My pictures from the Buffalo city fireworks at Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf weren't as cool as the ones I took at Riverside - the event wasn't as cool either. The music at Riverside was better - Speedy Parker Blues Band - the space was friendlier and much larger, the fireworks lasted longer (although were not as intense) and we were closer to the origin point.







The next day, A, (e:tinypliny) and I went to Niagara Falls and to the Niagara Power Plant Vista which was almost deserted despite no admission charge, free parking, beautiful views, and interesting interactive museum. It has a surprisingly fascinating documentary of the construction of the power plant. (Of course (e:matthew,49299) posted absolutely gorgeous photos of NF just days after we went... Matt, are you doing HDR?)






You can take a tour of the Niagara River Whirlpool on these boats, and go right between the US & Canadian power plants.



The power plant museum as a very cool 3-D map of the project with LEDs to highlight the area the voice tour is talking about.





A shot to prove to (e:tinypliny)'s mom that she was at Niagara Falls.





The whole reason I was in Buffalo that weekend (instead of being in Tioga County enjoying my friend Jennie's birthday party...) was that A's bratty little brother had booked his return flight from California for Buffalo. He took us out to dinner and then we went to Nietzsche's where there was a really good jazz band that played until after 1am.








I joined the Buffalo Photography Meetup Group so I could focus more on improving (or regaining) my skills and talk to other photogs. On 7/6, the group went to the Frank Lloyd Wright Boathouse to shoot the Peace Bridge lights. Folks posted their pix afterward and I felt my pix were unpracticed, inexperienced, and boring in comparison. Oh well...it takes time. I got a couple neat ones... I didn't have the patience, lens or tripod that would have made the wait for the Peace Bridge lights worthwhile, but other folks got some really amazing shots. I found the crew teams using the boathouse really interesting. (West Side Rowing Club )










The ceiling lights of the boathouse.

nisha is happily snuggled in the pillows of my bed.

To follow up on the bear in Wellsboro, Pa. (e:heidi,49142)

Bear death creates debate

by Kelly Stemcosky
kstemcosky@tiogapublishing.com
Published: Wednesday, July 8, 2009 3:55 PM CDT
The bear treed on Main Street, Wellsboro, last Monday, June 29, was the only one put down for aggressive tendencies in at least eight years, said Pennsylvania Game Commissioner Rodney Mee.

The animal was destroyed after an investigation revealed the animal had charged campers in Chatham Township two months previously.

Putting down a wild animal occurs infrequently, he added. Mee said the only other bears put down in that same period were a mother and cub that were too mangy and emancipated to be treated last winter. Those were the only three bears euthanized in Tioga County during his time as a Game Commissioner since 2001.

There is, however, possibility of another. A troublesome bear was tagged in Addison, N.Y., and then reported stealing food from grills at Hills Creek two years ago. Mee said it was never caught.

For (e:tinypliny)

5 medium garlic cloves, sliced
1/2 c. olive oil
2 15oz. cans of great northern beans (we used cannellini beans)
1/4 c. fresh lemon juice (we used from-concentrate juice)
2 T. chopped fresh parsley
1 t. ground cumin
salt
pepper
1/4 t. red pepper

Saute garlic in hot oil in a saucepan over medium heat 1.5 min or until lightly browned. Cool slightly. Remove garlic with a slotted spoon, reserving oil.

Process garlic, beans, lemon juice, parsley, cumin, salt, pepper, red pepper in food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. With processor running, pour reserved oil through food chute in a slow, steady stream, continuing to process until smooth. Chill at least 1 hr or up to 2 days.

Serve dip with assorted fresh vegetables, pita bread or bagel or tortilla chips.

We didn't have nearly the adventure that (e:Mike,49186) did, but we enjoyed the Friendship Festival and fireworks at Riverside Park last night. Thanks for the suggestion. It was the first time I've taken pix of fireworks with the camera I got last summer. (I need a tripod!) The little festival carnival had more food vendors than anything else and not much local stuff. We were hoping for more of a Riverside cultural experience. The rides were bigger and more plentiful than any of the festivals held in Tioga County.

I'm unexpectedly in Buffalo this weekend and A's coming to visit. He's big into fireworks. So what's the best option? Sounds like Kenmore was really the place to be last weekend. We'd be happy to have company on our fireworks adventure; we'd also be happy to tag along with other folks.

(photo by Kelly Stemcosky, Wellsboro Gazette)


(unknown source)


A bear found its way up a tree around 8:30 p.m. Monday night, June 30, in front of Subway on Main Street in Wellsboro [Tioga County, Pa.].

Crowds of people watched from the sidewalk as the borough police, members of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Game Commission worked to get the bear down safely.

Jacob Brink, 11, and Branden Enck, 10, said they saw the bear near Austin and Purple Streets just minutes before.

"It was walking right down Purple [Street]. It was huge," said Brink.

This bruin headed for high ground, climbing a tree on Main Street, Wellsboro on Monday evening. The animal was subsequently tranquilized, captured and eventually destroyed because of its aggressive tendencies.



(I wasn't there, I didn't see it, it's Wellsboro, the county seat.)

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/77/walmart.html?page=0%2C1

It also is not unheard of for Wal-Mart to demand to examine the private financial records of a supplier, and to insist that its margins are too high and must be cut. And the smaller the supplier, one academic study shows, the greater the likelihood that it will be forced into damaging concessions.

Wal-Mart has also lulled shoppers into ignoring the difference between the price of something and the cost. Its unending focus on price underscores something that Americans are only starting to realize about globalization: Ever-cheaper prices have consequences. Says Steve Dobbins, president of thread maker Carolina Mills: "We want clean air, clear water, good living conditions, the best health care in the world--yet we aren't willing to pay for anything manufactured under those restrictions."

Also has an interesting discussion of Levi's entrance into walmart.

This video discusses similar things from a broader perspective.

What is the Story of Stuff?

From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

Thoughts?

(e:Janelle) - China, M* & I thank you! It was a disgusting 99 degrees in Raleigh this weekend.

Taste of Diversity Festival - international foods festival at Grant & Lafayette 11-3 on Saturday, 6/20. (I'll be out of town



I visited a client yesterday and met her birds.

This is Tango


These are Tango's children, one male, one female, 10 weeks old


This is Tango's son laying on his back like a baby, getting his belly rubbed. I had no idea birds could be handled like this.



My hand petting a pretty white bird.




My Juneteenth parade pix aren't fantastic, but they are an interesting contrast with the St. Pat's parade pix. (e:heidi,48092) Instead of Irish dancing girls, there were steppers & drill teams - even some with curly hair pieces - is this a Buffalo thing? My hometown parade never has dancing girls (and never any with curly wigs), other than the rare baton twirler. The Irish dancing girls were all on floats, while the steppers walked between drills. The Juneteenth parade had much better cars than the St. Pat's or Pride parades. About Juneteenth About Juneteenth of Buffalo

Anticipation!



Cars - from old to new...




Curly-haired steppers


More steppers



This was the only crew that had a large group of boys - they were with the girls in the orange shirts, a gospel group.



Cheerleaders


Drummers


Buddhists - saw this sign at the Pride Parade


The historically black fraternity & sorority alumni groups were well represented.

Alpha Phi Alpha


The Delta Sigma Theta ladies were dancing to "Milkshake" by Kelis. Really funny!



A parade to watch for some Sunday in September - Puerto Rican Day!


She was the only queen with a tiara as big as the queens' tiaras in the Pride Parde.


My friend Alisha was posing as a car model in front of this classic Buick.



The Juneteenth festival is held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, one of the Olmsted parks

That's supposed to be a five-acre wading pool.


(more photos if you're really interested )

At Allen West Festival - a hawk rescue group member was showing one of the rescued hawks who can't be released because of a severe wing injury.


For Uncle Dudley


Basra loves strawberries!