I love sharing this stuff…thanks as always to Paul.

Positive Buffalo Area News
October 30, 2007
Did You Know?
By Paul Wolf, Esq.

*Christopher Jacobs of Avalon Development who currently owns 721, 723, and 737
Main Street has acquired a vacant two-story structure located at 741 Main Street,
along with a one-story building behind it on Washington Street. Full Circle Studios
a growing media company which currently employs 14 will be taking 7,000 square feet
of space at 741 Main Street, creating what will be the largest sound studio in
Buffalo.

*The $65 million overhaul of the Dulski Federal Office Building on Delaware and
West Huron by Acquest Development is moving forward with the announcement that the
building will be home to a new 150-room Embassy Suites Hotel.

*Savarino Construction has been retained by local investors to construct a new $10
million, multi-tenant office building at the corner of Main & Dodge. The building
consisting of two-stories and 30,000 square feet already has two tenants about to
sign leases for 10,000 square feet of space. The site currently is home to the
Buffalo Tourist Lodge.

*While we have lost population from the Buffalo area it is interesting to note
that according to a Business First analysis of IRS data in 2005-06, 1,108 people
moved from Florida to WNY, a group that included young people and retirees who
returned home after experiencing Southern living.

Is that the question? No.

As part of the FBI Citizens’ Academy, we had the opportunity to see FBI Buffalo’s finest in action. Last Friday, we gathered at the Tonawanda Sportsmens Club in Pendleton. We were privy to a bomb diffusion demonstration. We were also lucky enough to witness a mock SWAT hostage rescue negotiation…$11 million helicopter flown in from FBI HQ in D.C. to boot. It was all very cool stuff.

The part about shooting? They had 5 different weapons that we had the opportunity to shoot. I opted to shoot a Glock 9 pistol (the standard pistol of FBI Special Agents) and an M-14. The pistol? I did pretty well. The M-14? I did okay until it switched to automatic…then it was just like in the movies…

Gave you an appreciation for what the FBI does…and makes those tax dollars a little easier to swallow. Tried to attach my target so you can see, but alas…not working…

The Addams Family. Black cats wandering the streets. A full moon casting an eerie light on the turrets and gargoyles of a dark mansion. Ghosts of former cemeteries rising up to haunt the houses built atop their gravesites. October and Halloween bring thoughts of the supernatural to mind. This year, the Allentown Association has teamed with noted author and paranormal expert Mason Winfield to bring these thoughts to life with the first-ever Haunted Allentown event on Saturday October 20, 2007, from noon until 7 p.m. Held just one day only, Haunted Allentown features a host of entertaining experiences to welcome the myths and mysteries of the season.

Events Headquarters will be at the “Haunted” Hamlin House, 432 Franklin St. (between Virginia & Allen Sts.) with treats for the whole family. Wine tasting, warm cider, donuts, and more await, along with the opportunity to have a reading by some of the area’s top psychics including Cassandra Joan. With it’s Mansard roof, tall windows, stone porch and long, narrow hallway, Hamlin House has all the trappings of a Hollywood set for a ghost story. The main attraction will be a new twist on the popular Secrets of Allentown house tour that draws thousands of visitors each year. Haunted Allentown will offer self-Guided Haunted Walking Tours sites throughout the Historic District. Each location will feature interpreters that recount the site’s haunted history. Many of the sites will offer interior tours, while some will be “porch” tours only with an interpreter telling the ghoulish tales associated with the property. For those with their own ghosts at home who are looking for information on dealing with supernatural guests, one site will feature high-tech ghost-hunting demonstrations, given by the Ghosthunters of Rolling Hills. Naturally, there will be a total of thirteen sites to visit. For many people, the mention of the phrase ‘haunted house’, conjures images of an abandoned Victorian mansion whose occupants linger long after their demise. Association president Christopher N. Brown says. “Allentown is a
perfect backdrop to the supernatural stories and folklore that have developed over the neighborhood’s 150-year history”. “Allentown’s Victorian-era homes are authentically spooky, with soaring chimneys, glaring gargoyles, and witch’s hat turrets.” One particular neighborhood house has been informally referred to for decades as the ‘Addams Family house’ by locals and tourists alike for its remarkable resemblance to the home of Gomez and Morticia.

Paranormal talks will be held at Hamlin House each hour with topics such as “Buffalo’s Haunted Architecture”, given by Mason Winfield, “The Frontier’s Most Haunted Cemetery”, given by Rob Lockhart and “Halloween and Psychic Communication”, given by Ellen Bourn, president of the Lily Dale Association. Each visitor to Haunted Allentown will receive a beautiful, full-color booklet entitled The Streets of Allentown. This keepsake features descriptions of every street in the Allentown Historic District and some of the most significant historic and architecturally significant homes. The publication is lavishly illustrated with color photographs celebrating Allentown’s exceptional architecture. The booklets will be helpful during one of two guided walking tours given during the event, at 2 p.m. (featuring picturesque Irving Place and Park Street), and at 5 p.m. (highlighting Symphony Circle and Days Park). Tour attendees will learn that these beautiful neighborhoods were both built over former cemeteries and battlefields.

There is more!
Augmenting the events at Hamlin House will be a Haunted Courtyard at “Steel Crazy” on Allen Street at the corner of Elmwood Avenue. Participating Allentown merchants will offer tour attendees free or discounted access to other Allentown attractions including restaurants and retail stores. To ensure that the haunted ambiance permeates the entire neighborhood, residents throughout Allentown are getting in the “spirit” by participating in Allentown’s Spookiest House Contest. Tickets for Haunted Allentown are on sale now for only $10 (pre-sale) or $13 (day of event) at Positively Main Street (773 Elmwood Ave.), Quaker Bonnet Eatery (175 Allen St.), Steel Crazy (Allen St. at Elmwood Ave.), online at www.tickets.com or in person at Tickets.com outlets in all Tops Friendly Markets locations. Allentown Association members and children under 12 may receive a $2 discount on the day of the event only. Tickets may be purchased the day of the event at the Hamlin House, 432 Franklin Street. An additional charge applies for psychic readings.

This fun and unique event will showcase Allentown in a way that has never been done before, while supporting Allentown Association’s mission to preserve and promote the Allentown National Historic District in Buffalo..

HAUNTED ALLENTOWN EVENT LISTING
DATE: Saturday, October 20, 2007
HEADQUARTERS: Hamlin House, 432 Franklin Street, Buffalo
Noon – 7 PM – Self Guided Tour, 13 of Allentown’s most haunted sites
Noon – 7 PM – Steel Crazy Haunted Courtyard (Elmwood at Allen)
Noon – 7 PM – Psychic Readings (Hamlin House, additional charge applies)
1:00 PM – Talk: Hostage to the Devil: Exorcism and Possession, John Koerner (Hamlin House)
2:00 PM – Talk: Buffalo’s Haunted Architecture, Mason Winfield (Hamlin House)
2:00 PM – Guided Architectural Walking Tour: Irving Place/Park Street (starts at corner of Park and Allen Sts.)
3:00 PM – Talk: Hill of the Ghouls: The Frontier’s Most Haunted Cemetery, Rob Lockhart (Hamlin House)
3:30 PM – Talk: Halloween & Psychic Communication, Jim Lagona and Ellen Bourn (Hamlin House)
5:00 PM – Talk: Earth Magic! Dowsing and Power-Sites, Ray Watson (Hamlin House)
5:00 PM – Guided Architectural Walking Tour: Symphony Circle/Days Park (tour starts at Symphony Circle/Kleinhans Music Hall)
6:00 PM – Talk: The Spooks that Speak: Psychic Readers and Spirit-Guides, Tim Shaw (Hamlin House)
All day – Discounts to area restaurants and attractions
All day – Allentown’s “Spookiest House” contest

So, I haven’t been keeping up to date, but here’s the low down on what we did during weeks 2 and 3 of the FBI Citizens’ Academy.

Week 2: We had a tour of the office…the coolest part was seeing the gun vault. We got to see several different types of guns, including a tommy gun…just like in the old gangster movies.

Inside the evidence room, we were able to see the rifle that James Kopp used to assassinate Dr. Barnett Slepian. It was eerie because it was a piece of WNY history…tragic history, of course.

The most interesting part of the evening was learning about the case against Robert Hanssen. You remember him…he was the government agent who sold spies to the Russians. He was ultimately caught and convicted. We also heard about Dr. Wenho Lee, another traitor who worked at one of the most top secret facilities the government runs…and he sold secrets…

Week 3: Two big cases. Local 91 Investigation. Operation Greenback. Fascinating stuff.

Local 91 involved said union in Niagara County and how they prevented construction from happening if builders and contractors would not utilize their union workers. As a former Niagara County resident, it explains why nothing was built in Lockport, including a planned Wegmans. It also explains why Niagara Falls has so many rundown buildings. With the absence of power in the union, hopefully Niagara Falls will see the resurgence that Lockport has seen the past few years.

Operation Greenback was the Buffalo Police Dept corruption case. Narcotics detectives buying and selling drugs. That’s the long and short of it. Seasoned detectives that had been on the force for at least 15 years each. Needless to say, it is not representative of the BPD in its entirety.

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.