Current Issue: Artvoice v7n48, week of Thursday November 27 » back issues
AV Best of Buffalo |
People You Know |
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Let us now praise famous men and women—such convenient, and often willing, receptacles in which to pour our expectations and frustrations.
Too convenient really. What will our readers do, for example, when Erie County Executive Joel Giambra leaves office? Will you all continue to make him a perennial finalist in the worst politician category? (Maybe so: Former County Executive Ed Rutkowski got a few votes for worst politician this year.) Or will you turn back time, to the day when he was a perennial finalist in the best politician category? Certainly, whatever his political missteps, the county executive does not deserve a place among the finalists in the biggest local villain category, alongside Bucky Phillips and Altemio Sanchez. Neither do Pano or the Seneca Gaming Corporation, for that matter. Let’s take a step back, people, and gain some perspective.
Your votes for local heroes and cheerleaders, on the other hand, seemed well considered. (Though gadabout Eric Starchild received a surprising number of votes for biggest local hero, as did “me” and variations on “who cares” and “aren’t any.”) Considered as partners or separately, Buffalo Police Officers Patty Parete and Carl Andolina were on a lot of people’s minds.
As were the Buffalo Sabres, who routed every category in which they could possibly compete. Owner Tom Golisano placed in two categories all by himself: biggest local cheerleader and biggest local hero. Maybe, for the sake of Ralph Wilson and the Bills, we need to hold a Best of Buffalo poll in late autumn. As it is, the Bills received a scattering of votes from disgruntled fans for favorite local amateur team.
On the media: Except when the voters made their intentions crystal clear, we dropped votes that might have resulted in Artvoice making the final five in any category. So, for example, a lot of you voted generally for “Artvoice” for best print journalist; alas, we are individuals and not a collective, but we thank you for the compliment (or, as the case may be, for the brazen attempt to win a prize package). Our own Mike Niman placed anyway, along with a clutch of writers for the Buffalo News. Meanwhile, the voting for best blogger and best Web site was plagued by the same confusion as always: As an illustration, Buffalo Rising is not a blog, or a blogger—it’s a Web site that hosts a community of contributors, staff and non-staff. Newell Nussbaumer, inasmuch as he writes tirelessly for Buffalo Rising, qualifies as a blogger. Right? Fix Buffalo and Buffalo Pundit are blogs, but the utility and popularity of both as sources of information sort of blur the line. Right?
Confusing. But Best of Buffalo voting is often a nightmare to decode. In a result that nearly derailed the whole Best of Buffalo enterprise, Sanjaya-style, car dealer Billy Fuccillo almost made the final five for best drag queen. Or maybe we don’t know everything you all know.
—geoff kelly
best politician
Sam Hoyt
Brian Higgins
Satish Mohan
Byron Brown
“none of the above,” “they all stink,” etc.
worst politician
Tom Reynolds
Joel Giambra
Byron Brown
George Holt
“all of them, “it’s hard to imagine a bigger pool of contestants,” etc.
best individual activist
Harvey Garrett
Michele Johnson
Kevin Gaughan
Ani DiFranco
Aaron Bartley
best activist group
Women in Black
Citizen Against Casino Gambling in Erie County
PUSH Buffalo
Western New York Peace Center
AIDS Community Sevices
biggest local hero
Patty Parete
Carl Andolina
Tom Golisano
Ryan Miller
Ani DiFranco
biggest local villain
Altemio Sanchez
Ralph “Bucky” Phillips
Joel Giambra
Seneca Gaming Corporation
Pano Georgiadis
loudest complainer
James Williams
Phil Rumore
Joel Giambra
Sandy Beach
Donn Esmonde
loudest cheerleader
Byron Brown
Tom Golisano
Brian Higgins
Newell Nussbaumer
Kevin Gaughan
best draq queen
Vanity Vogue
Malibu
Fantasee Island
V
FYA Valentino
best drag king
Buddy Lee
Mikey Lykesit
Geo Metro
Jim Class
Bud Wyzer
favorite pro athlete
J.P. Losman
Maxim Afinogenov
Daniel Briere
Ryan Miller
Baby Joe Mesi
favorite pro sports team
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Bandits
Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Destroyers
favorite amateur sports team
UB Bulls Mens Basketball
Queen City Roller Girls
Niagara University Purple Eagles Basketball
Canisius College Golden Griffins Mens Basketball
Canisius College Golden Griffins Womens
Basketball
favorite amateur athlete
Jonny Flynn,
Niagara Falls High School basketball
Metal Mistress,
Queen City Roller Girls
Mia Mauler,
Queen City Roller Girls
Josh Hedinger,
Canisius College hockey
Yassin Idbihi,
UB basketball
favorite tv personality
Jodi Johnston
Kevin O’Neill
Don Paul
Chesley McNeil
Mary Alice Demler
favorite radio personality
Sandy Beach
Tom Bauerle
Shredd & Ragan
Janet Snyder
Bulldog
best print journalist
Mike Niman
Donn Esmonde
Jeff Simon
Jerry Sullivan
Bucky Gleason
best blogger
Newell Nussbaumer,
Buffalo Rising
Alan Bedenko,
Buffalo Pundit
David Torke, Fix Buffalo
Paul Visco, estrip.org
Jennifer Smith,
All Things Jen(nifer)
best local web site
estrip.org
buffalo.com
buffalorising.com
buffalogaybars.com
artvoice.com
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Issue Navigation> Issue Index > v6n16: Best of Buffalo (4/19/07) > AV Best of Buffalo > People You Know This Week's Issue • Artvoice Daily • Events Calendar • Classifieds |
Artvoice Blog Headlines
West Side Neighborhood Housing Servicesposted November 28, 3:44 pm on Artvoice DailyAs promised in this article, the membership list for West Side Neighborhood Housing Services is right here. Highlighted in yellow are city employees who report to the mayor or their relatives; highlighted in pink are other city employees. Most of the highlighted names (though not all) are new members, who joined just in time to vote at last Thursday’s annual members meeting, when Harvey Garrett was voted off WSNHS’s board... (more) |
On the Waterfrontposted November 26, 2:00 pm on Artvoice DailySo you think Buffalo has a hard time figuring out what to do with its waterfront, do ya? Mad that we can’t just build a signature bridge, huh? Madder still that we can’t just knock the Skyway bridge down? Furious with obstructionists who don’t want a Bass Pro Shop? Livid about the ice boom? And don’t even get you started about all the blind, misguided fools who can’t see that a huge casino downtown will turn our city around? Yes, my friend, you do in fact have all the answers... (more) |
Chow Chocolat welcomes Denise Sperry’s Watercolor Exhibition…posted November 26, 12:46 pm on Chew on ThisWatercolor Painting by Denise Sperry Merging the fine arts with gastronomic art, Chow Chocolat (731 Main Street, Buffalo, 843.4388) is now featuring a watercolor exhibition by Denise Sperry. A reception commencing Sperry’s works will take place on December 5th, 2008 (6-9 PM)... (more) |
GRILLE 620 (Wine… Down the Weekend)posted November 26, 11:34 am on Chew on ThisIf you haven’t already checked out “Wine… Down the Weekend” at Grille 620, (620 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, 886.2121) GO! This has to be one of the best deals in the city of Buffalo. Every Friday & Saturday, patrons can choose a complimentary bottle from the bistro’s extensive wine list to accompany any 2 entrees... (more) |
Another Voiceposted November 26, 10:11 am on Artvoice DailyHere’s something that drives me crazy about the Buffalo News: the “Another Voice” column on the editorial page. It would be a nice idea, were it not that so often it is not given over to “another” voice. It is given, rather, to the same old voices: to people who are frequently quoted as sources in articles, who are in positions of political or economic power, to folks whose job is to push agendas—to people, in other words, who have no difficulty making their voices heard... (more) |
Who Goes Where When Hillary Goes to State?posted November 19, 12:04 pm on Artvoice DailyCity Hall News has flow_chart that tracks who might replace who, from Hillary’s Senate seat on down (click to expand or follow the link—it’s an awkward shape): |
It’s Robert Rich Sr. All High Stadiumposted November 14, 5:05 pm on Artvoice DailyThese new signs properly label the structure. We’ve been reading recent stories in the Buffalo News about sportswriter Tom Borrelli’s terrible fall last week at the old All High Stadium. He’s currently battling life-threatening injuries... (more) |
CWM Fined for Violationsposted November 14, 2:41 pm on Artvoice DailyThis week Chemical Waste Management was fined $175,000 by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for violating its permits and the state’s hazardous waste laws. I don’t have much to say about that, except it doesn’t seem to me like too much money... (more) |
Musical Chairsposted November 14, 12:51 pm on Artvoice DailyThe AP reports that Hillary Clinton met with Barack Obama in Chicago yesterday, adding fuel to speculation that she might be Obama’s choice for secretary of state. If that happens, it has long been rumored that Brian Higgins would be appointed to her Senate seat... (more) |
Paint the Townposted November 14, 11:06 am on Artvoice DailyLate last night, at the tail end of one of the few weeks in the past year in which we did not publish anything snarky about anybody, someone threw two gallons of paint on our front doors. Seems a waste; we hadn’t even earned it. Nonetheless, we were cleaning up all morning... (more) |
Old Editions Book Shopposted November 13, 1:58 pm on Artvoice DailyAV videographer Matt Quinn tours Old Editions, an often overlooked treasure at the corner of Oak and Huron Streets downtown: show enclosure (video/x-flv; 21.29 MB) |
This Is Not Today’s Newsposted November 12, 9:37 am on Artvoice DailyBut it would be nice if it were. Via the Data Stream, by way of Jon Winet. |
This Just In…posted November 11, 3:28 pm on Artvoice DailyAlways in the vanguard, researchers of the University at Buffalo’s Center of Human Capital have reached a bold conclusion, according to a statement disseminated this afternoon: Although no official determination has been made about whether New York State or the U... (more) |
Silver Lining: Edwards Remains a Good Guyposted November 11, 11:17 am on Artvoice DailyMarshawn Lynch Amid the anguished finger-pointing, plaintive wailing and resigned head-shaking sweeping the region following the Buffalo Bills’ third straight defeat, Season Ticket would like to apportion a minute sliver of credit. Quarterback Trent Edwards, by most quantitative and qualitative standards, failed miserably at New England on Sunday (not coincidentally, this was also his third consecutive regressive outing)... (more) |
Artvoice TV: Latest Additions » more on AVTV
Ani DiFranco at Babevilleposted December 1, 2:55 pm on channel Music
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Peanut Brittle Satellite with Jeff Mcleod of Lazlo Holyfieldposted November 29, 1:44 pm on channel Music
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Artisans Bazaar on Elmwoodposted November 29, 1:16 pm on channel Art
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City Mission: Food for the Needyposted November 28, 08:47 am on channel Local Interest
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Turkey Trot: Buffalo's 113thposted November 27, 5:57 pm on channel Events
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Dr. Riyaz Hassanali: Talks about BOTOXposted November 26, 5:46 pm on channel Health
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Viva Vivaldi Festival @ The First Presbyterian Churchposted November 23, 3:48 pm on channel Music
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The Burchfield-Penney Opensposted November 23, 2:33 pm on channel Art
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Synecdoche, New Yorkposted November 23, 12:24 am on channel Movie Trailers
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One Day You'll Understandposted November 23, 12:12 am on channel Movie Trailers
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Four Christmasesposted November 23, 11:53 am on channel Movie Trailers
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Australiaposted November 23, 11:46 am on channel Movie Trailers
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The Alphabet Killerposted November 23, 11:39 am on channel Movie Trailers
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Nelson Starr Band w/Jeff Miersposted November 23, 09:49 am on channel Music
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Bread Gone Wryposted November 23, 08:04 am on channel Music
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