Yea the old OTB sign still stands on the rusted out mall and the walkway from the parking garage to the now One Niagara Center just looks out of place to the knowledgeable eye.
Vincent's Journal
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06/21/2011 19:06 #54545
Downtown Niagara FallsCategory: tourism
I was just thinking lately that Niagara Falls NY is slowly turning the corner and isn't the embarrassment that it has been in the past. From what it appears it's been part government and the other portion has been Canadian investors. The people that just bought the Sheraton own most of Niagara Falls Ontario and it's just ironic that they're bringing the playbook over here. Basically it's have a Starbucks in your hotel and a chain restaurant which is TGI Friday's which will open up next week. The old Hotel Niagara was purchased by some guy from Vancouver, but as you can see from the pics nothing has been done as of you. What gets me is what are they going to do about parking? Carl Paladino beat them to it as it appears he got the lot that used to be used by the hotel.
Yea the old OTB sign still stands on the rusted out mall and the walkway from the parking garage to the now One Niagara Center just looks out of place to the knowledgeable eye.
Yea the old OTB sign still stands on the rusted out mall and the walkway from the parking garage to the now One Niagara Center just looks out of place to the knowledgeable eye.
06/11/2011 11:42 #54472
Cat LoverCategory: youtube
She drops the value of a MBA just by posting this video. Wonderful...
metalpeter - 06/14/11 17:26
I love how (e:carolinian) puts it... That being said I wonder how much sex one could get from bringing in a cat?????
I love how (e:carolinian) puts it... That being said I wonder how much sex one could get from bringing in a cat?????
carolinian - 06/14/11 01:02
I agree, (e:metalpeter), that for all the eulogizing about cats I'm a little surprised at the video's lack of gratuitous pussy footage.
I agree, (e:metalpeter), that for all the eulogizing about cats I'm a little surprised at the video's lack of gratuitous pussy footage.
metalpeter - 06/11/11 19:50
If she really loved cats she would have them in the video...... At first I thought she was talking about a different kind of Cat....HA I thing though is with the site mentioned is they are famous for not matching people by likes but by the person they are or their sole or what ever so I could so see this being a good video on that site or maybe it is supposed to be funny?
If she really loved cats she would have them in the video...... At first I thought she was talking about a different kind of Cat....HA I thing though is with the site mentioned is they are famous for not matching people by likes but by the person they are or their sole or what ever so I could so see this being a good video on that site or maybe it is supposed to be funny?
paul - 06/11/11 13:10
I want to put her and all the cats in a giant blender.
I want to put her and all the cats in a giant blender.
05/26/2011 23:30 #54351
RIP Mark HainesRIP :-(
In an age where the News Anchor of the National News has faded away, moments like this make you remember how it used to be when a Walter Cronkite would command the attention of a nation. Mark Haines was that and also the cool professor that you loved in college, the awesome neighbor that you could ask complex questions to that would care about the details of your decision. He helped many "small fish" investors understand the markets and feel as though they had a connection to Wall St. I literally cried when I found out and watched some of these videos. It's amazing that I just wanted to go and hug Erin Burnett, a stranger celebrity cable news anchor that has no idea who I am. Mark treated her like a daughter and you can see that very easily on her last day.
You can almost sense that subconsciously they knew..
It's going to be hard for me to watch CNBC for a very long time. I can't believe I feel so emotionally devastated by the news especially for celebrity people with whom I've never met.
In an age where the News Anchor of the National News has faded away, moments like this make you remember how it used to be when a Walter Cronkite would command the attention of a nation. Mark Haines was that and also the cool professor that you loved in college, the awesome neighbor that you could ask complex questions to that would care about the details of your decision. He helped many "small fish" investors understand the markets and feel as though they had a connection to Wall St. I literally cried when I found out and watched some of these videos. It's amazing that I just wanted to go and hug Erin Burnett, a stranger celebrity cable news anchor that has no idea who I am. Mark treated her like a daughter and you can see that very easily on her last day.
You can almost sense that subconsciously they knew..
It's going to be hard for me to watch CNBC for a very long time. I can't believe I feel so emotionally devastated by the news especially for celebrity people with whom I've never met.
05/21/2011 22:59 #54324
My Youtube Hero Came to TownCategory: concerts
Backpackdave#### came to Buffalo NY to the Bob Seger show on April 9th 2011. He is the reason why I started taking concert video to post for my friends. Back a couple of years ago there were a few shows at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre that just took me to another place. Where low and behold there were Youtube videos of the shows and they were Excellent Quality. I thoroughly enjoy his work, especially when it puts up a pregame video when he visits a town.
So enjoy a Sociological showcase of Buffalo before a Big Concert Show:
So enjoy a Sociological showcase of Buffalo before a Big Concert Show:
05/16/2011 22:55 #54300
For Real Stuff that MattersCategory: cities
I went to Pittsburgh this weekend. Then the thought occurred to me, EVERYTHING that the the Buffalo CVB is trying to do by the videos already exists in Pittsburgh. I for once went down there to see Greg Dulli & the Twilight Singers because they he never has played Buffalo for whatever reason.
What got me was the architecture, they have at least 5x the amount of historic structures that Buffalo has and most of them are occupied and in good condition. Also for me as a rail-fan, they never destroyed their train terminal, actually it still is in all of its majestic glory and connected to a bus station. While at the same time they have a real trolly system that goes places, uses an old Pennsylvania Rail Road Bridge and even have some old landmarks for the old trolly system before that was torn up.
To me what Buffalo is almost on the scale of Wheeling West Virginia in terms of old office buildings built around the same period. Heck they even have a nice old theater in town where their Philharmonic plays. I'm just getting tired of the "We Matter" "We're Real" Blah Blah Blah. To me if we don't have the confidence of swagger, no one is going to believe it.
The funny thing I remember about the whole response to the "For Real" video is that it didn't mention anything about sports. Sports and Concerts sell themselves. People come because of the event not because of the town. If they like the town after they get there then they will come back. That's what happened to me & Wheeling. I went there for a casino and went out of my way 2 hours to swing by and say Hello after coming back from Columbus a month back.
It's the same thing with Universities. What got me about Pittsburgh is how impressive the University is and where it is located. I was taken aback by the Cathedral of Learning and the immediate neighborhood as I went there for some 5 guys burgers and fries. Maybe UB is a public institution and that hampers things. If it was on par say with Michigan or even Syracuse would things be better economically? All I can say is that is UB 2020 is cut and slashed this town is doomed.
What got me was the architecture, they have at least 5x the amount of historic structures that Buffalo has and most of them are occupied and in good condition. Also for me as a rail-fan, they never destroyed their train terminal, actually it still is in all of its majestic glory and connected to a bus station. While at the same time they have a real trolly system that goes places, uses an old Pennsylvania Rail Road Bridge and even have some old landmarks for the old trolly system before that was torn up.
To me what Buffalo is almost on the scale of Wheeling West Virginia in terms of old office buildings built around the same period. Heck they even have a nice old theater in town where their Philharmonic plays. I'm just getting tired of the "We Matter" "We're Real" Blah Blah Blah. To me if we don't have the confidence of swagger, no one is going to believe it.
The funny thing I remember about the whole response to the "For Real" video is that it didn't mention anything about sports. Sports and Concerts sell themselves. People come because of the event not because of the town. If they like the town after they get there then they will come back. That's what happened to me & Wheeling. I went there for a casino and went out of my way 2 hours to swing by and say Hello after coming back from Columbus a month back.
It's the same thing with Universities. What got me about Pittsburgh is how impressive the University is and where it is located. I was taken aback by the Cathedral of Learning and the immediate neighborhood as I went there for some 5 guys burgers and fries. Maybe UB is a public institution and that hampers things. If it was on par say with Michigan or even Syracuse would things be better economically? All I can say is that is UB 2020 is cut and slashed this town is doomed.
tinypliny - 05/26/11 22:28
Megabus has a new service to Pittsburgh for $1 currently....
Megabus has a new service to Pittsburgh for $1 currently....
janelle - 05/19/11 15:50
You're not going to get a very unbiased commentary on Pittsburgh from me or Drew.
Drew has a great deal of hometown loyalty. There is nothing wrong about Pittsburgh to him.
Me. I didn't like Pittsburgh at all. It seemed like a poor excuse of a city after having lived in Philadelphia for 4 years.
Pittsburgh has a worse downtown than Buffalo does, I think. Pittsburgh also has had a lot of population loss and some of the outlying suburbs are growing much faster than the city. Neither Drew nor I are big fans of the casino on the water front. I don't think the public transit is much better in Pittsburgh than Buffalo. Their transit serves the south suburbs and that's it. Very limited. The bridges and tunnels are a nightmare for commuting. Parts of the city and immediate suburbs with steep hills are shut down in the winter because it's to dangerous to drive the steep hills covered in snow/ice.
Buffalo has a lower cost of living and we would never own the house we do right now in Pittsburgh.
The restaurant scene is better in Buffalo. My social life has been better in Buffalo. Buffalo geographically is more accessible and easier to navigate than Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh did have a better economic recovery than Buffalo after the steel plant closings and what not. And they did a better job keeping universities and sports teams downtown.
I would hands down choose to live in Buffalo over Pittsburgh.
You're not going to get a very unbiased commentary on Pittsburgh from me or Drew.
Drew has a great deal of hometown loyalty. There is nothing wrong about Pittsburgh to him.
Me. I didn't like Pittsburgh at all. It seemed like a poor excuse of a city after having lived in Philadelphia for 4 years.
Pittsburgh has a worse downtown than Buffalo does, I think. Pittsburgh also has had a lot of population loss and some of the outlying suburbs are growing much faster than the city. Neither Drew nor I are big fans of the casino on the water front. I don't think the public transit is much better in Pittsburgh than Buffalo. Their transit serves the south suburbs and that's it. Very limited. The bridges and tunnels are a nightmare for commuting. Parts of the city and immediate suburbs with steep hills are shut down in the winter because it's to dangerous to drive the steep hills covered in snow/ice.
Buffalo has a lower cost of living and we would never own the house we do right now in Pittsburgh.
The restaurant scene is better in Buffalo. My social life has been better in Buffalo. Buffalo geographically is more accessible and easier to navigate than Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh did have a better economic recovery than Buffalo after the steel plant closings and what not. And they did a better job keeping universities and sports teams downtown.
I would hands down choose to live in Buffalo over Pittsburgh.
metalpeter - 05/17/11 17:41
Have to add something here Buffalo has had Championships in Sports Bandits , Bisons (and the AHl team pre sabers), AFL champions before the superbowl I think not sure... But I think if in Hockey or NFL a Championship could have made Buffalo be that great city....
What hurts Buffalo is not having a Hindsight guy..... Great highway system except it broke up parks that was connected... The Metro Rail great idea... But why not also still have traffic on Main and since we have great old buildings make it look like trolley cars. I saw and old picture with them and cars.... Why tear it up in the first place... Why stop using the Central Terminal? I think that once one bad decision is made it makes everything a political battle.... That is what Buffalo has turned into... Not hey lets do this or that how about doing something good for the city... I take the Seneca Casino as Prime Example #1. Yes the mob would have taken over the falls but as we see nothing is going on there any ways but so what... Someone wanted to legalize gaming (illegal my ass NYS Lottery) in NYS....It lost. We are a border state it should have been made legal and all that cool stuff Canada has could be on our side over looking the park based of Legal Casinos where we get the entire share there could be one downtown also.... The Metro rail could connect them. Go underground get off on the Island and go to Fantasy island... Have a station at Niawanda Park look at the water and go to Mississippi muds. Have a special Bus service that goes between the beach areas..... Something at least argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have to add something here Buffalo has had Championships in Sports Bandits , Bisons (and the AHl team pre sabers), AFL champions before the superbowl I think not sure... But I think if in Hockey or NFL a Championship could have made Buffalo be that great city....
What hurts Buffalo is not having a Hindsight guy..... Great highway system except it broke up parks that was connected... The Metro Rail great idea... But why not also still have traffic on Main and since we have great old buildings make it look like trolley cars. I saw and old picture with them and cars.... Why tear it up in the first place... Why stop using the Central Terminal? I think that once one bad decision is made it makes everything a political battle.... That is what Buffalo has turned into... Not hey lets do this or that how about doing something good for the city... I take the Seneca Casino as Prime Example #1. Yes the mob would have taken over the falls but as we see nothing is going on there any ways but so what... Someone wanted to legalize gaming (illegal my ass NYS Lottery) in NYS....It lost. We are a border state it should have been made legal and all that cool stuff Canada has could be on our side over looking the park based of Legal Casinos where we get the entire share there could be one downtown also.... The Metro rail could connect them. Go underground get off on the Island and go to Fantasy island... Have a station at Niawanda Park look at the water and go to Mississippi muds. Have a special Bus service that goes between the beach areas..... Something at least argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
metalpeter - 05/17/11 17:29
I've wanted to go there for some time now... You know being a Steelers and Penguins fan is why.... Don't think my body could handle being out side for an entire football game unless it was really early in the season.... That assumes there is ever a NFL season again.... From what I have heard it is a blue collar town and you gotta like that... I think the closet I have been was I was at some school for a swim meet and you could see one of the bridges that lead to Pittsburgh but again couldn't see the city so not sure if that was where the bridge (yes it was far away to me) really lead.....
I've wanted to go there for some time now... You know being a Steelers and Penguins fan is why.... Don't think my body could handle being out side for an entire football game unless it was really early in the season.... That assumes there is ever a NFL season again.... From what I have heard it is a blue collar town and you gotta like that... I think the closet I have been was I was at some school for a swim meet and you could see one of the bridges that lead to Pittsburgh but again couldn't see the city so not sure if that was where the bridge (yes it was far away to me) really lead.....
vincent - 05/17/11 09:43
With it being 4 hours away it is a nice quick trip. Jason, Ha Ha Ha! If you're going to go out and hit the town I'd stop by a place called the Brillo Box :::link::: it's a nicer version of Hardware downstairs and they have a dancefloor/band space upstairs.
With it being 4 hours away it is a nice quick trip. Jason, Ha Ha Ha! If you're going to go out and hit the town I'd stop by a place called the Brillo Box :::link::: it's a nicer version of Hardware downstairs and they have a dancefloor/band space upstairs.
matthew - 05/17/11 09:05
I only spent one evening in Pittsburgh a few years ago, but i really enjoyed my time there. Like Buffalo, but all grown up. I'd like to go again. We should plan an (e:strip) road trip to Pittsburgh.
I only spent one evening in Pittsburgh a few years ago, but i really enjoyed my time there. Like Buffalo, but all grown up. I'd like to go again. We should plan an (e:strip) road trip to Pittsburgh.
jason - 05/17/11 08:23
Of course, when I took a sip of the beer I spit it out and was like, "Dad this is some commersh garbage. Why don't people have standards?"
Of course, when I took a sip of the beer I spit it out and was like, "Dad this is some commersh garbage. Why don't people have standards?"
jason - 05/17/11 08:20
Yeah, Pitt is awesome. That is where Josh and I were served our very first beer, actually, in a parking lot before a Pirates game when we were 10 or 11. Some Pennsyltuckian gave us a MGD. "Where did you get that??" my father asked. "Some guy." Did Dad let us drink it? Yes he did. I still haven't dug into the town on a night out yet but I believe it is a proper night out waiting to happen.
Yeah, Pitt is awesome. That is where Josh and I were served our very first beer, actually, in a parking lot before a Pirates game when we were 10 or 11. Some Pennsyltuckian gave us a MGD. "Where did you get that??" my father asked. "Some guy." Did Dad let us drink it? Yes he did. I still haven't dug into the town on a night out yet but I believe it is a proper night out waiting to happen.
mrmike - 05/17/11 07:45
It's funny because of all the hullaballoo around that For Real video, they actually have another produced and floating around that has all the things missing from the first one. That said, never went anywhere because of a catch phrase. Had they just put it out there and not made a big thing out of it, it wouldn't have been a big thing
It's funny because of all the hullaballoo around that For Real video, they actually have another produced and floating around that has all the things missing from the first one. That said, never went anywhere because of a catch phrase. Had they just put it out there and not made a big thing out of it, it wouldn't have been a big thing
libertad - 05/17/11 06:50
Interesting observations, I can't believe they have a Statler too. I never have been and have been wanting to check it out since I went to Philly. Now that you wrote this I want to go even more.
Interesting observations, I can't believe they have a Statler too. I never have been and have been wanting to check it out since I went to Philly. Now that you wrote this I want to go even more.
paul - 05/17/11 01:25
Wow, that is like the exact same hotel building. Its weird they don't mention that at all on the wiki article. Are there lots of other ones?
Wow, that is like the exact same hotel building. Its weird they don't mention that at all on the wiki article. Are there lots of other ones?
vincent - 05/17/11 01:16
They also didn't let their "Statler" fall into disuse and decay...
:::link:::
:::link:::
They also didn't let their "Statler" fall into disuse and decay...
:::link:::
:::link:::
vincent - 05/17/11 00:02
I wonder if Drew & Janelle still read stuff on here anymore? This was the first time in years I went and to be frank I was blown away. Even by their brand new WATERFRONT Casino!
I wonder if Drew & Janelle still read stuff on here anymore? This was the first time in years I went and to be frank I was blown away. Even by their brand new WATERFRONT Casino!
paul - 05/16/11 23:54
Maybe I should just move to Pittsburg.
Maybe I should just move to Pittsburg.
The Winter Gardens used to be pretty Cool.... Love the Hardrock Cafe..... Not sure if I can remember when there was good shops in the Rainbow mall or not.....
The Ugly fact of the matter Niagara falls is the place where it seems that every 2 years ok maybe 3 you hear about some great plan and then none of those cool things ever show up..... I say it is the local mob I mean the Phelps family I mean local 210 not really sure who it is Maybe it is just why would someone want to build something when all the good stuff is on the other side....
I think a lot of it comes from the younger drinking age.... So many people go over to what ever that place was called to drink and then stay over there.... The Older crowd has the strip clubs..... But Trump and others who where concerned about organized crime made sure that gambling would stay illegal so NF usa never got the Casino yes they got an Indian one But it just isn't as cool you can't do as much with it you don't get all the taxes ....... As an example (have no papers so can't cross the boarder) in the past I went to the hardrock Cafe and there is a door that goes (used to be) right to the Casino...
Yes for looking at the falls we have the better side and yes that park should be there....But it is so scary how the other side has taken what ever that place they had with the games from when I was a kid and changed that entire area and the US really hasn't....... I Hope I'm wrong but guessing in 10 years it will still be the same?
The rainbow mall is so creepy now. I remember looking down into it from inside the parking ramp a few years back. It looked like something out of a post apocalyptal movie.
I like the openness created by the removal of the wintergardens but at the same time, that was such a cool winter destination.
I hope it all changes bit the Canadians will always have the advantage if the better view. Maybe we should add a curtain and charge them to open it each day, lol.