Be you a jet or a shark, there's a gently used summer read out there for you.

Ta Da !

The New Lexington Co-Op

The long awaited opening of the new Lexington Co-Op on Hertel Avenue has arrived this week.

All the organic goodies, fresh meals and fair-trade commodities you have come to expect from the Co-Op have landed on the ever thriving Hertel Avenue. The store is a much welcomed addition to this section of the commercial strip, making Hertel Avenue one of the most well-rounded shopping and entertainment districts in the city.

Summer Night

A Humid Night and Lights

Franklin and Tupper

Franklin Street through Painted Glass

The intersection of Franklin and Tupper is visible through the artwork entrance to Buffalo Proper.
The church in the background is Ani Difranco's music venue and studio, Babeville.

View From Above

Downtown from Buffalo City Hall's Observation Deck

Observation Deck at City Hall

Goodbar

Stairway to the Attic at Mr. Goodbar

Mr. Goodbar has been in existence since 1968 and witnessed the evolution of the Elmwood Strip. With a tradition of dancing and DJs, today's bar continues the legacy as a vibrant live music venue and purveyor of one of the largest selections of draft beer, gourmet and otherwise, in the region. The bar had a huge selection of draft long before the nation's most recent fascination with beer. With two floors, a patio, pool tables and pub grub in environs that have changed little over the years, Goodbar remains a popular gathering spot at Elmwood and Forest Avenues. Little change, other than fine management, works for the woody tavern.

http://www.mrgoodbarbuffalo.com/

Dunes

Sand Piles on Fuhrmann Blvd.

Just off Fuhrmann Boulevard are the sand hills of Buffalo, a.k.a the Great Pyramids.
The mountains of sand, visible from Route 5,  are property of Sand Products Corporation.
As inviting as these sandy peaks appear, they can also be treacherous. So, please keep your inner Ed Hillary in check.

Happy 4th

Stars and Stripes

Happy Independence Day to all.

Military Salute

View from patio at Hot Mama's Canteen

At the six corners of Amherst St., Military Rd. and Kail Street you'll find old and new guard meeting at this active intersection in Buffalo's Blackrock neighborhood. Hot Mama's Canteen brings a new vibe in the old Hilliker's Pastime building. Across the street you have Barry's Grill keeping the tradition of "old man's bar" hours alive in an immaculately kept watering hole. Next door, The Phoenix Restaurant, born from the remains of another old neighborhood joint, serves up an eclectic menu. And just down the street is one of Buffalo's favorite spots for live music, The Sportsman's Tavern.

Mansion

The Mansion on Delaware

Celebrating summer and the elegance of one of Buffalo's most beautiful homes, now a boutique hotel, The Mansion opens its grounds and kitchen to visitors. The Cocktails on the Lawn Series will seat visitors on the the hotel's lawn in a communal setting to experience a themed culinary sampling. Live music serenades guests with a rooftop band. Two more evenings in the series remain.

http://www.mansionondelaware.com/events/cocktails-on-the-lawn.htm

Laura

Laura by Juame Plensa, 2012

At 20 feet and over 30 tons, the sculpture, Laura faces north from the edge of the Albright Knox Art Gallery.

Michigan

Michigan Avenue

The 500 block of Michigan Avenue resembles a movie lot on a summer afternoon, but the houses are the real deal, some dating back to the 1850's.

Ohio Street

301 Ohio Street

One of the new faces of the First Ward, 301 Ohio Street boasts 21 units right on the Buffalo River, many with views. Ellicott Development finished this project  in 2016. Good luck getting one of the two or single bedroom apartments. There's another new build down the street, soon to reach completion. Twenty years ago, who would have imagined the river through the Old First Ward as hot development territory? "The worm has turned," as they say.

Summertime

Concertgoers on Bidwell Parkway

http://elmwoodvillage.org/events/summer-concert-series/

Ulrich's

Ulrich's Tavern on Ellicott Street

Ulrich's dates back to 1868. One of, if not  Buffalo's Oldest Tavern finds itself front row to the city's newest revival in the medical corridor on  Ellicott Street. True to its heritage, the tavern still serves a German menu in an interior that hasn't changed much in 149 years. The historic structure is 90% tavern and 10% museum. Check out the great old photos of Buffalo that adorn the walls and possibly get a little history lesson from the staff if the mood strikes them.

French Connection

The French Connection Sculpture

The French Connection is still together on Perry Street outside KeyBank Center. The sculpture honors the hockey legends Perreault, Martin and Robert, specifically, while generally honoring the glory days of Buffalo Sabres Hockey.

Tewksbury

Tewksbury Lodge

Tewksbury Lodge starts its second season on the Buffalo River adjacent to River Fest Park. The lodge is named for the ill-fated ship that took out the Michigan Avenue Bridge, as well as flooding the surrounding neighborhood  in 1959. There are plenty of tales of who was to blame for the "Incident", but today there's only kudos for all the hard work that has turned a once decrepit stretch of riverfront into a symbol of Buffalo's rebirth. The Lodge is available for banquets and serves lunch and dinner several days out of the week with brunch on the weekend. There is also a river dock for park access.

Larkin Center

Larkin Center of Commerce on Seneca Street

One of the buildings at the center of the ever inspirational Larnkinville revival is the Larkin Center of Commerce. The renovated structure is one of the incubators for the repopulation of city businesses. Time to repurpose those strip malls in the burbs. The massive center is actually several buildings that have been connected over the years. The restored complex hopes to harken back to the booming days of the Larkin Co. or, at least, to the impressive white stucco facade of the 1950s.

http://www.larkincenter.com/

Cemetery Tour

Gate to Subterranean Mausoleum, Forest Lawn Cemetery

History tours in Forest Lawn Cemetery explore the mysteries of this beautiful cemetery and the lives of those that have found their final resting place within its wrought iron fences. Trolley tours, walking tours, and even a concert/ lecture series await those drawn to the cemetery grounds and history.

https://www.forest-lawn.com/

Silent Poets

One of the Silent Poets by Jaume Piensa @ Canalside

Mr. Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright Cutout @ Martin House

The Darwin Martin House celebrated the birthday of Frank Lloyd Wright, born this day in 1867. The man of honor made an appearance, albeit 2 dimensionally. Birthday craziness, including $1.50 tours, ensued at the house, which was completed in 1905. The house has just seen the completion of renovation on its first floor, an undertaking of many years. Wright's masterpiece, one of Parkside's favorite homes, is located on Jewett Parkway.

http://franklloydwright.org/

http://www.darwinmartinhouse.org/

Buffalo River

Kayakers on Buffalo River

Pride

Pride Flag Over Allentown

A week's worth of Gay Pride events culminated today with the Pride Parade marching down the rainbow flag festooned Elmwood Avenue. Celebrations continue throughout the city as Buffalo hosts its 26th annual Gay Pride Week.

Wakey-Wakey

Gourmet Coffee by Public

Public Coffee and Espresso is working its magic at Elmwood-Bidwell Farmer's Market. Flowers, honey, cheese, bread and veggies all await, straight from local farms and vendors to your table. The outdoor market in the middle of Bidwell Parkway is in full effect, and will be until November.

http://www.elmwoodmarket.org/

Spot

Wes Lewis and Luke Ciminelli @ Spot Coffee

The sound of live music fills Spot Coffee, an harbinger of coming summer and strolls through the Elmwood Village.
http://www.spotcoffee.com/

Lafayette High School

Lafayette High School

            The French Renaissance Revival styled Lafayette High School is the original home of one of Buffalo's oldest public schools. The school has been graduating students since 1903 in Buffalo's West Side neighborhood on Lafayette Street.

Memorial

Memorial Wall at Buffalo and Erie County Naval Park

Reflection

Lights of Naval Park, Canlaside and Silos

St. Michael's

St. Michael's Church

Saint Michael's Roman Catholic Church was constructed in 1867. The present structure replaced the small wooden church originally built in 1852, after the founding of the parish born out of a split with parishioners from nearby St. Louis. The parish was responsible for starting Canisius College, which was originally located near the church. Facing Washington St., with Ellicot St. to the rear of the property, the church was flanked by the Washington Market a/k/a Chippewa Market. The large open air market was a centerpiece of commerce in the city for many years. Today, sadly, it is a very large parking lot that takes up a city block. That being said, it is a fine looking parking lot. The interior of St. Michael's was completely rebuilt after a fire in the early sixties, giving it a more minimalist feel in comparison to its more ornate contemporaries.

Dun Building

Dun Building

The Dun Building was Buffalo's first high rise. The ten story structure was completed in 1895 and was, by far, the tallest building in its downtown neighborhood between Pearl and Franklin Streets. Architects E.B. Green and William S. Wicks collaborated once again on the unique flatiron building, one of Buffalo's oldest and most iconic Neoclassical buildings.

Mezza

Barrel and Tile @ Mezza

http://mezzabuffalo.com/

Fighting Peacock

Burmese Fighting Peacock Mural

A mural at the corner of Brayton and Massachusetts, on the West Side, honors the struggle for freedom of education and unity in Burma. The lead artist in the mural's creation was Nicholas Conrad Miller, a local artist, whose work can be found throughout the city. This work was accomplished with help from the West Ferry Corridor Project and the Community Foundation. The mural is a depiction of the peacock that is associated with the Burmese student activist group that began an anti-authoritarian movement in the late 80s. Buffalo has become home to thousands of Burmese over the last decade.

Where The Buffalo Roam

Grazing in Lovejoy

We caught this family of Buffalo at the triangle of William and Ogden Streets. The herd greets visitors entering the Lovejoy neighborhood of the city.

Lafayette Square

Lafayette Square

Lafayette Square was part of the city's original plan when it was first known as Courthouse Square. It was renamed for the Revolutionary War  

legend, General Lafayette, who stayed at the adjacent Eagle Tavern and addressed an enthusiastic gathering of citizens in the Square. The 1825 visit by the Marquis de Lafayette was in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the struggle for American Independence. The Square has been visited by the likes of President Martin Van Buren and President-elect Abraham Lincoln. The Square's most identifiable feature is the Civil War monument at its center dedicated in 1884 by Buffalo favorite son Grover Cleveland, who was then Governor of New York and would go on to be 22nd President of the United States. Over the years, the Square would continue to be a gathering spot for political and protest. For a quarter of a century, the Square even became a summer gathering spot for weekly music concerts aptly named Thursday in the Square. The Square is flanked by some of the city's most notable buildings, including the Liberty Building and Hotel Lafayette, as well as the newest tenant on the block, Hilton Garden Inn.

Buffalo Adore

Buffalo Adore on Main Street

Buffalo Adore is located in the spectacular Market Arcade Building on Main Street. All your town-proud gift needs answered with artsy, locally created wares within.