Want to find out first hand how the FBI works? Hear how the Bureau tracks down spies and terrorists? Learn how to collect and preserve evidence? See what it is like to fire a weapon and put yourself in the shoes of a Special Agent making a split-second, life-or-death decision?

If you are a leader in your community, you just might be able to do that and more––through an FBI Citizens’ Academy, open for business in all 56 of our field offices.

Who attends? Business, civic, and religious leaders, each nominated by a Bureau employee or a previous Academy graduate. You must be at least 21 years old (with no prior felony convictions) and must live and work in the area covered by the field office sponsoring the academy. Please note: Because classified techniques used in criminal and national security cases are discussed, nominees must undergo a background check and get an interim security clearance.

Who teaches? Special Agents in Charge of that field office, their senior managers and senior agent experts.

For how long? Classes generally meet 10 times (eight on weeknights and two on Saturday) for three hours each session. Each session has around 20-30 students.

The curriculum? Fascinating!

* Practical problems involving evidence collection and preservation.
* FBI jurisdiction and congressional oversight.
* Structure and operation of FBI field offices and satellite agencies.
* Fingerprint, forensic, technology, training, and other services
* Policies and issues: ethics, discipline, communications, drug enforcement, civil rights, and future criminal trends.
* Firearms training.

I get to cool stuff. I count myself very lucky. I was fortunate to be nominated by a previous Academy graduate, accepted and last night I attended my first class.

We learned the history of the FBI and learned all about their recruitment process. As you can see above, each class will be really interesting..learning about local cases, including the James Kopp case.

Check back here every Friday for a recap of the previous night’s class!

The Central Terminal Restoration Corporation (CTRC) is very pleased to announce that it is sponsoring an Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, September 22nd from 6 pm to 11pm at the Central Terminal on 495 Paderewski Drive in Buffalo.

Munich’s Oktoberfest 2007 will attract some 6 million partygoers this year between September 17th and October 3rd. This 16 day festival is always planned as close as possible to the first day of Autumn, September 21st. The official site is called Theresienwiese, or “Theresa’s Fields”, although most locals shorten it to “Wies’n”. Throughout the park, 14 enormous temporary beer halls (biergartens) will hold at least 7,000 revelers each – at once!

You can’t make it to Germany this year? Well, you’re not out of luck! Please join the CTRC and friends as we enjoy a slice of Munich in our very own biergarten in the main concourse!

Entertainment will be provided on the mezzanine by Western New York’s most popular German band, The Frankfurters!

Food, soft drinks and official Central Terminal merchandise will be available. Flying Bison will offer its special Oktoberfest Beer, along with the traditional German beer, Spaten.

Come out and have a beer, dance a polka or two, or just enjoy an evening of music with friends!

Admission is $10 which includes your first drink!

What: Buffalo defending title as ‘Pierogi Pocket of America’

When: Sunday, Sept 9 12:30-2:30 (immediately after 11:30 mass)

Where: Sears St Athletic Center

Last year, Buffalo beat out Garfield, NJ; Lancaster, PA; Pittsburgh; and Providence, RI to win the first-ever designation of “Capital of the Pierogy Pocket of America” in a national contest sponsored by Mrs. T’s Pierogies. This year, the parishioners of Corpus Christi Church hope to defend the Queen City’s title, and at the same time, bring the “pierogi spotlight” back to the East Side with Buffalo’s biggest Pierogi Party.

Corpus Christi’s pastor, the Rev. Anzelm Chalupka, reflected that, “Corpus Christi has a long tradition not only as a place of worship, but as a place of community where men, women and children could gather every day of the week for a wide range of social and recreational activities. Women of the parish would often get together to cook meals, including pierogi, for these events. So it is fitting that the parish create an occasion to bring people together to share a home-made meal.”

Four varieties of pierogi, including cheese, sauerkraut, meat and potato, will be available for purchase, all home-made by the Corpus Christi parishioners. Parish council president Andy Golebiowski noted that, “Pierogi have been “made by hand and savored for centuries.” He expects the popularity of this mouth-watering meal to continue for many generations to come. Music will also be part of this celebration, and will feature a special pierogi song written by Rev. Chalupka.

All are welcome to attend to help Buffalo retain its rightful title as “Capital of the Pierogy Pocket of America” and show their “pierogi pride” for this hearty ethnic dish that is a year-round staple for Western New Yorkers.

WHAT: Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society to commemorate President Mckinley’s death

WHEN: Sunday, September 16, 2 PM

WHERE: Resource Center, 459 Forest Avenue, Buffalo (across from Richardson complex)

The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society will present “Hail to a Fallen Chief,” a commemoration of the death of President William McKinley, on Sunday, Sept. 16 at 2:00 p.m. in its Resource Center, located at 459 Forest Avenue, across from the Richardson Complex.

The Historical Society’s collections manager, Melissa Wertman Brown, will speak about the 1901 Pan-American Exposition, a grand event that began as Buffalo’s greatest triumph and ended stained with the tragedy of a presidential assassination. To set the tone of this momentous time, the Hutchinson Family Revival singers will perform late 19th century popular and mourning songs in period attire.

Brown will lead visitors through the Resource Center’s Pan-American exhibit, explaining the circumstances that brought the massive event to Buffalo, the construction of its elaborate grounds and ornate buildings, the attractions of the midway, and the teardown and aftermath of the exposition structures.

However, the greatest attention of the afternoon will be given to the story of McKinley’s untimely demise. On Sept. 6, 1901, a young anarchist named Leon Czolgosz, carrying a pistol concealed in a handkerchief, fired two bullets at the president. Over the next eight days, Buffalo and the nation watched anxiously as McKinley’s health wavered until his death on Sept. 14, 1901.

Visitors will see the weapon Czolgosz used, learn about his lofty motives, discover the circumstances that affected the sophistication of medical attention McKinley received, and see the impact of the assassination on the exposition, Buffalo and the nation.

Admission is $8 for the general public and $6 for members of the Historical Society and may be purchased at the door. For more information, the public may call 873-9644 ext. 301.

What: FREE SCREENING OF FILM CLASSIC “INTOLERANCE”
When: Saturday September 8th, 2007 at 9PM
Where: Outside Squeaky Wheel, 712 Main St
Cost: Free

Join Squeaky Wheel for a free outdoor screening of a 16mm film print of DW Griffith’s epic “Intolerance” (1916) with a live score composed by local musician David Kane. “Intolerance” examines prejudices and their terrible effects through several time periods. In ancient Babylon, a mountain girl is caught up in the religious rivalry that leads to the city’s downfall. In Judea, Jesus Christ is crucified by the hypocritical Pharisees. In 1572 Paris, two young Huguenots prepare for marriage unaware of the impending St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. In 1919 America, social reformers destroy the lives of a young woman and her beloved.

The score, composed by David Kane, will be performed by David Kane and the Masters of None. Masters of None features David Kane on keyboards and electronics, Bill Sack on processed guitars with voice by Debra Segura.

David Kane has been a composer, musician and bandleader for over 25 years. Kane also composed a new score for Man With a Movie Camera, which premiered at the George Eastman House in Rochester, as well as composing soundtracks for current films Shadow Creature and In.

Once again…our thanks to Paul Wolf, Esq. for sharing positive WNY news with us!

*According to Business First the top 25 Life Sciences companies in WNY employ 4,300 people.

*Some of the Buffalo companies on the Business First Life Sciences rankings by number of
employees include:

Caplugs 280 employees
Harmac Medical Products Inc. 250 employees
CPL Niagara 240 employees
Ethox International 229 employees
AccuMED Technologies 203 employees

*VOIP Supply a Buffalo company that provides voice over Internet protocol equipment founded
in 2002, made Inc. Magazines list of the fastest 500 growing companies. VOIP Supply currently
has 55 employees with revenues of $19.5 million.

*Worldwide Travel Staffing a Tonawanda company that places nurses on temporary
assignments in the U.S. and around the world, also made Inc. Magazines list of the 500 fastest
growing companies. The company has 162 employees and revenues of $7.2 million.