thewnytraveler.com

When Ric and Kathy Hilliman were kids growing up on Buffalo’s west side, they knew sure enough that the lake was out there, but he didn’t know how much of a role it would play in the rest of their lives.

Today the two own and operate a couple of vessels plying the waterways of the Buffalo Harbors and Rivers.  They own the tall ship “Spirit of Buffalo”, which offers reasonably priced cruises of all sorts, and the Queen City Ferry a “new this season” operation, which offers regularly scheduled passenger service between the outer and inner harbors. The Ferry seats 35 people and can accommodate a few bikes. Prices range from  $3/children/one stop, to a multi pass (3 non consecutive round trips) for $12 adults.  You can find the schedule and prices here. 

The Queen City Ferry also offers a daily River History Tour along the Buffalo River. Prices:  Adults $14 and Children $10. The daily tour, which runs from 10:30 am until noon, is narrated by knowledgeable and passionate advocates of the richness of Buffalo’s waterfront heritage.  On a recent sunny August tour, Ric Hilliman enthralled the 20 or so on board with his vast knowledge of riverfront lore including stories about Buffalo’s fabled grain elevators, the history of the shoreline and the former boatyards that once graced one of America’s most busy and important ports. He even throws in comments about the environment and nature that can be observed along the waterways.

For questions and weather related schedule information for the Queen City Ferry service and the Historic Buffalo River Tours: 716-796-4556.

Read the rest of the story with more photos and links

BABIK, featuring Stuart Fuchs on lead guitar, Josh Assad on rhythm guitar, Geoffrey Fitzhugh Perry on violin, and Kevin O'Brien on the upright base, performed on Tuesday July 19 at the Elmwood/Bidwell venue. The group performs pieces by the legendary gypsy jazz guitarist D'jango Reinhart  and their own original compositions.  These musicians raise virtuosity to a new  standard. Each concert promises an atmosphere of family fun, joyousness, and sumptuous syncopation.  This band will move you. We do not get to see them much around their hometown anymore so go and listen to them every chance you get!

The Learning Sustainability Campaign has just released a new video "The Niagara Habitat."  The video is designed to showcase our terrific natural region. Thanks to videographer, director, musician James Grimaldi, Jay Burney, and a wonderful voice over by Madelyn Burgess. 
For more information contact Jay Burney, email: lscampaign@aol.com

Our dear friend, Buffalo Bob Schzschzniak on the Edward M. Cotter, February 2011

February 23, 2011.  Jay Burney, Jim Grimaldi, and Jon Ross Fricano were invited by Bob Gallivan and the crew of the Cotter to voyage up the river and out on to the Lake Erie as they conducted important ice-breaking duties. This ice-breaking prevents flooding and ice jams which come with the spring thaw. 

This is Jon Ross's 56 times lapse video of the voyage.

Ice patrol, we were spectacularly lucky to get this time lapse of the ice dam break up. Patience counts. Jon Ross Fricano videographer.

In 1996 a consortium of international government agencies, conservation groups, and community actives helped to establish The Niagara River Corridor Globally Significant Important Bird Area. This was the first "internationally" designated IBA as both the U.S. and Canada acted in concert.  This area was designated because of the abundance of species of birds there especially in the winter, and because many of these species are threatened by such things as loss of habitat, pollution, and other forms of human development. 19 species of gulls can be found here. By comparison only 3 species are found on the entire continent of Austrailia. One species of interest is the Bonaparte’s Gull. This gull migrates through the area from late November through late January.  They nest in the boreal forests of the northwest, and some individuals migrate all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Some have estimated that as much as 30-50% of the worldwide population of these gulls are here during migration. One some days you can find thousands of these birds and other birds including other gulls, ducks, and geese, and raptors on the winter  river.

In addition the United Nations has designated part of the Niagara River Corridor as a UNESCO Biosphere Preserve.

This important designations put our area on a par with places like the Galapagos Islands, Yellowstone National Park, and the Florida Everglades.

story and photos by Jay Burney

For centuries migration of wildlife and humans has been an essential underpinning of our regions biodiversity and ecology. Find out why the annual winter gull migration in the Niagara River Corridor may hold a key to a future that works for WNY

New video board to be biggest in minor league baseball. New energy efficient field lights also to be installed.

Complete 2011 Schedule Click Here!

Western Door to the Niagara River Corridor "globally significant" Important Bird Area" 

Jewel Located on Waterfront in Downtown Buffalo

Spring Bird Migration
Just Around Corner

by Jajean Rose Burney

When WNYTraveler friend Seamus Gallivan returned to Buffalo a while back, we knew big things were in store for WNY. He has delivered with this new organization dedicated to community, music, arts, culture, events, and promoting the best things, places, organizations, and people. They are even organizing many events including fundraisers for people and groups in need. Check out the website which is daily updated with calendar and stories about WNY.

Check out this facebook page about learning sustainability and becoming more literate around environment and sustainability issues. Designed for journalists, writers, artists, students, and communicators or consumers of all sorts. Daily links to articles, websites, and discussions.  Consider Liking it and suggesting it to your friends!

Another Facebook page that brings you up to date information on this waterfront jewel located in downtown Buffalo.  Activities, photos, and bird and biodiversity conservation links and discussions. Consider "liking it" and suggesting it to your friends!

Visit this facebook page to learn about sustainable agriculture issues and events in New York State.

Growing Native



Using native plants in your garden is beneficial to nature and can be beautiful!  


Article by Jajean Rose

 
Green Demolition and Recycling

Buffalo ReUse 
and ReSource Store
298 Northhampton
Buffalo NY
716-882-2800

Buffalo Bob Schzschzniak, and Yale Sudbury are occasional local characters created by friends of the Western New York Traveler. These lovable individuals work in Buffalo (Buffalo Bob) and Port Daniels Canada (Yale). Buffalo Bob is a lovable character that you may find at any number of Buffalo events trying to collect video for his not so public access tv show. The Port Daniels News is a series of newscasts and reports outlining the struggles of an important Canadian place that has been somewhat left behind by economic and social upheavals. Unfortunately the aliens have got a tight grip on Port Daniels that even the Crab Lake Cafe Cupcakes, a tough and undefeated  all womens hockey team that plays in the otherwise all mens New Brunswick Hockey League (NBHL), have not been able to solve. Even Dan Aykroyd who we are trying to get to play Constable McKenzie has not thus far been able to solve the alien problem plaguing Port Daniels, and possibly Buffalo. However, have heart, we are always updating the script!
For a few more of our videos, including Yale Sudbury's appearance on Last Comic Standing, click here and scroll down until you see something you like.