Cover Story |
Thinking Local Firstby Lauren Newkirk MaynardAcross a booth at Amy’s Place, Amy Kedron looks a bit bleary-eyed as she dips a French fry into a double barrel of Frank’s and blue cheese. (For the uninitiated, it’s called a “blue-hot,” and is not to be missed.) She has reason to be tired. A third-year law student who is also pursuing a Ph.D. in American studies at the University at Buffalo, Kedron faces a challenge bigger than any academic degree: creating a better business model for Buffalo. |
Free Will Astrology |
by Rob BrezsnyCANCER (June 21-July 22): Welcome to Part Two of your outlook for the second half of 2007, Cancerian. We’re checking up on how you’re progressing with the long-term tasks you were assigned six months ago. I hope that by now you’re better organized and more disciplined than you’ve ever been in your life. The astrological omens suggest that the year’s best rewards will come if you’re relentless in clearing out clutter, working with maximum efficiency and having precise and well-formulated plans. If done right, your intense attention to detail will help win you access to profound new levels of inner peace. |
Letters to Artvoice |
Michael Niman’s article on Giuliani (“Getting a Grip,” Artvoice v6n25) was a good start, but there is so much more to say. |
News of the Weird |
by Chuck Shepherd■ After several reports of grizzly bears intimidating people near Alaska’s Russian River, the state Department of Fish and Game recently gave several usual-suspect bears makeovers, using ordinary hair dye in bright colors (yellow, green, orange, blue) to make it easier for people to identify the specific bears that are menacing them. Environmentalists were critical, objecting to turning pristine wilderness into a gaudy, “punk”-colored park. Animal-rights activists, too, suggested that colored bears might find socializing difficult (but a bear researcher quoted by the Anchorage Daily News discounted that fear, based on a previous, similar project). |
Getting a Grip |
Is There a Model T in Your Future?by Michael I. NimanI remember the future. I believe we were supposed to be wearing silver suits and zipping about in atomic-powered hovercrafts. The future of my childhood, however, is now, and as far as transportation technology goes, things ain’t all that different. |
The News, Briefly |
Demolition Decisionby Peter KochAt this point, the Civil War-era brick Italianate that stands at 399 Franklin Street is as good as gone. Its fate is sealed, the demolition permit granted. Last week volunteers from Buffalo ReUse picked through the decrepit building and stripped it of its salvageable architectural elements—more than 30 doors, two clawfoot bathtubs, 15 porcelain sinks, roof brackets and decorative dental moldings from the façade—putting the period firmly at the end of this building’s nine-year-long death sentence. |
Theaterweek |
Studio v. Actors' Equityby Anthony ChaseIt seems unlikely that Kathleen Gaffney, artistic director and chief executive officer at Studio Arena, was unaware that she was cruising for a bruising battle with Actors’ Equity Association over two non-Equity productions announced for her 2007-2008 season. In fact, one might suspect that she was working to determine exactly what sort of battle she wanted to fight. As of this writing, she has gained some concessions that would have been hard to imagine this time last year. |
Theaterweek |
All's Well That Ends Wellby Anthony ChaseShakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well presents a number of production challenges. Directed by Derek Campbell, the version currently running in Delaware Park conquers some of these, while side-stepping others. The result is an agreeable production that sprawls out over two and a half hours, but moves smartly through its hurdles. |
Art |
Clip, Place & Pasteby Gerald MeadBuffalonians were positively giddy in 2003 when the readers of AmericanStyle magazine ranked Buffalo #8 in their list of Top 25 Arts Destinations in the US. We moved up to #4 in 2004 and in 2006, after the categories were adjusted to account for varying city populations (we are in the mid-sized, 100,000-499,000 category), we soared to a backslapping #1. |
Literary |
Mad Bomber Melville, Part Fourby Leslie James PickeringSam’s sincerity impresses me but also scares me,” prisoner Bill Coons wrote in his diary when he saw Sam arrive at Attica. |
Book Reviews |
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Children of the Outer Dark by Christopher Dewdneyby Geoffrey Hlibchuck |
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The Last Novel by David Marksonby Gina Myers |
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Fine Dining |
Savoring the Experience: Daniel'sby Marla CrouseSet in simple white village house on Buffalo Street in Hamburg, across from a local shopping plaza, the unassuming posture of Daniel’s belies the fine dining experience to be had within. The interior is incredibly tasteful and calming, with the palest blue to the walls, white trim molding and intimate spaces in which to sit. In the corner, a small staircase leads to a landing just large enough for one private table for two, by a window. There are just three rooms with 14 tables. One larger table sits in furthest dining room and looks excellent for parties of eight to 10. |
Film Reviews |
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Feelin' Alright?: Sickoby M. Faust |
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Memories of Rue: Eveningby George Sax |
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Film Clips |
La Vie en Roseby George SaxEarly in Olivier Dahan’s biopic about Edith Piaf, the internationally renowned French chanteuse is seated backstage in a theater, head down, looking really bummed out, and bearing an eerie resemblance to the later Judy Garland. It’s probably only an incidental coincidence, but it’s also somehow appropriate. |
Music |
American Googalooby Donny KutzbachLike anyone who met Mark Freeland can tell you, you’ll never forget that first time. |
Left of the Dial |
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Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwrittenby Donny Kutzbach |
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Ozzy Osborne: Black Rainby T-Rox |
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See You There |
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Old Crow Medicine Showby Geoff Kelly |
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Johnny Gruesomeby M. Faust |
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Amherst Celebrates the Artsby Laura Masters |
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Radio Birdmanby Mark Norris |
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Calendar Spotlight |
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Minus Story |
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Toy Box Heroesby Cara Sullivan |
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Ozma |
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Ana Popovicby Jodi Hahn |
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Mother Redby Donny Kutzbach |
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Charlemange |
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Amy Cooper |
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Lever Down |
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The Advice Goddess |
by Amy AlkonI am 36, with one son, and I had been dating a wonderful man for a year. We were planning on moving in together and discussing marriage…until one day I said to him, out of anger, “No wonder your wife divorced you and your daughter doesn’t speak to you!” That was two months ago. I have sent a steady stream of cards and flowers expressing how sorry I am for what I said, but he says we’re done. I started counseling because he told me I have an anger management problem and he can’t live with someone like me. I just can’t live with myself knowing I lost the man of my dreams. I’m queasy and I’ve dropped 17 pounds in two months. Is a man really worth this? |