So the weather out here in LA is still very nice, but to be honest with you, I am very much missing the fall season. I never thought I would say that I am sick of having beautiful weather all the time. Fall, for me is the best time of the year. It's the time where it's still nice out, and so much to do. I love the changing of the leaves, and the brisk smell in the air every morning when you wake up.

It was also the time of soccer in high school. I really do miss soccer. I wish that I could still play it, but physical injuries to my back have made that impossible. I can still remember the games, played in the fall night air...ahh...I wish I could go back.

On a side note....there has been a women sunbathing topless at my pool for the past week or two. I haven't met her, until today. I was outside laying in the sun, getting some rays, and her and her boyfriend came out. I can't remember their names, because they were very french, and had thick accents. None the less, I wish that Americans had more of an open policy on nudity. We seem to freak out whenever there is skin exposed that isn't "correct" ex. janet jackson

Chill out !

peace,
Steve

On a side note....this is the biggest amount of clouds I have seen here in months. Laying by the pool today I was confused when the sun went away for a moment. Low and behold....it was a cloud! I haven't seen them in so long!

Matthew....your illustrations look amazing!...keep up the good work.

Paul, I thought the same exact thing when I was looking at the artvoice recently. Of course, not the physical copy...being out here in California forces me to download the copy each week. I'm not complaining, I love the fact that I can get artvoice out here the day it comes out, but I'd much rather be looking at it while sipping some joe at caffe aroma.

Peace,
Steve

In regards to smoking, I have always been the biggest anti-smoking person I have ever encountered. A lot of my post-high school friends are big smokers, and I just got used to it after a while of being around them all the time. But then I just got sick of my clothes smelling like crap all the time.....and more importantly, I was getting worried because I actually liked the smell of them after a while. Even to this day when I smell a cigerette I sometimes like the smell, and it's just from being around them.

It is sad to see businesses closing down because of the ban, but they should have adapated to it before they started losing money. That is harder to do in Buffalo though, without having an open air capability year round (like out here in Cali) There are many bars out here with open air places built into them so people can smoke, and still be outside. California has had the no smoking rule for about 7 years now.

Either way, I think cigerettes are horrible, and do nothing good for anyone.

peace,
Steve

things out here in sunny LA aren't what I thought they would be. I am enjoying my time for the most part, but am missing the elmwood area more and more. I really enjoy coming to this site, and getting read what others have to say about the area, it brings a smile to my face.

I would love to see any pictures from the elmwood area, whenever it's easy for someone to post them...I appreciate it.

peace,
Steve

“… Pano of Pano’s Restaurant applied for a demolition permit to destroy 1089 Elmwood, the former Carriage Trade bakery, for a surface parking lot. The house, a magnificent Queen Anne, was built circa 1894 for Edward Atwater and is also called the Atwater House. It is the oldest house on the block.�

“… downtown Buffalo, which has sacrificed about 50% of its real estate to parking, is, well, dead compared to Elmwood Avenue, which has largely resisted civic AIDS (Architectural Integrity Deficiency Syndrome). Elmwood has an intact streetscape, almost no parking lots, and is the healthiest neighborhood in Buffalo.�

The case comes before the Preservation Board on Thursday, Sept. 23, at 3:00 pm in Room 920 of City Hall. There is an online petition at www.petitiononline.com/1089elm/petition.html

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I love Pano's don't get me wrong, but I would be very pissed if they continued the trend of knocking down beautiful buildings to make parking lots. I know that the city of Buffalo is a pro at doing that, but the Elmwood area is different, for a reason!

Please sign the petition.

Peace,
Steve