Places: Botanical Gardens: A gem of Western New York

For those of those who have never visited the Erie County Botanical Gardens, you are missing a jewel of the WNY area. A few years ago the ownership switched over from the county, to a non profit group, and admission went from free to a minimal charge. Let me tell you, it's well worth every penny. They maintain the gardens so beautifully that its the perfect place to stop for warmth in the winter, and sunshine in the summer. It's also a great place for photographers, new and advanced, to hone your skills on some beautiful objects that, thankfully, don't move.

Located on South Park avenue in South Buffalo, near the Basillica (which is a beautiful building unto itself, i would recommend walking the half block down to it), and near the Sorento Cheese plant (considerably less beautiful... haha).

The Gardens have 6 different houses (1 used mostly for wedding and events) including a several story waterfall, and carved dinosaur shapes bushes (which the kids love), a huge koy pod, the worlds largest publically displayed Ivy Display, a great covered area for pictures next to a fountain, a hand carved several foot large checkers boards, a desert landscape, and much much more. Please make sure to enjoy every room, and be there a couple hours.

Here are some pictures from the gardens:

-Bob Z

Some Winter Pictures

Here are a couple new pictures that i have taken of the The city of Buffalo. Hope you enjoy!

Historical Society. Buffalo NY

Electric Building, Buffalo NY

Its all about the (one billion dollars worth of) Benjamins

So governor Andrew Cuomo has promised the City of Buffalo, and the western new york region, one billion dollars in state funding from the capital, similar to how the Albany area lured the nano technology private sector to the albany area.

Exciting times indeed. And before i get any inevitable comments about how we should be giving that money back to the taxpayers and not spending it, I hear what your saying, but public works and private investment is something that this area desperately needs, and this is the opportunity of a lifetime.

Along with the $100 million the western new york area won in the competition between the 9 different areas of new york, and there are some real funds available to further the advancement of downtown buffalo. Links to The Buffalo News articles touching on more of this to follow, but your friendly neighborhood blogger has gotta run!

The Walk home

Why i love the city:
On the walk home from Merge (see below) we spotted both a parking lot movie theater set up, and a fancy dinner at the Delaware Mansion with live music on the roof. It was great to see people out and about (although when i went to snap the mansion picture everyone was clearing out.)

Adrian Brijbassi and his trip to Buffalo

Great article from Canadian Adrian Brijbassi and his overcoming prejudices towards Buffalo. Excerpt here and full article linked below:

"this time, I got to know the place and the people. Turns out, they like us, and they really want you, Toronto, to like them. Give them a chance and you will"

CLICK HERE for more