🌱 Common Council President + Old Firetrucks + Taste of Buffalo

Good morning, Buffalo! I'm here in your inbox per usual to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on around town, including news about...

• Buffalo's firetrucks.
• Taste of Buffalo nominations.
• Substitute teachers needed.

But first, today's weather:

Windy with some snow, 1-2". High: 33. Low: 26.

Business owners and marketers in Buffalo: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top five stories in Buffalo today:

1. Darius Pridgen, the Buffalo Common Council President, is not running for reelection after this term ends. One of his legacies will be the McCarley Gardens, a housing development near the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus that Pridgen advocated on behalf of when University at Buffalo wanted to buy the land and unhouse the tenants. Aside from politics, Pridgen is a pastor at True Bethel Baptist Church. Learn more about his impacts at The Buffalo News.
2. Exposed by the blizzard, Buffalo has revealed that the conditions of the firefighting fleet are below the field's standards. Among the 28 city trucks, 15 are older than recommended as the industry norm, three have significant trouble with heating and many have other engine and exterior problems. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the city current expenditures on maintenance are 25% of what they would need to be to keep trucks to industry standards. Read more at WGRZ 2.
3. Applications are open for 2023's Taste of Buffalo, presented by Tops. The region's restaurants, food-trucks, and wineries that are open year-round should apply by February 17 to be considered. More details can be found through Niagara Frontier Publications.
4. Following the other storms of this winter, Buffalo officials tried to be extra communicative about this week's snow. Buffalo Department of Public Works Commissioner Nathan Martin said text alerts were sent early Wednesday since they "wanted to make sure that we were communicating ahead of time." More information can be read through WGRZ 2.
5. Saturday, Buffalo Public Schools will hold interviews for substitute teaching positions. To qualify as a substitute, someone must hold a bachelor's degree in any subject. Find out more about applying at WKBW 7.

Today in Buffalo:

• Wellness Walks! Tifft Nature Preserve, 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
• Chocolate Bar Class! The Sweet Whisk, 6:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
• Conversations in Science: White-tailed Deer Ecosystem Impacts! Tifft Nature Preserve, 6:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
• The Mai: Young Professionals Night! Irish Classical Theatre Company at Andrews Theatre, 6:30 P.M.
• Anxious Children In School! Virtual, 7:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
• Disney on Ice- Into the Magic! KeyBank Center, 7:00 P.M.
• Barrel of Laughs: Whitney Cummings! Seneca Niagara Casino, 8:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.

From my notebook:

• Buffalo Schools Update: "It's Wednesdays with Williams featuring PS 54 Dr. George E. Blackman School of Excellence!" (Buffalo Schools via Facebook)
• Shark Girl Ice Sculpture "Chill out, Shark Girl. 🦈 #InTheBUF photo by @nick_rider_photography *If you know the ice sculpture artist, please tag." (Visit Buffalo Niagara via Instagram)
• Tortuga: "Did you know every South-American-inspired sandwich at Tortuga can also be ordered as a salad, over power grains, saffron rice, or crispy potatoes?" (Andrew Galarneau via Instagram)
• Short History Video: "History is a story. About you. About us. About the connections that hold us together. Experience history with us in 2023!" (The Buffalo History Museum via Instagram)
• Knox Farm Photo: "BUFFALO SUNSET 🌅 @beanwagons_of_buffalo 🐕 #dogsofbuffalo buffalosunset #knoxfarmstatepark #knoxfarm #eastaurora #wintersunset #frenchton" (Dogs Of Buffalo via Instagram)
• Buffalo Sports Meme: "Welp... Go Sabres⁠ ⁠ TW: Stephx29" (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)
• Upcoming Floral Design Workshop: "Plan the perfect start to your date night with this fun floral design workshop! Whether you create an arrangement yourself or with a partner, this is the perfect way to kick off Valentine's Day weekend. Register now at buffalogardens.com ❤️" (Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens via Facebook)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow for another update!