by Maureen Vitali

It’s time to feast your eyes on one of Western New York’s finest blends of horticulture and art– the Bonsai Show at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.

For those who don’t know, bonsais are man-manipulated, miniature, meticulously manicured versions of trees that grow throughout the world. But you don’t have to travel all around the world to find them, thanks to the Gardens.

Dozens of carefully crafted miniature masterpieces will be on display as part of the show on May 18-19. And here’s a fun fact: bonsai trees come in a variety of different species of trees—from cedar to pine and everything in between. So yes, you may get to see an adorable, petite version of a maple tree. And you can count on seeing some beautiful flower bearing bonsais, as these are a favorite among visitors.

The best part is that the master artisans who generated the trees will be present to answer questions and share stories about the bonsai creation process.

The bonsais will be there, the artisans will be there, all that’s missing is you!

So indulge your inner tree-hugger and swing by the Gardens to get a peek of the tiny trees for yourself…they won’t be there long.

by Maureen Vitali

If you love bubbles—big and small, wide and tall, those that are made of glass or even those that glow in the dark—you won’t want to miss “Bubblefest” at the Buffalo Museum of Science this Saturday, May 11.

Watch in awe and learn from Corning Museum of Glass artisans as they wield their 5,000 degree Fahrenheit gas and oxygen powered torches to create glass bubbles before your eyes.

Or, stop by the station I’m most looking forward to- the Tekno Bubble Dance Room, which is surrounded by groovy glow in the dark bubbles.

Of course, the party doesn’t end in the museum itself. If you head outside to Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, you’ll find bubble-tastic attractions for the whole family to enjoy! Explore tents full of bubble inspired activities from a Kiddy Car Wash to bubbles so big you can stand in them! While outdoors, enjoy kid-friendly musical performances by Susan Rozler and Dave Ruch.

Also, be sure to catch special on-stage bubble performances at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm.

Here’s to unleashing your inner bubble lover this weekend!

Extra Info:

Stage performance admission is $3 per non-member or $1 per BMS Member.

The event runs from 10 am until 4 pm. The cost is free for BMS members, and covered with the price of general admission.

The event will take place rain or shine. In the event of rain, most outdoor activities will be moved indoors but the kiddy car wash is weather dependent.

For more information and tips on preparing your family for the event, visit www.sciencebuff.org.

By guest blogger Kara Burakowski

When is a meatball a meal?

When it is a meatball the size of a softball, sliced and smothered in melted mozzarella, of course.  You’ll find it at Mulberry, an Italian restaurant nestled in a residential neighborhood in the shadow of Lackawanna’s steel mills.

I’m not saying one should overlook mouthwatering homemade entrees like Ravioli or Gnocchi, and the Nutella Cannoli are the perfect ending to a hearty meal fit for any special occasion.  But if you’re short on time or on cash you can’t beat the value and satisfaction of an appetizer or two (I also recommend the Arancini), a glass of wine, and a seat at the cozy and well-stocked bar to catch some of the game or catch up with friends.

Mulberry  gained national attention when it was featured on the Food Network show “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives,”  but when you cross from the barebones exterior into the warm, inviting interior, you feel as if you’ve stumbled upon an inside secret known only by the locals.  And don’t be surprised if you bump into a local or two that you know:  the restaurant boasts a growing army of loyal customers.  Luckily, there’s plenty of that meatball to go around!

Mulberry Italian Ristorante

64 Jackson Avenue

Lackawanna, NY 14218

(716) 822-4292

mulberryitalianristorante.com