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Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
I Got Taken in Buffalo
Buffalo didn't just surprise me—it ran up on me and kidnapped my whole perspective. I come from a New York where anything outside of the five boroughs might as well have been farmland. Truth be told, when you live down the street from Yankee Stadium, even heading to the neighboring borough of Queens might as well have been a road trip to the Carolinas. And the idea of going 'upstate'? Man, that felt like exile. I wasn't checking for Buffalo. I wasn't even curious. But this city caught me slippin'. Fed me soul with a side of sazón, introduced me to people who felt like family, and told stories that hit like a history lesson and a homecoming all at once. It peeled back my biases, shook up my mental map, and reminded me that domestic travel, if done right, can feel like therapy, too. I came looking to document a destination. But Buffalo didn't just make the itinerary, it took the wheel. See, what's not on the Niagara Falls/Buffalo brochure is that Buffalo's got a whole lotta soul. This is a city where history is honored and creativity in the arts and music runs wild. And somewhere between the first bite and the last museum, it stole something. I didn't just leave impressed. I left held hostage… in the best way possible. I remember I touched down from my flight, and within the first five hours, I was already seduced by this hardworking city's charm. After four years of living in the South and getting used to a version of down-home hospitality, I didn't expect to find a similar kind of welcome in a place more famous for its winters than its warmth. But Buffalo really surprised me. The people's hearts were as wide open as former Bills defensive end Bruce Smith. The Hideout Right in the middle of Buffalo's artsy Elmwood Village neighborhood is InnBuffalo, a restored 19th-century mansion that feels like walking on the set of Downton Abbey. The overused term 'boutique accommodations' doesn't even begin to describe the storybook elegance of this inn. Check-in started with a calligraphy envelope reading my name and a vintage skeleton key to the Sarah Dutro suite. No plastic key cards here, and no elevators. As I climbed the deep cherrywood staircase—two full flights—each step creaked just enough to remind me this wasn't some prefab Victorian knockoff - this bed and breakfast was Buffalo legacy. From antique chandeliers and bold, textured wallpaper to a parlor and library you could post up in for hours listening to jazz playing from their in-house phonograph, InnBuffalo blends that old-school soul with new-school comfort, high-speed Wi-Fi, spa-level bedding, and breakfast is included. No surprise it's been ranked the #1 hotel in Buffalo, just 20 minutes from Niagara Falls. But the real gem here is owner Joe Lettieri. He welcomed my family and I like old friends, pouring wine and sharing Buffalo's storied past as we relaxed on the inn's front porch. Joe confirmed what I was already starting to feel: in Buffalo, the connection is real. And that kind of authenticity? It's rare. Captured by the Food If you really want to get to my heart, the most direct route is through my stomach. And Buffalo's culinary scene? It didn't just show up, it showed out. The food wasn't just good—it was tied to the city's lesser-known identity and strong Latin culture that runs deeper than most folks realize. At Aguacates Bar & Grill, Latin flavor takes the spotlight without trying too hard. It's a small joint with a big personality. Yes, it's Mexican on paper, but the whole vibe is Buffalo. Judging by the heavy Buffalo wall decor, I didn't expect much when I ordered their ropa vieja which was slow-cooked, tender beef. But the second I caught that aroma coming toward the table, I knew I was in for something worth writing about. Paired with perfectly salted tostones that were just the right kind of crispy, I had to pause mid-bite and revel. Washed it all down with a house margarita rimmed in sweet tamarind and jalapeño, creating a chef's kiss of sweet heat and slow burn. Then there was Niagara Café, a Puerto Rican classic where every dish feels like it came straight from abuela's kitchen. As a Dominican man, believe me when I say the pernil didn't miss. Juicy, seasoned to perfection, served in a no-frills setting that let the food speak loudest. The arroz con gandules took me right back to Nochebuena dinners when you couldn't get up from the table until that plate was spotless. Nothing changed. I didn't leave those unpretentious booths until I was full and full of respect. This wasn't performative food culture, this was generational love on a plate. For drinks, you gotta slide through to Deco Lounge, a Black-owned speakeasy near Buffalo's City Hall, where curated cocktails are the real headline. Skip the cocktail menu, and just let the bartender do his thing. Snatched By The Stories One of the most inspiring people I met was Michelle Agosto, co-founder of Los Artistas Del Barrio. Her collective of Latino creatives has turned Buffalo's streets, galleries, and walls into living expressions of culture and resistance. Here, murals aren't just big paintings—they're declarations of pride, struggle, and power. Michelle's not just an artist—she's also the Director of Arts for Buffalo Public Schools and sits on countless boards pushing for real social change in connection to the arts. Basically, she walks it like she talks-- and paints it. Tied Up In The Past My first landmark stop was Freedom Park (Broderick Park), once a vital Underground Railroad crossing point. It's a humble one-room museum, but with the help of its main advocate George Johnson who moonlit as our guide, the story it tells hits deep. You don't just read about freedom here—you feel the weight of what it still costs for some organizations in Buffalo to thrive to this day. A few blocks over, Buffalo Naval Park and Canalside offers a fully layered experience. On one side, you've got live music, riverside energy, and family-friendly events, but on the other, powerful memorials to Black and Latino veterans—names and faces too often overlooked in our American War history. This wasn't just another tourist stop, it felt like sacred ground. Outside the city, The Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center takes Buffalo's rich Black cultural history even further. Here you realize how much Canada played a critical and often time risky role in helping enslaved people not just escape—but truly live free. The museum's design pulls you in, the storytelling keeps you there. It corrects the watered-down versions of the Underground Railroad we were taught in school and tells the truth with clarity and care. And if you want to further understand Buffalo's Black legacy, the African American Heritage Corridor walk is a must. Start with the Michigan Street Baptist Church, where freedom seekers once found refuge. Hit the Nash House Museum, home to civil rights leader Rev. J. Edward Nash. Then end at the Colored Musicians Club—still active, still vibrant, still the only Black-owned music club of its kind in the U.S. The walls don't just echo jazz—they echo resistance, resilience, and Black brilliance. And for a nightcap with soul? Silo City's Duende is where Buffalo's industrial past has transformed into a creative designed area for you to enjoy Buffalo after dark. Massive grain silos turned into art spaces that host raw live music, poetry, and no fluff, just puro vibes. End your trip with a visit to Buffalo's City Hall which surprisingly, one of the country's best examples of art deco architecture. Take the elevator to the observation deck and let the panoramic view sink in. It's the perfect vantage point to realize you didn't just visit Buffalo. You got taken. How Buffalo Got Away With It Buffalo didn't just welcome me, it reminded me how rich, layered, and full of heart the 'other' New York really is. I came looking for content, I left with a connection. Buffalo pulled a heist on my whole perspective. This city, its food, its people, its past, has snatched my heart and rewrote my map of what 'New York' actually means. I came here thinking I'd capture Buffalo. But the truth is? Buffalo captured me. Rafael Peña is a travel advisor, member of the International Luxury Hotel Association, and founder of the BLUX Travel Club, which curates solo and group trips, as well as relocation services tailored for BIPOC travelers. With over a decade of experience as a travel strategist, journalist, and public speaker, Peña is dedicated to reshaping his community's approach to travel.
Scoop
17-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Two Hotly Debated Issues Focus Of Locals' Feedback On Council Plan
Ninety-nine Rotorua ratepayers are set to address the council on decisions including sewerage scheme funding and the night market's future. Rotorua Lakes Council received 404 public submissions on its draft Annual Plan 2025/26, and will hear from those who wanted to make a verbal submission today and tomorrow. The two main topics for feedback were Tarawera Sewerage Scheme funding options and the Rotorua Night Market. The council proposed a 7.95% general average rates rise for the year, down from the projected 9.8%. It had a capital works programme of $145 million, $41.25m funded by debt. The Tarawera sewerage reticulation scheme replaces septic tank use and aims to improve the lake's water quality. The cost has risen to $32.3m after protests and court action over pipeline construction near Lake Rotokākahi. Tarawera ratepayers face a lump sum cost of $50,315 per household to connect. The draft plan offered options to reduce their load by asking $1m or $4m more from general Rotorua ratepayers. Many submissions supported the $4m option, which would lower Tarawera households' costs the most. Among them were Bruce Smith and Anna Stewart-Smith, whose grandchildren were the fifth generation to enjoy their Tarawera family home. Stewart-Smith's grandfather purchased land at the lake after World War II, having visited it before. 'We are not wealthy as so many label us. But fortunate.' She said her family lived as kaitiaki, caring for the land to ensure 'its attributes are preserved for future generations'. 'While its protection is the responsibility of all ratepayers, we see that as lake residents, we need to pay for the benefits to our property.' Others echoed their desire to see cost reduced, having seen estimates escalate over the years. They shared affordability and consultation process concerns, and how Tarawera residents paid rates but did not have perks such as footpaths and street lights other areas had. At the other end of the opinion spectrum were submitters who believed the scheme should be user-pays, with no extra general ratepayer funding. One submitter wanting to increase funding by $1m said it was fair that others contributed as all benefitted from improved lake quality. Former councillor Dr Reynold Macpherson submitted on a range of issues and points for Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers (RDRR). The group 'cautiously' support an extra $1m as the 'fairest balance between benefiting Tarawera property owners and shared environmental responsibility'. The submission labelled the draft rates rise 'unjustified' and debt levels 'alarming'. The council had a net debt of $466m in March. It predicted debt in 2025/26 would be 199% of revenue, under its 250% ceiling. The group wanted the council to stop subsidising the night market entirely, and to instead donate it to a charity by tender. '[The] council shouldn't fund nonessential businesses amid acute financial pressures on ratepayers'. Rotorua's 15-year-old weekly night market in Tūtānekai St costs about $200,000 to run year-round. The council considered scaling it back to half a year, changing the location, or having someone else run it with council sponsorship. One submission asking for it to stay the same said it was well-attended and changing it would impact vendors. Stall holder Sahar Basir wrote that many vendors were upset at the potential for change. Shortening it would result in job losses, the current location had good foot traffic, and a new operator would change things such as what vendors paid. 'It is the only event that provides nightlife for Rotorua residents and is one of the most famous attractions for tourists from around the world.' Submitter David Townsend believed half-yearly was practical as there were fewer tourists around during winter. Robert Okell said the night market was a business that should be managed by someone else. Councillors will deliberate on May 28 and adopt the plan on June 25.
NZ Herald
14-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Rotorua council hears feedback on rates, sewerage scheme, night market
It had a capital works programme of $145 million, $41.25m funded by debt. The Tarawera sewerage reticulation scheme replaces septic tank use and aims to improve the lake's water quality. The cost has risen to $32.3m after protests and court action over pipeline construction near Lake Rotokākahi. Tarawera ratepayers face a lump sum cost of $50,315 per household to connect. The draft plan offered options to reduce their load by asking $1m or $4m more from general Rotorua ratepayers. Many submissions supported the $4m option, which would lower Tarawera households' costs the most. Among them were Bruce Smith and Anna Stewart-Smith, whose grandchildren were the fifth generation to enjoy their Tarawera family home. Stewart-Smith's grandfather purchased land at the lake after World War II, having visited it before. 'We are not wealthy as so many label us. But fortunate.' She said her family lived as kaitiaki, caring for the land to ensure 'its attributes are preserved for future generations'. 'While its protection is the responsibility of all ratepayers, we see that as lake residents, we need to pay for the benefits to our property.' Others echoed their desire to see cost reduced, having seen estimates escalate over the years. They shared affordability and consultation process concerns, and how Tarawera residents paid rates but did not have perks such as footpaths and street lights other areas had. At the other end of the opinion spectrum were submitters who believed the scheme should be user-pays, with no extra general ratepayer funding. One submitter wanting to increase funding by $1m said it was fair that others contributed as all benefitted from improved lake quality. Former councillor Dr Reynold Macpherson submitted on a range of issues and points for Rotorua District Residents and Ratepayers (RDRR). The group 'cautiously' support an extra $1m as the 'fairest balance between benefiting Tarawera property owners and shared environmental responsibility'. The submission labelled the draft rates rise 'unjustified' and debt levels 'alarming'. The council had a net debt of $466m in March. It predicted debt in 2025/26 would be 199% of revenue, under its 250% ceiling. The group wanted the council to stop subsidising the night market entirely, and to instead donate it to a charity by tender. '[The] council shouldn't fund nonessential businesses amid acute financial pressures on ratepayers'. Rotorua's 15-year-old weekly night market in Tūtānekai St costs about $200,000 to run year-round. The council considered scaling it back to half a year, changing the location, or having someone else run it with council sponsorship. One submission asking for it to stay the same said it was well-attended and changing it would impact vendors. Stall holder Sahar Basir wrote that many vendors were upset at the potential for change. Shortening it would result in job losses, the current location had good foot traffic, and a new operator would change things such as what vendors paid. 'It is the only event that provides nightlife for Rotorua residents and is one of the most famous attractions for tourists from around the world.' Submitter David Townsend believed half-yearly was practical as there were fewer tourists around during winter. Robert Okell said the night market was a business that should be managed by someone else. Councillors will deliberate on May 28 and will adopt the plan on June 25.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Yahoo
Man killed by Jacksonville officer after police say he fired at officer during traffic stop
A Jacksonville police officer shot a man to death Wednesday morning after the sheriff said he pulled out a gun and fired at the officer during a traffic stop. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Bruce Smith said this all happened just down the street from his house, and he heard the gunshots. 'I heard a lot of loud noises, consecutive loud noises, like bang, bang, bang,' said Smith. 'I was like well maybe they are just building on the homes behind me, because there are homes being built. I really didn't think much of it.' The man, who police said was wearing a bulletproof vest, was pulled over by the officer at around 9 a.m. in the area of Trout River Boulevard and Ribault Avenue. Police said the man pulled into a driveway and attempted to get out of his vehicle. 'And at that point, the suspect leaned out and began firing rounds at the officer,' JSO said during a news conference a couple of hours after the shooting. The officer, A.C. Gaulding, a 15-year JSO veteran, was shot in the foot. Gaulding returned fire striking the man multiple times, police said. The officer is being treated at the hospital. The man was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police did not have details on why the man was pulled over. 'This guy had a bulletproof vest. He had bad intentions,' Sheriff T.K. Waters said at the news conference. 'This guy had a drum magazine inside that rifle. He had bad intensions. He had another pistol on the seat of his car. I don't know what he was going to do. I don't know what his plans were,' Waters said adding that he was thankful his officer was able to stop him. Police have not yet release his name. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
