Article originally published in May/June 2010 issue of THRiVE!      18th Century statesman and   philosopher Edmund Burke said, “The only thing necessary for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing.” Found within this quote is the theme of this issue. Change begins with you and I. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” There is a tendency within each of us to talk and dream of the change and impact we desire to have on the world - rather than being the answer to the problems confronting us. With change in mind, we present this issue in hopes of inspiring you to move from apathy to action.

On page 22 writer Nancy Carmichael examines the 21st Century epidemic of human trafficking: the underground industry that has enslaved millions worldwide including tens of thousands in the United States. Quoting Carmichael, “There are more human beings living in bondage today than in all 300 years of the African slave trade combined.  Unthinkable, but true.” The call to action for you is not to skim the article, look at the pictures and pass it by; rather get involved with STOP! an organization formed to combat this evil with real solutions, read the rest of the article to find out more.

Speaking of change, our cover story was originally with developer and governor hopeful Carl Paladino but was quickly changed after he came under fire for sending foul emails. None the less he is a man wanting to bring change so we published a revised article featuring Paladino and his mission for change. Paladino has demonstrated a genuine remorse for his emails and so we highlighted lessons learned, steps forward, and what we believe his future in politics will entail.

Lastly, Buffalo as a city is experiencing a demographic shift within our own population. Ryan Kozey on page 34 explores the increasing growth of refugees within our city limits and what you can do to serve them. Organizations like the International Institute, Jericho Road Ministries, Peace of the City, Journey’s End, Catholic Charities, and Jewish Family Services are helping but more is needed. According to Kozey’s research, “Throughout the year 2010, it is estimated that roughly 2,000 refugees will find a place to live in the city of Buffalo.”

So get involved, engage our culture and contribute to the story or Buffalo’s redemption. Go ahead and be inspired; read the articles and then pass them on to your friends and reflect together. Then come up with a plan and take action; take that small step of faith forward. You are needed in Buffalo and there is a place for you.

Kyle Patterson

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Falls Tale by Robin MolsI recently had the opportunity to sit down with artist Robin Mols in his Eden haven. We published the article in the last issue but wanted you to read it online in case you missed the print version.

In the plains of Eden, New York lies the rustic haven of painter, sculptor and designer Robin Mols. Mols, 62, finds his fourteen acre lot of wooded beauty fitting to his fancy. His art evolves out of the diversity of the post modern world while fusing the two extreme ends of realism and abstraction. As Eden was the paradise of God, so Mols’s own arboreal enclave in Western New York has helped him discover a sense of the divine in his own backyard paradise.

Born in Rochester, New York,Mols was interested in art from a young age. The son of Dr. Robert W. Mols, a composer, gifted flutist and co-founder of the music department at the University of Buffalo, Mols grew up immersed in the sounds of chamber music, opera, jazz and big bands. He realized early on that the history of art and music are inter-related and proceeded to study art at New Paltz State College from 1965-67, followed by painting and graphics at the Pratt Institute. It was while studying in New York that Mols had an epiphany. “There is an image that is born in the process of painting which, regardless of the results, is a testament of the nature of man,” says Mols. His abstract works like “Heat” and “Falls Tale” reveal something Mols describes as a “voice within.” Hearing this “voice” happens at the moment when he discovers what image is being created, which Mols believes reveals the deep spiritual inspiration in his art. “In the search for Truth, we seek for that which calls to us from the mysterious unknown, to see, perhaps understand, but which pulls at us to discover what lies beneath the whiteness of beginnings. The journey is wrought with uncertainty and surely wrapped in chaos, but the end is a place of comfort to reflect and to review from the safety of hindsight.” Mols’s search for truth has led him to the Old Testament, to the Tabernacle of Moses. His lithograph painting, “Mosaic Tabernacle” depicts the Jewish worship center as described in the book of Exodus. Mols says this has become his best selling work, attracting a worldwide audience. The painting includes a full view of the outer court, the altar of sacrifice, the Holy Place,the Most Holy Place and the community of Israelites surrounding the Tabernacle.

Other spiritual realism works include the acute detail on the face of David in “5 Stones” based upon the Biblical account of David and Goliath, and his stunning portrayal of Moses journeying up Mount Sinai to commune with God. It is works like these that have earned him commissioned work at places of worship around the country, including The Tabernacle in Orchard Park, New York. Mols built his latest project, a new studio, to give him a refuge to harness his creativity and showcase his talent.

Mols’s other works include landscapes, lithographs and portraits which have been displayed locally at the Albright Knox in Buffalo, Erie Art Museum in Erie, Pennsylvania, the Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University and the Black Forest Gallery in Eden, New York, among many others. Prints of his work can be viewed and ordered online at www.molsart.com.

Carl Paladion announces his bid for NY Governor. Photo by Matt BrownLast night Buffalo developer Carl Paladino stacked his claim on Albany- officially announcing his run for governor in front of a packed crowd at the Ellicott Square building in downtown Buffalo. Paladino, a registered Republican with conservative values is promising to "unhinge the Albany ruling class," reform the political system of New York, and correct the dynfunctional education system in places like Buffalo. His blunt message was met with cheers and chants from the crowd themed around anger towards the dysfunction in Albany. People cheered, "I am mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore."

Paladino is hoping this momentum will carry him through until election time in November. His campaign is scheduled to travel throughout New York officially announcing to supporters and critics his bid for the governor's seat. Paladino committed to cut state spending by 10% - helping to reduce the gaping hole in NY's budget. Not seeking popularity or re-election, Paladino told me in an interview before the speech that after his four years are up, he will be done, and will spend time with his children, and grandchildren. He looks at his role similiar to when he served four years in the armed forces; Paladino described himself as a wartime guy, here to take out the bad guys, restructure the way Albany functions, stop driving away businesses from NY because of taxes and restructure the state. He is the type of guy that looks at how efficient our state operates and cuts off the fat.

No doubt a controversial figure, Paladino is direct, to the point and someone who wants to use his non-traditional style to get things done instead of play political games.

More coverage to come in our next issue. Look for it at the end of April.

Our March/April issue is off the press. We have an edition packed with some really great stuff including more content from last November's Extreme Makeover, an interview with UB President John Simpson, Statler Tower analysis and much more. It is exciting to see THRiVE! distributed at Wegmans, Barnes and Noble, 7-11 and Dash's Market. As usual copies are also at Bender's, Buffalo Christian Center and our partner locations.

I really would love your feedback and would love to have you subscribe for $19.95 a year. We have some great things planned for upcoming issues that you won't want to miss.

Inside the Palace Theater, home of The Chapel at LockportIt seems ironic that there is controversy between the Catholic Church in Lockport and The Chapel at Crosspoint, considering they both are supposed to have the same mission. The Buffalo News published an article Sunday on their front page about the conflict the Catholic Church was having with a new church plant by The Chapel at Crosspoint. The Chapel is a non-denominational mega-church located in Getzville, NY. The Catholic Church historically has been the dominant faith in Western New York yet has been slowly declining in numbers with more and more of their parishes being forced to close. Maybe that is the reason why they are so upset about The Chapel's recent announcement that they will be planting a satellite campus starting Easter, April 4, 2010 in The Palace Theater and across the street in the Old Post Office in dowtown Lockport NY.

The Chapel views Lockport as a great opportunity to continue its mission of giving "every man, woman, and child repeated opportunities to both hear and see the gospel of Jesus Christ." The Catholic church according to an article published by the Buffalo News on Sunday sees the church plant as a threat. The Buffalo News published a copy of a church bulletin written by Rev. James A. Waite accussing the Chapel of slick marketing and live praise bands as a way of drawing in large crowds. 

The Chapel however have done their research on the opportunity that Lockport represents for church growth. According to a study Pastor Jerry Gillis presented at The Chapel at Crosspoint, Lockport has a population of 49,476 people of whom 70.4% of people have little to no faith involvement of any kind. With those types of statistics available the argument that the Catholic church is forming against the new work holds no influence.Yes there is a possibility that some members of the Catholic Church in Lockport would be drawn to their services and this could pose a threat. But if effective ministry was happening and the "market" so to speak was already "saturated" than why do 70.4% of the city of Lockport have no faith connection? That sounds like a great opportunity to reach a city that needs to hear and see what The Chapel has to offer.

Check it our here

www.thrivebuffalo.org/magazine

What an exciting year in Buffalo. Looking back there is so much progress in Buffalo to be proud of. I wanted to take just a minute to share with you a couple of the inspiring events of 2009 that THRiVE! was there to provide you with coverage of. First looking back we brought you exclusive coverage of two really important developments in the faith community. The launch of Restoration Church in our April edition, and the launch of NorthGate Christian Community in our August issue. These are two really important developments in Western New York. Both of these faith communities are making a positive difference in Buffalo. Both of them happen to be in the Amherst area, but what they are doing reaches beyond the town of Amherst. Restoration is involved in tutoring kids in the city, NorthGate is providing a relevant community to foreign exchange students who are here from as far as India without friends or family. Whether you agree with their faith stance or not, without these communities, these needs would not be met.

Next I think of the re-election of Mayor Byron Brown that THRiVE! was there to provide an exclusive interview with. You can read part of that interview here. Mayor Brown is a public servant who deserves to be honored whether we agree with every decision he makes or not. He needs our support and I want to encourage you to be the change you want to see in Western New York.

Next we were able to bring you the most complete and exclusive coverage of what has truly turned out to be a catalytic community restoration event in Buffalo: Extreme Makeover Home Edition. So many organizations came together to make it possible. We just were there to celebrate the work of so many and make sure that we all get to celebrate with them. You can view some of our photos here . Thank you to Matt Brown, THRiVE!'s photographer for really capturing the moment and documenting it for us to enjoy.

Lastly I wanted to mention the success of Avant, Buffalo's new multi-use high rise that Uniland constructing is just two years. You can view our article of this project in our DEC09/JAN10 edition.

Thanks and happy new year!