Snow Golf Tournament at Flurrious! (Jan.21, 2012)

Delaware Park Meadows Golf Course

FLURRIOUS! SNOW GOLF TOURNAMENT

Saturday, January 21, 2012    10:00AM – 2:00PM

Cost:  $5 per golfer - $10 per team

TO SIGN-UP, Contact Dave Hoover @ 838-1249, x19 or email: dave@bfloparks.org

Snow Golf Rules:  “HAVE FUN!!”

• Game Play
•  4 hole course
• Hole distances will be 110 yards to 220 yards 
• Golfers will play two rounds for an 8 hole total score
• Two player teams using “Best Ball” format to earn one score per hole. (Max. 8 strokes per hole)
• Teams will be paired for honor scoring.

Regular Play

• Only 4 clubs allowed per team.  (Steel shaft recommended due to cold temperatures).  If using a putter as one of your clubs, any shaft is okay.  BOPC Golf will provide a selection of clubs for those who do not wish to use their own.
• Color platform tennis balls (provided by BOPC Golf) will be used.  If lost a $2 replacement fee must be paid for your team to continue. 
• Mark your own ball in an identifiable manner.  Play your own ball.
• Players may create/build a “Tee” (out of snow) on the tee box only.
• Winter rules are in effect.  You may lift, clean and place ball back down.  Ball must be placed within 1 foot of original lie no closer to the hole.

Greens Play

• Poles with flag identifies each green / hole.
• NO Grooving or Trenching of snow to form ball channel is allowed. 
• Holes themselves will be 32” in diameter marked by a hula-hoop. 

Ties

• Final score tie-breaker will be closest to the pin shoot-out once all teams have completed the last hole.
• Each team will select one player.
• All selected players will hit at the same time & closest to the hole wins the tie.

All other standard PGA golfing regulations apply.

In case of any Disagreements, ALL decisions by the BOPC Golf are final.

Final Volunteer Tree Planting of the Season (December 13th, Delaware Park)

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy has an unexpected late season volunteer tree planting (Over 60 trees) because of a very large Holiday tree donation from a local Nursery!

We have to get these trees in the ground as soon as possible before the weather turns really bad on us.  On Tuesday December 13^th starting at 10am we will be planting within Delaware Park along the 198 Expressway.  We will be meeting at the large spiral bridge at the end of Lincoln Parkway & Nottingham Terrace:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=lincoln+parkway+and+nottingham+terrace&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&hnear=Lincoln+Pkwy+%26+Nottingham+Terrace,+Buffalo,+Erie,+New+York+14216&gl=us&t=m&z=16&vpsrc=0

Volunteers are asked to please bring a spade shovel, work clothes, gloves, clippers/scissors/pocket knife, heavy duty wire cutters (if you have them) and be prepared to work in the rain (or snow).  You'll be meeting with Steven for sign-in and instructions.  To register for this tree planting please contact volunteer@bfloparks.org or call 716-838-1249 ext 15.

Tree Lighting Ceremony at MLK Park this Saturday (Dec.3rd, 2011)

On Saturday, December 3rd, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes will be holding the first annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park. All members of the community are invited to attend the lighting festivities.  An 13 ft tall Colorado Spruce has been donated to the Conservancy by Schichtel's Nursery for the lighting. The tree is located near the statue of Dr. King in the park. In addition to the tree lighting, the event will include a performance by local choir group, "Men in White" as well as a candlelight vigil led by members of True Bethel and Walls Memorial AME Zion Church. The event begins at 3:00pm.

CSX Tree Planting at Cazenovia Park (11.5.11)

From the initial announcement:

The City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proud to announce a community tree-planting in the City of Buffalo’s Cazenovia Park on November 5th from 9:00am to 12:00 Noon. The planting of 30 trees is made possible by a grant from the CSX Corporation secured by the Alliance for Community Trees (ACTrees). The donation is valued at $10,000 and will pay for the cost of the trees and their maintenance.

The event was a terrific success. The team was able to plant the trees very efficiently and quickly, replacing more of the trees lost in the October Surprise Storm 5 years ago.

We have another tree planting event coming this week, stay tuned to this blog and our Twitter feed (http://www.twitter.com/bfloparks).

Here are a few of the pictures; for the rest of them, please see the album on our Facebook page.

BOPC to host Book Launch at Marcy Casino (Saturday, October 22nd)

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proud to announce the official book launch of “Olmsted in Buffalo and Niagara” by Robert Shibley, Lynda Schneekloth, and Thomas Yots.  The book launch will take place Saturday, October 22, 2011 will be hosted by president and CEO of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Thomas Herrera-Mishler, at the Marcy Casino in Delaware Park (199 Lincoln Parkway).  The evening runs from 6:00pm until 8:00pm and will include cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, conversations with the authors, and a book signing.

From BuffaloBooks.com: Olmsted in Buffalo and Niagara is the first history and guidebook written about Frederick Law Olmsted and the remarkable urban parks he designed in Western New York at the end of the last century. He imprinted his vision of the world about the power of nature to heal and enrich urban life on both Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Olmsted gave Western New York two of his most important works, the Buffalo Olmsted Park and Parkway System, and the Niagara Reservation.

Pre-registration for this event is required and admission price is $30, which includes a signed copy of the book.  Attendees must contact Laura Genco in order to RSVP (laura@bfloparks.org or 716-838-1249 ext 11).

Legacy 11 Boy Scout-Invasive Plant Removal (Oct. 8th and 9th)

This past weekend (October 8th and 9th) the Legacy 11 Boy Scouts came out to help remove invasive plants along the shores of Hoyt Lake, the Japanese Gardens, and Rumsey woods near the Marcy Casino. This project involved over 100 Boy Scouts removing European Buckthron, Chinese Elm, and European Grapevines which threatened to disrupt the natural environment in Olmsted Parks. In addition to the invasive plant removal, the Scouts also completed a repainting projects at the Marcy Casino. This projects were a collaborative effort with several local WNY Boy Scout Troops, Buffalo ReUse, and Buffalo Employment and Training Center. The efforts of the Scout Troops have been very well received by park visitors and will help to make a go impression for the upcoming conference.

(photos courtesy of Boy Scout Troop 37-Kenmore, NY)

For more information on Boy Scout Troop 37, Please visit their website (http://www.kenmoretroop37.com)

Cazenovia Park Community Tree-Planting

The City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is proud to announce a community tree-planting in the City of Buffalo’s Cazenovia Park on November 5th from 9:00am to 12:00 Noon. The planting of 30 trees is made possible by a grant from the CSX Corporation secured by the Alliance for Community Trees (ACTrees). The donation is valued at $10,000 and will pay for the cost of the trees and their maintenance. “This tree-planting comes 5 years after the October Surprise Storm which damaged about 90% of all the trees in the City of Buffalo” said Thomas Herrera-Mishler, president and CEO of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy. “This donation means a lot and will help to replenish Buffalo’s urban forest.” added Mayor Byron W. Brown. In addition to damaging 90% of the city’s trees, the October Surprise Storm resulted in 10% of the trees in the Olmsted Park System being lost outright. Additionally, another 5% have been extremely stressed and have shown a decline in health since.

“The Alliance for Community Trees is pleased to be able to help direct these funds to the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy for urban park tree planting. ACTrees is a national partner with CSX on its Trees for Tracks campaign, which has a goal of planting 21,000 trees--one for every mile of track in the CSX railway system” said Leland Milstein of ACTrees.

At its peak the Buffalo Olmsted Parks system (the nation’s first) boasted 42,000 trees. Currently that number is down to only 15,000, including the 3,000 that have been planted since the October Surprise Storm. Over the years, disease, over maturity, insects, and severe weather conditions have all taken their toll on the parks’ trees.

For those interested in volunteering, please contact Steven Nagowski by e-mailing volunteer@bfloparks.org or by calling (716) 835-1300 ext 15.

The Alliance for Community Trees (ACTrees) is dedicated to improving the environment where 80% of Americans live-cities, towns and metropolitan areas. Together, local ACT member organizations have planted 15 million trees with help from 10.7 million volunteer hours nationwide. http://actrees.org/site/about-us/mission/ .

CSX Corporation, together with its subsidiaries based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the nation's leading transportation suppliers. The company’s rail and intermodal businesses provide rail-based transportation services including traditional rail service and the transport of intermodal containers and trailers. Overall, the CSX Transportation network encompasses about 21,000 route miles of track in 23 states, the District of Columbia and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec. More than two-thirds of Americans live within CSX’s service territory, accounting for about three-quarters of the nation’s consumption.

"Operation Red Carpet" Volunteer Mum Plantings

This past Saturday, October 8th, over 1,000 chrysanthemums were planted in gardens across the Olmsted parks system. The red mums were planted by volunteers for Operation Red Carpet. Operation Red Carpet is the name of a beautification project meant to prepare for the upcoming National Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Conference as well as maintain the Frederick Law Olmsted designed park landscapes. In cooperation with Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy and the City of Buffalo, the Susan G. Komen Commemorative Grove also participated in the planting of pink mums in support of Operation Red Carpet. Mayor Byron Brown was in attendance at the Komen Grove planting. If you would like to learn more about Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, please visit our website (http://www.bfloparks.org/) or our facebook (http://www.facebook.com/BFLOparks).

Erie County Awards $50,000 to fund Operation Red Carpet

County Executive Chris Collins and Parks Commissioner Jim Hornung announced that $50,000 of county support will go toward Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy's  "Operation Red Carpet." This initiative is meant to prepare the parks for the National Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Conference which will take place in Buffalo from October 19-October 22, 2011.  The Buffalo Fund for the Arts and the Baird Foundations have also matched the funds provided, doubling the county's investment. This will allow for the Conservancy to enhance landscaping in all parks in the Olmsted system this fall. The National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference will bring over 2,500 tourists and media from across the country to Buffalo.  The beautification of these parks will help Buffalo to grant a positive impression on the visitors in addition to promoting tourism.

Operation Red Carpet (October 8, 2011)

Today, Monday, October 3, 2011 the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy held a joint press conference with County Executive Chris Collins to announce Operation Red Carpet. Operation Red Carpet is the large-scale planting project that will result in over 1,000 chrysanthemums in high-profile gardens throughout the Olmsted Parks system. This massive planting project is meant to "roll out the red carpet” for the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference and the board meeting for the National Association of Olmsted Parks (NAOP) coming to Buffalo in October. Both County Executive Chris Collins and  president and CEO of the Conservancy Thomas Herrera-Mishler participated in the first planting of the red mums today. To participate in the planting of the "red carpet" on October 8, 2011 please contact Steven Nagowski at volunteer@bfloparks.com or call at (716) 838-1249 ext. 15.

Fall Clean-Up of Hoyt Lake (9.24.11)

This past Saturday, September 24th, over 60 volunteers from the Western New York community helped to clean up Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park.  The clean-up was organized through Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper and captained by employees of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy.  Volunteers from Canisius College, Villa Maria College, and the general public showed their civic pride by beautifying one of Buffalo's marquee water features.  Below are just a few of the photos from the clean-up.  For more about the Buffalo Olmsted Parks please visit our website (www.bfloparks.org) or our facebook page (www.facebook.com/bfloparks).  For more on the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper please visit their website, www.bnriverkeeper.org.

Riverkeeper Clean-Up this Saturday (9.24.11)

Scajaquada clean-up this Saturday !!

The Scajaquada Creek Autumn Sweep is on Saturday September 24th, held once again by the Grant Amherst Business Association and Scajaquada Canoe Club in conjunction with Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper. The clean-up meets at the American Legion on Amherst Street at 9AM. All are welcome to help support the cleaning up and redevelopment of Scajaquada Creek.



There will be graffiti removed from on the newly refurbished concrete highway piers, and shopping carts by West Avenue removed from in the water.  Augustina Droze's Olmsted  mural decorating the McKinley High School wall seems to have obviated the need for graffiti removal there.  Alas, the stopped up debris in front of the Historical Society on Nottingham Parkway still is creating a cesspool west of the S dam, and poor Scajaquada Creek continues to serve as our suburbs’ sewer. 

We are a long way from a fishable, swimmable, drinkable Scajacuada Creek but with your help we can have a cleaner shore, free public access and open recreation for paddling, peddling, and hiking.

Pollution and inattentiveness aside, the signs of life in the Creek are encouraging, and it is truly an eye-opening  waterfront experience to help along the Scajaquada Trail.  Please check it out in person and join in on the clean-up this Saturday.   Special guest Mark Grisanti will be present to address the picnic crowd after the clean-up at 12:30 at the Legion.  To sign up call Riverkeeper at 716-852-7483.

Party for the Parks - Friday 9.16.11

On Friday, September 16, the BOPC will be holding the 9th annual Party for the Parks at Delaware Park's historic Marcy Casino.  The theme for this year's party, is British invasion, and promises a groovy night full of the best entertainment, including live music, great food, a basket and silent auction, spectacular visual performances, and much more.  On this night, Delaware Park will come alive from 6:30 to 11:00 p.m. in celebration of Buffalo’s historic 1,200-acre Olmsted Parks and Parkway System.


Background: The event, which is one of the Conservancy’s key fundraisers for the sustainability and growth of the city’s iconic parks, brings awareness about the Conservancy’s mission to enhance, restore, and maintain the Buffalo Olmsted Park System.  It has been voted Buffalo’s best fundraiser year after year by Buffalo Spree magazine...you won't want to miss the excitement! 


The Ifs: These local stars, otherwise known as “The Secret Agents of British Invasion,” will perform on a floating stage on Hoyt Lake. They will be sharing the stage with Grand Island's alternative/indie rock/Brit-Pop group, Inline.  From their website:

"Founded in Warrington, Cheshire U.K. in the early 60's by schoolmates reginald van if, nebs, filthy mcnasty, and teddy ulster. First act to capture the big beat sound made famous by such acts as the beatles, kinks, who, rolling stones, and others. A vast conspiracy involving certain members of the royal family, the transit union, the BBC, and a few jealous musicians ended their popularity suddenly in late 1963. With the recent discovery of lost manuscript the band has reformed and now tours the world seeking to reclaim the sound that was once theirs alone..... ......Well at least that is what we would like you all to believe!.. ;-)"


Check out their website and Myspace pages for more info and samples of their music!

The British Car Club of WNY: Their mission is simple: "The primary purpose of the British Car Club of Western New York (BCC) is two-fold: to foster camaraderie and good will among enthusiasts of British cars, and to exchange ideas and technical expertise attendant to the restoration and preservation of British cars." The author of this blog post has personally spent time showing a Mineral Blue Mark I MGB at one of their shows, and they are an extremely hospitable group, with an excellent selection of classics.


For more info, check out their website!


Pyromancy Fire Dancers: For those who need some wild excitement, Buffalo's own fire performance will be present as well. For those who have not seen them before, their talent speaks for itself in this video:

From their website (click for the rest):
"Fire dancing is an amazing art of skill and precision, using instruments similar to martial art weaponry. These instruments are set on fire and spun about the body. Some of theses instruments are commonly known where others may not be quite as familiar. The more familiar instruments include staff, double staff, batons, poi, and hula hoops. The lesser know instruments are fans, rope dart, comets, meteors, fire fingers, and more."

Buffalo Beach Tennis: Sports fanatics rejoice, this ambitious bunch, which has been spotted playing "Snow Tennis" at the Powder Keg Festival, will be present as well.  This year Beach Tennis will take on a Wimbledon theme!


Check them out on their Facebook page!


Queen City Roller Girls: Think cruising around on blades is fun? Wait until you see this crew in action. Turning roller derby into a girl-powered, intensive sport, they're definitely not playing any [ordinary] games. Their mission, in their own words:

"Queen City Roller Girls (QCRG) is a skater owned and operated flat-track roller derby league in Western New York. QCRG is continuously committed to the reviving and redefining of the classic sport of roller derby, with a 21st century twist. Flat-track roller derby is a full contact sport played by independent, strong women. The League provides an opportunity for athleticism, camaraderie, and self-expression. We inspire on and off the rink; we serve the community, get fit, and have fun."

Buffalo Jugglers: This fun-loving and family-friendly talented group, who meets every Monday night at the Abraham Lincoln statue in Delaware Park, will be showing off their skills as well.  Not only do they normally perform for others, but also take pride in sharing the joy of juggling with those interested.  Formed in the late 1970's, they've definitely worked up a reputation.


For more information, and plenty of photos, be sure to look at their website


The event will be led by our local news reporter Autumn Lewandowski (who has a blog, located here).  Sponsors of this year’s “Party for the Parks” include City Council Members Michael J. LoCurto, Michael P. Kearns, and Demone A. Smith, as well as the Rupp Family Foundation, West Herr Auto Group, Lawley Insurance, Entercom, WILLCARE, and MassMutual.


Tickets are $20 for general admission.  However, starting September 1^st, tickets will be $25 for general admission. All proceeds benefit the Olmsted Park and Parkway System. To purchase tickets for this over-21 event, please visit the Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s website at  www.BFLOparks.org or call (716) 838-1249 ext 11.


WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Thursday 8.11.11 - Willie May Blues Band

It's the Summer Breeze by the Lake FREE Concert Series FINALE, and the BOPC is bringing you the Willie May Blues Band! Perhaps our most seasoned performer, Willie May is sure to bring years of talent with them. They've perfected their style, earning nothing less than top notch reviews across the board.


When & Where: Delaware Park Rose Garden Pergola (199 Lincoln Parkway), from 5:00-7:30PM


More info from the band's website:

Willie May has performed in basements, barns, garages, street corners, speak-easies, house trailers, preschool, high school, colleges, radio, television, bars, concert halls, outdoor festival arenas, and inside Attica prison.

   Willie has taken his original blend of music to the blues clubs from The LaFayette Tap Room in Buffalo to Antones in Austin, TX, The Black Swan in Toronto, The Penny Arcade in Rochester, The Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse, The Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis, Fat Fish Blue in Cleveland, Bflo Blues in Pittsburgh, and to countless other venues on thousands, yes thousands, of occasions.

   Willie May has performed back to back on stage with Alvin Lee, Steve Marriott, John Kay and Steppenwolf, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Otis Clay, The Climax Blues Band, Zorra Young, Jerry Portnoy, The Legendary Blues Band, Buddy Guy, Lonnie Brooks, Johnny Clyde Copeland, Sue Foley, L.A. Jones, Chris Duarte, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Stan Szelest, Chris Beard, Rock Bottom, James Cotton, Big Jack Johnson and many more. The Willie May Band featuring Ron Kain, Tom E. Corsi, Randy Corsi and, of course, Willie May is a 5 time Buffalo Area Music Award winner voted Western New York Blues Beat Magazine's Band of the Year.

Willie May focuses on an exceptional live performance...but there are several reviews online, such as:

http://mancave.myfreeforum.org/sutra549.php (includes fan photos)

"This is a band from the 70s and 80s who I used to see in my youth and places like the Belle Starr lounge, Uncle Sams, Mickey Rats (the original) and those old time rock bars. "

...as well as page after page of previous show listings, proving Willie May's veteran track record:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thursday_at_the_Square#1995

Thanks for your support through the summer, and stay tuned to this site to see our upcoming events!

Olmsted Open Pro-Am Golf Tournament

Friday, August 19th, 2011

Delaware Park Meadows Golf Course

For 2011, the tournament has partnered with the WNY PGA, who’s purpose is to promote
golf to juniors and disadvantaged youth in the WNY section. The tournament has been
expanded to a Pro-AM format that will include a WNY PGA Pro playing with each
foursome. The majority of the proceeds go to help improve the BOPC parks, parkways &
golf courses for all in WNY to enjoy. Secondary beneficiaries are the First Tee of WNY
and Buffalo Inner City Youth Fan Club for Golf (Youth golf & education). 28 Foursomes or
112 golfers + 28 Pro’s will participate in the event. Each admission fee of $100 includes
entry into all tournament extras. 18 holes of golf with cart in a scramble format.
Tournament will have Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin & Hole in One contests on the
course during play and hold a Putting contest with qualifying prior to start of tournament
and eliminations to finals after play before dinner and awards. Entry fee includes tickets
for Basket Raffles, Grand Prize raffle & Putting Contest. Many Sponsorship levels
available contact Dave Hoover - Tournament Director @ 716-838-1249 ext 19 or
email: dave@bfloparks.org


Registration is due with payment in full by August 15th. Teams will be foursomes with a PGA of WNY player on each team.(Send toBuffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Attn: Olmsted Pro-Am 84 Parkside Avenue Buffalo, NY 14214)

Price is $100 a person. If attending, dinner and awards ceremony only, cost will be $20 a person



10:30 AM Registration & Team Photos Qualifying Putting Contest
11:00 AM Lunch
12:00 PM Shotgun Start
5:00 PM Barbecue Dinner & Awards
6:00 - 6:30 PM Tournament Wrap Up, Silent Auction, Basket Raffles, Grand Prize Raffle

The Olmsted Open Pro-Am Tournament is sponsored by M&T Insurance Agency, New Era, Try-It Distribution, Councilman Michael LoCurto, and Councilman Demone Smith.

Thursday 8.4.11 - Andrew J. Reimer's Country-Punk Extravaganza!

With only 2 shows remaining in our Summer Breeze by the Lake FREE Concert Series, the BOPC is proud to bring you Andrew J. Reimer's Country-Punk Extravaganza!  A local band, categorized as  Acoustic / Country / Post punk with a truly original sound!


Come start August off right with this fine performance that you're sure to enjoy.


When & Where: Delaware Park Rose Garden Pergola (199 Lincoln Parkway), from 5:00-7:30PM


More info from the band's website:

"Andrew J. Reimers is an entirely mythical figure, a figment of his parents' warped imagination. He currently resides in Buffalo, NY, living simply and hoping only, like Pinocchio, to one day become a real boy." .. .. .. "The undisputed, and self-proclaimed, 'King of Acoustic Country-Punk', Andrew J. Reimers has been tearing his way through Buffalo's underground music scene for the better part of the last decade. With influences ranging from Johnny Cash and Elvis, all the way to The Misfits and Operation Ivy, his brand of Country-Rock is guaranteed to have you Kicking shit and Loving it."


...and in a few less words...


"Simple songs for honest people."

Be sure to check out their various online resources:

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/andrewjreimers
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/andrewjextravaganza

Thursday 7.21.11 - The JT Blues Band

We may be just over midway through the Conservancy's Summer Breeze by the Lake FREE concert series, but it's by no means slowing down! This Thursday (7/21/11), we present to you the JT Blues Band, a local band that also performed for us earlier this year. Don't miss your second chance to see them live, or, if you came last time, your opportunity to check out what they have in store for their summer appearance.

When & Where: Delaware Park Rose Garden Pergola (199 Lincoln Parkway), from 5:00-7:30PM


Link to our Facebook event


From the band's website:

We are a LIVE band that performs throughout WNY. We had a very limited budget for our album and we wanted a mix that you would hear when you heard us perform LIVE. Sorry, there is no dubbing, extra instruments, or studio magic. What you hear is what you get when we perform. Blues critics can think what they want, since this CD is selling very well including in 17 countries worldwide and our fans are very happy. Plus some of these songs have already had radio-air play!!!Thanks for listening. So here's our Bio;-A Western New York based Blues/Rock Band that prides their original Blues music, but also features the music of Cream, Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, SRV, Gary Moore, ZZ Top, plus traditional Blues. Definately NOT your standard Blues band. Several of their original songs are featured on WBFO's 88.7FM compilation CD's. Their songs are sometimes heard on the weekend blues radio shows. They have currently released a NEW original album called "21st Century Blues" which is selling quite well and getting some radio play. Get your copy while they last at Record Theatre stores, Spiral Scatch Records, at their performances or at CD Baby.com, just click on the link on the left. The band members have many years of music experience & are members of the WNY Blues Society. Just attend one of their shows to experience their passion for this genre. Their original music is fresh, unique, and current. They have great chemistry and play music that is not always heard by other bands. The bands past accomplishments is they came in 2nd place at the 2010 Memphis Bound Blues Competition sponsered by the Blues Society of WNY. Another great accomplishment is that three of their original songs were selected to be on the 88.7 FM WBFO "Nickel City Blues" Volume 4 & the WBFO "Gives Me the Blues" Volume 6 & 7 CD's for local blues artists. Available online on the WBFO website www.wbfo.org, The band would like to thank all of their loyal fans and new fans and invite everyone to come out to see them sometime.

Be sure to check out their various online resources:

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thejtbluesband

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-JT-Blues-Band/60637004333

Reverb Nation: http://www.reverbnation.com/jtbluesband

Front Yard Garden Competition public voting begins this evening

Beginning at 5p.m. on Saturday night (July 16) and carrying on through Friday, July 22, the public can vote for their favorite garden makeover from the 2nd annual National Garden Festival’s Front Yard Garden Competition.  Ballots can be cast in person on Newman Place or online.

Landscapers have put the finishing touches on an inspiring transformation of 13 front yards along Newman Place, which borders Frederick Law Olmsted’s Cazenovia Park in South Buffalo. The landscapers, who donated their time and materials, began constructing the gardens on July 11. Festival organizers believe it is the only such civic-minded garden competition in the country.

Voting will take place both at physical ballot boxes along Newman Place and online at www.nationalgardenfestival.com. The Web site features “before and after” photos of the gardens, as well as a blog, which illustrates the progress of the transformation and features profiles of the landscapers and homeowners.

To kick off the voting, National Garden Festival Executive Director Sally Cunningham will give free guided tours of the Front Yard Garden Competition from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., at which point the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra will give a free performance across the street in Cazenovia Park, followed by fireworks.
In addition to the public voting, a team of gardening experts will review the gardens and bestow awards in several technical categories to the landscapers.

The Front Yard Garden Competition is being coordinated by the Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association, the New York State Certified Nursery and Landscape Professionals, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Visit Buffalo Niagara, and the National Garden Festival organizing committee.
The following landscapers are participating in the competition:

• Beaver Landscaping, Inc.
• Beyond the Basics Property Services, Inc.
• Chevalier Outdoor Living
• Dore Landscape Associates
• Elbers Landscape Service, Inc.
• The English Gardener, Ltd
• Murray Brothers Nurseries, Inc.
• T. O'Donnell Landscaping
• Restorff's Landscape Service

The competition receives additional support from a continually expanding list of local businesses and organizations, including, but not limited to: Akron Tree Farms, Belgarde Hardscapes, Bradley Tree & Landscaping, Cooper Ridge Gardens, Felber’s Building Supplies, Great Lakes Concrete Products, Lakeside Sod, Lilac Creek, Lockwood’s Greenhouses, Gilson Gardens, International Society of Arboriculture, Russell's Tree & Shrub Farm, Scranton's Thruway Builder's Supplies, Shrub Coat, Unilock and Waterman's Greenhouse.

After the competition is complete, the Newman Place residents can take free training on how to maintain their new landscaping.

The National Garden Festival began on June 24 and runs through July 31. With 14 garden walks (including Garden Walk Buffalo – the largest event of its kind in the country), workshops, nationally-recognized speakers, open gardens, and a series of bus tours, this five-week-long festival has something for anyone with (or without) a green thumb. A full calendar of events and additional information is available at www.nationalgardenfestival.com

The National Garden Festival is a collaboration between the garden and landscape organizations of the Buffalo Niagara region. The festival is presented by Visit Buffalo Niagara, District 8 Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens, the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Garden Walk Buffalo, the Western New York State Nursery & Landscape Association, the New York State Certified Nursery and Landscape Professionals, the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library and Forest Lawn Cemetery. Funding is provided by the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation, the Western New York Foundation, the Buffalo Green Fund, Catholic Health Systems, and Mercy Hospital. Additional support has been provided by the Western New York Hosta Society, the Buffalo Area Daylily Society, the Peace Garden Project, Master Gardeners of Cornell Cooperative Extension, Buffalo in Bloom, the Iris Society of Western New York and Elizabeth Licata. The Buffalo News and LocalEdge are media sponsors.

For more information contact:

Peter Burakowski

Communications Manager

Visit Buffalo Niagara

Office: 716-218-2922

Cell: 716-480-3054

burakowski@visitbuffaloniagara.com