Thrive Spring 2012 by Kyle Patterson

Buffalo First/Cash Mob/Buffalo Culture Urban Explorer/Let them LOL/Greasy Spoons pg. 38

ADAPTING THRIVING HIRING GROWING... IN WNY. YES, REALLY.

FAST GROWING COMPANIES.

THRIVE! SPRING 2012 $7.16

Church On Tap Pearl Street serving up more than just great food and drink. Page 13

LET THEM LOL Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home now open in sierra leone, Africa Page 16

Cash mobs Spread from buffalo worldwide Page 14

#BuffCashMob

Buffalo Branding Project Could buffalo’s problem be one of branding? We explore shining new light on our city’s beauty. Page 18

Buffalo FIRST! Does shopping local make a difference? You bet. Join us in supporting a worthy cause. Page 29

Fast growth ADAPTING THRIVING HIRING GROWING... IN WNY. YES, REALLY. Page 24

THRiVE! Magazine Spring 2012 Your City’s Biggest Fan www.thrivebuffalo.org PUBLISHER: Kyle Patterson

Business is good for many companies in Buffalo. Despite the recession, despite what the media has told us, good things are happening. In this issue’s cover story we explore some of the companies leading the way and showing us it is possible to thrive in Buffalo. We take that theme and carry it through the rest of our issue with coverage of this year’s Venture Forum hosted at the University of Buffalo Center for the Arts and the Albright Knox Art Gallery. The forum featured 33 companies leading the way in innovative business models. We also graphically explain, “How Cash Mobs Work,” a growing phenomenon amongst urban dwellers supporting a local business with a good “mob” of new customers. Interestingly,

the phenomenon has spread across the country and world as far as Australia and Europe.

Moving further through the issue we come to our second Thrive For A Cause feature with engaging content around what it means to support local business and what you can do to get involved. We believe there is great power in together supporting good causes. So we’ve rounded up local businesses and you our readers to go to action on behalf of local business and good causes. Then we reward both of you for being involved. Readers earn points which they in turn redeem for coupons at local stores driving new traffic to business. The interesting thing about this concept which we coined our 30 Day Challenge is that there is a winning solution for everyone involved. Involvement helps the nonprofit, drives new traffic to small businesses and incentivizes our readers with discounts and coupons. It is a synergy that our community needs to move forward and at THRiVE! we are happy to be doing our part. By partnering together in these initiatives we are pushing our city forward. Lastly we are happy to announce the addition of THRiVE! to mobile devices. Not only do we have our content available via our mobile website, we also are introducing our issues downloadable on your iPAD or iPHONE through the app store! Don’t miss this issue and even download our past issues as well. Thanks for reading and as always send us your comments and opinions on our website: www.thrivebuffalo.org Thank you,

Kyle Patterson, Editor-In-Chief 6 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR: Julianna Patterson PHOTOGRAPHY: Matt and Angela Brown Courtney Campbell CONTRIBUTORS: Brendan J Cunningham Chris Hill Jerry Gillis Vanessa Oswald Marian Hetherly Ryan Kozey Sarah Bishop Amy Kissling-Smith Amanda Repp

ADVISORY BOARD:

Seymour Knox IV TJ Stewart Eric Budin Matt Brown

THRiVE! Magazine is a production of THRiVE! Media Group, an independent multi-media company. THRiVE! is available through subscriptions, bulk subscriptions and select retailers. For information regarding advertising or other inquiries please contact us at 716-809-0496 or email kyle@thrivebuffalo.org

COMMENTS? Please E-mail: kyle@thrivebuffalo.org SUBSCRIBE TODAY! www.thrivebuffalo.org/subscribe Rates: 1 year (6 issues) $32.00

Visit www.thrivebuffalo.org for news, articles, columns, and video. Additionally join our email list and comment on current and archived articles.

The Entrepreneur

Friendly City

The climate for high-tech investment in Western New York has improved steadily over the past few years, and a driver of new successes is an annual investor forum that took place May 16 and 17. The Bright Forum is Buffalo Niagara’s premier event for introducing investors to promising technologies from across New York and Ontario, Canada. Hosted by Bright Buffalo Niagara, a coalition of regional partners led by the University at Buffalo, the forum features a series of pitch sessions where entrepreneurs present ideas to investors. Sponsors include UB’s New York State Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences and Superior Group, a global workforce and business solutions provider. This year, the event took place May 16-17 in the form of the 2012 Venture Forum, a collaboration between the Bright Forum and the Center for Economic Growth’s SmartStart UNYTECH Venture Forum. Since its inception in 2009, the Bright Forum has not only catalyzed deal-making, but helped lay the foundation for a successful entrepreneur economy. Eric Leinberg, president of InfoPreserve, a Rochester-area firm that provides a private, cloud-based platform for securing and managing digital records, said his company met one of its early investors through the Bright Forum and later connected at the forum with another prospective investor from Pittsburgh. Jack McGowan, director of the Western New York Venture Association/Buffalo Angels, said the Bright Forum has enabled him to raise his organization’s profile and meet investors from other cities who may be interested in co-investment opportunities. Marnie LaVigne, associate vice president for economic development at UB, said the Bright Forum helped spur the creation of Launch New York, a new nonprofit that will accelerate the growth of high-tech companies in Upstate New York by facilitating deal-making and serving as a direct investor. Launch New York will provide high-potential startups with capital and expert assistance in commercialization -- and other crucial areas. One goal is to develop university research into products and services available to consumers. “As we build a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem in Buffalo Niagara and neighboring regions, the Bright Forum connects investors with entrepreneurs who have urgent business needs,” said Scott Stenclik, president of Superior Group. “Given our expanding business in applying human resources solutions in regional and global high-tech sectors, our firm sees creative partnerships like the Bright Forum as a critical piece of growing a knowledge-based economy.”

8 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

Media Menu Starters

Main Course

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Call Ahead For Reservations 716-809-0496 WWW.THRIVEMEDIAGROUP.ORG

The first Thursday of every May, endorsed by the President of the U.S. is the National Day of Prayer. For the past 6 years Buffalo has hosted its local expression in Niagara Square. An estimated 500 were in attendance.

for the Arts on Saturday, April 14.

Garden Walk Buffalo is one of the largest and most spectacular garden tours in America. Each year, more than 340 private gardens are opened for a free public tour that takes place over two days on Dianne Paddison was keynote speaker the last weekend of July. In 2009, an estimat2 at the Salvation Army Red Shield ed 45,000 “walkers” attended the event. This Luncheon. Paddison is a wife and year the event takes place Saturday and mother of four, an accomplished executive Sunday, July 28 & 29, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. COO for two Fortune 500 companies, auNewt Gingrich made his way to thor of Work, Love, Pray, a Harvard graduthis past April and received a ate and a faithful child of God. The annual 5 Buffalo warm welcome at the Ellicott Square event was held at the Millennium Hotel. building from Carl Paladino and about 300 other supporters. The Screwtape Letters, the smart,

provocative and wickedly funny theatrical adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel about spiritual warfare from a demon's point of view was presented for two performances at the University at Buffalo Center

The Billy Graham Evangelical Association returns to Buffalo for Rock the Lakes Buffalo. The two day event takes place September 22

-23 at Coca-Cola Field. Franklin Graham (Billy Graham’s son, pictured) will be the main speaker. The Grace Race takes place in Williamsville Tuesday, June 5. The 5k Run, 2k family friendly walk takes you through historic Williamsville and picturesque Glen Park; USATF Sanctioned.

The Trico building has come into the spotlight as plans to demolish the 600,000 square foot structure has caused a uproar in the preservationist community.

Terry Pegula completed his first full season as owner of the Buffalo Sabres. The team didn’t make the playoffs but the goal is still clear...bring the cup to Buffalo.

A Gorilla escaped his cage at The Buffalo Zoo and bit a zoo keeper before being tranquilized. Thankfully no one was seriously injured.

Buffalo Citybration, a four-day event that showcases Buffalo's assets, highlights opportunity and celebrates the city's many successes takes place this year June 21-24. The 11th Annual Call to Courage 11 Awards Breakfast were held Saturday, March 24, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in. The high profile sports breakfast is hosted by former Buffalo Bills quarterback, Frank Reich, who engineered the “Greatest Comeback in NFL History.” This year’s winner was Cleveland Browns Tight End and former Super Bowl Champion while with the New England Patriots, Ben Watson.

In Mayor Byron Brown’s state of the city address he said, “Buffalo’s cultural and recreational institutions have been a significant contributor to the growth and development of our city. This year, the city will provide funding for needed improvements at Coca-Cola Field, the new Polar Bear exhibit at the Buffalo Zoo, and a new elevator in Delaware Park at the Marcy Casino.

Let Them LOL opened Hope’s Rising home in partnership with 13 Children’s Global Mission Outreach and many of their partners and supporters in WNY. The 100% volunteer organization has been raising support for Sierra Leone.

The annual Ride for Roswell takes place June 23 raising funds for the fight against cancer.

Governor Cuomo announced a 15 $1 Billion economic development initiative for Buffalo promoting investments in growth industries to locate or relocate to Buffalo. Mayor Brown released his 2012 -2013 proposed budget of $482,621,621.“This budget reflects my continued commitment to sound fiscal management and conservative budgeting, which paid off this year with improved credit ratings and increased investment in Buffalo. Former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra took up the cause 17 of pressuring Erie Community College to reconsider its $30 million expansion of its North Campus.

THRiVE! I www.thrivebuffalo.org

Ministry Is On Tap Pearl Street Grill & Brewery offers more than just food & drinks.

After the dust has settled from the weekend gatherings at one of Buffalo’s premier city destinations, Pearl Street Grill and Brewery, there is another type of meeting that happens each Sunday morning within the four story brick structure at the corner of Pearl Street and Seneca. This group however isn’t there primarily to eat and drink, though they do serve a continental breakfast each Sunday gathering, they are there to meet as a community of faith, sharing the word of God from the Bible and singing together about the goodness of God through Jesus. Church on Tap is a growing community of Jesus followers who are, in their own words, intentional about breaking down barriers that have existed between “church world” and the rest of the world. This group of believers is composed of mostly young adults ages 20-30 something, and

has become for many a needed escape from the drudgery and politics that have plagued many local congregations. The church started nearly four years ago as a group of friends looking for a new expression of an age old faith and exploring just what modern day Christianity looks like. For this group of Jesus followers it came down to not separating faith from the rest of their lives. Jim Sproull, one of the founders and many times the one teaching on Sunday mornings, is a former staff member of a large mega-church. Sproull, after his job was eliminated at the mega-church, began asking some hard questions and defining what he understood from Scripture church to be. It was during this season that Sproull with a couple of friends decided to try a new type of church experience. At first the question was whether to even have a Sunday service, but after con

consideration they determined it was a must. A paid pastor though they decided to forsake and as for a building? A friend happened to be the manager of Pearl Street Grill and Brewery, “As long as we didn't interfere with business as usual, we were welcome to use it,” explained Erik Eustice, one of the other founders of the church and a leader in the community of faith. “The church is composed of people, not a building and not a staff. If the church is truly composed of people that are doing ministry the only way to do that is eliminate the hierarchy of those who get paid to do it and those who watch it, we wanted to change that whole mindset,” explained Sproull. And change they have. The model is unique and is challenging the status quo of modern Christianity. It remains to be seen what is on the horizon for this young group of believers. One thing however is certain and that is their commitment to community, service to others and giving, actions that speak at least to this generation louder than words. THRiVE! I www.thrivebuffalo.org

How Cash Mobs Work

Cash Mobs are a new phenomenon that originated right here in Buffalo. The concept has sparked national attention and spread to cities across the US., Canada, and even Europe. The goal is to provide some needed cash flow to local business owners who provide valuable goods and service to the community.

SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESS HELPS LOCAL ECONOMIES STEP 1

STEP 11

Find a business that needs and deserves your support.

Tweet, of course. See who wants to join in and start a conversation. (Use hash tag #Buffcashmob in Buffalo.)

SOCIAL MEDIA SERVES TO MOBILIZE LIKE MINDED PEOPLE STEP 111

STEP 1V

Gather like minded friends and pick a night. For best impact plan on 30 + people.

Get some loose change and cash. Figure on spending between $10-$20 each.

“It’s an open source idea which allows everyone to claim ownership.” -Christopher M Smith Founder of the first Cashmob

CASH MOBS PROVIDE A FINANCIAL AND MORALE BOOST TO LOCAL BUSINESS

STEP V Gain some more social media support by creating an event, sharing and liking.

32 States

EUROPE CANADA USA

77Cities

STEP V11

STEP V111

STEP 1X

Together as a team of cash mobsters head out for the night. It’s recommended you let the owner know ahead of time so they can prepare.

Get your shopping carts ready because in typical cash mob fashion you and your friends are about to do some serious shopping and help a business who deserves it.

Celebrate. You just made a difference in our community. Great job!

STEP X

STEP X1

STEP X11

Watch the sales and growth of local businesses. Take pride in your community.

Feel good. The business is happy. Consumers feel good.

Relax. Supporting local business stays in our economy 3x longer. The cycle continues.

Taxes are paid.

special advertising section

CAUSES, COMMERCE, COUPONS

www.thrivebuffalo.org

16 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

Let Them LOL An Interview with Co-Founder and Director of Let Them LOL, Kate Vacanti. Let Them LOL is a non-profit organization based in Buffalo raising funds for clean water wells in Sierra Leone, Africa. Photos by Courtney Campbell

Sierra Leone is considered the poorest country in the world right now...what motivates or inspires you to do what you do there? Sierra Leone has been at the bottom of the index of developing countries for a long time now. Although extremely poor, its people are some of the most inspiring, beautiful people I have ever met. They have absolutely nothing, and yet they will give you whatever they do have. They have infectious smiles despite a daily struggle to simply survive. There are a lot of needs in the world, we can't meet them all, but we can do something. Nearly one billion people on our planet don't have access to clean water. The people involved with Let them LOL say that this is unacceptable. We can and we must do something to change that. Clean water gives the people of Sierra Leone a hand up, not a hand out. It empowers them to embrace a better future. LOL built their first childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home this trip...describe the feeling of accomplishment and how this will better the quality of life for these children? In places of extreme poverty, you will find a lot of children in need. Over the course of three trips to Sierra Leone, we recognized the number of impoverished and orphaned children.

Let them LOL's Hope's Rising Children's Home is a place to provide a better future for these children. Because of the extreme poverty, many children in Sierra Leone don't get to go to school. This is especially the case with orphaned children. The children of Hope's Rising will receive food, education, access to health care and a loving family. It was humbling and a great honor to see children coming from the depths of poverty and moving into our home. In that moment it was like we watched the trajectory of their lives change. From a painful past, and uncertain future to a future of hope and possibility. Would they be on the streets otherwise? Many children when their parents die are given to other family members to care for them. The challenge is other families are struggling themselves to survive, feed their kids a meal a day, let alone send them to school. So, orphaned children really are at the bottom of most villages just struggling to survive. Some can be found wandering the villages. Now that your back who ensures the day to day operations are running well? We have hired a national who is a pastor to be our Director. Our on the ground partner Global Outreach Mission has had a relationship with him for many years. He is a wonderful man. He and his wife, along with two other house moms: Violet and Ishia will be running the home. We also have a national consultant through Global who lives in Freetown who will make monthly visits to assess operations, do reports and assist with whatever is needed. We also have weekly phone communications with our Director Emmanuel. What's next for you and the team? Our team is back to share the stories of all we have seen and experienced. To show the people of the WNY community and

beyond the incredible change they are bringing to people half a world away. To date, we have funds for 44 clean water wells, and we have recently reached the funds for a second home. We will continue to raise awareness and funds to help our amazing friends in Sierra Leone! Can you talk about the adoption process youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re personally in right now? God has placed a huge burden in our hearts for children with no families. Let them LOL's children's home will be bettering the lives of 25 impoverished/ orphaned children. However, we still felt a burden to do something even more tangibly ourselves. We would have loved to adopt from Sierra Leone, however it is currently closed to that. So, since our hearts are in Africa, we are adopting from Ethiopia. We are currently finishing up

the home study process and fundraising to help with the expenses. We are so excited that God is allowing us to add another child to our family in this way. We can't wait to meet our little girl from Ethiopia!!

THRiVE! I www.thrivebuffalo.org

BUFFALO BRANDING

PROJECT

Most people are unaware of the incredible assets our city possesses. Could part of the problem be a “branding” issue? Follow us as we explore some of our region’s most under “marketed” assets. By Kyle Patterson. Artwork by LJ Anderson, Kyle Patterson, Chris Reilley

18 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

Target: Artists, Colleges, Creatives Ad People: Reilley Group Strategy: The idea is to highlight the assets that Buffalo has in the arts. From the Albright-Knox to the Burchfield Penny and the emerging new art communities, Buffalo knows and loves good art. Placement: New Yorker

he perception of cities, and the mental image held of them, became active components of economic success or failure,” says Ann O'M. Bowman and Michael A. Pagano in their book, Terra Incognito. The fact is when it comes to building a global brand, companies like Coca-Cola, Proctor and Gamble and Nike have it down. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent each year assuring the brand names are on the tip of our tongue. The more exposure they have, the more mindshare in a consumers thoughts. Case in point— Kleenex became so good at branding, that the name became synonymous with tissues. So much so that you may not even know the difference. Nike successfully branded themselves as the sports shoe and apparel company for the best athletes in the world. The fact is over 130 billion dollars were spent on marketing in the United States in 2010. Media provides the tools and the framework for these companies to communicate the value that they offer consumers. While advertising works for businesses big and small to influence buying decisions thus increasing revenue and creating a profit which is then enjoyed by the owners of the business, we decided to explore what it would look like to do the same for a city with similar but different goals in mind. We coined the idea The Buffalo Branding Project and produced a mock campaign. Interestingly there are more than a few books and many articles written on the topic of “places branding” from creating a successful media strategy to

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attracting tourism dollars, cities have realized that tourism is big business. In “Media Strategies for Marketing Places in Crisis” authors Eli Avraham and Eran Ketter write, “These developments have created a climate of competition among different places around the globe for national and international status and for high-class residents, tourists, conventions, sporting events, entrepreneurs, investors, industries, businesses, and global capital. From growing industries like hospitality—namely restaurants and hotels and entertainment—sports and parks, branding isn’t just for business anymore. Cities seriously need to consider the economic impact that perception plays and the benefits of working to improve it. Thus the Buffalo Branding Project was born. Our website buffalobrandingproject.org exists to take this conversation further and to collaborate artists, entrepreneurs and others around branding our city forward. It’s and an open forum (using the Tumblr platform) for creatives to contribute their skill in changing the perception of our region. The fact is the media world hasn't been specifically kind to us in the past. The world of news and sports specifically. Four Superbowl loses and just as many or more snow storms created a perception of less than desirable. This, thankfully is beginning to change, but needless to say we are not without challenges. Most recently Tom Brady took the liberty to bash the quality of Buffalo hotels which garnered more media attention including an analysis in the New Yorker probing further into the comTHRiVE! I www.thrivebuffalo.org 17 ment. So as a young group of culturally minded, socially active caring citizens, we gathered up our creative juices and created a mock campaign of which we hope spreads to the four corners of the globe, celebrating, shouting and declaring the assets of our city. It's time we as a community rise out of the ashes and thrive once again. With that in mind we tapped into the creative minds behind THRiVE! and a couple of our partners to help build a campaign and strategy to counter the wiles of our city's Target: History Buffs, Schools, Educators, enemies with one goal in mind: attract and retain people to Ad People: LJ Anderson Buffalo. Thankfully outside of this article much work is Strategy: The idea is Buffalo First; to market the great achievements of Buffalo's rich history. It was the first place to already being done. Organizahave electric streetlights, a natural-gas lighthouse, free school system and first successful skin graft. Many things were invented in Buffalo too like the roll top desk, steam powered grain elevator, and park and parkway system. I wanted to bring tions like VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA exist to attract to light the small things that made Buffalo in a reminiscent style from its successful era. Thanks to ideas generated in Buffalo, tourism opportunities to Buffathe US flourished on many fronts. It was a giant among the nation much like the prehistoric giant bison featured. lo and they even spend ad

Placement: American History 20 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

Target: Architects, Tourists, Educators Ad People: VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA Strategy: This is the ad that VISIT BUFFALO NIAGARA created around the 2011 National Preservation Conference last October.

Placement: Architectural Digest

dollars with national magazines to assure it happens. We, like many others, want to add fuel to the fire and continue the evangelizing of America with the good qualities of our region. It's time to let our light shine. In coming up with a strategy for our mock campaign, we, like any good agency would do, researched the problem. We asked, what is the perception of the Buffalo brand? What do people think of when they think of Buffalo? Chicken wings?Sports? Weather? Knowing the problem is half the battle. We gathered that Buffalo was considered nationally as a blue collar city of chicken wing eating football fans. With that research in hand we set out to reveal (in our campaign) the assets of what Buffalo is really like. Yes we have good sports teams that we love (Go Bills and Sabres, among others). Yes we invented the chicken wing and enjoy them weekly if not more. But there is so much more, and that is where the opportunity lies. The assets that most everyone would agree upon are as follows: architecture, art, food, sports and rich history. Are we missing some? Yes. And that is by design so that this isn't a one way conversation but rather an ongoing online campaign for our city and against those preconceived ideas of what the city is like.

THRiVE! I www.thrivebuffalo.org

Hockey may have been invented in Canadaâ&#x20AC;Ś

Here is some of the data we came up with by category. Architecture: "Buffalo is home to some of the greatest American architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with major architects like Henry Hobson Richardson, Frederick Law Olmsted, Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright building marvels here. Together they shaped one of the grandest early visions of the democratic American city,â&#x20AC;? said a recent NY TIMES article. The buildings are too numerous to mention. From the Guaranty Building, Electric Tower and The Ellicott Square Building to the Statler Towers we have some of the most beautiful architecture in the nation. Food: With over 400 locally owned restaurants, this to tourists and foodies alike is a big deal. Move over chain restaurants that consumers can experience anywhere and move in independent tastes and experiences that are literally unique the world over.

But it has found its home in Buffalo

Buffalo, NY HOCKEY TOWN

Target: sports lovers, hockey history buffs, sports reporters Ad People: THRiVE! Media Group Strategy: Hockey has become a local past time. From getting through the winter months to raising hockey greats like Pat Kane and Tim Kennedy. Placement: ESPN Magazine, Sports Illustrated

22 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

Art: The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Burchfield-Penny and the rise of independent galleries showcase the creative genius of artists from our own backyard to some of modern arts most prolific work. And we are happy to say we have it all here. Sports: Buffalo knows sports and let's not be ashamed of it. Yes we went through a few unfortunate Superbowl and Stanley Cup defeats but we aren't giving up. Buffalo's close proximity to Canada and winter months have helped us sustain and produce some top talent in the NHL today. Plus, we also have one of the greatest and most passionate hockey fans/sports owners in the game, Terry Pegula.

400 INDEPENDENT WITH OVER

RESTAURANTS,

BUFFALO KNOWS FOOD. (plus we invented the chicken wing)

Buffalo

EAT BETTER

Target: Foodies, chefs, restaurateurs. Ad People: THRiVE! Media Group

History: From the Erie Canal, grain elevators, Pan-Am Exposition, Presidential inauguration, Frank Lloyd Wright Legacy, Billy Sunday Evangelistic meetings and the numerous inventions Buffalo has an incredible history and contribution to American culture today. These five assets (the list is by no means exhaustive) serve as some of our city’s competitive advantage. It’s assets like these that have inspired the Buffalo Branding Project. Our hope is that it wouldn’t stop here. In an interview with Ted Black, President of the Sabres, Black mentioned how long it took him to realize the Elmwood Village neighborhood even existed. He said it well when he explained that Buffalo needs to stop keeping what we have to offer such a secret. And that is where this project comes into play. We are going to continue with a Branding Buffalo section in each issue of THRiVE! and we will take some of the best content we receive from you online and place it in our print magazine to keep this conversation going. Then when your friends say, Buffalo? Why would you want to go to Buffalo, you’ll have a thousand reasons right at your fingertips to say, this is why. Our thought is what if we could apply the principles of business branding, marketing and advertising to our region and drive our city forward. It is time we stop keeping the assets of our community such a secret.!

Strategy: This ad says what everyone here knows is true. Buffalo has some of the best restaurants in the country. It also touches on our claim to fame: The Chicken Wing but looks to expand on that thought by introducing the more than 400 other locally owned spots. Placement: Bon Appetite

THRiVE! I www.thrivebuffalo.org

ADAPTING THRIVING HIRING GROWING... IN WNY. YES, REALLY.

FAST GROWING COMPANIES.

By Amanda Repp and Brendan Cunningham

24 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

s a community entering into a season of renewed vitality and fresh possibilities, we are encouraged to shed the preconceptions of a long, barren winter. For many across WNY, the struggle of the wintery months is perfect analogy to a considerable period of stress facing a majority of Buffalo-based businesses. Despites widespread belief that local businesses are experiencing losses or remain frozen in the status quo- there are numerous organizations experiencing expansion, rebirth and surplus. From the perspective of local Human Capital Firm, APA Solutions Inc. and business leadership expert, Joan Graci, there could not be a better time for businesses in Buffalo, NY to grow. From Graci’s perspective, “organizations that are succeeding are doing different” and “those organizations that can successfully connect their unique corporate mission to niche markets, emerging technologies, holistically-connected employees and lean business practices are the first to break the cycle of stagnation.” Drawing from her extensive research on Inc 500|5000 companies, Graci and her team have made it their mission to mentor local organizations on the demands of “doing different” and strategically planning for advancement on a local, national and international scale. With respect to the emerging leaders of today’s vibrant Buffalo business community, APA Solutions recognizes the local businesses that embody the many forms of today’s growth, innovation and success:

1200 Maple Road, Elma, NY 14059 In the heart of Elma, NY, one can find clevermethod, a refreshing full-service web development firm that is challenging the standard of Buffalo-based imagination, innovation and technology. True to its namesake, clevermethod prides itself in its ability to provide creative, strategic and highly technical services to companies in WNY and across the nation. From mobile application development, web marketing and analytics, to outstanding web design, clevermethod offers its clients a holistic, expert and fun approach. Founded in 2000, out of a simple basement office, clevermethod has quickly transformed from a traditional twoman show to a thriving, nationally recognized organization. For clevermethod partners Doug Kasperek and Matt Hasselback, “Tech is a passion, and we have a lot of fun doing it. Although we take our work very seriously, we do it in a fashion that makes the experience enjoyable for ourselves and our clients.” On all accounts, clevermethod is devoted to being different-so much so, that one need only look to its striking website to get a feel

for the team’s distinct identity- “We are problem solvers, strategists, artists, programmers, technologists, application architects, content developers and storytellers.” When asked about the key to their growth, clevermethod partners Kasperek and Hasselback spoke of a passionate commitment to going above and beyond in their quest to help their clients. In the words of Hasselback, “We’re not simply mass producing-whether we are working for a Fortune 500 corporation or a small Mom & Pop business, we are consistently focused on an attention to detail, quality product and output, and also the creativity of our ideas. When given the license, it really works out.” In addition to designing the web identity of local organizations like Moog, Delaware North Companies and Calspan, clevermethod is putting Buffalo on the map by competing with leading technology firms across the country.

814 Wurlitzer Dr. North Tonawanda, NY 14120 Although the legacy of Buffalo manufacturing giants like Bethlehem Steel are slowly fading into the history books, there is an unmistakable rumble of new growth in the areas of niche manufacturing in the WNY area. Leading this upward movement is the Audubon Machinery Corporation and its family of companies, specializing in the innovative production of oxygen generating systems, life sciences equipment and environmental solutions. Located in North Tonawanda, NY, Audubon Machinery Corporation grew from a single company, Oxygen Generating Systems International (OGSI) in 1995, into a multifaceted brand spanning the fields of renewable energy, industrial and medical. When questioned about the companies’ expansive background of growth and Inc. 5000 honors, Audubon co-founder and president Joe McMahon attributed an undeniable spirit of competition, innovation, efficiency and a strong collaboration with his partners, Bob Schlyer and Christopher Collins. Sharing his perspective on Audubon’s growth ethic and strong team culture, McMahon stated, “We have spent a lot of time and energy training our employees to think about how to perform their work more efficiently. We run our team through Certified Lean Professional training and Six Sigma. We are constantly looking at the sales per employee ratio, and on a regular basis, we ask, “Are we an efficient operation or not?”” It is with this spirit of lean (and green) manufacturing that McMahon and his team approach the global markets with confidence and success. Today, Audubon and its companies, OGSI, Schlyer Machine, Starboard Sun, IMT Solar and the newly acquired Roe Biomedical work with clients in over 70 different countries around the globe. Audubon proudly supports the growth of the Buffalo community by manufacturing all of its

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products locally, operating a 42,000 square feet “Certified Green Building” and purchasing a majority of its manufacturing parts from WNY vendors.

50 Countryside Lane Depew, NY 14043 With the help of mascot and resident online educator, Professor Bill, Castle Software, Inc. is propelling traditional American education to the next level of 24-7-365 connectedness. Headquartered out of Depew, NY, Castle Software pairs innovative 21st century technology with an online classroom experience, positively transforming and streamlining the relationships between students, teachers, parents and administrators. Founded in 1991, Castle Software stemmed from the cooperative vision of experienced educators and software engineers seeking to make a positive difference in the education of students across the country. According to partner and general manager, Scott Fischer, it is “our vision to establish exactly how technology might play a role in the way we educate students and determine academic success.” Over the last 21 years, Castle Software has matured into a full K12 online classroom and assessment resource that follows its students from elementary school to high school graduation. From Mathematics, Sciences and Social Studies to English and Foreign Languages, Castle Software emerges as an accessible and valuable supplement to daily classroom activities. With approximately 25% of its employees based out of WNY and exciting plans for future growth, Castle Software looks to new product development, quality customer service and the latest technologies to extend its reach across the country as the fundamental source for K12 e-learning. 26 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

Sonwil Drive Buffalo, NY 14225 Buffalo-based VoIP Supply, LLC is North America’s largest VoIP (Voice over IP) solutions provider. If you’re unsure what VoIP technology is or, haven’t heard of the company, then VoIP Supply may have already helped to counter the mindset that there’s limited opportunity in Western New York. In 2002 Benjamin Sayers, President and CEO, noticed a growing demand for VoIP products and there was nowhere to purchase them. VoIP Supply was born as an internet retailer offering customers the most VoIP education and best customer experience the industry has seen. Now, in 2012, VoIP Supply is celebrating a 10 year anniversary and is poised for growth; emerging strong from the recession with a sustained 20+ percent year-over-year growth rate for this past decade. VoIP Supply was able to purchase its very own headquarters building in January of 2011, committing the company to Western New York, and has added seven new employees since then. VoIP Supply continues to be a local leader by making Buffalo Business First’s list of WNY’s Top Private Companies for seven straight years and recently garnering a Best Places to Work in WNY nomination for the fifth time. With 36 employees the company continues to hire programmers and “A” players to join their sales team. Overall, VoIP Supply’s growth continues to come from technology hardware sales though they do offer nationwide deployment services and special deals with their service provider partners.

The company is seeing growth by introducing new solutions and expanding into new markets like Canada and the European Union. New solutions include affordable solutions on the video communication front, mobile VoIP applications for smartphones, and new devices from new brands like CloudTC and AltiGen. It’s brands like these that keep the company on the forefront of emerging tech and has elevated them as a leader in the industry and that leadership translates to economic and social impact in our region, “We work with Camp Good Days as the primary charity receiving support from the company, via work donated and financial support. We do work with and support others such as the Buffalo City Mission, Gilbert Memorial, St. Jude’s Research, and a few others – these are mostly financial support.” In terms of their success, according to company executives it’s about investing in people and developing strong teams. “Invest in your people and your customers will reward you. VoIP Supply may be an eCommerce entity without a brick and mortar store but, 75% of our sales come from inbound phone calls. And every time someone calls, they get a live person who is well versed in the technology and highly capable of educating the customer and finding the right solution for their needs.”

7 Centre Drive Orchard Park, NY 14127 As one of the WNY’s leading global manufacturing firms, ITT Enidine is a front-runner within the fields of energy absorption, vibration isolation, and noise attenuation. With its product applications spanning across industrial, aviation, defense and rail, and its sales in more than 125 countries worldwide, ITT Enidine is an organization undeniably poised for new growth. When questioned as to the key to ITT Enidine’s substantial history of upward movement, Director of Operations, Dennis Scully and Human Resources Manager, Gina Orsini referred to a “global, highly diversified business” with “a cultural transformation that instills a lean culture and foundational set of values based on respect, responsibility and integrity.” In Ms. Orsini’s words, “We (ITT Enidine) strive to do the right thing always, by our customers, our co-workers and ourselves.” With its headquarters located in Orchard Park, NY, ITT Enidine is inextricably linked to and invested in the local community. From re-investing in its business, building and employees, to securing new machinery and technologies, ITT Enidine makes every effort to “work smarter.” ITT Enidine partners with 107 suppliers within the region (Buffalo, Rochester & Erie, PA) and 60% of its total yearly spend is kept locally. With such a diverse platform, lean manufacturing culture and breadth of technical expertise, ITT Enidine solidifies itself as both a global growth company and proud pillar of the WNY community.

155 Rano Street #300 Buffalo, NY 14207 While most of the population is lost to the complex applications of ceramic technology, Buffalo-based ENrG, Inc. is exceeding the limits of its frontier. Founded in 2003, ENrG Inc. is a corporation devoted to the manufacturing, research & development and application of thin ceramic membranes. In particular, ENrG Inc. implements a ceramic technology platform across market segments including harsh environments, fuel cells, clean energy, solar, super conductors, flexible heaters, igniters and oxygen sensors. When asked about the future of ENrG Inc., CEO and president John Olenick stated, “We’re expecting to expand within the next three to five years, with major projects entering the market this year and next.” With regard to this spirit of growth, Olenick refers to Buffalo, NY as a “good area to find people with the background that we need to grow our vision.” From Olenick’s perspective, “RIT, RPI, Syracuse, UB and Alfred State” are sources of outstanding quality, highly educated human capital for his growing corporation. Competing on both a national and international scale, ENrG Inc. emerges as a leader in the demanding field of flexible ceramic membranes-an innovative technology mastered by only one or two other companies in the world. From his detailed descriptions of complex chemical reactions to his viewpoint on “rare earth” materials used in production, it undeni-

able that Olenick and his ENrG team are both knowledgeable and passionate in their quest to make Buffalo a new hub of clean energy and ceramics technology.

1127 Wehrle Dr # 10 Buffalo, NY 14221(continued page 64) THRiVE! I www.thrivebuffalo.org

ART

CAUSES, COMMERCE, COUPONS

www.thrivebuffalo.org

o N 002 THIS IS THRIVE FOR A CAUSE. A BI-MONTHLY INSERT RAISING AWARENESS AND EDUCATING READERS ON PRACTICAL WAYS TO COMBAT ILLS FACING OUR CITY.

For A Cause

Supporting Local

www.thrivebuffalo.org

THINK, ACT, BE

LOCAL Dear Fellow WNYers, Buffalo First! is a nonprofit that believes in the power of locally owned and independent business to transform the Western New York region and economy. We are primarily focused on supporting social entrepreneurship, educating consumers on the importance of shopping local and businesses on the importance of sourcing local, encouraging diversity by supporting women and minority-owned businesses, advocating for better policies for homegrown and mission-driven businesses, and fighting for a local living economy that benefits workers, environment, businesses and citizens throughout Western New York. We envision a future where businesses are investors in the quality of life for all citizens. We challenge and support the business community to build profitable enterprises that serve community needs, share wealth, and protect the environment. We have championed legislation and structured our programming around the establishment and implementation of new models for business operations that value people, planet and prosperity for all. Our organizational principles are emblematic of the change we seek and the values we proclaim. We wholeheartedly embrace authenticity and accountability, diversity, good governance, and transparency in every aspect of our work. We recognize that we are setting an unprecedented example for how businesses and communities can coexist, collaborate, and create a more sustainable society, but we know that our region is uniquely positioned to thrive in such a sustainable model. We are bolstered by membership from individuals as well as locally owned and independent businesses

that see real value in an economy that properly values what local and sustainable business provide best: real community involvement, environmentally and socially friendly business practices, and a more resilient, self-determined economy. Our members understand that supporting local products, services and retail outlets is the key to building a strong community and thriving local economy. As part of a vibrant community with a shared vision, Buffalo First! members are building an even greater Buffalo region and leaving a legacy that's worthy of future generations. We welcome all sectors of our community â&#x20AC;&#x201C; academics, activists, citizens, communities of faith, governmental entities, entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations, and visionaries â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to get involved and join the movement towards a more just, sustainable, and local living economy. We cannot do it alone! Thank you for your continued support. Locally yours, Sarah E. Bishop

THRiVE! I www.thrivebuffalo.org

DOES

SHOPPING REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

In April of 2011 David A. Fleming and Stephan J. Goetz in the Economic Development Quarterly presented one of the first nationwide studies showing that local ownership truly matters. Their analysis showed a positive correlation between locally owned small to mediumsized businesses and increasing community wealth, as measured by per capita income growth. On the other hand, larger firms, especially when they are not locally owned have a negative link to local community wealth.

For example. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s say you have $100. Where you spend it has more of an impact than you might think:

CASE IN POINT: NEW ORLEANS, LA

32% 32 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

In New Orleans, the local retailers returned more than 32% of their revenue to the local economy while SuperTarget returns only 16%

If the entire New Orleans metro region shifted 10 percent of their retail spending to locally owned retail establishments, $235 million would be added to the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy.

$235,000,000

LOCALLY KEY OPPORTUNITIES:

BANKING

RETAIL

Locally owned banks spend a greater percentage of their assets on both wages and rents which are both kept within the region. Local banks make primarily local loans while national chains are only required to keep a limited percentage of loans within the regions in which they operate.

A study done in Grand Rapids, MI and the surrounding Kent County showed if local redirected just 10 percent of their total spending from chains to local businesses, it would create nearly $140 million in new economic activity for the region and 1,600 new jobs.

RE-THINKING PURCHASE PATTERNS Typically purchase decisions are made in 5 stepsâ&#x20AC;Ś. Need Recognition

Evaluation

Info Search

Decision

RESTAURANTS

Evaluation

Local restaurants spend a higher portion of their income locally than national chains and also purchase many more local goods.

Infusing local communities with information, directories and resources regarding who, what, where, when and why local businesses is what over 80 community networks in 30 U.S. states (including Buffalo) and Canadian provinces representing over 22,000 independent business members across the U.S. and Canada are doing. The grassroots movement towards just and sustainable economies is worth the fight. You can be a part of the movement by supporting the cause at buffalofirst.org

THE

DAY

CHALLENGE

DAY

DAY 7

DAY

5 DAY

DAY

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DAY

12 DAY

DAY

10 DAY

DAY

REST STOP

DAY

15 DAY DAY

DAY

DAY DAY

DAY

27 DAY

DAY

21 THRiVE! I www.thrivebuffalo.org

WEB DESIGN PR SOCIAL MOBILE APPS

ADVERTISING www.thrivemediagroup.org I 716-809-0496

You do the math...

THRiVE! empowers your business to get the exposure you need and support causes that are meaningful to you and the community. We create winning solutions between commerce, consumers and good causes. Through print, online and digital advertising with a range of options we will make advertising work for you.

advertising that makes sense. period.

BUFFALO CULTURE

Greasy Spoons, Spring Fashion, Trico, Athletes in Action, Diane Paddison, Urban Explorer, Recording Studios, Restraint, South Buffalo, Clarence Bungalow

38 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

Same Content,

New Platform

The Best Greasy Spoon IN TOWN By Brendan Cunningham

ver since John Belushi did his Saturday Night Live famous diner scene, barking â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburgerâ&#x20AC;? the so-called greasy spoon diner has become a staple across the American landscape. Buffalo is a city that conspicuously undersells itself as a great restaurant town will not be outdone in this department and so we have assembled our top 10 best greasy spoon diners that specialize in great food values for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Not surprisingly, 7 out of the 10 are run by Greeks and even in Buffalo as an ethnic group they are to diners as the Irish are to corn beef.

40 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

Taking the number 10 spot is Hillview Restaurant 6135 Transit Rd. Depew. Turning southward and heading to East Aurora, our number 9 contender is the famous Charlie’s Diner at 510 Main St. East Aurora. Virtually impossible to find a seat on a Saturday morning, once the farmer’s market reopens, one may find the best flapjacks anywhere and if you are serious about breakfast you may have died and gone to heaven here. Their peanut butter pie will not to be out done by anyone and their soups are always homemade. Let’s head north now and actually arrive in the city proper. The people in South Buffalo might not agree on this geographical point and periodically would like to think of themselves as being a city totally distinct from Buffalo, or God’s country, either way we find one of the best diners anywhere in the lower 48 the Wayside at South Park. If you want to make a nice morning for yourself, bring your appetite, go in and chow down at the Wayside and walk it off at the Botanical Gardens just down the road. Coming in at number:

Be my guest...let us do the rest.

8. Wayside 2301 S Park Ave. Buffalo 7. Lake Effect Diner 3165 Main Street Buffalo 6. Alton’s 2250 Walden Avenue Cheektowaga 5. Pegasus 5748 South Park Avenue Hamburg 4. Towne 186 Allen St. Buffalo In the number 3 spot we have Acropolis a little further down Elmwood 708 Elmwood Avenue Buffalo. The recent renovation makes this a great choice for dinner, drinks as well as breakfast. And Mythos 510 Elmwood Avenue Buffalo at number 2, its nearby neighbor is one of my favorites and may in fact have the best home fries. And taking the number one spot for sure and it probably won’t surprise anyone is “The Cathedral of Greasy Spoons in Buffalo”, the jewel of Elmwood Avenue: Pano’s, 1081 Elmwood Avenue Buffalo. The owners might take exception to this place being called a Greasy Spoon so please know again we use this as a term of absolute affection. Pano's underwent a major overhaul and controversial renovation at their famous location a few years ago but the quality of the food and service continues to be unsurpassed and truly makes this eatery a place that remains in the proverbial league of its own. If you are looking for breakfast/brunch on a Sunday you better expect to wait and this is one of the few places that actually is worth the wait. The much improved structure now boast a beautiful new second floor and if one didn’t know anybody one might even consider a reception here that’s how “fancified” it has become. So that’s how the souvlaki crumbles when it comes to navigating the best greasy spoon/diners out and about the Queen City.!

Looking for a Relaxing Night Out? You will find it here! Whether it’s a great dinner or an overnight stay, Russ Salvatore’s unmatched flare can be found nightly in his steak house—Russell’s Steak and Chops and More or his immaculately appointed new Hotel, Salvatore’s Grand.

Salvatore’s Grand Hotel & Russell’s Steaks, Chops & More 6675 Transit Rd. (716) 636-4900 www.salvatoresgrand.com

Buffalo Style

JUMP

INTO

By Amy Kissling Smith

SPRING

Jump into spring with color. March-May marks the beginning of spring which brings warmer weather and blooming flowers. However, they can also bring a wide range of temperatures and weather forecasts. So, how does this translate to “what do I wear?”. Well, I suggest combining your winter and spring clothes so you are prepared for everything. Bring out your spring dresses, skirts and pants and layer them with your winter blazers and cardigans. Use your winter neutrals and blacks to pair with your summer colors. Summer accessories will brighten any of your regular winter outfits. Along with combining your existing clothes there are 5 “Must Haves” for this spring that you can buy now. RAINBOOTS: or Wellies (as they are called in England) are a must. I love my wellies . This year they are available in every color, style and pattern. This is a great way to express your personality through your clothes. Not only are they cute but they are functional and keep your feet warm and dry for a fraction of the price of winter boots. If you traditionally wear neutrals, try a polka dot pair to spice things up a little. THE TRENCH COAT: There are so many trenches this spring that it is almost overwhelming. Things to consider when picking out your trench – length, neckline, and color. If plan to wear it over dresses then go long, but if you are wearing it over pants do a ¾ length. The neckline is important to your look so try them on! You will know what feels right, but if you aren’t sure, stick with the traditional trench (you can’t go wrong). Lastly, color and pattern. Since this is your spring jacket, it has a shorter season, buy something nontraditional. I love the stripes and polka dots – so much personality. Never before have I seen so many fun trenches…buy two! BLAZER: Add color with a blazer. You can add a bright color blazer to any plain sweater or dress and it instantly becomes a new spring outfit. You don’t have to spend a lot, just get a color and style that looks good on you. BELTS: Add a belt to a blazer or cardigan and again you have created a whole new look. Buy a pink, red, or yellow belt that can be paired with any color. This will also accent your waistline and give you some shape. HANDBAG: I do like a nice handbag. I feel that if you pick out a good quality bag you can keep it for years. Big clutches are everywhere. A metallic is safe but a bright pink will get you noticed. If you buy a bright color buy your favorite color because it will likely match a lot of items in your wardrobe. These items should get your through whatever this spring has to bring without spending a lot. Whatever you decide to wear and however you decide to wear it, no outfit is complete without the most important accessory…a smile. Happy Spring!

Amy Kissling Smith is founder of Re-Style ME a company birthed as Amy discovered how much she enjoyed helping family and friends shop for stylish clothes, find bargains, and create new looks. Amy is unique in that she delights to find new outfits using the clothes her client already owns. Then, they go shopping anywhere from designer boutiques to thrift shops to find an accessory or two to made an ordinary outfit a fashion hit. Amy is also a stay-at-home Mom who lives with her husband and 3 children. 42 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

special advertising section

By Marian Hetherly By Marian Hetherly

A The fate of the former Trico Plant #1, including the original brewery at its center, has been the subject of heated discussion since it recently became public that the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, the property’s designated developer, wants to begin demolishing the century-old complex this year. BNMC President and Executive Director Matthew Enstice has been quoted as saying that John R. Oishei’s former windshield wiper manufacturing headquarters, located at the corner of Washington and Ellicott Streets in downtown Buffalo, is suffering from extensive water damage and environmental contamination and at least some of it needs to be torn down to make way for new 44 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

development that would serve the needs of the growing medical campus and adjacent neighborhoods. Some developers have said a smaller footprint is necessary to make any project on the site financially feasible. Local preservationists—led by Preservation Buffalo Niagara and the Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture and Culture—instead want to delay demolition at least until a study can be conducted on possible re-uses for the 600,000-square-foot landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Developer Rocco Termini, who has converted half a dozen vacant buildings, has made it known that he has some ideas for re-using

the third-largest building in Buffalo if New York State lifts the $5 million cap on preservation tax credits. Locally posted GIS renderings by Detroit’s Nicholas Tyler Miller have revealed the architectural details and idiosyncrasies underneath the building’s deteriorating exterior that inspired his own re-use ideas. Local residents who have made their opinions known to news outlets and at neighborhood meetings seem split on the property’s future and the conversation is ever changing. However, there is no disputing the building’s architectural history. The existing 10-building complex was the original manufacturing facility for Trico Products, the first manufacturer of windshield wipers and eventually the largest employer in the City of Buffalo. Most manufacturing was moved from the site to Texas and Mexico by 1988 and Trico ceased all operations there in 1998. The property remained vacant and unmaintained until 2010, when the Thomas R. Beecher Innovation Center, 128,000 square feet of research and development space housing life sciences and biotech companies, opened in buildings #9 and #10 on the Ellicott Street side of the complex. As stated in a 2000 application for landmark designation to the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation written by SUNY Distinguished Professor Emeritus Francis Kowsky, the oldest portion of the 10-building complex is the brick and sandstone cold storage warehouse of the former Weyand Brewery. Christian Weyand was a German-speaking immigrant from the Lorraine province of France who began brewing with partner John Schetter at 794 Main Street in 1868. Weyland became the sole operator of the brewery in 1883 and later brought into the business his two sons, John and Charles. Shortly after 1890, the family expanded the brewery with the construction of the four-story, 40,000-square-foot warehouse. With a capacity of over 1 million barrels per year, the Weyand Brewery was one of several large breweries in the former GermanAmerican neighborhood. Weyand closed in 1920 due to the Eighteenth Amendment, which established prohibition. Ulrich’s and the Weyand

warehouse are among the few remnants of Buffalo’s onceflourishing beer-making history. At the time of Weyand’s closing, Buffalo-born theater manager John R. Oishei was developing the manually operated windshield wiper with Buffalo inventor John Jepson. His initial success prompted Oishei to buy out Jepson’s interests in the product and move operations into the closed Weyand Brewery. The area around the brewery became known as Trico #1 and expanded over the ensuing decades. Oishei established a foundation in 1940 for worthwhile community projects that today bears his name and is the area’s largest private foundation, with nearly $267 million in assets. Automotive journalist and editor Jim Donnelly also interestingly noted in 2011 that while the family surname is Irish, Oishei’s father, Giuseppe, arrived in New Orleans in 1859 from Italy before opening a saloon in Buffalo. Oishei’s maternal grandmother is believed to be the first Italian to settle in Buffalo. As stated in a 2006 assessment by the Buffalo architectural firm Trautman Associates, Trico #1 is representative of a steady progression of buildings and building additions from 1924 through 1937 by the Buffalo architectural firm of Harold E. Plumer and Paul F. Mann that expanded the existing configuration to its present footprint. The overall construction of the complex is complicated and includes a series of interior stairways, elevators and ramps to link structures. Kowsky called it an outstanding and increasingly rare example of the design and engineering characteristics of the daylight factory, which answered the need of manufacturing for wide open, naturally lit floor space in fireproof buildings that were inexpensive and quick to erect. Daylight factories broke from the masonry and wood tradition of earlier multi-story structures to use a system of embedding steel rods in concrete to create a strong, fireproof structural system that allowed layer upon layer of unobstructed floor space. As talks continue about Trico Plant #1, there is hope that a solution can be found that allows Buffalo to remain both proud of its heritage and prosperous in its future. The accompanying photographs may provide some insight into what that solution may be.!

THRiVE! I www.thrivebuffalo.org

special advertising section

The Call to Courage

ach year, former Buffalo Bills quarterback, Frank Reich, who engineered the “Greatest Comeback in NFL History”, hosts The Call to Courage Awards Breakfast event. Reich presents the Call to Courage Award to a current NFL player who has exemplified outstanding character, commitment and leadership on and off the field and in the community. The Call to Courage Award Breakfast has featured some of the biggest names in sports over the past ten years. NFL stars like, Kurt Warner, Chad Pennington, Curtis Martin, Don Davis, Bob Christian, Trent Dilfer, John Kasay, Jon Kitna, Heath Evans and London Fletcher are previous award winners. The 11th Annual Call to Courage Award was presented this year to Cleveland Browns Tight End and former Super Bowl Champion while with the New England Patriots, Ben Watson. The breakfast was held on Saturday, March 24, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Buffalo. The high profile sports breakfast is sponsored by the Buffalo Pro Ministry of

Athletes in Action held every spring for the past ten years, Watson played his collegiate ball at Duke University prior to transferring to the University of Georgia. While at Duke, Watson was coached by Buffalo Bill Hall of Famer, Joe DeLamielleure. Former Ohio State Head Football Coach Jim Tressel was the special speaker at this year’s event. Tressel is currently the Vice President for Student Engagement for the University of Akron. During his tenure at Ohio State, Tressel's teams played in three BCS National Championship Games. He is the only Ohio State head coach to win seven consecutive games against the Wolverines. U. S. Army SGT Tommy Rieman from Kernersville, NC, were also recognized at the Call To Courage Awards Breakfast. SGT Rieman was awarded the Silver Star in August 2004 for his bravery and valor during the War in Iraq in 2003. He was also in attendance during the State of the Union Address and officially recognized by President George W. Bush as a true “American Hero”. Rieman who has had an action figure made of

him, was chosen as one of the faces of the U.S. Army's "America's Army: Real Heroes" program. The honorary chairman of this year’s breakfast was Buffalo Bills Receiver/ Quarterback and Special Teams Ace, Brad Smith. “We are thrilled to have such an outstanding program in this our eleventh year with such wonderful individuals like Ben Watson, Coach Tressel and SGT Rieman,” stated Reich. The Call to Courage Award Breakfast held in Buffalo, is Reich’s way of thanking the Western New York community for the love and appreciation that was displayed to him and his family while he was a member of the Buffalo Bills during the great Super Bowl years. Former Buffalo Bills great and CBS Sports Color Commentator Steve Tasker and WGRZ TV News Anchor, Jodi Johnston were this year’s MC’s.

THRiVE! I www.thrivebuffalo.org

Diane Paddison Author of Work, Love, Pray Founder of 4word

Diane Paddison was in town this spring as keynote speaker for the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Luncheon, an annual event raising money for the many services the organization provides our community. Paddison shared her own life lessons and talked extensively about her faith as the guiding source of her life. Paddison holds an impressive resume as a Harvard graduate, COO of two Fortune 500 companies and founder of 4word, a non-profit helping women in the workforce. She is an advocate for business women, a popular speaker to business and faith-based audiences, and author who recently released her book, Work, Love, Pray. The book offers advice to moms who are balancing the tension of work, family and faith and offers real, practical advise to those looking for answers. Paddison’s honesty and humility come forth through the book as she exhorts women to fulfill their God given potential in each area of their lives, “I’ve learned some things the hard way and might be able to help you avoid some of the pitfalls that are ahead of you. But more than anything, I want to be a voice of encouragement whispering in your ear, ‘You can do it!’ I believe in what your doing.”

48 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

special advertising section

The Urban Explorer Geographically speaking Buffalo has much to offer the urban explorer or business commuter. From leisure exploration to business travel Buffalo can position businesses and travelers alike with great access to traveling adventure in four of the countries largest and progressive cities.

Here is some basic travel data to assist in your planning with some recommendations from our staff on the best place to dine, stay and enjoy your trip.

Washington, DC

New York City

384 Miles from Buffalo

Black Salt

7 Hours, 26 min

The Shops at National Place

1 hour, 14 min.

$5 max

The National Mall

Starbucks

Yes, 6th Best City for Biking

Mid to high end

$5 max

Grand Street Bakery 602 Grand St., (vintage) varies

Empire State Building Observatory

Ranked 9th Best Biking City

Iris Cafe. 20 Columbia Pl., nr. State St., Brooklyn Heights High end

varies

456 Miles from Buffalo

Chicago

538 Miles from Buffalo

7 hours 57 min.

Parish CafĂŠ

8 hours, 48 min

1 hour, 28 min.

Newberry Street

1 hour, 51 min

Four Seasons Boston Commons Yes, 4th Best Bike City $11 p/day unlimited

50 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

ABC Kitchen 35 E 18th St.

1 hour, 23 min Trump SoHo

Fairmont

Boston

6 hours, 47 min.

388 Miles from Buffalo

$11 p/day unlimited

Sofitel Chicago Water Tower 20 E. Chestnut

Starbucks

Navy Pier

High end

10th Best Biking City in the US $5.75 Unlimited Daily

Yusho 2853 N. Kedzie Ave. Randolph Street Market 1350 W. Randolph St. and 1340 W. Washington $5.75 Unlimited Daily Asado Coffee Company 1432 W. Irving Park Rd. Mid high to high

special advertising section

Branches of Niagara Campground and Resort is the newest campground in Western New York! Branches of Niagara is located on Grand Island only 9 miles south of Niagara Falls. Featuring tent, pop-up, RV camping & log cabin rentals, 8 acre lake for catch & release fishing, canoeing & kayaking, zip line, heated swimming pool, planned activities and recreation, evening wagon rides and pavilion use for groups, Branches makes the perfect getaway for families. Call 716-773-7600 or visit www.branchesofniagara.com for information and reservations. Open April to October.

GOOD VIBES

OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND FOR ASPIRING MUSICIANS

B When it comes to recording music in Buffalo there are a few places to get the job done, but there are two particular places that have knowledgeable staff that provide the personal attention, precise engineering and top-notch facilities to transform any music into sounding its best. GCR Audio, owned by Buffalo native Robby Takac from the Goo Goo Dolls, opened its doors in September 2009 and is located at 564 Franklin Avenue in Allentown. Six years ago it started out as the Goo Goo Dolls private recording studio, InnerMachine Studios, but then they decided to open the studio up to other local and national artists. 52 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

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“[The building] was originally conceived in the late 1970’s and construction was originally completed in the 1980’s, but it kind of sat in disrepair for many years between then and now,” said Justin Rose, GCR’s house engineer and studio manager. “About seven years ago we built the entire place.” The building was originally owned by Alan Baumgardner, who founded the studio back in the 1982 when it was called Trackmaster Studios. Now known as GCR, the studio has welcomed several artists who are nationally known, like Lil Wayne, Jessie J, B.o.B. and David Cook, along with local bands, such as Cute Is What We Aim For, The Albrights, Moe, and the Brothers McClurg. It has even welcomed international bands, such as The Ruby Spirit who hail from Toronto, Ontario. Front woman Paige Boy was introduced to GCR in July 2011 by Buffalo Music Hall of Fame inductee and promoter Bruce Moser, who is responsible for bringing success to groups, such as Rush, Bryan Adams, The Tragically Hip, Tom Petty, The Goo Goo Dolls, and U2. “It’s like this amazingly beautiful building,” said Boy. “Bruce showed us GCR and we basically met Justin there, who’s phenomenal. I don’t think my voice has ever been captured more beautifully than with working with Justin. He worked endlessly to get the final product to be really good. Once we saw GCR we basically fell in love with it.” The first recording project the band completed at GCR was a lost John Lennon song that they were given permission to finish on Halloween weekend of last year. The song will be released by the Ruby Spirit sometime later this year. In that same weekend they also recorded their new song, “Evolution Sickness,” which Boy says has whimsical qualities. “I think GCR brought the most to that song, especially with all their really cool reverb tanks they have built under the stairs,” said Boy. “It was just a really great environment to make a song like that and have it really come to life.” Paige especially enjoyed recording in the John Storyk designed room where there are door panels along the wall that can be opened or closed to produce different sounds. “We’ve kept a really great scope of gear and technology here for clients,” said Rose. “It’s world class. We kind of have a hybrid world in the studio with the digital stuff and the classic analog stuff that people appreciate,” said Rose. “But we have so much house gear available. It’s just a very welcoming professional atmosphere.” Even though they specialize in music recording, GCR has also hosted art events, music industry networking events and has dabbled in video work. “It really is a great place,” said Anthony Hoisington of the Brothers McClurg, speaking of GCR. “It has a really good atmosphere and a lot of very capable people work there and are involved.” Brothers McClurg, a local Christian band, is made up of brothers Anthony and Chris Hoisington, who had each fronted their own bands, then came together and were later joined by Justin Michau (guitar), Matt Poulsen (guitar), Dan Swain (bass), and Peter Bordin (drums). Both brothers are worship leaders from different churches, along with a few other members of the band. As a band they have recorded at GCR three times and recently participated in an 8-day lockout in March to record their second studio release with their label Integrity Music, which they became nationally signed to about two years ago. The new release, the

follow-up to their debut, Alive, will be called Join in the Sound, which will be due out at the end of July. Integrity Music has allowed the band to record in a few local studios, such as GCR and Starfields Productions, owned by Alan Dusel. “One of the things that happens when you sign with a label is they have a say as to where you record,” said Anthony. “We thought if we’re going to pour money into a place and do business we really wanted it to be in Buffalo.” Starfields Productions, located at 463 Amherst Street in downtown Buffalo, NY, began as a hobby at first for Dusel in the early 1980’s and he operated out of his duplex bedroom. He had put together some equipment to record some songs of his own and his friends in an apartment in South Buffalo. In 1985 he was contacted by Trackmaster Studios, which is now GCR, about his good friend David Bellanca partnered up with their company to build another studio. “Right around this time a lot of cool things were happening musically and David was hired as chief engineer at Trackmaster and brought me on and said, ‘Let’s put together a co-op agreement,’ where we could build a custom room where I could use the space in a co-op fashion and they could use the equipment,” said Dusel. “So there was no real out-of-pocket cost for me.” Dusel first became interested in the art of recording while he was attending the University at Buffalo from 1975 to 1980. At the time he was going for music performance and education, but decided to change his career path because he couldn’t see himself being a teacher. “I just didn’t think that for 30 years I could do this,” said Dusel. “Even though I love kids, I just thought I had to be able to accomplish more, so when I graduated in 1980, I began to explore the possibility of putting together my own little home private studio.” Starfields has welcomed several clients to record, such as The Trippi Band, Ani DiFranco, Terry Sullivan, The Scintas, Brothers McClurg and even St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy. Dusel says he enjoys working with all different bands because each artist has their own way of approaching their craft and he has developed several valuable relationships over the years. “What I really enjoy doing the most is working with artists who have a sense of humility in their art and if they’re willing to work with a producer,” said Dusel. “I try to help bring out and develop their ideas and to develop a product that is maybe even bigger than what they thought they could accomplish. Usually that takes a certain amount of trust and time for the relationship to build.” One group that Alan has come to know well over the years is the Brothers McClurg. “Alan Dusel has a really good heart and has taught my brother and I a lot about what it means to record,” said Anthony. “Whenever we get to record there, it’s been a very positive experience because not only does it sound really good, but because we get filled spiritually.” The band just finished a collection of acoustic hymns and spiritual songs in an unplugged recording that was done in December. “It’s really a great atmosphere in the sense that you’re

(continued page 64) THRiVE! I www.thrivebuffalo.org

Restraint BY JERRY GILLIS

Restraint is not a particularly popular word in the English lexicon anymore. The word itself implies that there are impulses that must be held back or controlled, and that you can't always get what you want (to quote the Stones). That is not an enjoyable thought for a generation of people that have what they want whenever they want - at least to a degree. While you could probably think of a hundred examples to every one I mention, the fact that we have what we want whenever we want can be seen readily: * If you want food, pick up a phone and have them bring it to you. * You need to buy a Christmas present? Just log on, buy it, and have them send it to you. * No need to stop and ask for directions ever again (awesome! now I don't have to interact with humans!), just use your GPS. * Need anything else? There's an app for that. You have thought of a zillion more examples I'm sure. And all of those examples makes the word restraint seem so antiquated...so irrelevant....so....dial up. But the ancient wisdom writer who penned Proverbs 23 knew that restraint was one of the most important principles that we could embrace. He realized (sooner or later) that having everything you want all the time doesn't yield the life you hoped to have - in fact, it steals it....sours it. I don't often ask you to do this (or, for that matter, to do anything), but if you are reading this, would you be so kind to grab a Bible (some of you, like me, have the Bible on your phone - you can get it for free you know...just sayin'...). I want to show you the examples of restraint that the wisdom writer uses in Proverbs 23.

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1. He teaches us to have restraint when we eat (v.1-3,6-8) Wow, who ever said the Bible wasn't relevant? We live in a culture (America) that is growing alarmingly obese. I don't know all of the reasons, but I do know the common sense one - we eat way too much. We don't show any restraint at the table. Could it be that this is a product of having whatever we want whenever we want it? I don't think it is the sole reason, but I do think it is a major contributor. 2. He teaches us to have restraint in our pursuit of money (v.4-5) - Riches are temporary, not eternal. Riches can't satisfy the human soul, it can only temporarily appease the cravings of our sinful flesh (and the more we feed those cravings, the bigger the appetite becomes). It is a monster that can never be fed enough - it will just continue to consume. Restraint teaches us to know when we have enough, and to be content with it. 3. He teaches us to have restraint with our power (v.10) - Just because we can overwhelm someone with our power (our wealth, our position, our influence, our strength) doesn't mean we should. This is an issue of justice, and justice is something God takes seriously. God will defend the cause of the powerless, and He will be their justice (either now or later), so those who have power should use it to serve and love, not to domineer or promote selfish gain. 4. He teaches us to have restraint as a parent (v.13-18) - Part of restraint is discipline. As parents, we are instructed to discipline our children (in love, not in wrath). Some parents, through either laziness or a philosophy that doesn't worry about restraint, let their children run their lives (and seemingly the lives of everyone around them - they live on planet "ME"). Kid CEO's in the house is a bad philosophy according to the Bible - our role as parents is to restrain them in arenas that are harmful to them, and we foster that through loving discipline. 5. He teaches us to have restraint with strong drink (v.19-21,2935) - If you read this (and I hope you are), you see a bleak picture of the person who drinks too much. It almost seems comical when we read it, but it is not meant as comedy. Alcohol is an escape for many people - they want to forget their problems or responsibilities. (Continued page 64)

SOUTH BUFFALO

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The reality is that there is much to like about this part of Buffalo. As I spent time in these neighborhoods, I couldn’t help but to be endeared to the community in a number of ways. There are a number of neighborhoods in the city of Buffalo that warrant an almost nostalgic look back….South Buffalo is definitely one of those areas. Specifically, the neighborhoods South Buffalo, Kaisertown, East Lovejoy, The Old First Ward, The Valley, Clinton-Bailey, Seneca-Babcock likely call forth stories that make many a native Buffalonian proud. The reality is that there is much to like about this part of Buffalo. As I spent time in these neighborhoods, I couldn’t help but to be endeared to the community in a number of ways. Food is a love language of mine. I would strongly encourage people to venture into this part of Buffalo, as places like The Blackthorn Restaurant & Pub, Top Hill Grill, and Conlon’s Bar & Grill await (there are many more places to consider as well, but if I’ve peaked your curiosity at this point, I’ve succeeded in getting you to invest back into this community). In addition to food and fare, the history buff would be richly drawn into this neighborhood. There are amazing stories to be told in these neighborhoods, and if the mood should strike you, I’d encourage you to begin your investigation into these places by checking out the South Buffalo Chamber of Commerce web site (www.southchamber.org) as well as South Buffalo Home (www.southbuffalohome.com.) South Buffalonian Brendan Cunningham agrees, “If there is a jewel in the crown of the 32 neighborhoods that Buffalo has to offer, it must be an emerald pointing the way to the Irish of South Buffalo. It's a solid, super safe, family neighborhood with great housing stock at extremely under inflated prices. An easy 8 minutes to down town, it is easily the best investment in the city. It also has one of nicest Frederick Law Olmsted Parks anywhere...Cazenovia Park." Resident Pat Curry calls what South Buffalo is experiencing a renaissance. “The neighborhood is enjoying a renaissance, with record public and private investment that is bringing a new look and new life to this ‘city within a city.’” Cazenovia Park, affectionately referred to as “Caz Park” by locals truly is a community meeting place with its impressive amenities including a 9-Hole Golf Course, four Baseball/Softball Diamonds, three Soccer Fields multiple Tennis Courts and Basketball Courts and a playground. Last summer the BPO even performed a free outdoor concert followed by fireworks at the park. I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention one of the other communities prizes within the park namely the ice hockey rink that played a role in the likes of Tim Kennedy and Pat Kane becoming the players they are today. Interestingly in research for this article, I discovered Buffalo was not only considered by many at the turn of the century to be the City of Lights but also the City of Trees thanks to Caz Park and others designed by Olmstead. The park is one of the more mature stands of trees in the city and has been one of the focus parks in the Olmstead Park Conservancy’s tree planting program. With more than 2,500 new trees and shrubs planted since 1999, the Conservancy is committed to maintaining a healthy canopy of trees in all the parks.

Other mainstays in the community include Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, part of Catholic Health, one of the largest hospitals in Western New York with the region’s busiest emergency room; their new $32 million ER is triple the size of the previous facility. The hospital is also accredited by the Joint Commission, illustrating that they meet the highest quality and safety standards in the field. South Buffalo has also become a hotbed of organized labor, with the Asbestos Worker’s Local #4 and American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees Local #264 opening headquarters on Seneca Street, in addition to the Communication Workers of America Local #1133’s new facility on Elk Street. Other features include a western border to the Lake Erie waterfront with over 200 million public dollars invested in its beautification over the last 10 years. Waterfront access includes destinations like Gallagher Beach, which features a boardwalk, pier, boat launch and pebble beach. The district also features a Bike Path up to the Small Boat Harbor, Doug’s Dive Restaurant, the Outer Harbor and the newly reopened 1833 Buffalo Lighthouse Park. The Bike Path can also lead you Downtown and continues along the Erie Canal. More than anything, I’m drawn to shed light on this collective of neighborhoods, as they reflect a blue collar, give you the shirt off my back ethic that seems pervasive in this part of town. Much of what I see in South Buffalo is a historical, blue collar story that people should not miss out on. I would point out that affordability is a great upside to this part of town. The median home cost for this area is $67,820 (compared to the US average of $158,934), and the median rent in this community is $372 (compared to the US average of $657). If people are interested in an urban environment, with great proximity to downtown, the waterfront, and desire to live in a truly historic part of this city, I recommend it highly. In terms of improvement for the community, when taking a look at the demography in those areas today, there are definitely points of concern. Since 1990, the population in this area has declined by 24.3%, all the while the population of the United States during that time has grown by 23.3%. The education of the area is labeled as extremely low, as only 62.1% of the population above the age of 25 have graduated from high school (comparatively, the US average of high school graduation is 80.4%). Further, college graduates account for 8.2% of those over the age of 25 in this area (the US average of college graduates in an average community is holding at 24.4%). Household concerns center on things like, finding adequate food, affordable housing, employment, companionship, day-to-day financial living, and abusive relationships (all of which are statistically higher than the average neighborhood in the US). While these realities generate pause, the unfortunate reality is that these findings are altogether not dissimilar for other rustbelt towns in the United States. What ultimately could happen in neighborhoods like this? Time will tell. One thing that I would strongly encourage is that, while it is important to examine the difficulties that neighborhoods face currently, it is also important to look at the potential of what a community possesses. I believe that South Buffalo has some beautiful things to show off to our region. I hope that people will be willing to take time out to go and see them.!

THRiVE! I www.thrivebuffalo.org

60 THRiVE! SPRING 2012

Clarence

Bungalow

Modern-Day Mission Style: A Home with True Craftsman Character . STORY BY CHRIS HILL

PHOTOS BY MATT BROWN

rom color schemes to textures, the design and decor of a family room should echo and help fulfill the roomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s purpose. And when the Arts & Crafts style meets the demands of a family room, the result is a combination of natural elements, local materials, and local crafts and traditions. In July of 2010, a 1955 Clarence, NY Craftsman Bungalow (pictured) underwent a design transformation complete with a 600-square-foot indoor/outdoor addition making it into a true Arts & Crafts Bungalow. THRiVE! I www.thrivebuffalo.org

Together with the expertise of an Interior Designer, they made every effort to preserve the home’s original footprint, while adding practical touches that meet the needs of their lifestyle. The family room is a glimpse into how the Arts & Crafts style is achieved using modern-day products that offer practicality, creativity, and beauty. Typically, unless it’s been remodeled, a bungalow has two or three bedrooms, one bathroom, an ample living room that flows into the dining room, kitchen, and often a full basement. Some may have a partial second floor for added space. What they lack in size, they more than make up for in charm and character. Whole neighborhoods are now being designated as historic districts and competition to buy these small gems is fierce in many cities. It is not uncommon for today’s bungalow owner to embark on an addition to enlarge a kitchen or add on a family room given the limited square footage of the traditional layout. In July of 2010, the homeowners hired local architect Gerald Shaffer to construct a 600-foot addition of an indoor/outdoor family room and covered porch. Smartly, the plans included a 16-foot ceiling to give the indoor space an air of height above the cozy 13 x 15, 195 square foot floor plan. The homeowners then visited local merchant Kittinger Gallery on Transit Road in Williamsvilleto help them achieve their passion for an Arts & Crafts style in their new family room. In July of 2010, they met Interior Designer Robert Styles, who determined that the family was looking for low-maintenance, indoor/outdoor living to best maximize their smaller-scale space. One of the many talents Robert brings to his clients is his ability to appreciate the economy of a space--to measure and evaluate the clients, and then determine what sort of use the furniture will endure. The sofa chaise, for instance, was carefully and strategically chosen for its ability to perfectly accommodate the couple after a long day’s work. It is sized for the two to lounge comfortably, and the chaise itself is even reversible depending on the orientation of the TV, fireplace, or focal point of the room. The use of a swivel chair allows conversation with guests in either the kitchen space or the family room. Every piece is chosen for utility and beauty, the Craftsman philosophy alive and at work. “This is a happy room, not a show space,” Robert adds. “The room is about life and living. It’s the couple’s ‘go-to’ room. It is always filled with life, through every season.”

The homestead is nestled on a scenic, wooded 2-acres, overlooking an idyllic stream and frequently visited by a variety of Clarence’s wildlife. Some of the most noteworthy connections to the Arts & Crafts tradition are found on the walls, windows, and

floors. Designer Robert Styles used C2 Paint’s color palette to brainstorm and select all of the room’s natural color influences. For colors and textures, Robert was inspired by the natural elements of earth, water, and fire. The earthy-elegant tones are found in the neutrals of the granite countertop, the fresh greens of the Brocade Hemp rug, the bone-colored Hunter Douglas blinds covering Marvin windows, and C2 paint’s Corn Silk-colored ceiling. Elements of water stream in through the navy Harden sofachaise, cobalt pendant lights, and homeowner’s cherished collection of Polish Stonewear Pottery in blue danube. Fire-tones blaze on the room’s perimeter walls in C2’s “Bamboozled, and in the gorgeous rich reds of the Candlelight Cabinetry. “The darkest and warmest element of the home is the family room. It is the red heart of the house,” Robert says. He intentionally chose the “Magna View” blinds to allow the family to enjoy an expanded view of their yard through a 4-inch slat. The blinds mount and tilt closed like a standard 2-inch blind, but when tilted open, the slats THRiVE! I www.thrivebuffalo.org

(continued from page 63) nest together, doubling

your view. And the view from “the heart” is breathtaking. “I wanted to bring the outside in,” he concludes. Not only do the colors, textures, and materials welcome in the natural world, the products themselves were all purchased from local merchants. And, many of the products wear an eco-friendly label, giving relevance to the home’s modern Craftsman style. From the eco-friendly, recycled aluminum of the blinds, to the fast-growing, renewable fibers of the 100% Brocade rug, to C2 paint’s low-VOC composition, Robert selected products that would beautify and preserve the natural world that so inspired his design. Details like the proper scale of a sofa chaise, the degree of swivel of a recliner, or the slat width of the window blinds can significantly enhance the quality of everyday life-especially in a family room, a space intended for conversation, relaxation, lounging, and the making of memories together. Robert’s design carries throughout the entire home, keeping consistent the mission-style trends he so successfully captured in the family room. The homeowner’s passion for living a true Craftsman lifestyle has been expressed through this bungalow’s Interior Design. The Arts & Crafts tradition is still THRiVing in Clarence, New York.! Chris Hill lives in East Amherst with her husband Tom and their three children. Their local company, Evanhill Paint distributes C2 Paint throughout the Western New York region. C2 Paint can be found in beautiful homes around the country and at evanhillpaint.com. (continued from page 27) Stovroff & Taylor Realtors has had a 24.29% growth rate resulting in $1.91 million in sales. With respect to their competitive edge, Joni Stovroff admits, “I make sure I stay on top of the market and I surround myself by good people,” a mantra that has served her and her business well over the years. Their main challenge continues to be “overcoming rising costs and attracting the best people.” For the team at Stovroff and Taylor realtors it comes down to, “Finding good people who will complement our new relocation initiative. We call it “Sold on Buffalo.” We’ve featured it on commercials and numerous newspaper and magazines. We want to help top companies attract the best people. Just like we do.” So if there is in fact a common denominator for success in business in this town, at least based on what some of the more successful entrepreneurs would lead us to believe, considering the results of our poll; it will be getting and keeping the best people you can find. This might or might not come as a surprise for many business owners out there. It might even seem like common sense to many. And perhaps Cicero was right when he told the Senators of Rome over 2000 years ago, “Good help is hard to find.” It was true then and it is true now. But let’s take this one step further. These companies are certainly not the biggest it town but their track records speak for themselves and they are thriving. Jim Collins classic book on successful businesses talks about the importance of “getting the right people on the bus and the wrong people off the bus and the right people in the right seats.” It seems like these Buffalo businesses

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are falling right in line with this concept and they are striving to build their own futures by following his advice. So since “people” seem to be the driving force no matter how you cut it we asked an employment expert to offer her 2 cents to check to see if we were on the proper track and this is what Joan Graci, Employment Expert, and President of APA Solutions/Career Reform volunteered totally independently of what the other interviewees tendered. "Great companies not only a have a strong Business Plan; they have a comprehensive Human Capital Plan (a Plan that includes Hiring, Retention and Development of their internal employees). This plan should fit like a transparency over the organization’s strategic goals and be in direct alignment to the vision and mission." So I guess what we are saying is, if you want to make it in this town, if you want to position yourself to compete: “it’s all about the people.”! (continued from page 56) The problem is, they

create new problems for themselves and others. I watched my boys listen to some of the drunks at the Bills game- guys and gals who were making no sense, speaking jibberish, and acting ridiculous. It's a sad reminder of the way we try and fill the gaping hole in our heart. 6. He teaches us to have restraint sexually (v.26-28) - Though this is taught from a father to a son, it is applicable for men and women (or boys and girls as it were). Interesting, wouldn't you say, that a teaching from 3,000 years ago still has as much relevance today (if not more relevance). Sexuality outside the plan of God in marriage of a man and woman is a grenade with the pin pulled looking for a place to detinate. Enjoy all that comes with marriage - have a blast, be creative. But keep the fire in the fireplace because that is where it belongs - if the fire gets into the rest of the house you have huge trouble on your hands. Having all we want whenever we want it in this area is death to us. There are a few others in this chapter I could draw out, but you get the sense of the chapter. I don't want to apologize for restraint. It's not a bad word. It's a word associated with wisdom. So, while you and I enjoy life, live it to the full and for the glory of God, and drink in the experiences that God gives to us, let's make sure that walking alongside us in this life is the beautiful lady called "Wisdom" who loves to whisper a word in our ear Restraint.! —Jerry Gillis is Lead Pastor of The Chapel at Crosspoint in

Getzville. (continued from page 55) dealing with a very talent-

ed engineer who has been around for a long time and has really done a lot for local musicians,” said Anthony. “He really gives 100%, which is hard to find nowadays.” Dusel plans to keep doing what he can for local musicians to expose them to the public and one way he plans to do this is by renovating a large space in his studio, which will specifically be used for unplugged evenings, CD release nights, songwriter circle nights, workshops and seminars. “I think when people come they feel like the place kind of has a vibe to it,” says Alan Dusel. Just as Buffalo the city itself has a certain vibe to it, so do our recording studios. !

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