Here’s Charlie!

Originally uploaded by buffalo_amy.

My thanks to all of you who have e-mailed me with leads for Charlie. It’s tough to think that another young person is going to leave the area - especially one of whom I’m fond, but it remains to be seen. He’ll have to make a decision tomorrow afternoon/evening about the Chicago job.

WNY has showed its true community spirit in trying to help him find a job….so thanks to all of you!

Moving Box

Originally uploaded by martxplode.

We see stories like this everyday. He’s in his late twenties. He has his MBA. He’s from the Buffalo area. His folks live here. He loves Buffalo and would like to stay.

But…in a couple weeks, if he doesn’t get something in Buffalo, he’s accepting a job in Chicago. He already knows he loves Chicago, and who wouldn’t? It’s a great town. He lived and worked there after graduate school. But like so many others, he came home last year. And he got involved pretty quickly. He volunteered for Buffalo Old Home Week last August.

And then, as so often happens, I didn’t see him again until early this month. Buffalo is small and I ran into him at Sterling Tavern, having a burger and beer with his parents. Turns out he lives a mile or so from me. I’d sent out a collective e-mail to all the volunteers late December and it had bounced back from Charlie’s work e-mail address. I found out why when I saw him. Company downsized after losing a big account.

So, here’s my plea to all of you. He’s looking for something in business development or marketing, but might take something that wasn’t a perfect fit to stay here. He’s bright, energetic, and willing to work hard…if he gets the chance. If you know of something, please e-mail me: amy@revitalizebuffalo.org. I have his resume and am happy to send it onward to keep him here. I’d hate to see him become one of the statistics…one of the young people fleeing the area for work. It’s a tragedy. Truly.

Holiday Valley

Originally uploaded by buffalo_amy.

More reasons to love Buffalo…this was the scene in the early evening hours at Holiday Valley today. I went skiing with friends - one of whom had never skied before.

It’s so incredible that we have all this beautiful scenery and yet, people hate the winters here…all the more reason to learn to ski. We even had our own ‘Buffalo’ avalanche, when the snow collapsed going down The Wall at Holiday Valley yesterday. Luckily it wasn’t open yet and nobody was hurt…

I encourage you to get out there and even if you don’t like to do the winter sports…the views are amazing.

james_humveeLOW

Originally uploaded by buffalo_amy.

Event: Shadow Company to screen at Squeaky Wheel!
When: Friday, February 2nd, 8pm
Where: Squeaky Wheel, 712 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
Cost: $5/$4 members
Contact: Dorothea Braemer
E-mail: dorothea@squeaky.org
Phone: 716-884-7172
Web page: www.squeaky.org

Shadow Company: A Ground-breaking War Documentary by Nick Bicanic and
Jason Bourque to Screen at Squeaky Wheel!

On Friday, February 2nd at Squeaky Wheel, Purpose Films will bring
you a feature-length documentary that reveals the origins and
destinations of modern-day mercenaries. Proclaimed “Powerful and
Fair” by Amnesty International, SHADOW COMPANY explores the moral and
ethical issues private military solutions create for PMC employees,
for the Western governments who foot the bill for their salaries and
for everyday citizens like you.

The recent use of private military companies (PMCs) in Iraq has been
more extensive than at any time in modern history. The distinction
between soldier and mercenary became blurred. The issues raised by
the brutal killing of four PMC employees in Fallujah in April 2004
made it clear that these “contractors” are not merely workers in a
foreign land. SHADOW COMPANY contextualizes, at both a personal and
a global level, the role of private soldiers and PMC’s in modern day
conflicts. Through letters, photos and personal video, we are
introduced to the life of James Ashcroft, a real-life mercenary.
Comparing Ashcroft’s experiences to pop culture representations of
mercenaries culled from TV shows, video games and action adventure
films, and combined with interviews of PMC staff, owners, lobbyists,
and former mercenaries, the viewer is left to wonder if the lives of
such men are the only thing at risk when we privatize warfare.

Come see the film Bicanic and Bourque traveled the world to make and
had the offices of US Senators and well known Hollywood producers
clamoring to get a copy!

www.shadowcompanythemovie.com
*This movie is of particular interest to me because as some of you know, my cousin was one of the four PMC employees in Fallujah in April 2004.

Alone

Originally uploaded by Mark H. Baker.

People at my office often ask me about my ‘crusade’ to save Buffalo…and their questions are usually followed by disparaging remarks.

Today, for example, some ‘older’ folks I work with were discussing the waterfront and the Aud and the lack of development. They both looked at me. I looked back at them and suggested a cross between Chicago and Baltimore. Never having been to Chicago, one of the people asked me why I liked Chicago.

I found myself saying, ‘Chicago is what Buffalo could be’. And I was both bothered by my own comment and reflective in the fact that yes, Buffalo has the potential to do something similar to what Chicago has done. I took the time to describe Millennium Park and how beautiful it is. If you haven’t been there, it’s worth the trip to see the park, let alone everything else that Chicago has to offer.

For those of you that don’t know, I visited Chicago exactly a year ago. I’d never been, but finally accepted a friend’s offer to come out for a weekend. I loved everything about Chicago. Great mass transportation system…took the subway from the airport to downtown to meet my friend at a hotel. We took the subway/buses everywhere we went over the weekend. Did a ton of shopping (I hate shopping, but found myself unable to resist the Miracle Mile). Ate at great restaurants and met lots of great people. Saw the Chicago Tribune building, with pieces of other famous buildings all over the world built into it. Walked through Millennium Park. Saw the view from the Hancock Tower - breathtaking…reminded me of being in the Space Needle in Seattle.

Things that I loved more about Buffalo than Chicago…yes, there were a few. Smoking. It may not be a big deal to you, but one of the things I always hated about going out, whether to a restaurant or bar, was the fact that people were smoking everywhere. You got home and your clothes reeked of it. Illinois has not banned smoking, which was noticeable to me at a couple of bars we ventured to. People. Without a doubt, the people in Buffalo are friendlier and are willing to start a conversation with you on the street.

I’ve joked with a few people that if I were ever to move anywhere, it would be to Chicago. I remember telling my friend who lives there, that Chicago felt like a big Buffalo to me. And I described everything to her that I wrote above.

So…back to my original point…it’s easy and tough to imagine Buffalo’s potential. It’s easy because we all believe the potential exists for amazing things to happen. It’s tough because said potential has existed for 30+ years and well…

I encourage all of you out there who continue to do good work toward the betterment of our region, whatever that may be, to keep at it. I know it’s tough. But just think of the reward!

Our friends of Buffalo 2032 are hosting their first event of the year.  They will have a discussion on the Commision for Health Care Facilities in the 21st century.  They will welcome Jim Kaskie, President & CEO of Kaleida and Mike Young, President of ECMC as they present their views on the Commission’s recommendations and lay out their respective roadmaps for moving forward.  Audience questions will follow.
Monday, January 22nd, 6PM at Sidebar

P1200211

Originally uploaded by buffalo_amy.

This weekend marked the beginning of the Icewine Festival at Niagara-on-the-Lake in Canada. I went up with some friends and saw some very cool ice sculptures, like this icewine bottle and grapes. The festival continues tomorrow and all next weekend, with a blocked off section of Queen Street right in the town. Worth the trip!

Taking bids for clean up.  Garage destroyed by storm.  Needs to be torn down and hauled away.  361 Winspear, Amherst, 14215, near Bailey Ave and UB South Campus.  If interested, please contact: Doe Gentry, #323-664-9875 or Terry Cole, #716-602-3688.

Here are a few job listings that I’ve been asked to share.

#1

Position: Assistant to WNY Regional Director

Exciting, entry-level position in the WNY office of senior Senator Charles E. Schumer available immediately.  Applicants must have a zeal for public service, excellent organizational skills, creative thinking, good writing skills and an ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.  The position requires setting up the senator’s frequent trips to the region, monitoring local issues, maintaining communication with constituents and more.  The office addresses the major issues confronting the region, the state and the nation.  Perfect for recent grads who have an eye on a future in government, politics, public policy and not-for-profit careers.

Interested applicants please send resume and a short (1-2 page) writing sample to:

Elizabeth Bailey

Senator Charles E. Schumer

130 S. Elmwood Ave

Ste 660

Buffalo, NY 14202

#2 JNE Consulting

JNE Consulting is a full-service, multi-disciplinary engineering services firm.  Our experienced and specialized teams work globally with a diverse client base - from concept through concept through to engineering and procurement, as well as construction and project management services.  JNE’s staff includes managers and engineers from a variety of fields, who bring to the company a wealth of experience in many industries, including the chemical, petrochemical, biotechnological, pharmaceutical, environmental, automotive, food and manufacturing industries, as well as product-specific industries like iron and steel, tire and rubber, pulp and paper, and wastewater chemicals.

MECHANICAL ENGINEER (Amherst, NY):

MECHANICAL ENGINEER WITH 5-10 YEARS OF INDUSTRIAL PLANT DESIGN EXPERIENCE.  POSITION WILL INVOLVE DESIGN OF INDUSTRIAL GAS PROCESSING SYSTEMS INCLUDING: PUMP/PIPING SYSTEMS; PIPING FLEXIBILITY ANALYSIS; EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATION AND LAYOUT; RELIEF VALVE SIZING/SELECTION; PRESSURE DROP CALCULATIONS FOR LIQUID AND GAS FLOW SYSTEMS; SPECIFICATION OF INDUSTRIAL INSULATION.  US PE LICENSE, PRESSURE VESSEL DESIGN, AND FEA EXPERIENCE IS A PLUS.

CIVIL/STRUCTURAL ENGINEER (Amherst, NY):

CIVIL/STRUCTURAL ENGINEER WITH BS OR MS DEGREE AND 5-10 YEARS OF INDUSTRIAL DESIGN EXPERIENCE.  QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THE DESIGN AND DETAILING REQUIREMENTS FOR STRUCTURAL STEEL AND REINFORCED CONCRETE.  FAMILIARITY WITH CURRENT BUILDING CODES/STANDARDS/REGULATIONS, CONSTRUCTION METHODS, OSHA SAFETY STANDARDS, SEISMIC DESIGN, AND ACI/ASTM/AISC STANDARDS IS IMPORTANT.  US PE LICENSE, PRESSURE VESSEL DESIGN, AND FEA EXPERIENCE IS A PLUS.

INDUSTRIAL PLANT DESIGNERS (Amherst, NY):

OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR CIVIL/STRUCTURAL, MECHANICAL AND PIPING DESIGNERS USING AUTOCAD 3D AND BENTLEY AUTOPLANT SOFTWARE.  QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL HAVE AT LEAST 3 YEARS OF RECENT INDUSTRIAL PLANT DESIGN EXPERIENCE.  CIVIL/STRUCTURAL CANDIDATES SHOULD BE FRAMILIAR WITH STRUCTURAL STEEL AND REINFORCED CONCRETE DETAILING.  MECHANICAL AND PIPING CANDIDATES SHOULD HAVE EXPEREINCE DEVELOPING EQUIPMENT AND PIPING SYSTEM LAYOUTS, AND HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF P&ID DIAGRAMS.

Submit resumes to:

Joseph S. Ciccarella, P.E., CEM
Engineering Manager
JNE Consulting
10 Hazelwood Drive, Suite 110
Amherst, NY 14228

#3

Cenergy Communications

If you are looking to join a growing agency with regional, national and international clients, should check out: www.cenergycom.com.  Cenergy Com is interested in talented account service or creative people.  Anyone with experience (either agency or client side) in packaged goods, sports or cable/entertainment marketing would be of particular interest. If serious, please contact Matt Goldman: matt@cenergycom.com.

Happy New Year!  Hope you’ve all had a restful and happy holiday season.

Revitalize Buffalo is working on expanding its mission and we look forward to sharing it with all of you over the next few weeks.  2007 promises to be a fantastic year for Buffalo and we anticipate being a huge part of that!

You’ve all read the Santaland thank yous, but we want to again express our gratitude to the volunteers who gave of their time!

As you probably already know, Old Home Week, a project of Revitalize Buffalo, is scheduled for July 1-8 this year…so mark it down on your calendar!  We look forward to sharing our event listing with you in the near future.  If you are interested in volunteering or helping run an event, please contact me: amy@revitalizebuffalo.org.

In addition, RB will have monthly happy hours.  Many of you joined us at our Holiday Happy Hour at Sidebar (1459 Hertel Avenue) and we thank you for sharing part of your holiday with us.  Stay tuned for the next happy hour announcement.

Dinner with 12 strangers…we’ll keep you posted on this…