Five Things to do in December 2016

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Holiday Live at Larkin – Friday, December 2 from 5-8 p.m. at Larkin Square, featuring live music by local group Robot Holiday, food trucks, hot coffee from Undergrounds Coffee and Roastery, plus more hot beverages from the Filling Station, including their signature hot cider spiked with BFLO Distilling Co. Apple Brandy. There will also be a holiday market with works from Devil Chicken Design, Beautiful Cookies, Elizabeth’s Granola and more. Find out more at larkinsquare.com.

Holiday in the Village – Saturday, December 3 on Main St. in the Village of Williamsville. There’s caroling and a tree lighting at Village Hall at 5:30 p.m., photos with Santa (11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Mill), horse and wagon rides (noon-2 p.m. at the Mill) and carousel rides (beginning at 10 a.m. at the Mill). Find out more on the Village’s Facebook page.

Lewiston Tour of Homes and Christmas Walk – Saturday and Sunday, December 3-4 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Village of Lewiston. The Tour of Homes is the signature fundraising event for the Historical Association of Lewiston, with each home featuring festive decorations including Christmas tablescapes and entertaining ideas. Tickets are $30 each day, and includes the tour as well as a dessert tasting reception at the Barton Hill Hotel from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Holiday Gift Market will also be held both days at the Barton Hill Hotel Fairbanks Room; it is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and features more than a dozen vendors. The Christmas Walk will also be taking place throughout the Village both days.

Holidays with the BPO – the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra offers up holiday programing at Kleinhan’s Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle in Buffalo, beginning with the Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular on Wednesday, December 7 at 7 p.m., followed by Classical Christmas, Friday and Saturday, December 9-10; Friday’s show is at 10:30 a.m. and Saturday’s is at 8 p.m. On Sunday, December 11, the Jingle Bell Jam at 2:30 p.m. features holiday music, including pieces from Frozen. Friday through Sunday, December 15-17, John Morris Russell presents the Holiday Pops concerts (Friday – 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday – 8 p.m., Sunday – 2:30 p.m.).

First Night Buffalo – Saturday, December 31 from 5-10 p.m. at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin St. in downtown Buffalo. For the 28^th year, Buffalo’s biggest drug- and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration will feature family activities throughout the evening. Ticket will be available at Wegmans stores beginning December 1 at a cost of $10 (ages 3 and up) – find out more about First Night at firstnightbuffalo.org.

M&T First Friday: December 2, 2016

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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.-10 p.m., thanks to sponsorship from M&T Bank.

• Drop-in Art Activity – 10 a.m.-noon and 4-6 p.m. – free in the Education classrooms.
• Public Tour of Picasso: The Artist and His Models – 11 a.m. – free with Special Museum Admission (includes Picasso exhibit).
• Family Fun Tour – 11-11:45 a.m. – free in the 1962 Building.
• ArtCart – Rosalyn Drexler: Who Does She Think She Is? – noon-1:30 p.m. in the 1905 Building, featuring activities for kids and families.
• Toddler Art Class – 12:30-1:30 p.m. for ages 3-4 – free for members, $10 for non-members.
• Studio Art Classes for Adults – 1-3 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m. – free for members, $10 for non-members.
• Public Tour – 1:30-2:30 p.m. – a free tour of the 1962 Knox Building.
• “What’s Your Vision?” Tour – 4-5 p.m. – free one-hour tour.
• Jazz and Happy Hour – 5:30-7:30 p.m. – live music in the AK Café.
• Gallery Talk – Rosalyn Drexler: Who Does She Think She Is? – 6-6:30 and 7:30-7 p.m. – free lecture with Curatorial Assistant Jasmine Magana in the 1905 Building, South Galleries.
• Performance: The Pyramid Band – 7:30-8:30 p.m. – free in the Auditorium.
• The Art of Food and Drink: Butter Block – 8:30-9:30 p.m. in the AK Café – $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

Registration is required for many classes and events – call 716-270-8292 to register and find more information at www.albrightknox.org.

BfloGirlSports: December 2016/January 2017 Buffalo Bills schedule

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John Kasawa

• Sunday, December 4 – at Oakland Raiders – 4:05 p.m.
• Sunday, December 11 – v. Pittsburgh Steelers – 1 p.m.
• Sunday, December 18 – v. Cleveland Browns – 1 p.m.
• Saturday, December 24 – v. Miami Dolphins – 1 p.m.
• Sunday, January 1 – at New York Jets – 1 p.m. 

2016 Holiday Happenings: Celebrate the holidays at Larkin Square

Get ready for the holidays at Larkin
Square - credit:
paulathompsonfreelance.com 

The fifth annual Holiday Live at Larkin takes place Friday, December 2 from 5-8 p.m. at Larkin Square. The event will feature live music, food trucks, hot beverages at the Filling Station and more.

Live holiday music will be provided by the local group Robot Holiday. There will also be food trucks on hand and hot coffee from Undergrounds Coffee and Roastery, plus more hot beverages from the Filling Station, including their signature hot cider spiked with BFLO Distilling Co. Apple Brandy. There will also be a holiday market with works from Devil Chicken Design, Beautiful Cookies, Elizabeth’s Granola and more.

An even-bigger holiday market will be held in the Main Lobby of the Larkin at Exchange Building (726 Exchange St.) on Friday, December 9 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Vendors featured will include Joyfulenergy, Grape Country Soaps, Dragonfly Jams & Jellies, Mazurek’s Bakery, Gretchen Cole Jewelry and many more.

Learn more about these and other events at larkinsquare.com. 

BfloGirlSports: December 2016 Buffalo Sabres schedule

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• Thursday, December 1 – v. New York Rangers – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, December 3 – v. Boston – 1 p.m.
• Monday, December 5 – at Washington – 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 6 – v. Edmonton – 7 p.m.
• Friday, December 9 – v. Washington – 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 13 – v. Los Angeles Kings – 7 p.m.
• Friday, December 16 – v. New York Islanders – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, December 17 – at Carolina Hurricanes – 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 20 – at Florida Panthers – 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, December 22 – v. Carolina – 7 p.m.
• Friday, December 23 – at New York Islanders – 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 27 – at Detroit – 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, December 29 – v. Boston – 7 p.m.
• Saturday, December 31 – at Boston – 1 p.m.

2016 Holiday Happenings: Fatima Shrine Festival of Lights

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The Fatima Shrine Festival of Lights is taking place now through January 6, 2017 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, 1023 Swann Rd. in Youngstown. The lights will be on display nightly from 5-9 p.m., and the Shrine and gift shop are open daily from 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Check out the festival from the top of the Basilica and see 75 displays and 15 acres of Christmas lights, and view the Avenue of Saints. Fatima Shrine will host Thanksgiving Day mass at 11:30 a.m., as well as Christmas Eve masses at 4 p.m. and midnight and Christmas Day masses at 9 a.m. and noon. Find out more at www.fatimashrine.com.

2016 Holiday Happenings: Darwin Martin House

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The Darwin Martin House, located at 125 Jewett Pkwy. in Buffalo, will be open for tours Friday and Saturday, November 25-26. Visitors can see the improvements made to the estate during additional tours for the holiday weekend. The Martin House tour (one hour in length) is offered both days every half-hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – tour cost is $19 for adults, $17 for seniors, $14 for students and free for members. The Martin House Plus tour (two hours in length) is offered both days at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. – tour cost is $37 for adults, $35 for seniors, $33 for students and $31 for members.

The Martin House is also hosting two holiday workshops at the beginning of December. The Holiday Wreath Workshop is on Saturday, December 3 from 10 a.m.-noon or 1-3 p.m. – cost for the workshop is $45 for members, $50 for non-members. The Wright Gingerbread House Workshop is on Tuesday, December 6 from 6-8 p.m. – cost for the workshop is $45 for members, $50 for non-members.

Find out more at www.darwinmartinhouse.org.

2016 Holiday Happenings: Fairgrounds Festival of Lights

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The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights, with its expanded route of light displays and lots of family activities, takes over the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg (enter from South Park Ave.) on weekends beginning November 25-27 and running December 2-4, December 9-11, and extended hours December 16-23. 

Returning for 2016 is the Great Lakes International Ice Carving Competition, taking place November 25-27, with pieces on display throughout the festival. Other activities include the North Pole Experience, featuring Santa Claus; the Tops Winter Wonderland; Mike and Annie’s Holiday Magic; and the Christmas Tree Forest. Visitors can also catch the Upstate Farms Express for a short ride through the festival.

Gates are open 5 to 9 p.m. (grounds remain open through 10 p.m.) – admission is $25 per carload. 

2016 Holiday Happenings: Buffalo-Niagara Heritage Village

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Buffalo-Niagara Heritage Village, located at 3755 Tonawanda Creek Rd in Amherst, hosts its second annual Taste of Christmas Past on Saturday, December 3 from 5:30-9:30 p.m., with historically-recreated Victorian Christmas dishes and drinks, plus a tree-lighting ceremony. Tickets are $60 per person or $110 per couple, and includes a 45-minute guided lantern tour and live music.

On Sunday morning, December 4, Santa visits the Village for breakfast, with seatings at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage and beverages and costs $8 per person for non-members, $5 for members (reservations are required).

Finally, the Village hosts a Holiday Tea on Sunday, December 11 from 1-3 p.m., catered by the English Tea Ladies and featuring traditional tea sandwiches, quiche, scones and meringues. Tickets are $30 per person, and reservations are required by December 4. Learn more about these events and make reservations at bnhv.org. 

2016 Holiday Happenings: Victorian Christmas

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The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, located at 641 Delaware Ave. in Buffalo, offers up its annual Victorian Christmas, with events taking place Thursday, December 1 through Saturday, December 10.

A number of events are sold out already, but some of the remaining events include the opening night Silent Auction and Wine Tasting on December 1 from 6-8:30 p.m.; the “A Joyous Christmas” luncheon on December 6 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; the Gourmet Wine and Food Pairing Dinner on December 6 from 5:30-8 p.m.; “An Irish Christmas Celebration” on December 7 from 5:30-8 p.m.; and the “Integrated Landscapes” luncheon featuring Nellie Gardner of the Darwin Martin House, on December 9 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Get more information on the events at www.trsite.org. 

2016 Holiday Happenings: Lockport Tour of Homes

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The Palace Theatre and Explore Buffalo Tours present the third annual Lockport Tour of Homes on Saturday, November 19 from noon-4 p.m. The tour begins at the Kenan Center Arena, located at 433 Locust St. in Lockport, and includes visits to 10 historic locations in Lockport.

The tour is self-guided – a map is provided at the Kenan Center Areana – and docents will be at each home. It is recommended that you wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.

Tickets are $30, or $25 for Explore Buffalo Explorer Pass holders – make reservations online here. Reservations can also be made at the Palace Theatre Box Office through Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or at Mills Jewelers at 53 Main St. in Lockport.

Find out more at explorebuffalo.org. 

Area restaurants offering Thanksgiving dinners in 2016

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Getting the family together for a sit-down meal, even at the holidays, can be difficult, and preparing the meal itself can be time consuming. Having your Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant is becoming more and more popular in many places, including here in Buffalo. These are a few of the Buffalo area restaurants that are serving meals on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2016.

• 31 Club, located at 31 North Johnson Park in Buffalo, is accepting reservations for its Thanksgiving Day three-course sit-down dinner from 1-7 p.m., including choice of soup or salad, main course and dessert. Call 716-332-3131 for reservations.
• La Galleria, Southwestern Blvd. near Abbott Rd. in Orchard Park, will feature a Thanksgiving buffet from 1-6 p.m. with turkey, ham, Chicken Supreme, Italian sausage, stuffing, squash, potatoes, desserts and more. The cost is $27.95 for adults, $12.95 for children 5-11 and children under 5 are free. Call 716-648-4880 for more information.
• Gate House Grill, located at 8220 Main St. in Williamsville, will offer Thanksgiving dinner from 2-7 p.m. –cost is $18.95 per person. Dinner will include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, buttered corn and cranberry sauce, plus dessert; a scaled down version of their regular menu will also be available. Call 716-585-0338 for reservations.
• Acqua, located at 2192 Niagara St. in Buffalo, will offer a traditional Thanksgiving Day feast from noon-6 p.m. Cost is $28.95 for adults, $15.95 for children 5-12 and free for children 4 and under. Call 716-874-5400 for reservations.
• Bella Vista Ristorante, located in the Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls, 7001 Buffalo Ave. in Niagara Falls, will offer a Thanksgiving buffet from 2-8 p.m. Cost is $22.95 for adults, $11.95 for kids 4-11 and free for kids under 4 – call 716-299-0344 x 2335 for reservations.
• The Radisson, at 100 Whitehaven Rd. in Grand Island, will serve up a Thanksgiving Day buffet from 1-6 p.m. featuring turkey and ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, soups, salads, vegetables and desserts. Cost is $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for seniors, $13.95 for children and free for children 4 and under – for more information and to make reservations, call 716-773-1111.
• Samuel’s Grande Manor, 8750 Main St. in Clarence, will be serving a Thanksgiving buffet from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The buffet will include more than one dozen hot dishes including turkey, carved roast beef, pork tenderloin and Seafood Newberg. Reservations are required – call 716-634-8425 for more information.
• The Italian Village, located at 6354 Transit Rd.in Depew, offers a Thanksgiving buffet from noon-7 p.m. with roast beef, baked ham and turkey, plus breaded pork, sausage with peppers and onions, stuffed shells, vegetable medley, soup and salad, a dessert station and more. Cost is $22.95 for adults, $13.95 for kids 6-13 and free for kids 5 and under – for reservations, call 716-634-1804.
• Orazio’s, located at 9415 Main St. in Clarence, will serve a Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. featuring carving station (prime rib, ham, turkey), stuffing, potatoes, vegetables, a pasta station, dessert station and more. Cost is $28.95 for adults, $16.95 for kids 3-10 – call 716-759-8888 for reservations. 

BfloGirlTravel: Lake Erie Wine Country

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Lake Erie Wine Country, along the southern shore of Lake Erie in both Pennsylvania and New York, offers 23 unique wineries that have won hundreds of national and international wine quality awards. The wineries themselves have been evolving over the past few years to include other agricultural beverages such as distilled spirits, hard ciders, and microbrews.

“Some of our wineries now provide wine-by-the-glass, seating areas, beautiful gift shops, extended hours, and a great variety of entertainment,” says Lake Erie Wine Country executive director and author Julie Ellis. “On any given weekend throughout the year, visitors may find live music, vineyard walks, winemaker’s dinners, or wine and art events. We even have wineries that now provide food. That was unheard of just a few years ago.” 

Lake Erie Wine Country is a thriving destination for tourists and wine lovers, and it continues to grow.  There is proof in the fact that several wineries are expanding their production and wine tasting areas.

“Those who haven’t visited our region in the past couple of years will be pleasantly surprised to see the new facilities, events, beverages, and wine offerings.” said Ellis.

Lake Erie Wine Country’s 23 wineries are wrapping up their grape harvest and preparing for two Harvest Celebration Weekends, Friday through Sunday, November 4-6 and November 11-13. Ticket holders can visit participating wineries where they can enjoy a special wine paired with a delicious “harvest” food sample. As in the past, ticket holders will also receive additional tastings, a wine glass, recipe booklet, a $5 voucher and a gift. Hours for each of the two Harvest Celebration Weekends are: Friday, noon-5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Ticket holders can plan their own itinerary, enjoying a self-guided tour to each winery they choose to visit. Tickets are now on sale for the Harvest Celebration Weekends at $35 per person. One ticket is needed for each weekend and is good for all three days. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended as tickets are limited, and they are usually sold-out before the event begins; tickets can be purchased online at www.lakeeriewinecountry.org. Designated driver tickets are available for only $20 and include everything except wine; an alternate beverage is provided to designated drivers. The region now offers a Friday and/or Sunday only ticket for just $31.

The food and wine sample pairings for all wineries can be found at www.lakeeriewinecountry.org along with detailed information on the double-weekend event. The website also lists events all year long for all 23 wineries. Wineries are open year-around for tours and tastings.

Quotes in this piece provided by Lake Erie Wine Country.

M&T First Friday: November 4, 2016

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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.-10 p.m., thanks to sponsorship from M&T Bank.

• Drop-in Art Activity – 10 a.m.-noon and 4-6 p.m. – free in the Education classrooms.
• Family Fun Tour – 11-11:45 a.m. – free in the 1962 Building.
• Toddler Art Class – 12:30-1:30 p.m. for ages 3-4 – free for members, $10 for non-members.
• Studio Art Classes for Adults – 1-3 p.m. and 7:30-9:30 p.m. – free for members, $10 for non-members.
• Public Tour – 1:30-2:30 p.m. – a free tour of the 1962 Knox Building.
• “What’s Your Vision?” Tour – 4-5 p.m. – free one-hour tour.
• Jazz and Happy Hour – 5:30-7:30 p.m. – live music in the AK Café.
• Gallery Talk – Matt Hoyt: Recent Past, 2010-2016 – 6-6:30 and 7:30-7 p.m. – free lecture with Curatorial Assistant Jasmine Magana in the Gallery for Small Sculpture.
• Performance: PA Line – 7:30-8:30 p.m. – free in the Auditorium.
• The Art of Food and Drink: Plume Coffee & Roastery – 8:30-9:30 p.m. in the AK Café – $5 for members, $10 for non-members.

Registration is required for many classes and events – call 716-270-8292 to register and find more information at www.albrightknox.org.