The summer months are never boring in Buffalo and frankly it is hard to keep up with it all. After the long winter months, I am telling you Buffalonians take full advantage of the summer months—from festivals to camping to business to farmers markets, charitable fundraisers, film and waterfront fun, Buffalo offers it all. Though it may not be as big and flashy as some other big cities, there really is nothing that we can’t offer. By focusing on those things that we collectively are doing well as a community and region our hope is that you would be inspired and proud to live in Western New York.

Our goal is that you would decide to get off the sidelines and get your hands dirty doing something good, putting your money where your mouth is and putting feet to your vision for your city. Our predominate reader— age 25-40 is tired of business as usual. We know that  change doesn’t happen through more government programs but rather when ordinary men and women decide to do something, take action and give back collectively that real progress is made. When we go beyond talking about the changes and we become the change.

     So it makes sense that in this issue we highlight waterfronts from around the country as our waterfront is one of our region’s greatest assets. While significant progress has been made since last summer’s announcement that Bass Pro was finally pulling out, we thought we would add to the discussion (thanks to The Project for Public Spaces for their generous contribution) with some creative ideas for waterfront spaces from cities around the Northeast United States, not to mention the section serves as a great urbanists guide to summer travel at the same time. Plus we bring you Buffalo’s best in our culture pages with ice cream, chicken wings and more. Additionally you won’t want to miss Stuart Harper’s update on making progress in the fight against poverty and homelessness in Buffalo, Barbara Byers on the East Aurora Cooperative Market plans and so much more including our photo tour of The Salvation Army by photographer Matt Brown. Again thanks for reading and I look forward to hearing from you soon! If you haven’t checked out our website and social media pages I strongly suggest you do, with (almost) daily updates and briefings from “Around Town” THRiVE! brings you the best news in town.!

Kyle Patterson, Publisher and Editor                            

By Kyle Patterson

I was recently asked by someone that didn't know I publish a magazine called THRiVE! and write about all great things in Buffalo, why I haven't moved my family out of the area in search of "greener pastures." While I could think of a number of reasons, ultimately it comes down to enjoying life right here in Western New York. There is so much to offer and at a reasonable standard and cost of living. Add to that four incredible seasons, and the resources of one of the world's five Great Lakes, plus Niagara Falls, and Canada right in our backyard and that is just the start of my list. Buffalo truly is a great place to be and it's time we start believing it again.



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

{Please subscribe to read the rest of the issue}

Falls Tale by Robin Mols

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 Brown

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.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY



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 Lockport

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.

www.thrivebuffalo.org/magazine

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!