"A Marchful"

As we go through the last day of February, we enter one of my favorite months, March! Some may not feel the same way as me because the weather is gloomy, the month can feel somewhat long and people feel like there's nothing to do around town. But really there is plenty to do. Here is a list of some events happening in the month March around town:

• Dance Marathon to benefit the Alzheimer's Association (March 1)
• Wines of the World (March 1)
• Lewiston Cocktail Festival (March 2)
• Shamrock Run (March 2)
• Rihanna Concert (March 8)
• Buffalo Rugby Club - Player Camp (March 8,9)
• Buffalo Home & Garden Show (March 8,9,10)
• The Old First Ward Parade (March 16)
• The St. Patrick's Day Parade on Delaware (March 17)
• Blues & Brews event at the Ellicott Square Building (March 22)
• Carrie Underwood (March 26)
• Easter (March 31)

If these events don't appeal to you or if you're on a tight budget and don't know what to do, be creative, make holiday decorations for St. Patrick's Day or Easter. Attend one of the many parades around town, or even try your hand at making at-home versions of shamrock shakes, cupcakes, or cocktails.

On the horizon for me - a launch party, birthdays, trips, and lots of fun events. Whatever your month of March is like, I hope you find a little luck and a pot of gold along the way.

-B

Polar Bites 2013

Last week I had the pleasure of attending one of my favorite events in Buffalo. Polar Bites. Polar Bites is a annual event that benefits the Buffalo Zoo. A variety of restaurants, breweries and wineries fill the upstairs of the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center every February and guests have an opportunity to try samples of food and drink. Guests also have an opportunity to bid on some auction items and purchase animal artwork. If you ever have an opportunity to attend this event, do so! It is fairly priced (purchase pre-sale tickets for $35) and you're guaranteed to have a fun time out.

-B

Back in time to see the Dinosaurs & Time to get ripped off

While I don't like to write about bad events, I feel as though I have to write about an event I attended this past weekend, that left me and my family disappointed. The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center was home to Discover the Dinosaurs this past weekend and while crowds of people attended, a lot of people walked away thinking why did I attend this?

The event was publicized on local TV and radio and sounded like an exciting must-see event, but after walking through the 10 minute maze of dinosaur statues, it was pure disappointment. Half of the dinosaurs were displayed throughout half of the upstairs of the Convention Center while the rest of the smaller dinosaurs were just thrown in corners, as if the people in charge didn't have time to put them in appropriate spots. On the other half of the room upstairs, they had face painting and dinosaur rides. While there were activities for the children everything had an extra cost and nothing was really included with the admission price except walking through to see the 10 dinosaur statues, if that.

For a ridiculous price ($17 for adults 12 and up, $15 for 65 yrs and older and children 2-11 yrs $20) it was a big rip off in my opinion. The only rewarding part of this event was that my 2 year old niece enjoyed herself. If this event comes back to Buffalo next year I would tell anyone to save their money and go to the Buffalo Zoo or Niagara Falls Aquarium instead.

-B

The lovely East Aurora, NY

Over the weekend I headed down the 400 to the lovely East Aurora, NY. About a 30-35 minute drive from Buffalo, Main Street in East Aurora is lined with specialty shops, great restaurants, preserved homes and churches.

For a village that has a population of 6,236 (back in 2010 census) it offers a wide array of activities. From shopping, to eating, to going for a wine tasting at Salut Wine and Spirits or beer sampling at Aurora Brew Works, you can also take the family ice skating at the Healthy Zone Rink . East Aurora is also home of Fisher Price's Corporate Headquarters, and a landmark, the Roycroft Inn.

It's a nice village, that has that "old town, USA" feel to it when you are visiting. If you ever have a chance to spend an afternoon there, you will enjoy it.

-B

Some fun facts about East Aurora, NY:

• East Aurora was one of the first communities to successfully block a Wal-Mart store, in 1995 and again in 1999. The act was led by a community group in an attempt to preserve the small town values, and help support privately owned businesses.
• Former President of the United States, Millard Fillmore and his wife, Abigail lived in East Aurora, NY from 1826-1830.
• The town was the home of the inaugural owner of the NHL Franchise Buffalo Sabres, Seymour H. Knox. The Knox Estates, now known as Knox Farm is a 633-acre New York State park.

Are you ready for some football?

Are you ready for some football?!? Superbowl Sunday is just a few days away and while the Buffalo Bills aren't playing in the game you can bet I'll still be watching along with the millions of other people. I'm indifferent to either team winning as I like both the Baltimore Ravens (I liked them more when they had former Buffalo Bill, Lee Evans on the team) and the 49ers.

More importantly I'm excited to see one of my favorite performers Beyonce perform during the Halftime Show. Earlier this month I entered in the Pepsi contest to try and get on the field for her performance, while that's not happening, the pictures I submitted may still be used during her performance which is still pretty cool.

While the main point of the Superbowl is watching the football game, we all gather at someones home or go out to a bar or restaurant to watch the game. Food is an important factor for this big event whether your staying low key or doing it up big. Below are some of the best Superbowl party foods to have for your party. Now let's just hope the game is fun and entertaining!

Top 5 Foods to have at your Superbowl Party

1. Chicken Wings (that's a given)
2. Chili
3. Pizza
4. Dips/Spreads (spinach dip, chicken wing dip, bread dip, cheese platters, crackers, etc)
5. Vegetables (for those watching what they eat)

-B

FLURRIOUS!

This past weekend, I, along with my sister and niece attended FLURRIOUS! an annual winter festival that takes place in Delaware Park. It's a free event open to the public that provides fun activities throughout the day.

This year, attendees had a variety of activities to participate in, such as, kickball, snow tennis, ice hockey, or sledding in the park. The weather was perfect for this all day event. Snow was on the ground and the temperature was in the mid 20's, making it a perfect winter day.

Food and drink were available for purchase and live music played as visitors were walking around. Overall its a great winter event to take the family to or to grab a group of friends and form a team for one of the kickball tournaments.

 

So Long, Farewell to The Mohawk Place

Whether you've ever been to a concert there or not, The Mohawk Place was and will remain in our hearts to be a Buffalo Landmark in downtown Buffalo. Bringing in a variety of bands and people from all over the world throughout the last 20 something years. This venue created memories and instilled a little Rock N' Roll in all of us. This past weekend they closed there doors one last time, going out with a bang - celebrating a kick ass farewell weekend.

While we will always have the memories, it just won't be the same. In the words of the staff "Well now, everything dies, baby, that's a fact, but maybe everything that dies someday comes back..."

-B

Strike a Pose

Elmwood Ave.

Over this past weekend, my friend Lacey took some photos of me for my blog. While I can say with confidence, I could never, ever, be a model, it was fun to take some pictures for a few hours. Take a look at a few of my favorite shots below.

 -B

                    On the stairs of City Hall    

             

              Buffalo "All-America City"    Strike a pose on Main St.

                               

                                           Delaware Park

                                

                             

                                                      SHOUT

All photos you see here were taken courtesy of my amazing friend and amazing photographer Lacey J.