Potpourri for a Saturday

New restaurant

Traveling downtown this week I noticed the Church’s Chicken sign going up on Old Falls Street. Nice to see a new business going into the old Taco Cantina location. If Taco Cantina is still open I have not found it.

The last time we were there, I ordered wings. They were great. We realized after they were a copy of John Young’s original recipe which preceded Anchor Bar. Does anyone know if Taco Cantina closed or relocated?

History evolves

In homage to Paul Gromosiak, I have changed my tour guide script when it comes to the history of Niagara Falls State Park.

I now have been explaining the true story: It is not the oldest state park.

Omstead imagined a “reservation”, a sort of nature preserve, a peaceful place to ponder. It existed as such until the 1960s when the state built it out into a car-centric park so it could make more money. It needs to go back the other way with Goat Island car-free.

Centennial Park

I will always engage in civil discourse over something like our quarter-billion dollar hockey rink. I had a good exchange last week with a political leader who considers me among the naysayers and said I would still stand against Restaino Memorial Rink even if they came up with the money.

I am in favor of Centennial Park if the state funds it or a partnership emerges between the public and private sector that involves no line on the Niagara Falls budget and no tapping of Casino Funds or Community Developent Block Grants.

And where do I get “quarter billion?” well it started as $150 million. The current estimated cost is $200 million. By the time construction starts, with inflation, the cost will go up again. Be realistic.

And as much as I love the Train Station, where is the plan to close the $130,000 annual operating budget gap?

Foraging

Mushrooms are everywhere. I thought I found chanterelles on Friday. Excitedly, I brought them home and commenced research in books and on the internet.

I don’t know what I found but not chanterelles.

On the other hand, a bounty of chicken of the woods is on hand. I may have to freeze some.

Also, lamb’s quarter or goosefoot is everywhere. I found a beautiful patch near One Niagara but, given the proximity to cars and people I would not consider harvesting.

That said, within the last week while walking I have noshed on sour cherries, black raspberries and mullberries.

Flowers

The flowers along the Gorge View Bike Path are in their glory.

The vetch has come and gone but coneflower, butterfly weed, milkweed, shasta daisies and calendula are all dominating. The bright yellow flowers growing low to the ground on lawns an in marginal areas are toadflax also called butter and eggs.

Underground Railroad Museum news

Fun video from our friends at the Underground Railroad Heritage Area celebrating the coming Harriet Tubman Byway. Huzzah!

https://www.facebook.com/NiagaraFallsUGRR/videos/745951414636599