I Ain't Just Whistlin' Dixie!

Non-locals seem to agree - Buffalo is awesome. Just take a gander at this article from Amtrak's on-board magazine Arrive. 

"...this four-season city on the shores of Lake Erie is a 25-minute drive from Niagara Falls in one direction and some of the best skiing east of the Rockies in nearby Ellicottville. The arts scene is stoked by 22 professional theater groups, world-class architecture, two major art museums, dozens of galleries, and music venues pulsing to the beat of the good life."

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BUFFALO: City of Light

Putting my Money Where my Mouth is (and Where the Books are)

As an elementary school teacher, my mother is the recipient of countless giftcards during the holidays. This past weekend, my whole family piled into the car and drove out to Barnes & Noble to help her spend a few of them. The four of us wandered around for an hour, trying to dodge the crowd and the disturbingly large "Teenage Paranormal Romance" section. While we were digging through the bargain-priced classics, my father said something that put a halt to my savings-spree. "We really should have gone to a local book store."

I suddenly realized that as an advocate for bettering Buffalo, I had no business shopping in a national super chain. Immediately, I tucked my page-long book list back into my pocket, unpacked most of the pile from my shopping basket, and headed for the door. The very next day, I took my list to Talking Leaves on Elmwood.

I've always loved Talking Leaves. It's a tiny place, sure, but it's not hard to spend hours flipping through pages there anyway; they fit a huge amount of books into the place. The selection is great (they had way more gardening books than B&N,) the staff is super helpful, and it really is a Buffalo institution. If you're looking for a book they don't carry, they'll gladly order it for you. I bought two books from my list while I was there, and ordered another two. When I went back yesterday to pick those up, I ordered yet another. I also purchased a membership for $10 which entitles me to 10% off all my purchases for a year. Hell, I bought enough books this week alone to be worth the membership.

I have a lot of reading to do.

Will I still order the occasional book from amazon? Of course I will. But most of the time, I'd rather spend a few extra shekels and know that I'm helping to keep an amazing local store in business. I'm really looking forward to when they open the patio in the spring. I can't imagine a better way to spend an afternoon than sitting out there with a good book, drinking a cup of something delicious from nextdoor, and people-watching on Elmwood.

The Talking Leaves Main St. location is bigger than Elmwood, enabling them to host the occasional event or book signing. They have the same great selection and friendly staff. Talking Leaves isn't the only local book store; there are great shops all over Buffalo. The Second Reader Book Shop on Hertel has a great selection of used and out-of-print books. There's also Old Editions Book Shop & Cafe downtown, and Rust Belt Books in Allentown, among many others.

With the rising popularity of digital readers like the Kindle, and nook, small book stores need more support than ever. I'm happy knowing that Buffalonians appreciate what these shops add to the community and continue to patronize them.

A Quest to Overcome the Winter Crankies

I knew when I made my decision to leave California and move back to Buffalo, it would mean giving up one of my favorite things: bitching about the winter weather. I had a chance for a blizzard-free life but I CHOSE winters in Buffalo. So never again can I whine about being cold, having to dig out my car or wear layers and layers of unattractive clothes. I knew that if I ever WERE to complain to anyone again, that they would have the right to slap me. I accepted all of that when I packed everything I own into my car (again) and headed home.

I gave it up for you, Buffalo.

I told myself that I loved this city enough to embrace winter. I'd start snowboarding again. I'd walk through the park in two feet of snow. I'd learn to ice skate. Go sledding with friends. I'll find a way to overcome my annual case of S.A.D and enjoy myself year round. Yes! I can do this!

But that was in June.

Now it's December. It's cold out. I've had to dig my car out from under a foot of snow. Driving through this lake effect slush is like trying to steer a sheet of cardboard down a slip-n-slide. AND THESE BOOTS I'M WEARING ARE ANYTHING BUT CUTE!

view from my front door

So now's when I'm really going to have to work at not becoming one of those Buffalo weather-bashing naysayers I've been talking about. I really do love this city, and I'm still really happy to be here, in spite of the weather. I'm going to go out and buy myself a sled (if I don't get one for Christmas, hint hint) and drag my friends out to the park for some fresh air and old-fashioned fun (get your snowpants ready people; this is happening.) I'm going to get my snowboard sharpened and tuned up (where's the best place to do that, by the way? Urban? Phatman?) and head out to Holiday Valley.

To keep from being bored and lonely, I'm going to brave the winter driving conditions and check out some of the many events that are always happening around town. The Home for the Holidays concert series will continue for a few more weeks. I'm also looking forward to checking out the Olmsted Nights and Winter Lights show and Flurrious Festival in Delaware Park. I was really sad to have missed the first annual Powder Keg Festival last winter, and am already looking forward to attending it this year. In addition to the events, there are still lots of live theatre performances happening all winter long, museums and gallerys to visit, and of course great food to eat! I haven't been to the new Eights Bistro yet, but their menu has my mouth watering.

To top off all of my winter gallivanting, I'm planning to take some classes this winter. Cone Five Pottery on Hertel Ave. offers pottery classes which I'll be starting in January. I'm hoping also to be accepted for the  Preservation Buffalo Niagara annual docent training classes. I'm clearly a big Buffalo supporter, and a not-too-shabby public speaker if I do say so myself. I think I'd make a pretty awesome Buffalo Tour Guide - don't you?! Maybe I'll even finally take one of the workshops at the WNY Book Arts Collaborative that I've been talking about since I got back.

I'm reminding myself every day that I couldn't really appreciate the warmth and beauty of spring if I didn't have to first endure a little winter. And in the mean time, yes I'm doing my very best to embrace and possibly even enjoy it.

Ok, so maybe I'm not embracing winter quite as wholeheartedly as some, but it's a start. And yes, if you catch me doing any more whining, you have my permission to slap me.