by Mark Utzig

This past weekend I took my semi-annual trip to the zoo with my nephews. The zoo never ceases to amaze me. You’d never guess the Buffalo Zoo is the third oldest in the country given the new exhibits and renovations. We started off by visiting the polar bear habitat followed by the sea lion cove. This was truly a remarkable new edition to the zoo. After doing a little walking around and stopping for lunch at the Pizza Post, we made our way over to the newly built Rainforest Falls. My nephews loved this spectacle, especially the brightly colored toucans and the enormous anaconda snake. After visiting this venue for a while, we strolled over to check out the Siberian Tigers and lions. The size and strength of these animals is impressive even for adults! After visiting some other exhibits, we ended our visit at the gorilla house. It’s crazy how human-like, gorillas are! Before leaving, we stopped in the gift shop for a souvenir. It was tough for my nephews to pick out just one item because there was so much to choose from. Clearly they remember that Uncle Mark is quite the pushover so we left with a stuffed version of our own little zoo! The Buffalo Zoo was a perfect Saturday delight for my nephews and with such a warm-like atmosphere, it makes for a pleasant family event. Please visit their website for hours and admission prices.

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by Mark Utzig

One of my favorite times of year is fast approaching, and I like to kickstart the season by attending the Christmas in the Country craft show at the Hamburg Fairgrounds. I’ve been attending this show for the past three years and am amazed every time of the fantastic artistry and professionalism that is displayed. This event hosts 400 artisans from 25 different states, along with craftsmen from Canada, Great Britain and Germany! The incredible display of hand-crafted Christmas collectibles and antiques makes for a perfect holiday gift. So make your way out to the Hamburg Fairgrounds this weekend, and enjoy a little Christmas spirit in November. Visit their website for ticket information and event times.

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by Carolyn Batt

One of Buffalo’s most anticipated themed charity events, Catwalk for Charity IV will take place on Sunday, November 8th. Slick your hair back and prepare to be taken back to a decade where rock ‘n roll was the new rage. Buffalo Sabres’ goalie Ryan Miller’s annual fundraiser soiree, will have a “Fabulous Fifties” theme and feature food, fun and fashion—and of course, the Buffalo Sabres out of uniform. Taking place at Town Ballroom, the lineup this year is set to feature many new and exciting elements including dishes from some of Western New York’s finest restaurants, a live and silent auction, and of course, the anticipated “catwalk” where Sabres players will model fashion from The Refinery, Ryan Miller’s clothing store.

Catwalk for Charity IV is a 21+ event and all proceeds will benefit The Steadfast Foundation, founded by Ryan Miller. The Steadfast Foundation is dedicated to assisting those afflicted and affected by the consequences of cancer, and especially childhood forms of the disease. Among the organizations supported by this event are Carly’s Club for Kids and Cancer Research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. For more information, please visit www.thesteadfastfoundation.com, or to purchase tickets go to www.ticketmaster.com

Catwalk for Charity IV
Sunday, November 8th
Town Ballroom
681 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14203

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Food lovers rejoice, because while we are justifiably proud of our chicken wings, there is so much more to the Buffalo culinary scene than hot sauce and blue cheese dressing. Start with enormous ethnic diversity, add in a profusion of local farms and orchards and a microclimate in nearby Niagara County that is ideal for fruit and grape growing and what do you get? You get great restaurants, delicious local specialties, wine trails, farmers markets, gourmet food shops, cooking classes, and more. Click here for a quick tour of Buffalo’s culinary wonderland.

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by Ed Healy

Buffalo’s annual Viva Vivaldi Festival got underway last night in the newly opened Buffalo Religious Arts Center in the city’s Black Rock neighborhood. What a fitting setting for Antonio Vivaldi’s soul-stirring sonatas and concertos! Last night’s program marked the start of the 31st installment of this immensely popular Buffalo musical event and the full house did not leave disappointed. Various members of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra took turns stepping into the spotlight and offering listeners musicality of the highest caliber.

Festival founder and violinist Marylouise Nanna got things off to a delightful start with the help of BPO violinist Ansgarius Aylward on Vivaldi’s Concerto in D Minor for two violins, strings and cembalo. What a treat. The interplay of the two violinists was sublime, filling the former St. Francis Xavier Church with gorgeous sounds and raising expectations for the program to come. What followed was a masterful tour of baroque masterworks by Vivaldi and his contemporaries Tomaso Albinoni and Giovanni Bonocini. In fact, it was Bonocini’s Sinfonia No. 10 in D Major for two trumpets that provided the highlight in an evening filled with them. BPO trumpeters Alex Jokipii and Geoffrey Hardcastle were mesmerizing as they hit notes that were high, bright, light and clear, infusing the former sanctuary with the joy that comes from music performed at the highest level. Bravo Ars Nova Musicians Chamber Orchestra and special guests!

The Viva Vivaldi Festival continues on Nov. 8 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 373 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo; Nov. 15 at First Presbyterian Church, 1 Symphony Circle, Buffalo; and Nov. 22 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1080 Main Street, Buffalo. All concerts begin at 6:30 pm. Admission is $10.

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by Mark Utzig

If you haven’t experienced the upscale dining, fine drink and live entertainment at Stillwater, now’s the time. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to make my way into the comfortable, yet elegant setting of one of Stillwater’s four dining rooms. The atmosphere was perfect, with a beautiful fireplace gently ablaze amongst the fresh smelling aromas of the chef’s delicacies. I began the evening with a cup of their extraordinary French Onion Soup. The sweet caramelized onions and flavorful induced broth made me want a second helping, but I rightfully stopped myself knowing what I had coming next. My eyes were bigger than my stomach when I ordered the 32 oz. “Tomahawk” Chop. This house dry aged bone in Rib Eye was perfectly cooked to my liking, medium rare. This gigantic piece of flavor enrich meat came with a masterful side of roasted garlic whipped potatoes and seasonal vegetables. As hard as I tried to finish this delectable selection, I failed and had to take a “to go” box. Along with my steak to bring home, I couldn’t resist ordering the orange chocolate tart for a mid-night treat. The perfect combination of creamy chocolate and sweet orange tang made for a mouth-watering delight. With Stillwater’s stylish ambiance and fantastic food selections, it’s no wonder why this is one of Buffalo’s favorite hotspots. For more information regarding hours and menu features, visit www.thestillwater.com.

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by Mark Utzig

The time has come for another rendition of the one and only Niagara Falls International Marathon. Beginning in 1974, this truly unique and special event showcases marathon runners from around the world participating in a 26.2 mile cross-border pursuit. That’s right! This is the only marathon in the world that starts in one country and finishes in another. The event takes place on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 @ 10am. The competition starts by the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and continues for 4 miles throughout the majestic parkways of beautiful Buffalo. The participants will then cross the Peace Bridge into the historic old town of Fort Erie, Ontario, where they then follow the Niagara River Parkway and finish at the magnificent Niagara Falls. All interested individuals must submit their entry forms by October 21st, 2009. For more information, please visit www.niagarafallsmarathon.com.

by Carolyn Batt

The Central Terminal, one of Buffalo’s most notable architectural landmarks doubles up as one of Buffalo’s most happening (and haunted!) Halloween hotspots this season.

On Saturday, October 24th, the Central Terminal will serve as the site of Buffalo’s Biggest Halloween Bash. Join thousands of costumed creatures as the sounds of “That 80’s Hairband” and “Johnny Smoke” echo throughout the terminal. Beer and wine bars and plenty of food and dancing will make for one of Buffalo’s greatest parties. And make sure you dress up as the top costume scores a monstrous $2,000.

If getting scared is more your forte for the season, come back to the terminal the week after on Friday, October 30th for the “Halloween Ghost Hunt.” The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation, WNY Ghost Hunters and the Iron island Preservation Society have set up this event that starts at the Terminal before shuttling you over to the Iron Island Museum for additional haunts. Check out these eerie locations alongside your favorite paranormal TV personalities. Chip Coffey, of A&E’s “Paranormal State,” Brian Harnois of “Ghost Hunters” and “Ghost Hunters International,” and Jonathan Watts from “United Skeptics and Believers” will provide lectures, workshops and help you investigate and see for yourself if there’s someone—or something else—lurking in these landmarks this Halloween.

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by Susan Braun

I had an opportunity to go to opening night at the Alleyway Theater as the Jewish Repertory Theater launched its new season last week with a production of Martin Sherman’s thought-provoking one-woman show entitled Rose. The play is directed by Saul Elkin and stars Christina Rausa in a compelling performance as Rose whose story unfolds while she is sitting shiva (a mourning period of 7 days observed by Jews after the death of a loved one.) in her apartment in Miami Beach. According to tradition, the mirror is covered in black, her feet are bare and on her sweater she has pinned a black ribbon that has been partially cut in observance of the Jewish ritual of K’rian. Rose informs us that she is mourning the loss of a nine-year old girl who has been shot through the forehead by a bullet that Rose thinks probably cut her thoughts in half as it passed through.

While Rose is sitting on the bench, she reflects upon the events of her life, beginning with her birth in a shtetl (Yiddish for “small town”) in the Ukraine 80 years before. Her story parallels the history of twentieth century Jewish life as she moves from the shtetl to Warsaw, to Atlantic City and finally Florida. Along the way she reveals that she has been married and widowed at least twice and tells about her adventures in a commune in Connecticut and her visits with her son in an Israeli settlement.

The stage is starkly furnished which focuses the audience’s attention squarely on Rausa’s performance. She makes a genuine connection with the audience as an elderly Jewish woman who, in spite of her tragic history, has managed to retain a sense of humor. I enjoyed the performance and would encourage you to act quickly to see the play. Rose will be on stage at the Alleyway Theater until November 1st. More information about tickets and performance times can be found at www.jewishrepertorytheatre.com.

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by Mark Utzig

Mummies! Zombies! Evil Clowns! There is no place to hide when visiting America’s Screampark. Buffalo’s Frightworld is back for its 8th year and it’s sure to be scarier than ever. Don’t miss your chance to visit the 7th best haunted house in the country (ranked by CNN & AOL). This masterful scare facility offers 5 different and unique houses to choose from. Whether you venture into the Wicked Woods, where darkness falls and the only way out is continuing through the woods, or step into CarnEvil, where death is found amusing, you’re sure to be frightened. For the “not so brave” visitors, enjoy entertainment outside of the Haunted Houses at the Eerie Tavern and Frightworld Scare shop in the concessions coral. Believe me, from personal experience, this fear house is everything it says it is. When I entered the House of the Dead, I went in trying to be tough to impress my girlfriend, but turns out I was making her lead the entire time! Don’t pass on this impressive Halloween extravaganza. For more information regarding hours of operation and ticket prices, visit www.hauntedbuffalo.com.

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