Five Things to do in March 2016

credit: Wikimedia Commons

Mardi Gras Weekend in Ellicottville – Friday through Sunday, March 11-13 throughout the village of Ellicottville. Crown the King and Queen, visit Holiday Valley’s Winter Carnival, check out the Mardi Gras parade on Saturday and much more! Find out more information here.

Cavalcade of Cars – Friday through Sunday, March 4-6 at the Hamburg Fairgrounds Events Center. The 23^rd annual show will feature hot rods, classics, custom cars, race cars, motorcycles, vendors and more. The Batmobile and Christine will both be on site, and there will be live music Friday and Saturday. Hours are Friday 5-10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; admission is $13 for adults, $3 for kids ages 6-12 and free for kids under 6.

St. Patrick’s Day parades – since everyone is Irish for St. Patrick’s Day, take your pick of one of these parades – or hit both! The 23^rd annual “Old Neighborhood” parade at noon on Saturday, March 19 at the Valley Community Center, 93 Leddy St. in Buffalo, or the Buffalo St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Delaware Ave. at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 20.

Maple Weekends – Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20 and again Saturday and Sunday, April 2-3 at maple producers across New York State. Among the participating area venues: the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village (3755 Tonawanda Creek Rd. in Amherst), Schumacher Farm (10217 Mill Rd. in Medina), Maple Glen Sugar House (2266 Gowanda Zoar Rd. in Gowanda), and the Genesee Country Village and Museum (1410 Flint Rd. in Mumford). Find more venues and more information here.

Buffalo Home Show – Friday through Sunday, March 4-6 and March 11-13 at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, Franklin St. in downtown Buffalo. Get ideas for home improvements, landscaping, building and more, sample brews in the Craft Beer Corner, get tips from HGTV and DIY Network star Matt Blashaw (Yard Crashers), and much more. Hours are Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.- 9 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; admission is $11 for adults ($8 if purchased online here), $3 for kids ages 6-12 and free for kids under 6. 

BfloGirlSports: Buffalo teams in March 2016

credit: Wikimedia Commons

Buffalo Sabres

• Tuesday, March 1 – at home against the Edmonton Oilers (7 p.m.)
• Thursday, March 3 – at home against the Calgary Flames (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, March 5 – at home against the Minnesota Wild (1 p.m.)
• Monday, March 7 – on the road against the Toronto Maple Leafs (7:30 p.m.)
• Tuesday, March 8 – at home against the New York Rangers (7 p.m.)
• Thursday, March 10 – on the road against the Montreal Canadiens (7:30 p.m.)
• Saturday, March 12 – at home against the Carolina Hurricanes (1 p.m.)
• Wednesday, March 16 – at home against the Canadiens (7 p.m.)
• Friday, March 18 – at home against the Ottawa Senators (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, March 19 – on the road against the Maple Leafs (7 p.m.)
• Tuesday, March 22 – on the road against the Hurricanes (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, March 26 – at home against the Winnipeg Jets (1 p.m.)
• Monday, March 28 – on the road against the Detroit Red Wings (7:30 p.m.)
• Tuesday, March 29 – on the road against the Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m.)
• Thursday, March 31 – at home against the Maple Leafs (7 p.m.)

Buffalo Bandits

• Saturday, March 5 – on the road against the Vancouver Stealth (10 p.m. ET)
• Friday, March 11 – at home against the Rochester Knighthawks (7:30 p.m.)
• Friday, March 25 – at home against the Stealth (7:30 p.m.)

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/
Salvatore Vuono

UB Bulls Men’s Basketball

• Tuesday, March 1 – at home against Miami (Ohio) (7 p.m.)
• Friday, March 4 – on the road at Bowling Green (7 p.m.)

UB Bulls Women’s Basketball

• Wednesday, March 2 – on the road against Akron (8 p.m.)
• Saturday, March 5 – at home against Kent State (2 p.m.)

St. Bonaventure Bonnies Men’s Basketball

• Wednesday, March 2 – at home against St. Joseph’s (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, March 5 – on the road at St. Louis (8 p.m.)

BfloGirlTravel: 2016 sports bus trips with Know How Tours

Visit Watkins Glen International with Know How Tours
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Know How Tours is offering a number of sports bus tours for the 2016 season, including trips to three baseball stadiums and a NASCAR race.

• Boston Red Sox at Toronto Blue Jays – on Saturday, April 9, head across the border to catch the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays in a 1:07 p.m. game. Cost is $115 per person and includes round-trip motorcoach and ticket to the game.
• Los Angeles Angels at Pittsburgh Pirates – on Saturday, June 4, the Angels visit Pittsburgh for a 4 p.m. game. This package – cost is $129 per person – includes round-trip motorcoach, ticket to the game in section 204 and an all-you-can-eat package with hot dogs, hamburgers, nachos, popcorn, peanuts and more.
• New York Yankees at Cleveland Indians – on Sunday, July 10, the Yankees and Indians match up for the final game of a four-game stand at 1:10 p.m. Cost is $135 per person and includes round-trip motorcoach, ticket to the game and an all-you-can-eat package with hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, peanuts and Pepsi products.
• Cheez-It 355 @ The Glen – NASCAR visits the Finger Lakes region on Sunday, August 7. Cost is $125 per person adult and $95 per person child 19 and under, and includes round-trip motorcoach, frontstretch grandstand seating and the pre-race Fan Walk ticket.
• New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays – on Saturday, September 25, cross the border to catch the Yankees and Blue Jays in a 1:07 p.m. game. Cost is $115 per person and includes round-trip motorcoach and ticket to the game.

BfloGirlTravel: 2016 sports bus trips with D&F Travel

The view from the "suite" seats in Cleveland - 2015
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D&F Travel doesn’t specialize in sports bus trips, but it does know how to make each sporting adventure a great one. Here are some of this year’s trips for sports fans:

• New York Yankees at Toronto Blue Jays – there are two dates for fans on this one – Thursday, April 14 (7:07 p.m. game) and Saturday, September 24 (1:07 p.m. game). Each trip is $99 per person and includes round-trip motorcoach and ticket to the game.
• New York Yankees at Cleveland Indians – catch one or all four games in this series, with trips scheduled for July 7, 8, 9 and 10 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) to Progressive Field. These trips include round-trip motorcoach, “suite” seat to the game and all-you-can-eat food and non-alcohol beverages until the middle of the 7^th inning – this is a great deal at $130 per person! (I’ve done this trip the last two seasons – great seats and lots of great ballpark food and more!)
• Cheez-It 355 @ The Glen – NASCAR visits the Finger Lakes region for one of two annual road course races on the Sprint Cup Series schedule on Sunday, August 7. Cost is $125 per person and includes round-trip motorcoach, grandstand seating and the pre-race Fan Walk ticket. 

M&T First Friday: February 5, 2016

credit: Wikimedia Commons/Dave Pape

On the first Friday of each month, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, located at 1285 Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo, opens the doors to the 1962 Knox Building to the public free of charge from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., thanks to sponsorship from M&T Bank.

• Homeschooler Art Class – 10 a.m. to noon for ages 11-17 – registration required.
• Homeschooler Art Class – 10:30 a.m. to noon for ages 5-10 – registration required.
• Toddler Art Class – 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. for ages 3-4 – free for members, $10 for non-members – registration required.
• Studio Art Classes for Adults – 1 to 3 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. – free for members and $10 for non-members.
• Public Tour – a free tour of the 1962 Knox Building at 1:30 p.m.
• What’s Your Vision tour – free one-hour tour at 4 p.m.
• Drop-in Art Activity for Families –5 to 7 p.m., free in the Education Classrooms.
• Jazz and Happy Hour – live music from George Kane and Wayne Moose in the AK Café from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Gallery Talk – Monet and the Impressionist Revolution, 1860-1910 – 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. in the 1962 Building.
• Film Screening – Midnight in Paris – 7 p.m. in the Auditorium - $5 for non-members, free for members.
• Special Event – The Art of Food and Drink: French Wine Tasting – 8:30 p.m. in the AK Café - $10 for non-members, free for members.

Registration is required for many classes and events – call 716-270-8292 to register. For more information, visit www.albrightknox.org and www.mandtfirstfridays.org.

BfloGirlSports: Buffalo teams in February 2016

credit: Wikimedia Commons

Buffalo Sabres

• Wednesday, February 3 – on the road against the Montreal Canadiens (7 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 4 – at home against the Boston Bruins (7 p.m. ET)
• Saturday, February 6 – on the road against the Bruins (7 p.m.)
• Tuesday, February 9 – at home against the Florida Panthers (7 p.m. ET)
• Thursday, February 11 – on the road against the Philadelphia Flyers (7 p.m.)
• Friday, February 12 – at home against the Canadiens (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 14 – at home against the Colorado Avalanche (12:30 p.m.)
• Tuesday, February 16 – on the road against the Ottawa Senators (7:30 p.m.)
• Friday, February 19 – on the road against the Columbus Blue Jackets (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 21 – at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins (12:30 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 24 – on the road against the Anaheim Ducks (10:30 p.m. ET)
• Friday, February 26 – on the road against the San Jose Sharks (10:30 p.m. ET)
• Saturday, February 27 – on the road against the Los Angeles Kings (11 p.m. ET)

Buffalo Bandits

• Saturday, February 6 – at home against the New England Black Wolves (7:30 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 14 – on the road against the Georgia Swarm (2 p.m.)
• Friday, February 19 – on the road against the Toronto Rock (8 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 20 – at home against the Swarm (7:30 p.m.)
• Friday, February 26 – on the road against the Saskatchewan Rush (8:30 p.m.)

Niagara University Purple Eagles Ice Hockey

• Friday and Saturday, February 5-6 – on the road against American International College (Friday – 7 p.m., Saturday – 3:05 p.m.)
• Friday, February 12 – at home against Mercyhurst University (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 13 – on the road against Mercyhurst (7:05 p.m.)
• Friday, February 19 – at home against RIT (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 20 – on the road against RIT (7 p.m.)
• Friday and Saturday, February 26-27 – at home against the Air Force Academy (both games 7 p.m.)

Canisius College Golden Griffins Ice Hockey

• Friday and Saturday, February 12-13 – on the road against Bentley (both games 7:05 p.m.)
• Friday and Saturday, February 19-20 – at home against Sacred Heart (both games 7:35 p.m.)
• Friday, February 26 – at home against Robert Morris (7:35 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 27 – on the road against Robert Morris (7:05 p.m.)

UB Bulls Men’s Basketball

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/
Salvatore Vuono

• Tuesday, February 2 –on the road against Northern Illinois (9 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 6 – at home against Eastern Michigan (3:30 p.m.)
• Tuesday, February 9 – at home against Toledo (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 13 – at home against Ohio (2 p.m.)
• Tuesday, February 16 – on the road against Akron (time TBA)
• Saturday, February 20 – at home against Bowling Green (3:30 p.m.)
• Tuesday, February 23 – at home against Kent State (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 27 – on the road against Ohio (time TBA)

UB Bulls Women’s Basketball

• Wednesday, February 3 – at home against Ohio (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 6 – at home against Ball State (1 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 10 – on the road against Toledo (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 13 – on the road against Bowling Green (4 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 17 – at home against Eastern Michigan (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 20 – at home against Miami (Ohio) (1 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 24 – at home against Bowling Green (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 27 – on the road against Ohio (time TBA)

Niagara University Purple Eagles Men’s Basketball

• Friday, February 5 –  at home against Rider (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 7 – at home against Iona (2 p.m.)
• Friday, February 12– on the road against Saint Peter’s (9 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 14 – on the road against Rider (2 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 18 – at home against Marist (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 20 – at home against Fairfield (3 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 25 – on the road against Canisius (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 28 – on the road against Monmouth (5 p.m.)

Niagara University Purple Eagles Women’s Basketball

• Friday, February 5 – on the road against Fairfield (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 7 – on the road against Quinnipiac (2 p.m.)
• Friday, February 12 – at home against Marist (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 14 – at home against Rider (2 p.m.)
• Friday, February 19 – at home against Monmouth (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 21 – at home against Manhattan (2 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 25 – on the road against Canisius (5 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 27 – on the road against Siena (2 p.m.)

St. Bonaventure University Bonnies Men’s Basketball

• Wednesday, February 3 – on the road against Saint Joseph’s (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 7 – at home against Saint Louis (2 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 10 – on the road against Fordham (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 13 – at home against George Washington (4 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 17 – on the road against LaSalle (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 20 – on the road against Dayton (noon)
• Wednesday, February 24 – at home against Duquesne (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 27 – at home against UMass (4 p.m.)

St. Bonaventure University Bonnies Women’s Basketball

• Wednesday, February 3 – on the road against VCU (7 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 10 – at home against Saint Louis (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 13 – on the road against UMass (time TBA)
• Wednesday, February 17 – at home against George Washington (7 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 20 – on the road against LaSalle (1 p.m.)
• Wednesday, February 24 – on the road against Fordham (TBA)
• Sunday, February 28 – at home against Duquesne (1 p.m.)

Canisius College Golden Griffins Men’s Basketball

• Friday, February 5 – at home against Iona (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 7 – at home against Rider (3 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 11 – on the road against Siena (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 14 – on the road against Saint Peter’s (3 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 18 – at home against Fairfield (8 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 20 – at home against Marist (3 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 25 – at home against Niagara (8 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 28 – on the road against Iona (4 p.m.)

Canisius College Golden Griffins Women’s Basketball

• Monday, February 1 – at home against Iona (7 p.m.)
• Friday, February 5 – on the road against Manhattan (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 7 – on the road against Monmouth (2 p.m.)
• Friday, February 12 – at home against Rider (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 14 – at home against Marist (2 p.m.)
• Friday, February 19 – at home against Manhattan (7 p.m.)
• Sunday, February 21 – at home against Monmouth (2 p.m.)
• Thursday, February 25 – at home against Niagara (5 p.m.)
• Saturday, February 27 – on the road against Marist (7 p.m.)

Five Things to do in February 2016

Visit the Botanical Gardens for Lumagination
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What does February mean to you? For me, it means one month closer to spring! Find something new to do in February at one of these events.

Visit the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, located at 2655 South Park Ave. in Buffalo, and experience Lumagination. The annual light show takes place Wednesdays through Saturdays, February 3-6, 10-13 and 17-20, from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays and 6-10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Photographers can bring their tripods to the Gardens for Photographers Night on Tuesday, February 2 from 6-9 p.m. (tripods not allowed on other nights).

M&T First Friday returns for 2016 at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo. Look for more information on this event next week.

The Buffalo Auto Show takes place Thursday through Sunday, February 11-14 at the Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin St. in downtown Buffalo. In addition to the top new cars for the year, kids can visit with some of the Buffalo Bandits (Friday) and meet Spiderman and Captain America (Saturday and Sunday), while their parents can relive the Bills’ glory years with an appearance by the “Bermuda Triangle,” Jim Haslett, Fred Smerlas and Shane Nelson.

“Polar Bites” is now Arctic White Out, a new fundraiser for the Buffalo Zoo. Taking place at the Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center on Thursday, February 18, this 21-and-older event will feature live music, a basket auction, cocktails and hors d’oeurves and more. Find out more here.

The Labatt Blue Pond Hockey Tournament returns to Buffalo RiverWorks, 359 Ganson St. in Buffalo, for the ninth annual tournament. The three-day format will feature 144 teams and takes place Friday through Sunday, February 19-21.