I felt it and I thought, wow the wind must really be picking up in Buffalo. Guess it was really an earthquake and not just the building showing its age and resonating with the wind.



LOL@ this comment on the story:

Soon to be former Buffalo schools superintendent James Willians was seen jumping up & down in a temper tantrum b/c he could not get anyone to help pack his belongings...

Seriously, do people stalk the Buffalo news site just to post stuff like this? Hahah

I wanted to go to the BPO concert on canalside today. But I had forgotten what Beethoven's 5th sounded like... So I just put it on and it's too much military turmoil packed into one symphony. I am not sure it fits well in my mind with a perfect sunset on a balmy summer's day.

Why can't they have chosen Beethoven's 7th instead?! It's so much more stately, beautiful, nostalgic and fitting.


Or even some of the Strauss family waltzes...


I am not going. I cannot hear mismatched music over sunset.

One of my wonderful colleagues just forwarded this absolutely dazzling array of fun stuff going on at the harbour and Erie central wharf this week and weekend and early next week. All events are here:

Thinking of hitting the Beethoven's 5th tomorrow evening. Who is coming with me?

This week at Canalside there are 30 events, and they are all free to the public.

Wednesday, July 13
Damn, missed this! I wanted to go on that boat.

• Boat Ride with Buffalo Maritime Center aboard the White Elektra or OK Clark Canalside: Commercial Slip – Central Wharf side 5 p.m. – Weather Permitting - Free (First come–first served with no reservations accepted.)

• Jack Civiletto Sings Sinatra: Concert aboard USS Little Rock Buffalo Naval & Military Park 7 to 9 p.m. – Free

• “Erie Canal Sal” The Story of Sal McMurray An Irish cook aboard a packet boat in 1840 Performed by Gretchen Murray Sepik Canalside: Central Wharf 6 to 7 p.m. – Free

• “From Albany to Buffalo: Erie Canal History, Culture and Music” Performed by Dave Ruch Canalside: Central Wharf 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Free

• Sunset Yoga Canalside: Lawn 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Free

• Thursday, July 14 Thursday at the Square presented by M&T Bank Featuring: Court Yard Hounds Canalside: Central Wharf & Cobblestone Streets 5 to 9 p.m. – Free

Friday, July 15

• Erie Canal Story by Buffalo Tours: One Hour Guided Walking Tour Canalside: Whipple Truss Bridge – Central Wharf side Noon to 1 p.m. – Free

• Friday Family Fun on the Central Wharf with Explore & More Children’s Museum The Sky’s the Limit Canalside: Lawn Noon to 4 p.m. – Free Groups of more than 10 children must pre register by calling 716/655-5131.

• An Evening with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Matthew Kraemer Central Wharf: Main Stage 7 to 9:30 p.m. – Free

Saturday, July 16

• Saturday Family Fun on the Central Wharf with Explore & More Children’s Museum “The Sky’s the Limit” Canalside: Lawn Noon to 4 p.m. – Free Groups of more than 10 children must pre-register by calling 716/655-5131.

• Erie Canal Story by Buffalo Tours: One Hour Guided Walking Tour Canalside: Whipple Truss Bridge – Central Wharf side Noon to 1 p.m. – Free

• “A Mule Named Sal – A Children’s Concert at the Erie Canal” Performed by Dave Ruch Canalside: Central Wharf 5 to 6:30 p.m. – Free

• “Mary Jemison” The story of a young girl captured by the Indians – years later when offered her freedom she chose to remain with her Indian family. Performed by Gretchen Murray Sepik Canalside: Central Wharf 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. – Free

• “From Albany to Buffalo: Erie Canal History, Culture and Music” Performed by Dave Ruch Canalside: Central Wharf 8 to 9 p.m. – Free

Sunday, July 17

• Beginner’s Yoga Canalside: Lawn 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. – Free

• Intermediate Yoga Canalside: Lawn 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Free

• Erie Canal Story by Buffalo Tours: One Hour Guided Walking Tour Canalside: Whipple Truss Bridge – Central Wharf side Noon to 1 p.m. – Free

• Yogalates Canalside: Lawn 1 to 2 p.m. – Free Boat Ride with Buffalo Maritime Center aboard the White Elektra or OK Clark Canalside: Commercial Slip – Central Wharf side 2 p.m. – Weather Permitting - Free (First come–first served with no reservations accepted.)

• “A Mule Named Sal – A Children’s concert at the Erie Canal” Performed by Dave Ruch Canalside: Central Wharf 2 to 3 p.m. – Free

• “Dug’s Dive” Performed by Kevin Cottrell Stop in at the popular waterfront basement saloon for a visit the proprietor William Douglas – operator of one of the most infamous saloons in all of the Canal District - a one-person interpretive performance Canalside: Historic Ruins – Commercial Slip 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. - Free

• “Mary Jemison” The story of a young girl captured by the Indians – years later when offered her freedom she chose to remain with her Indian family. Performed by Gretchen Murray Sepik Canalside: Central Wharf 5 to 6:30 p.m. – Free

• “From Albany to Buffalo Erie Canal History, Culture and Music” Performed by Dave Ruch Central Wharf 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. – Free

• “An American History Songbook: A program of songs of the 19th Century” Performed by the Hutchinson Family Revival Canalside: Central Wharf 8 to 9 p.m. – Free

Monday, July 18

• Science Outdoors with Tifft Nature Preserve Learn more about the rich biodiversity of the plants and animals of WNY and how everything connects. Canalside: Lawn 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Free

• Zumba on the Waterfront: exercise and dance to Music Central Wharf 6 to 7 p.m. – Free

Tuesday, July 19

• Yogalates Canalside: Central Wharf 6 to 7 p.m. – Free

Wednesday, July 20

• Boat Ride with Buffalo Maritime Center aboard the White Elektra or OK Clark Canalside: Commercial Slip – Central Wharf side 5 pm – Weather Permitting - Free (First come–first served with no reservations accepted.)

• Friends of Harmony: Concert aboard USS Little Rock Buffalo Naval & Military Park 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. – Free

• Sunset Yoga Canalside: Lawn 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Free

A bunch of us trooped ALL the way to the outer harbour to get on the grand balloons but there was nothing but a couple port-a-potties on site.


I decided not to shoot them and instead, got these cool shots of just how desolate it is out there.




(e:Paul) and I got a complementary cross-phone android shot at the desolate shore. See the companion shot at: (e:paul,54567)


We got some cheese and cream puffs in the city hall reception later.

But I am fairly sure this is not how things were managed and run back at the Pan American Exposition of 1901 - which this event was supposed to emulate.

The citibration people had a twitter account and a whole webpage and several announcement avenues but they never took the effort of either scheduling an alternative rain-date or even announcing the cancellation of the balloon event till it was almost 6 PM and we were already there. If you have been a resident of Buffalo for any length of time, you know how unpredictable our weather can be. Look at how those trees were being almost being flattened to the ground at the outer harbour.



Not anticipating weather-related issues is so very odd, especially when you are planning to launch wind-dependent balloons at one of the windiest spot in the city and especially, when you knew that there was a thunderstorm on the forecast for the region on the balloon-launch day more than a week ahead.

Badly done, Citybration.

Noticed some interesting new shops on the strip...

I like the concept of Off Beat Emporium. Most of the furniture near the display window had tags that announced "SOLD". Guess the shop must be popular.


I somehow never walk past it when it's open.


The O3 café is ready to open (or maybe already open) in the block before Spot Coffee.


There's something fresh but industrial about a kitchen done up with grey, green and stainless steel. The grey makes it somewhat cold but the spring green is fun. And of course stainless steel is my favourite accent for any kitchen. 2/3. Not bad. Plus I really like that hanging lamp. I want that for home.


A million salads, sandwiches and wraps are on the menu. I need to check this out some Wednesday after Yoga. Wonder if they will be open for dinner though... The menu looks very breakfast-y/lunch-y. Click on the menu for a HUGE version.


The coop is still selling the original herbmare salt but the orange discontinued tag has moved to the next item on its left. Makes me suspect that they might be using the "discontinued" orange tag as an innovative sales strategy.

Are more people likely to think that a discontinued item is always at a steeper "discount" and thus, a better deal than a regular item on "sale"?

In this cases organic is not better than natural.

The Organic variety has some crazy preservatives and additives while the natural variety doesn't. If Annie's can successfully create and market the "natural" variety, why do they even need the "organic" version with preservatives anyway? Why not just sell the natural line? Doesn't make sense.

Solé has made creative use of that wall...

I REALLY want to go on a hot-air balloon ride over downtown buffalo ->



If I can take one of the earliest balloon rides, I then want to dash to the city hall and watch the rest of the balloons and the sunset at the city hall sunset reception!!!

Who wants to do this with me? It's on Friday, June 24th, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. (e:matthew)? :-)

And OoooooH! Downtown-Buffalo made authentic Cheerio Breakfast on Sunday! Wooohoo! June 26, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Erie Canal Central Wharf.

I didn't know there was quite a big windmill farm somewhere near the Buffalo airport.



I thought the ones near the harbour were the only ones. I took these snaps before my flight was about to land at the Buffalo Niagara Airport. Does anyone know if this farm also contributes to our electricity supply or is this a private farm? How cool to be able to generate your own renewable energy...

I live in downtown Buffalo, but I don't think I know about many small useful stores within walking distance of my flat. What about you? Have you found some new useful stores around your neighbourhood recently? And no, restaurants and eateries don't classify as "small useful" stores. There are too many around anyway.

I found two:
1. Did you know that we have a full-scale upholstery store in downtown Buffalo that sells just about ANY upholstery fabric you need? It is called "Country Upholstery" and has slightly odd working hours: Monday thru Thursday: 6am - 3pm, not very much unlike the Amtrak station on Exchange Street. Country Upholstery also has a website: It is located at: 475 Ellicott Street

2. There is a leather scrap store on the 700 block of Main Street a few doors north of Chow Chocolat. It sells small leather scraps and resoles shoes that are worn out from dancing. I forgot its name though... But I am sure it also has weird working hours.

I found these two because I was looking for somewhere to find microfiber fake suede for my shoes to silence the heels. I think I will find it at one of these stores, as soon as I make it to them in their weird business hours.

Now, do we have any thrift stores around at walking distance? Found any cool stores in downtown buffalo recently? This is a suggested title now. Start posting!

Has anyone ever tried getting tickets at this station? I just booked some "pick up at station" tickets and am now nervous if this station has anyone there for giving me the tickets! All the times that I have traveled from this station, I have never seen the "office" open, ever.

EDIT: I went to the Buffalo Exchange Street Station yesterday and got my tickets. I didn't even need a print out of my confirmation email - which was great because I didn't have it anyway. The lady at the counter just asked for my photo ID and confirmation number and handed me my ticket. Their hours are from 6:30 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Friday and yes, they mainly deal with handing out tickets to people who have booked tickets online.

After some more snooping around in the Amtrak website, I found two more information pages:

1. Station Hours for Amtrak Buffalo Exchange Street Station:
2. Station building with waiting room details for Amtrak Buffalo Exchange Street Station:

It says ticketing hours are from 6:15 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Its closed on Saturday and Sunday.

I checked out google maps to see if anyone has ever had a successful ticketing experience at this station and found TWO place pages!!!

Place page one:
Amtrak: For Station Information Only Call
75 Exchange Street, Buffalo, NY 14203-2918
(716) 856-2075

• Vague reviews. The latest one is mine - that I definitely intend on updating soon.)

Place page two:
Buffalo Exchange Street Station
United States
amtrak.com

• No reviews or phone numbers but it has train schedules!
• However the two measly train timings on that page are dated and most uninformative.
• What the hell? I am going to post my review on this page as well.

I wonder how many other place pages exist for this one tiny joke of a station. Such a disorganized mess!

Please DON'T come back. Ever. We have had quite enough.