“Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.”
That is your grammar lesson for today. Enjoy.
Smart Thing 1: The Caravan of Corruption
If you are sick of debates, debating those debates, or the embarrassing sideshow that is WNY politics in general, this actual sideshow is for you. From “The Good Neighborhood:”
“’The Caravan of Corruption is a sideshow of corrupt politicians that we’ve had in New York State in the last few years who’ve gotten caught breaking the law and stealing public funds. It’s touring the state to show everyone how bad things have been and how badly we need to change the system,’ says Brian Trzeciak, education organizer of Citizen Action of Western New York.”
The Caravan of Corruption (a project of the Fair Elections for New York coalition) will be in Buffalo on Tuesday, October 23, in Niagara Square at 10:30 am. You can RSVP here.
“Those with a heart condition, please be warned.”
Smart Thing 2: Buffalo is a Top 20 Town for Trick or Treating
The good news: we’re ranked #17!
The bad news: Miami beat us… and Boston is #2.
So where does a stat like this even come from?
“…the Zillow Trick-or-Treat Index was calculated using four equally weighted data variables: Zillow Home Value Index, population density, Walk Score and local crime data from Relocation Essentials. Based on those variables, the Index represents cities that will provide the most candy, with the least walking and safety risks.”
Fact: there’s an Internet for everything.
Smart Thing 3: 3rd Anniversary of the Rapids Theatre Highlights Urban Renewal
The Rapids Theatre is one of the premier concert venues in Buffalo. Not bad for a place that showcased bands around not much more than destroyed plaster and a ceiling full of holes as recently as 2007.
This story of urban renewal is especially smart, as it takes the idea of renewal one step further: it’s not just about putting a place back together – a critical part of this type of investment is how it can succeed when the paint is dry:
“Enter promoter David Taylor, who had briefly booked shows at the room when it was still known as the Dome, but left. ‘It was embarrassing,’ he said. ‘I’d book bands in there, and the place was falling apart around them.’
Taylor met with (new owner, John) Hutchins and they hit it off. ‘Dave was booking bands in here I wasn’t even familiar with, and the shows were selling out,’ Hutchins recalls. Within a short time, Taylor had been granted exclusive booking rights to the room. One of his first shows, headlined by the Deftones, was a sellout.
‘It’s an honor to book this room. The bands come here, they’re blown away by the experience, and they want to come back,’ says Taylor, who also books the annual summer Labatt Canal Concert Series in Lockport and does exclusive booking for the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda and the Armory in Rochester.’”
I love it when a plan comes together.
Keep building, Buffalo – the investment is paying off all over town.
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- Note: “3 Smartest Things” is being produced to go along with the “5 Dumbest Things” series here on TB. “Why three,” you ask? Well – far be it from me to break our time honored tradition of berating each other on the progress of our fair Queen City. Tell you what, when the new Peace Bridge goes up, we’ll go up to five. And of course, feel free to follow me on Twitter to discuss all things trending in Buffalo, and check out my blog “Buffalo Sabres Nation” when you’re bored at work. Your boss will appreciate your increased productivity afterwards.
No I’m not sick of debates. I wish they were not dumbed-down and I wished there was a truth-check. But debates are part of the democratic process. I am sick of that smarmy attitude that scorns elections. 50 million people died in WWII trying to keep elections free. No, I’m not tired of debates. Only a fool is.