The Queen City

Did you know that Samuel L. Clemens (aka. Mark Twain) helped found the Buffalo and Erie County Library before he left the Queen City? It's true! Just check out www.buffalofilmfestival.com.That could be why there is a special exhibit in the library dedicated just to him. Plus the fact that he left the library with a handwritten manuscript of Huckleberry Finn. If you've never been to the downtown library it's worth it to go just to see this room full of history. 

Did you know that Millard Fillmore (1800-1874), the 13th President of the United States, is buried in the Forest Lawn Cemetery? He is buried in Section F. "Today, there are more than 10,000 trees in Forest Lawn, representing 200 different species and varieties and making the cemetery an important arboretum. One tree, an American beech, became Buffalo’s winning tree in the country’s bicentennial, when it was confirmed to have been standing in 1776" (http://www.forest-lawn.com/?select=about&data=history). 

Did you know that Artvoice Newspaper is Buffalo's oldest and largest weekly newspaper? It was founded in 1990. It has been holding the Artie Awards for 19 years now. It has a circulation of 65,000. And if you're Artvoice Newspaper's friend on Facebook now you can get 3 of the "How Well do you know Artvoice Newspaper" questions right! Become it's friend here: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1782521299&ref=ts. If you check out the website there are plenty of pretty still life pictures like this one: 

                                                                              

Which reminds me of a Buffalo photographer who is ALWAYS at the Allentown Art Festival (which is this weekend!) and has wonderful images of the historical locations in Buffalo. I can't wait to see if he has any new pictures this year. Also, my mom's friend, Alison Kurek, has a booth every year which features a ton of clay and print pieces focusing on cats. I have a bunch of her stuff and she is really talented. Find some of it here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5219717  if you don't have time to visit any of the art festivals in Buffalo this summer. There are adorable ornaments, magnets, little knick knacks, powerful photographs (not of cats), and some jewelry. 

                                        

It's always nice to support not only local spots (like the culural locations such as the museums, library, zoo and so on) but also local artists, local newspapers, and just take advantage of the freebies that are around your area. Which reminds me that I am still pissed at my boyfriend for not knowing about the Teen Lit Festival in Rochester in April! You can bet your booty that I am going next year!