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Revision as of 13:07, 24 May 2013
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The most important work of the first half of Frank Lloyd Wright's career, and the first commission for that renowned architect outside of Chicago, the Darwin D. Martin Complex is one of the crown jewels of Buffalo's huge architectural cornucopia. The complex includes not only the Darwin D. Martin House itself—built in 1904-05 for the president of the '''Larkin Soap Company''' and Wright's longtime friend and benefactor—but also the '''George Barton House''', where Martin's daughter and son-in-law lived, the '''Gardener's Cottage''', and three buildings—a '''carriage house''', '''conservatory''' and '''pergola'''—which were demolished in 1962 and recently reconstructed according to Wright's original blueprints, the first Frank Lloyd Wright buildings ever to be rebuilt after demolition. Following over half a century of neglect, vandalism, and decay, the complex was purchased by the '''Martin House Restoration Corporation''' in 1994, with the extensive restoration process finally completed in 2010. For many local residents, the rebirth of the Darwin D. Martin House symbolizes the increased attention Buffalo's citizens are paying to their city's world-class architecture. A one-hour Basic Tour is offered, as well as a more extensive two-hour In-Depth Tour.
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The most important work of the first half of Frank Lloyd Wright's career, and the first commission for that renowned architect outside of Chicago, the Darwin D. Martin Complex is one of the crown jewels of Buffalo's huge architectural cornucopia. The complex includes not only the Darwin D. Martin House itself—built in 1904-05 for the president of the '''Larkin Soap Company''' and Wright's longtime friend and benefactor—but also the '''George Barton House''', where Martin's daughter and son-in-law lived, the '''Gardener's Cottage''', and three buildings—a '''carriage house''', '''conservatory''' and '''pergola'''—which were demolished in 1962 and recently reconstructed according to Wright's original blueprints, the first Frank Lloyd Wright buildings ever to be rebuilt after demolition. Following over half a century of neglect, vandalism, and decay, the complex was purchased by the '''Martin House Restoration Corporation''' in 1994, with the extensive restoration process finally completed in 2010. For many local residents, the rebirth of the Darwin D. Martin House symbolizes the increased attention Buffalo's citizens are paying to their city's world-class architecture. A one-hour Basic Tour is offered, as well as a more extensive two-hour In-Depth Tour.
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[[File:FlintHillEncampment1812.jpg|thumb|right|350px|An interesting historical feature of the '''Delaware Park Golf Course''' can be found near the fourth hole; a monument there pays tribute to two or three hundred War of 1812 soldiers, who succumbed to disease and were buried on the site while stationed on what was then the rural farmstead of Dr. Daniel Chapin during the winter of 1812-13.]]
==Do==
==Do==
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The second-largest Italian-American heritage festival in the United States as well as one of the five largest street festivals of any description in the country, the Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival was held for ten years on Connecticut Street before it followed most of the city's Italian population, moving in 1988 from the Lower West Side to North Buffalo. Today, 600,000 visitors crowd the vicinity of Hertel and Delaware Avenues for four days each July to enjoy live music, carnival rides, and revelry of all kinds. The star of the show, of course, is the food, with offerings from such well-known Italian markets as '''Guercio & Sons''' and '''Mineo & Sapio Meats''' as well as demonstrations by chefs from Italian restaurants in the area such as '''Marotto's''' and '''Marco's Italian Deli'''.
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The second-largest Italian-American heritage festival in the United States as well as one of the five largest street festivals of any description in the country, the Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival was held for ten years on Connecticut Street before it followed most of the city's Italian population, moving in 1988 from the Lower West Side to North Buffalo. Today, 600,000 visitors crowd the vicinity of Hertel and Delaware Avenues for four days each July to enjoy live music, carnival rides, and revelry of all kinds. The star of the show, of course, is the food, with offerings from such well-known Italian markets as '''Guercio & Sons''' and '''Mineo & Sapio Meats''' as well as demonstrations by chefs from Italian restaurants in the area such as '''Marotto's''' and '''Marco's Italian Deli'''.
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[[File:FlintHillEncampment1812.jpg|thumb|right|350px|An interesting historical feature of the '''Delaware Park Golf Course''' can be found near the fourth hole; a monument there pays tribute to two or three hundred War of 1812 soldiers, who succumbed to disease and were buried on the site while stationed on what was then the rural farmstead of Dr. Daniel Chapin during the winter of 1812-13.]]
===Golf===
===Golf===
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The '''Manny Fried Playhouse''', named after a former Buffalo theatre actor, union organizer, and political radical and located in the former '''Pierce-Arrow Factory Complex''' in Park Meadow, is the new home of the Subversive Theatre Collective. This bold new troupe's mission is to present provocative works of drama that are "dedicated to the needs, concerns, and aspirations of those who are oppressed, exploited, and disenfranchised by the existing social order". The Subversive Theatre Collective has staged performances of works such as Maxine Klein's "The Furies of Mother Jones" and Bertolt Brecht's "The Mother", and has traditionally been an integral part of Buffalo's annual Infringement Festival.
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The '''Manny Fried Playhouse''', named after a former Buffalo theatre actor, union organizer, and political radical and located in the former '''Pierce-Arrow Factory Complex''' in Park Meadow, is the new home of the Subversive Theatre Collective. This bold new troupe's mission is to present provocative works of drama that are "dedicated to the needs, concerns, and aspirations of those who are oppressed, exploited, and disenfranchised by the existing social order". The Subversive Theatre Collective has staged performances of works such as Maxine Klein's "The Furies of Mother Jones" and Bertolt Brecht's "The Mother", and has traditionally been an integral part of Buffalo's annual Infringement Festival.
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[[File:North Park Theatre.jpg|thumb|left|275px|The '''North Park Theatre''' is a longstanding mainstay of Hertel Avenue. Built in 1920 as part of the Shea chain of movie houses, the theatre boasts an exquisite Beaux-Arts design that is more monumental in scale than it appears from the street, and an interior whose proscenium, light fixtures and other decorative elements add an Art Deco influence. Since 1968, the North Park Theatre has been part of the Dipson chain of cinemas.]]
===Movies===
===Movies===
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Owned by '''Dipson Theatres''', a local chain of movie houses, the Amherst Theatre is located at the University Plaza at the outer end of University Heights. It features three screens showing an interesting mix of indie and arthouse films, Hollywood blockbusters of the more high-concept variety, and the occasional foreign film.
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Owned by '''Dipson Theatres''', a local chain of movie houses, the Amherst Theatre is located at the University Plaza at the outer end of University Heights. It features three screens showing an interesting mix of indie and arthouse films, Hollywood blockbusters of the more high-concept variety, and the occasional foreign film.
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Also owned by Dipson, this is almost inarguably the most distinctive movie theatre in the Buffalo area: built in 1920 as an old-fashioned silent movie palace, the North Park Theatre still boasts an exquisite (and newly restored) Baroque interior with Art Deco flourishes. The single screen shows indie films almost exclusively. The North Park Theatre is also famous as the site of the world premiere of "Buffalo '66", the critically-acclaimed directorial debut of local native Vincent Gallo, which took place here in June 1998.
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16 screens showing standard big-name Hollywood fare.
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16 screens showing standard big-name Hollywood fare.
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anything in U. Heights?
anything in U. Heights?
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[[File:Hayes_Hall_UB.jpg|thumb|left|375px|Hayes Hall is almost inarguably the most iconic landmark on the '''South Campus''' of the '''University at Buffalo''', the largest institution of postsecondary education in Western New York. It is home of the university's School of Architecture and Planning.]]
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[[File:Hayes_Hall_UB.jpg|thumb|right|375px|Hayes Hall is almost inarguably the most iconic landmark on the '''South Campus''' of the '''University at Buffalo''', the largest institution of postsecondary education in Western New York. It is home of the university's School of Architecture and Planning.]]
==Learn==
==Learn==
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====Books====
====Books====
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The selection at this small used book shop may not be the widest, but the Second Reader makes up for that with the quality of its merchandise and the friendliness and enthusiasm of its staff—not to mention the surprising and unusual finds that can often be encountered on the shelves there. The Second Reader's excellent prices are exemplified by the "$1 Book Table" which makes regular apperances in season on the sidewalk in front of the store. In addition to books, a range of prints, gifts and other ephemera are available here.
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The selection at this small used book shop directly across from the North Park Theater may not be the widest, but the Second Reader makes up for that with the quality of its merchandise and the friendliness and enthusiasm of its staff—not to mention the surprising and unusual finds that can often be encountered on the shelves there. The Second Reader's excellent prices are exemplified by the "$1 Book Table" which makes regular apperances in season on the sidewalk in front of the store. In addition to books, a range of prints, gifts and other ephemera are available here.
====Chocolate and candies====
====Chocolate and candies====
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====Budget====
====Budget====
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Bertha's, which according to its slogan is "the diner that takes you back a few years", is a '50s-style affair that's located at the heart of the Hertel strip. Open daily for breakfast and lunch and till 8PM on Fridays, Bertha's serves standard diner fare at unbeatable prices. The lunch menu is dominated by standard fare—burgers (monikers of selections such as the "James Dean", the "Davey Crockett", and the "Buddy Holly" continue in the '50s theme), club sandwiches, and similar items, as well as salads, wraps, and simple entrees. Full breakfasts comprise delicious omelettes, egg sandwiches, buttermilk pancakes and "Buffalo's best Belgian waffle", and weekly specials are offered. Cash only.
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Bertha's, which according to its slogan is "the diner that takes you back a few years", is a '50s-style affair that's located right next door to the North Park Theater. Open daily for breakfast and lunch and till 8PM on Fridays, Bertha's serves standard diner fare at unbeatable prices. The lunch menu is dominated by standard fare—burgers (monikers of selections such as the "James Dean", the "Davey Crockett", and the "Buddy Holly" continue in the '50s theme), club sandwiches, and similar items, as well as salads, wraps, and simple entrees. Full breakfasts comprise delicious omelettes, egg sandwiches, buttermilk pancakes and "Buffalo's best Belgian waffle", and weekly specials are offered. Cash only.
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A newly remodeled dining area boasting several high-definition flat-screen TVs which are inevitably tuned to the big game (this place is understandably popular during Bills and Sabres seasons) is the setting where patrons of Bob & John's La Hacienda enjoy simple yet delicious items such as subs, wraps, burritos, a small selection of salads, pizza, and stromboli. A particular specialty at Bob & John's is the chicken wings, which come in a wide variety of delicious sauces including classic Buffalo, barbeque, Cajun, and Jamaican jerk (boneless "wingdings" are also available). A modest range of simple entrees, comprising mostly pasta dishes as well as a locally renowned fish fry that's available on Fridays, is also on offer; at lunchtime, a buffet is offered featuring pizza, soup and salad.
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A newly remodeled dining area boasting several high-definition flat-screen TVs which are inevitably tuned to the big game (this place is understandably popular during Bills and Sabres seasons) is the setting where patrons of Bob & John's La Hacienda enjoy simple yet delicious items such as subs, wraps, burritos, a small selection of salads, pizza, and stromboli. A particular specialty at Bob & John's is the chicken wings, which come in a wide variety of delicious sauces including classic Buffalo, barbeque, Cajun, and Jamaican jerk (boneless "wingdings" are also available). A modest range of simple entrees, comprising mostly pasta dishes as well as a locally renowned fish fry that's available on Fridays, is also on offer; at lunchtime, a buffet is offered featuring pizza, soup and salad.
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Owned for over 30 years by the Mora family, Gramma Mora's has been a mainstay of Hertel Avenue since it moved here in 1996. Despite the legions of Buffalonians—including reviewers for ''Buffalo Spree'' and ''Artvoice''—who sing the praises of this place's pleasantly mediocre traditional Mexican fare, it is undeniable that Gramma Mora's has been going steadily downhill for the past ten years or so. Still, the food is far from bad, and even by Buffalo standards, the portion sizes are very generous for the price.
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Owned for over 30 years by the Mora family, Gramma Mora's has been a mainstay of Hertel Avenue since it moved here in 1996. Despite the legions of Buffalonians—including reviewers for ''Buffalo Spree'' and ''Artvoice''—who sing the praises of this place's pleasantly mediocre traditional Mexican fare, it is undeniable that Gramma Mora's has been going steadily downhill for the past ten years or so. Still, the food is far from bad, and even by Buffalo standards, the portion sizes are very generous for the price.