Wines of the World: Wine, Food and Auction List

Here's the latest list of Wines, Restaurants and Auction Items for the 5th Annual Wines of the World on February 26th.  Get your tickets online today! Click here to order.

WINES:
Premier Wines Group, Martin Scott Wines, Empire Merchants North, Opici Wine Group, Southern Wine & Spirits, Dr Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars, Lauber Imports, and Warm Lake Estate.

RESTAURANTS:
Bing's, Buffalo Yacht Club, Trattoria Aroma, May Jen Chinese Restaurant, Stillwater, Verbena, Oliver's, Old Orchard Inn, Spot Coffee, Left Bank, Muscoreil's

LIVE AUCTION ITEMS:

• Buffalo- with a Twist!
  Four lucky individuals will share an extraordinary evening of gourmet dining at O'Connell's American Bistro and be regaled by one of Buffalo's finest storytellers-Kevin O'Connell of Channel 2. Kevin will share his memories and experiences growing up in Buffalo and embarking upon his very successful career, the people he has met, the places he has gone and the things he has done (at least some of them)! (Please note -wine and spirits are not included.) Donated by: Ron Caruso, Value: Priceless
  
• Refurbished Aud Orange Seat, 2 Sabres tickets and book of the history of the Aud
  Watch the Sabres play from the comfort (or discomfort) of the Aud! One seat from the Oranges, reassembled and mounted on a new, free-standing bracket (without the original tasty lead paint) will be yours, to plant in front of the wide-screen, or anywhere you like. Included are AUDieu:Buffalo Says Farewell to the Aud, a 120-page book about the Aud from beginning to the sad end in 2009, and a companion 2010 calendar. For the non-readers, AUDieu includes a flip-book of the web cam photos of the demolition, and for the collectors, it is signed by the author, Rotarian Suzanne K. Taylor.
  And finally, to bring you back to the present, the package includes two tickets for the Sabres-Montreal game on March 24, 2010 - section 113, next to the Pour Man's Aud Club in the end where the Sabres shoot twice. The seats are by the Zamboni entrance, where one of the cameramen is posted, so bring a sign and get on the Jumbotron!
  Donated by: Suzanne Taylor ,Value $600
  
• Two Round-trip tickets for Southwest Airlines
  Be the lucky winner of these 2 roundtrip passes that are good for travel between any two cities within the Southwest Airlines system! These passes have no restrictions or blackout dates.
  Expires 3/1/201. Value $800
  
• Wine Tasting for 10
  A private store tasting for 10 people at the Wine Room in Williamsville. Seven premium wines will be paired with special hors d'oeuvres to create a unique tasting experience. The event will be scheduled at a mutually agreed time. Donated by: The Wine Room, Main Street in Williamsville Value: $500
  
• Oriental Rug
  6 by 9 hand-knotted Oriental rug from the ancient country of Rumania, classic design with rich jewel-toned colors. Donated by C. Markarian & Sons Rugs Value: $995
  Cooking Class for 12 Welcome to the Culinary Arts Center at Auburn Watson
  Twelve lucky people will be able to enjoy a great evening of cooking together. Slip on an apron and roll up your sleeves for our hands-on cooking classes! Our professional chef instructors guide you through a memorable evening. Sauces are simmering, pans are sizzling. And after the class is over, everyone is invited to enjoy an unforgettable student-created meal. Our highly trained staff makes sure you leave the class armed with the essential cooking tips and techniques needed to re-create the magic at home. Donated by: Culinary Arts Center at Auburn Watson Value: $ 800
  
• One week of accommodations for 8 at "The Field Cottage" in Ireland
  Come and live Ireland in this beautiful Irish cottage, site of the movie "The Field" with Richard Harris (1991). This charming cottage has Irish pine antiques throughout, a fully equipped modern kitchen and a soft turf fireplace. Take a drive to Galway City and explore Lynch Castle, the Spanish Arch, the oldest pub in Ireland, The King's Head and watch the sunset over Galway Bay. Available dates for 2010 are:
  Jan 16- Mar 1, April 1- June 20,
  Aug. 1- Sept. 30 , Nov. 1- Dec. 20,
  Donated by: Buffalo Sunrise Rotary Value: $1200
  
• 4 days & 3 nights in the WILDFLOWER  Condo in ELLICOTTVILLE, NY
  Beautifully furnished ground floor, two-story condo, accommodations for 4 people Open floor plan includes :-a queen size sofa bed in living room with w/b fireplace.-one-bedroom loft with queen size poster bed. dining area comfortable for nice dinners with washer/dryer in unit.
  Available - Sept.14, 2010 - Jan. 31, 2011
  Excludes FALL FESTIVAL - Security Deposit...$200.
  NO PETS/ NO SMOKING
  
• Elegant Finger Lakes Get-a-Way
  You and your guest will have the opportunity to experience Geneva on the Lake, a AAA Four Diamond award winning resort in Geneva, NY, located on Seneca Lake in the midst of the scenic Finger Lakes Wine Country. Perfect for a romantic getaway or a short escape with friends, Geneva on the Lake is European Elegance in the Heart of the Finger Lakes. Experience the exceptional beauty of the villa and lakeside setting, and the gourmet cuisine that has attracted guests from all over the world. Service is attentive to the smallest detail. The terrace, formal gardens, classical sculptures, 70 foot pool and boathouse enhance the old-world charm that awaits you.
  Your package includes: 1 night luxurious accommodations at Geneva on the Lake
  Gourmet candlelight dinner for two
  A full breakfast in the morning
  All taxes and gratuities
  Donated by : AAA Value: $500

Feb. 18th Meeting: Jan Nichols on Polio Plus

Janice Flood Nichols is a survivor of a polio epidemic that struck her suburb of DeWitt, NY, in fall 1953.
Nichols received a BA in psychology from Seton Hill University and a MEd. in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Pittsburgh (Jonas Salk's research institute).
In 2003, Janice received a March copy of the Rotarian from her college friend and grad school roommate, former First Lady of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Michele Moore Ridge. Michele's note was a simple one: "Jan, now you have to tell your story."
That night, she spoke to her husband and decided that she had to do something to bring attention to the disease. Her book, Twin Voices: A Memoir of Polio, the Forgotten Killer, was published in 2007 (with a second edition released in fall '08). The book wraps her family's personal story around the greater story of polio, the disease. A concise history of Rotary's PolioPlus program is included in one of the book's appendices.
Today, she spends her time speaking to Rotary clubs and districts, other civic groups, high school health classes, book clubs, immunization coalitions and conferences, and medical personnel regarding the importance of polio eradication and vaccination.
Her book received honorable mention in both nonfiction and biography at the 2007 London Book Festival. She received the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award from Seton Hill University for her work with polio.
Her short story entitled, "A Twin Nudge," appears in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Twins and More (published in March 2009). The short story traces her present work to the 2003 Rotarian magazine sent by her friend. As Jan likes to put it, she's a woman on a mission.
Jan resides with her husband, Dr. David Nichols, in Lockport, NY. The couple has a grown son, Dr. Kevin Nichols.
Learn more at: www.twinvoices.com. The Web page provides links to vaccine sites, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Post-Polio Health International, and an international relief organization.

This meeting will be held Thursday, February 18th, 2010 at 12:15pm in Shanghai Red's, 2 Templteon Terrace, Buffalo, NY 14202.

Click here for a complete list of upcoming speakers at our weekly meeting. 

If you'd like to attend a meeting, contact John McClive. 

For more information about Rotary Club of Buffalo, visit our website, www.buffalorotary.org.

February 4th Meeting: Offsite at THE CHARTER SCHOOL FOR APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES

This meeting will be held at Noon in THE CHARTER SCHOOL FOR APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES, 2245 KENMORE AVENUE,CORNER OF ROESCH AVE, KENMORE, NY 14207. PLENTY OF PARKING IN THE LOT NEXT TO THE HIGH SCHOOL
A map is attached.Click to enlarge.

There will be a seated lunch prepared and served by students in the school's Culinary program. Lunch will be served at 12:15 p.m.

After announcements and a presentation by Superintendent Efrain Martinez, we will be given tours of the high school by the students

In September 2001, the Charter School for Applied Technologies (CSAT) opened its doors to 708 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Today, CSAT is a bustling campus of three distinct buildings (Elementary, Middle, and High Schools), serving 1,600 pupils representing 16 different school districts throughout Western New York. It has evolved to become the largest charter school in New York State and one of only two state charter schools to offer a comprehensive K-12 experience.
Admission to CSAT is free and open to all students eligible to attend public school in Erie and Niagara Counties.  As a "school of choice," CSAT's student population is diverse.  Forty-one (41) percent of its students are African American, 41 percent are Caucasian, 16 percent Hispanic, two percent American Indian/Alaskan Native, one percent Asian/Pacific Islander, and another one percent indicate that they are "Multi-racial." CSAT's student body reflects a significantly high rate of poverty, as evidenced by the large number of youths who consistently qualify for Title I programming.  Currently, 81 percent of the school's students have applied and qualified for either free or reduced-price meals.  Further, the actual percentage of students who qualify for such programs is most likely higher, as some, especially those in the upper grades, often do not apply for the program due to its perceived negative stigma.  As evidence, the percentage of qualifying students is at 83 percent in the Elementary School (K-6), dipping to 68 percent in the High School (9-12).
Not only is CSAT the largest charter school in New York, it is consistently seen as one of the best, demonstrated by numerous factors:
(1) 80% of CSAT students out-scored their home districts on the New York State English Language Arts and Math assessments;
(2) High School students scored above the State average on eight of nine Regents Exams; and,
(3)its second graduating class, the class of 2009, posted a 100% graduation rate, (all 85 students). This compares favorably to city (52%)and state (63%) averages;
(4) anecdotal support has come from former Regents Chancellor Bob Bennett, who referred to CSAT as "the best charter school in the state" in 2008 and former U.S. Education Department staffer Doug Mesecar, who called CSAT a "model charter school" after a 2008 visit;
(5) The average per-pupil expenditure of the school districts with pupils at CSAT in 2009 was $17,260. Due to state law limiting charter schools to 2/3 of the funding received by traditional districts, CSAT was able to provide a better educational experience for thousands less – approximately $12,000/student.

What Makes CSAT so Different?
It's the school's commitment to its motto - "Every Day is Career Day" - though, that sets it apart from others. CSAT's school-to-career component prepares all students, including those who may not be college bound, for the world of work. Career preparation starts for our students in kindergarten with field trips and visits by community business leaders and extends throughout their entire educational career, culminating in student enterprise programs, job shadowing, and individualized work study and internships for those in higher grades.
For more information on the school, please see the CSAT website at
http://csat-k12.org/csat/site/default.asp

Click here for a complete list of upcoming speakers at our weekly meeting. 

If you'd like to attend a meeting, contact John McClive.
For more information about Rotary Club of Buffalo, visit our website, www.buffalorotary.org.

Jan. 28 Meeting: BNMC Chief Operating Officer Patrick J. Whalen

Our speaker for January 28th will be Patrick J. Whalen.  Patrick Whalen joined the BNMC as Chief Operating Officer in March of 2008. A former Buffalo Rotarian, he directs the day-to-day operations of the growing not-for-profit corporation. He is also spearheading the renovation, build-out, and tenant recruitment of the BNMC's Innovation Center at 640 Ellicott Street (the four-story former Trico Products Corp. building).
Whalen has extensive experience on a wide variety of international supply chain issues including marketing access, warehousing, distribution, sourcing, and freight forwarding. Whalen conceptualized and established Fulfillment Systems International, a distribution services provider offering marketing support, warehousing and distribution, freight forwarding, and transportation service to firms operating in the US and Canada, with annual sales of $10 million and one hundred employees in five locations. He sold this company to a UPS subsidiary in 2000 and became division manager of UPS Supply Chain Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Parcel Service, providing supply chain management solutions to businesses worldwide, with 14,000 employees and $750 million in sales.
The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is a consortium of the region's premier health care, life sciences research, and medical education institutions, all co-located on 120-acre in downtown Buffalo, New York. The BNMC is dedicated to the cultivation of a world-class medical campus for clinical care, research, education, and entrepreneurship. The BNMC:
•Coordinates activities related to the planning, development, and enhancement within their 120 acres footprint.
•Facilitates collaboration among our member institutions, as well as the community at large.
•Addresses issues of common concern to our member institutions and neighbors.
•Creates a distinct environment that provides opportunities for active living.

The meeting will be held at the Harbour Club in HSBC Arena at 12:15pm, Thursday, January 28th, 12:15pm.    

The public is invited to attend and hear interesting programs each week. Call our Executive Director, John McClive, at 854-3397 if you have any questions or would like to attend.

Jan. 21st Meeting: Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. President Thomas P. Dee

Spanning a career of 37 years at Cannon Design, with 28 years as a principal, our speaker, Thomas P. Dee, has been involved in large-scale public projects locally such as the HSBC Arena, the HSBC Atrium Office Complex, the Erie Community College Flickinger Field House and the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

As President of ECHDC, Mr. Dee is well qualified to lead one of the Western New York region's most exciting economic development projects, one that involves the revitalization of over 20 acres of prime waterfront lands within the City of Buffalo's historic Erie Canal district.

Commonly known as "Canal Side," this dynamic project features roughly $300 million in public and private investment, comprising more than one million square feet of retail, cultural, residential, office and other mixed-uses. The Canal Side project is designed to not only evoke City heritage as America's "gateway to the west" for commerce, transportation and immigration, but also to accentuate downtown Buffalo's connection to its waterfront, through construction of various interpretive water features and towpaths, reminiscent of the area's historic canal network.

This well documented "hustle and bustle" of the Erie Canal, Commercial Slip and Prime Slip is central to the Canal Side theme, and will be brought back to life through various year-round offerings and experiences, including restaurants, entertainment venues, retail outlets, cultural attractions, public spaces, and increased access to Lake Erie and the Buffalo River. Canal Side will appeal to a wide demographic of visitors and residents. More succinctly, it will be Buffalo's next great place!


This meeting will be held at the Harbour Club in HSBC Arena beginning at 12:15 p.m.  - Thursday, January 21st, 2010.

Click here for a complete list of upcoming speakers at our weekly meeting. 

For more information about Rotary Club of Buffalo, visit our website, www.buffalorotary.org.

Network at North

Come to the first networking event of 2010:

Wednesday
January 20th
5 to 8 ppm

at

NORTH
140 North Street  (located in the Hotel Lenox)

This is a FREE event and a great opportunity to network with club members and to introduce potential Rotarians to the club in a relaxed environment.

Free parking in rear/side lot.

Free Hors D'Oeuvres
Discounted cash bar

Help for Haiti - Message from District Governor Suchak

Following is an important message from District Governor, Pravin Suchak, for members and friends of The Rotary Club of Buffalo:

As everyone in the district is well aware by now, the needs of the Haitian people are very great as up to three million people deal with the aftermath of a 7.0 earthquake in and around the capital Port-au-Prince.The city was leveled, a vast number of people killed, and transportation and communication disrupted. The injured are struggling for care as most medical facilities in the capital were damaged or destroyed and people have nowhere to live.

Many of our clubs are asking what they can do. As a district we are suggesting that Rotarians and Rotary clubs who want to help should have a district option. Jos Nolle, Chair of our Disaster Relief Committee has suggested two options.

First, we know that many injured are taken to Hopital Albert Schweitzer in Deschapelles, a town about 40 miles NW of Port-au-Prince. We are fortunate because Roy Sheldrick from the Rotary Club of Ancaster uses Hopital Albert Schweitzer to administer the Haiti Water for Life Program and through them has brought over 1.2 million dollars of wells, piping and latrines to Haiti. Roy has close and regular contact with the hospital administration and they have indicated that their facility is coping with the influx of those injured in the earthquake, but the hospital is fast using up its budget on supplies of medicines, diesel fuel and additional operating expenses.

Second, most inhabitants of Port-au-Prince have lost their homes and shelter and have nowhere to live. The ShelterBox Program keeps a stock of shelter boxes on hand and some of these boxes are already on their way to Haiti. The supply, however, always needs to be replenished.

For these reasons, we are encouraging donations to Hopital Albert Schweitzer and/or ShelterBox. A trust fund keeps Hopital Albert Schweitzer running. In NY, clubs and individuals are asked to forward donations to The Rotary Club of Kenmore and it will issue charitable receipts.

Your donation will then be forwarded so that Hopital Albert Schweitzer can continue caring for the onslaught of injured.

Please make checks payable to Kenmore Rotary Charities and mail to Kenmore Rotary Club, 3200 Elmwood Avenue, Kenmore NY 14217, Please indicate Haiti Disaster Relief as the reason for the check.

Those clubs wishing to support ShelterBox should send funds directly to that organization at either ShelterBox USA, 8374 Market Street #203, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 or ShelterBox Canada, 1272 Mysty Woods, Victoria BC, V8Y 3G6. http://www.shelterbox.ca/

Pravin Suchak,
District Governor
Jos Nolle, Disaster Relief Chair