Comedian Brian Regan took the stage at the Seneca Niagara Events Center and warmed a lot of us tired-of-the-winter locals with something to laugh at.  In a time when many stand-up comedy acts include topics of sexual dysfunction and masturbation, this guy was refreshing with his funny takes on normal life issues like kids, friends, shopping, and travel.  Sounds boring? Only because we’re so used to hearing about things that make us uncomfortable before we can laugh. Anyway, Brian Regan had the crowd going and even came out for an encore with a story familiar to many in the audience about a trip to the emergency room, and the nonsensical questions posed by the triage process.

Some thought the opening act, a Fredonia native named Pete Correale was just as good, if not better than the headliner.  Pete is another guy with good old fashioned clean humor on everyday observations.  But it’s hard to describe to anyone who didn’t attend. Ya gotta be there to enjoy it. So don’t miss the next comedy opportunity at the casino on April 6 at 8:00PM in the upclose venue of the Bears Den.  Tony Hinchcliffe will probably make us laugh with some of his political satire, as soon as we realize we can laugh at our current political situations.

And do you know what’s really cool? These guys travel all over the country and internationally, and they can say they’ve been to Niagara Falls in a great facility in front of a terrific audience. Damn we’re good!

Remember when you were a kid and the older boys in the neighborhood put a band together and played in your garage? Well, this was nothing like that. But, if you lived in New Jersey, the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and “Southside” Johnny Lyon may have influenced your taste in music. Johnny brought his “Asbury Jukes” to the Bears Den in the Seneca Niagara Casino and rocked the house. With the voice of Joe Cocker and the energy of Mick Jagger, Southside Johnny gave us an hour and forty five minutes of intravenously delivered musical saturation. He cranked. I remember hearing them when they first started back in the mid to late seventies, and I still pictured them as that start-up band with a youthful following. Well, those youths may have some grecian formula in their medicine cabinets now, but they can still boogie. Once again, the Bears Den venue proved excellent as the sound and lighting and intimate design of the room brought the crowd so close you could smell the fumes of the Jersey Turnpike from the guitar cases on the stage.

Thanks Seneca Niagara Casino for giving us great experiences in our own backyard!

[Press Release]

It is with great pride and honor that I announce my re-election bid for Niagara Falls City Council in 2017. I have never viewed myself as a politician, but rather a hard-working, public servant dedicated to providing a service for the residents in the City of Niagara Falls. I have aspired to be someone that residents can trust to represent their best interests and make the best choices for them. It is imperative to work together with all stakeholders – residents, business leaders, city officials, and elected officials – to obtain growth in our city.

I ran for City Council in 2013 because I thought the council lost sight of their purpose and ability to move our great city forward. In my opinion, some members needed to be more receptive to the needs of the public and provide them a voice. Over the past three years, two of which as Chairperson for the council, I am happy to say that we have given residents the opportunity to be involved in the decision-making process.
One example of this involvement is my neighbor-to-neighbor initiative, which was implemented by Councilman Walker, where we go into communities throughout the city to hear the concerns and ideas of the residents. Another example is the implementation of the Human Rights Commission, which ensures equal treatment of all individuals in our community.

During my tenure on the council I remained an independent voice, yet worked with my council colleagues to implement laws such as eliminating door-to-door solicitors, reducing the use of casino dollars in the general budget, reducing expenses, and increasing revenue. We have been successful with improving the quality of life through the improvement of city parks as well as the addition of a new skate park; all while lowering homestead taxes for residents.
Moving forward with a collaborative approach, it is imperative to keep our neighborhoods intact, provide efficient services, create a stable and sustainable budget, and use casino dollars wisely to incentivize economic development and job growth. We need to continue to provide our residents with training opportunities that will meet various industry needs.

I look forward to your support and participation as we pursue progress and continued momentum for our city.

Congressman Higgins & ReNU Niagara Host Event Designed to Match Volunteers with Local Organizations, Encourage Community Engagement

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26), City of Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster and Niagara University’s ReNU Niagara announce the 3^rd Annual LiveNF Volunteer Fair.  This year’s event will take place on April 18, 2017 from 4:00-7:00pm at the John Duke Center, 1201 Hyde Park Blvd in Niagara Falls, NY.

The event connects local residents interested in civic engagement with volunteer-driven organizations doing good work in the Niagara Falls community.   Dozens of organizations will be on hand to share details on their work in the community, needs and how you can get involved.  The volunteer fair is free and open to the public.

Organizations interested in participating should visit www.niagara.edu/renu to register or call ReNU Niagara at 716.205.0287 for more information.

New this year is the Niagara Falls Volunteer Hall of Fame.  Members of the community are invited to nominate individuals who have made a significant impact on the lives of others through a lifetime commitment to community service.  Eligible nominees must be a current or former resident of the City of Niagara Falls and have a minimum of 15 years of community service.   For more details on Volunteer Hall of Fame criteria or to nominate a volunteer go to: http://levesqueinstitute.niagara.edu/programs/renu-niagara/livenf-volunteer-fair/2017-volunteer-hall-of-fame-nomination/.

While over 3.1 million New Yorkers volunteered in 2015, the state ranks near the bottom in the nation, 49^th among the 50 states and Washington, DC, in terms of resident volunteerism according to the Corporation for National & Community Service.   The event is a preview to National Volunteer Week, which will from April 23-29 this year.

The Patron Saint of Ireland who may or may not of chased all the snakes from Ireland. It seems he was British born to Roman Catholic parents. He did indeed die in Ireland. All of the Shamrocks and Blarney aside this was a religious holiday until The Irish immigrants in Boston and New York turned it into a Feast with much drinking!

There are so many recipes… let’s do a shot, a classic beer, a hot drink and a frozen version, ah hell, let’s do ‘em all!

BLACK AND TAN

Pint Glass

1/2 full of Guiness Blonde or Bass Ale
Layer Guiness Stout to fill

B-52

Stemmed Shot glass

Layer in order
1/3 Kahlua
1/3 Baileys
1/3 Gran Marnier

HOT NUTTY IRISHMAN

Glass Footed Mug pre-heated w/ hot water

1/2oz Jameson’s, Bushmills or Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey
1/2oz Baileys
1/2oz Frangelico

Fill to 1/2 inch from top with hot coffee.
Top with fresh whipped crème drizzled with Green Crème de Menthe.

IRISH MULE

Copper Mug
2oz Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey
Several Fresh Mint Sprigs, save the best one for the garnish.
Jamaican Ginger Beer
1 Lime cut into 4 slices
Superfine Sugar

Muddle 3 of the lime slices and 6-10 Mint Leaves in the bottom of the Mug
add ice and Whiskey, fill with Ginger Beer.
Dip the Mint Sprig in superfine sugar to coat the leaves and garnish with the remaining lime slice.

GUINESS FLOAT

Pint Glass

1oz of Baileys, Irish Mist or Kahlua
2 scoops vanilla ice cream
Fill slowly with Guinness Stout
…wait for it… fill it again… wait for it… it’s worth the wait!
use a spoon or put it all in a blender for a delicious shake.

MINT CHOCOLATE DELICIOUS 

Mixing Tin filled with ice
Chilled Martini Glass
Pour equal parts over ice.

1oz Green Crème de Menthe
1oz White Crème de Cacao
1oz 1/2 & 1/2

Shake and Strain into Martini Glass
Garnish with Mint Sprig and Shaved Chocolate.

OK All the Young Dudes are gonna say “What about the Irish Car Bomb?

IRISH CAR BOMB

3/4 Pint of Guinness Stout
3/4oz Jamesons
3/4oz Baileys Irish Crème poured into a shot glass
Make a toast…drop the shot into the beer and chug!
Cheers.

BABY GUINNESS
(No Guinness at all)

Shot Glass
2.5oz Kahlua
Layer 1/2oz Baileys for the Head on your “Beer”

IRISH PIRATE

Shot Glass
3/4oz Captain Morgan Spiced Rum
3/4oz Irish Mist Herbal Liquor

Y’all be safe!

Jonathan Boas
Master Mixologist
Niagara Falls Bartending Academy
716-579-7250
jboas24@outlook.com
Renovation, Rescue, Restorations and Operations Management