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!

While Buffalo’s West Side recently went through a huge makeover, conincidentally so did THRiVE! Magazine. Our new designer, Marinette Kozlow, along with the other members of THRiVE!’s team have worked together to bring you a magazine with a new look and feel just in time to cover the transformations in Buffalo, initiated by ABC’s Extreme Makeover:  Home Edition. In just seven days, Buffalo saw 50 home improvement projects completed, 85 tons of food donated to feed the city’s hungry, and so much more. The sound of Ty Pennington’s megaphone launched the people of WNY into action, and THRiVE! was there to capture it all.

Having secured exclusive one-on-one interviews with each member of the design team, the executive producer of the show, and local contributing leaders, THRiVE! devotes a large portion of this issue to the Makeover with more to come in the next. To view THRiVE!’s extensive photo coverage of the Makeover, become a fan of THRiVE! Magazine on Facebook or visit our website at www.thrivebuffalo.org.

Another exciting development at THRiVE! is the official launch of THRiVE! Media Group, a division of our company that offers creative, quality services in print and online design, advertising, marketing, video, and photography. When the ABC production coordinator for Extreme Makeover asked if THRiVE! could find them a helicopter, we said, “Sure we can.” When ABC told THRiVE! they needed aerial footage for the show, we said, “We can do that.” And so, ironically, THRiVE! Media Group was launched in a helicopter. And now, we are ready to serve you like we did ABC.

I’d like to send out a special thanks to Extreme Makeover:  Home Edition for providing the people of WNY the opportunity to channel their hearts of service and generosity. Momentum on such a scale would have been very difficult to generate without their help. I would also like to specially thank my business partner and spouse, Julianna, who worked harder on this edition than any other I can remember.

• On Wednesday, 14 employee volunteers from HDE Electric began installing 100 new exterior light fixtures on homes throughout the neighborhood, improving safety and security. 
• Today, landscaping work begins and front porch railing and fence will be installed. Driveway will be completed.  
• The Buffalo Jills will visit the site today to cheer on volunteers from 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
• Spectators are welcome to view the build from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Visitors must register at the Colonel Ward Pumping Station at LaSalle Park and will be bused to the build sight.
• The American Red Cross “Extreme Makeover:  Home Edition” blood drive will continue at School 77, 370 Normal Ave., from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• The Extreme Food Drive Challenge continues from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the International Preparatory School at 110 14^th Street in Buffalo.  Donations of canned food are encouraged.

Today's activities:

The Powell Home, 228 Massachusetts Avenue, Buffalo, NY  14213

• The green deconstruction of the house was completed on Monday, and resulted in a 90% reuse/recycle rate.
• Community revitalization and beautification projects began Monday and will continue throughout the week.
• Today, basement walls will be placed in the early morning hours and the basement floor will be poured.
• Framing will begin around 7 a.m.
• Sabres alumni Rob Ray and Larry Playfair will be on hand to provide moral support at approximately noon. 
• The Extreme Food Drive Challenge continues from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the International Preparatory School at 110 14^th Street in Buffalo.  Donations of canned food are encouraged.