The Rotary Club of Buffalo celebrated 20 years of mentoring at Lorraine Elementary on January 26 with a bagged lunch and tour of the newly renovated South Buffalo public school. The anniversary celebration included an invocation by 15-year-old Aaron Sylvia, an eighth grader who has been mentored by Rotarian Mike Woods for the past five years.

“As we celebrate 20 years of mentoring at Lorraine Elementary and 20 years of our partnership with Rotary, we think about our mentors who have made such a difference in our lives, and we are thankful,” said Sylvia. “Our mentors have encouraged us to stay in school and always try to do our best. They’re our heroes. Thank you, Mike, for always being there for me. ”

The second annual BlueCross BlueShield Snowman Making Challenge will be held every Sunday during February, the frostiest month of the year in Buffalo, one of the snowiest cities in the nation. 

Beginning Sunday afternoon, February 5 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park and for each consecutive Sunday, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York is hosting Snowman Making Challenge events at family-friendly venues in Western New York.  The Challenges are part of the company’s Healthy Changes Everything℠ platform and are a fun way to celebrate winter by taking part in a healthy activity.

The Snowman Making Challenges are free events, open to the public.  Everything you need to build a snowman, or a whole family of snowmen, will be on-site – snow or no snow!  Creativity in the absence of snow will result in surprising “SnowCrows” – a winter take on the standard fall decoration.

On May 1st. 2012, you will finally have a shopping destination in downtown Buffalo. 'Buffalo Commons', located at 523 Main St. will feature a cafe, t-shirt maker, clothing and more! So far, Brian Garman's Photography Gallery is the main tenent, but in the next few months, more will be offered here.

Buffalo Commons is a redeveloped building, thanks to local developer, Roger Trettel. The first floor is what we are primarily focusing on (the upper levels are shared office space). The floor is designed with small storefronts (ranging from 12x12 - 12x15), each with a window and door, lighting, heat and Wi-Fi included. The lobby area includes; public restrooms, lounge area and an entrance/exit on both Main and Washington Streets.