Buffalo Business Receives National Recognition: President’s Volunteer Service Awards

In July of 2009, Susan Marie Public Relations was certified as a business that continues to support faith based, organizational and community related events through her volunteer service over a two year span. A Certifying Organization is an entity that is approved to review and verify a volunteer’s hours, and nominate and distribute the President’s Volunteer Service Awards. COs are oftentimes, local offices, chapters, affiliates, offices, stores, or member organizations that operate under the auspices of a national Leadership Organization.

The Corporation for National and Community Service was formed to engage Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to meet community needs. Each year, more than 1.5 million individuals of all ages and backgrounds help meet local needs through a wide array of service opportunities. These include projects in education, the environment, public safety, homeland security and other critical areas through the Corporation's three major programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America.

Certifying Organizations agree to perform the following roles:

• Verify that the volunteer(s) has completed the number of service hours required to earn a President’s Volunteer Service Award.

• Nominate verified volunteers by completing and submitting forms to receive the award(s).

• Pay the nominal cost for the award package and its shipping, either directly or through local sponsorship.

• Receive the award package and distribute the award to each recipient.
  

The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

Recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a standard for service, encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation, and inspires others to make service a central part of their lives. The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved a certain standard – measured by the number of hours of service over a 12-month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime. There are more than 28,000 certifying organizations to bestow more than 1.5 million awards to the Nations deserving volunteers.

Awards to be given include:

• Personalized Certificate (with individual’s name)
• Lapel Pin (bronze, silver, gold or lifetime depending on total volunteer hours)
• Congratulatory Letter from the President of the United States
• Letter from the President's Council on Service & Civic Participation

During involvement with tunes4food.org, Susan received this certification after tracking her volunteer hours after 2 years plus of volunteer service in her community and the Nation through her business and Think Twice Radio. Tunes4food was listed as a project under President Obama's Serve.Gov, his call to action for Americans to volunteer in their communities.

Awards to be distributed specifically for tunes4food under Susan Marie Public Relations are: Grace Stumberg, for her committed 25 hours during the entire event, performing and organizing and past involvement with Music in Action, WUFO 1080 AM, a spiritual based AM radio station that commits their time to supporting Western New York and Brooke Noelle Zarcone, who organized a food drive on her own in her high school that collected approximately 500 lbs of food for The Food Bank of Western New York.

To view more information regarding this incentive:

Serve.Gov: http://www.serve.gov/.

# # #

Contact:

Susan Marie Public Relations
716-783-7067
www.susanmarie.info
susanmarie.info@gmail.com
New York USA 2009

2009 Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

BUFFALO, NY - Join the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame at 7 PM on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at the Tralf Music Hall located at 622 Main Street in Buffalo's Downtown Theatre District for a festive evening of live music and entertainment. Fans and friends are welcome to honor the 2009 Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Inductees, many of whom will perform. Local entertainer and radio personality Rob Lederman will emcee the event. Food and refreshments will be available through the Tralf facilities. Tickets are $20, at all Ticketmaster locations; charge by phone 852-5000, or through the Tralf Box office.

The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Class of 2009 includes the following:

THE BUFFALO BILLS BARBERSHOP QUARTET - 1950 International Quartet Champions, and famed quartet in the Broadway and film versions of “The Music Man.”

JACK CIVILETTO - Long-time WNY Blues guitarist/vocalist/band leader. Winner of many local music awards and seen around town performing as “Old Blue Eyes.”

GLENN COLTON - Highly regarded, popular children’s entertainer and a veteran of over 300 live shows in schools though out his 25 year career.

HIT n RUN – “Buffalo’s Premier Party Band” brings their high energy and immense local following to the event.

McCARTHYIZM - Alternative Rock Band will take its place in the BMHOF upon earning numerous awards for their original music and presentation.

moe. - Internationally known “jam band” that got its start at Broadway Joe’s.

RAVEN - Legendary 60’s band that established the “Buffalo Sound” that became nationally renowned includes Hall of Fame members Tony Galla, Jim Calire, J R Weitz, Tommy Calandra, and Gary Mallaber.

JERRY RAVEN - Godfather of Buffalo’s Folk Music scene and mentor to countless musicians that include a number of previously inducted BMHOF Members.

JOEY REYNOLDS - “Mr. Nice Guy”, also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. Known for his groundbreaking work in radio – in Buffalo and nationally.

DR. LONNIE SMITH – Master of the Hammond B-3. After setting the standard internationally, he returns to confront his humble roots on Buffalo’s East Side and takes his place in the BMHOF.

The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame was founded in 1983 to recognize groups and individuals who have had a significant impact on WNY music and/or have achieved success in the music industry on a national or international scale. The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame annually recognizes these outstanding Western New Yorkers at its annual induction gala.

Bob Silvestri, Chair of the Nominations Committee of the BMHOF notes, “This year’s class ranges from performers who have become internationally renowned to long-time mainstays of local music.” Members of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame from previous induction classes will be in attendance to honor and induct the Class of 2009.

Co-chairs of the event include Patricia Kirisits and Richie Derwald. For press information contact Rick Mathews, President of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame at 716-400-8934 or rickmathews@buffalo.com.

The Board of Trustees of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame is seeking new members and those interested in sponsorship opportunities, supporting membership or board membership should contact Rick Mathews 716-400-8934 or email us at: info@bmhof.org.

Susan Marie
www.susanmarie.info
susanmarie.info@gmail.com
New York USA

Our Lady Peace: Molson Park: Lockport Sun & Journal: Thom Jennings

July 05, 2009 12:43 am

LOCKPORT: Our Lady Peace masterfully blends old, new
By Thom Jennings
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

LOCKPORT — Arguably, Our Lady Peace was the most anticipated concert in this year’s Molson Canal Concert Series and one of the main reasons so many people I have spoken to comment on how great this year’s lineup is. OLP arrived in Lockport to kick off a major tour in support of their forthcoming “Burn Burn,” which will be released July 21.

Highlighting new material is often a challenge for artists because many concertgoers only want to hear familiar songs, but OLP did a masterful job blending the old with the new. Of course, they had an audience that most bands could only pray for. If there were such a thing as a sell-out crowd for a free show, then OLP played to one.

They hit the stage at 8:40 p.m. and upon seeing the massive crowd, lead singer Raine Maida said, “ Oh my God, I think we’re in heaven,” after which the band opened with an updated version of “Naveed,” the title cut from its first album. Next was an extended version of “Superman’s Dead,” from their second album “Clumsy,” during which Maida urged the crowd to sing along and the massive crowd obliged.

It did not take long for even the casual fan to realize this was a special night for OLP. Standing in front of a backdrop displaying the cover of “Burn Burn,” OLP hardly seemed like a band that has played fewer than half a dozen shows in the past three years. New songs like “Monkey Brains” and “Paper Moon” were only distinguishable because the majority of crowd was not loudly singing every word of them.

A person standing near me remarked that OLP was “the best band ever to play Lockport,” a heady claim, considering the talent that has come through the area. I will say that OLP was one of the most polished bands I have seen in many years. Raine Maida is the consummate front man, combining vocal prowess and showmanship that is truly sublime.

OLP closed their set with “All You Did Was Save My Life,” a new track from “Burn Burn” that has been available on the Internet for the past few weeks. Closing with a new song was a bold move, but it worked because of the strength of the song.

The band returned the stage playing three encores, closing with a rousing version of “Starseed,” during which Maida jumped into the crowd.

Raine Maida gave a tremendous performance, and he undoubtedly did not disappoint the many fans in attendance. Nonetheless, it is important to note the work of the rest of the band, including Steve Mazur, the guitarist, who did not miss a note, and the flawless rhythm section consisting of Jeremy Taggart on drums and Duncan Coutts on bass.

Right before I left the show, a person said to me, “You better write a good review of this show.” A good show deserves a good review and OLP certainly deserves a good review after tonight. Before I left, I thanked Mayor Tucker for bringing these shows to Lockport. Two weeks, two excellent shows.

Contributing reviewer Thom Jennings is an Albion resident.

Floozie: See You Later (Buffalo, NY)

Floozie is fully experienced by their live, raw performances, yet on their 2009 release, " See You Later", they redefine that untamed freedom found in the current Western New York indie scene.

Floozie is: Jim Schwartz: Vocals and Guitar, Marty Schebell: Bass, Mike McGranor: Lead Guitar/Vocals and Mr. Sam: Percussion. Selling out auditoriums, Floozie has shared the stage with: Sponge, Theory of a Dead Man, Default, The Trews, and Soul Asylum. The richness of Floozie's lyrics, mean guitar riffs and folklore behind various songs, crowned them with notoriety of being experimental and influential.

"Holding On For Nothing" slams you head first into dirty riffs with alternating echo chamber vocals: "I always try to sort it out / but find myself full of doubt / I'm holding on for nothing /and I'm begging you please / can't you see the scrapes on my knees." This tune is punk, blues, funk, and rock and roll all in one.

The eclectic diversity of "See You Later" is found on, "Electric." The intro is pure driven punk: "You're electric / so let me turn you on", interspersed with harmonica and blues. "You never know what you might find / all you gotta do / all you gotta do / is open up your eyes." Keeping true to harmony through guitars and driving percussion, "Electric" alternates between pop and blues.

"Whatchya Say", features slide. Imagine a track screaming: "Whatchya say/ What your saying / What your sayings not me" with mad precision on percussion, guitars and vocals simultaneous. Musically, "Whatchya Say" is one of those "must see live" Floozie tunes.

This album is proof that Floozie yet again comes out with something uninhibited, meaty and passionate. Lyrically, melodically and instrumentally, you get a taste of punk, blues, rock and roll, and pop in one album. Floozie can be reached at myspace. Check out where they are performing thanks to All WNY Radio.com and Big Jack Productions.

Floozie is on rotation at 97 Rock, 103.3 The Edge, 107.7 The Lake (with an interview) and were named 97 Rock's Artist of the Month. The first track, "Holding On For Nothing" is irony at best. Floozie fans have been holding on, yet most certainly not for nothing.

© Susan Marie
www.susanmarie.info
susanmarie.info@gmail.com
New York USA

Joanna Mosca: Just Keep Going (Live audio/review) NYC

Joanna Mosca, multi-genre artist, with three acclaimed one woman shows in New York City under her belt, is in the final stages of introducing to the world her first independent unreleased CD, yet to be titled, in fall 2009. Joanna has collaborated with Jay Levine and Grammy award winning producers Tyrone Corbett and Robert Donsella.

Nashville, The Grand Ole Opry and the top ten adult contemporary hits on The Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report are several of her merits. Joanna embraces music wholeheartedly, similar to when she were studying to be an actress with Anthony Hopkins and Uta Hagen in Greenwich Village at HB Studios.

Her autobiographical track, "Just Keep Going", resonates with the world today: difficult economic times coupled with Joanna's own life experience. The song begins with subtle guitar combined with inviting vocals, "Am I followin' the path I am supposed to follow?" The chorus rises with: "I will light the pathway / when its too dark to see / I will flow with the river / if it feels good for me / I will climb the mountain / thats in front of me / when I'm on my own / when I'm all alone / I keep on going . . ." This is an anthem of faith and dedication to self.

"A Good Distraction", neo country melded with pop and jazz, intros with a mean guitar. This was written during Joanna's experience during the inauguration. An acquaintance's comment about a passerby compelled Joanna to run with that line, producing this playful tune about everyone needing a good distraction.

"The Little Things", is pristine, delicate piano leading Joanna into: "Everything he does is like a movie made for me / on the big screen" This is where diversity shines with slide, piano, vocal range, and lyrics. She is paying homage to the things in life we often over look. The little things in life that truly matter.

Joanna Mosca is versatile. She manages to incorporate all of her creativity into this new album. Joanna is involved with "I Have A Dream", "The Million Mom March", and "Child Reach." She speaks of giving back: "Most artists wait 'till they're rich and famous before giving back and contributing to charitable causes." Joanna Mosca is exactly what this world needs: positive musical influence.

Check out Joanna's website where you connect on my space and face book, as well as watch her video at NYC's "The Sugar Bar." Sign up to her mail list to get the news on the release of her first independent CD.

A one hour in depth interview with Joanna is on Think Twice Radio, with "A Good Distraction."

Joanna Mosca is honest about herself and the world around her. It is apparent in her music and her energy. This release is rock solid proof of Joanna's persistence, dedication, and years of experience. Her goal is nothing less than to "Just Keep Going."

© Susan Marie
www.susanmarie.info
susanmarie.info@gmail.com
New York USA

Mystical Arts of Tibet: Unity Church July 2nd: Visiting Tibetan Monks

Lama Chopa: Sacred ceremony shared by Tibetan Monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery

On July 2, 2009, 7pm, Unity Church (1243 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY (716) 882-0391) will be hosting Tibetan Monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery to celebrate the Lama Chopa sacred ceremony.

Lama Chopa is perhaps the most popular practice in Tibetan Tantric world. It is traditionally performed on auspicious occasions for invoking the blessings of the enlightened masters for individual, communal, and environment healing. The ceremony involves chants, traditional musical instruments, and various offerings of light food and flowers. This practice was composed by the First Panchen Lama, Lobsang Chokyi Gyaltsen. The First Panchen Lama was the guru of the Fifth Dalai Lama, and perhaps the singularly most popular figure in seventeenth century Tibet. Today it is perhaps even more popular than ever, serving as something of a symbol of the endangered Tibetan civilization.

To purchase tickets: UNITY CHURCH and 716-882-0391.

Unity Church is in need of assistance for visiting monks:

a) Overnight lodging is needed for the monks. Hosts will take their guests home with them Thursday evening, July 2, after the Lama Chopa sacred ceremony at our church. Hosts need to provide one meal (breakfast) and return their guests to our church Friday morning, July 3.

b) We need help with providing food and serving a late afternoon meal at church on Thursday, July 2. Please contact us if you are interested in helping.

Blessings from your friends at Unity Church in Buffalo, 1243 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14209 (716) 882-0391, email: info@unitybuffalo.org

--
Susan Marie
www.susanmarie.info
susanmarie.info@gmail.com
New York USA

Have You Ever Been Hungry? (tunes4food.org)

I bet you have, millions of people in the entire world right now are starving, literally. In order to cause positive global change, you have to start in your own backyard.

1. Click Here To Watch Obama's call to action on June 22, 2009 on Community Service:

2. Go --> downtown Buffalo, Niagara Square anytime after 11am on Mon, June 22 to Tues, June 23rd at 1pm. 25 hours straight free music event on the steps of City Hall to support The Food Bank.

3. Check out this link to a Time Warner Donated Commercial:

NO EXCUSES:

Do you know why I say No Excuses? Because I did an MS Walk last month and severely disabled people walked further than I did, it humbled me immensely. Did I feel guilty? No, I did not. However, it woke me up to the FACT that I am BLESSED and it filled me with pride for the STRENGTH of the people who in my eyes have a difficult life, yet in their eyes, it is business as usual. Life humbles me every single day and makes me grateful for everything around me, including you. Am I laying a guilt trip on you right now? No. I would never do that. I am simply asking you to help.

We all have to work, go to school, have children, are sick and have stuff we have to take care of. Bring your family, friends, parents, pets, make this an incentive if you are an employer, if you are a business, please drop off some food, the musicians need to eat and drink too, stop over on your lunch hour and listen to local musicians who are doing this for free, donate time, volunteer the day of, perform in this event, stop by anyplace that has food or go into your own cupboard (you know you have cans of peas, cranberries and Ramen soup hiding in there and if you don't you are either one of the hungry I speak of or you have never really been truly hungry) as I have and bring some non perishable food downtown to support the Food Bank of Western New York. They will have a truck on site 25 hours.

If you cannot sleep at 2am and drive to the nearest NOCO to get a whopper extra caffeine and a milky way or a tub of ice cream, grab a canned good or ten, its about a buck each, then KEEP DRIVING to CITY HALL, where there will be live free music.

If you are up at 6am on Tuesday morning before work, grab non perishable foods first then GO HERE. If you get out of work and have to grab the kids or family, go BACK downtown, it will be SUNNY out. (Mon: sunny 79 degrees, Tues: sunny 80 degrees) then go to the Erie Basin Marina, or the library . . . make a day of it. If you live no where by the city then why haven't you been there yet? GO. Buffalo is full of treasures.

If you have no gas money, carpool, take the bus, bike it, roller blade, it's healthy.

Teach your children what it means to give so the madness in this world ceases with their generation.

Without the support of The Food Bank, the churches, chapels, pantries, food banks, missions, and all the children's activities will have NO FOOD. What does this mean if the Food Bank is not supported? It means that people will NOT BE ABLE TO EAT.

If you need their services and I know I have, they just might not be there anymore. What does that mean? That eventually, we all starve. I do not want to hear any excuses at all, because there isn't one that would fly with me and I am being frank here because this is important to me - it's OUR city, the people in OUR city and I am tired of people wishing change yet staying complacent.

Here is something ---> so change the world!

Bring some food, listen to music, toss some change in a guitar case but please, please . . . just go. It's 25 hours.

Don't forget to bring some food. You will hear great FREE music, in an uncrowded atmosphere, meet amazing people, possibly walk away with a new idea for a project and think of what you would be handing down to your children.

Man, we cannot make the world perfect, but we sure can strive towards a positive goal together.

SO?

Are you hungry right now?

So are millions of people in the entire world. In order to cause positive change, you have to start in your own backyard.

Tunes4Food is an alliance member with Serve.Gov and President Obama.

Volunteer registrations @ Project Serve (The White House):

Spread the word and bring food.

Peace,

Sue

I want to thank right now every single artist performing in this event
and all the media coverage and personal support we have gotten thus far.

Print this out, make up your own slogan, hand it out, forward the email (cheaper and saves paper),
support, perform, tell someone.

GO.
If you do any of that, I thank you, from my heart, truly.

The Food Bank of Western New York

--
Susan Marie
www.susanmarie.info
susanmarie.info@gmail.com
New York USA

WBFO: Tunes4food to Benefit Food Bank of WNY (2009-06-15)

WBFO: Tunes4food to Benefit Food Bank of WNY (2009-06-15)

Shared via AddThis

Tunes4Food: WUFO 1080 AM: The Spirit of WNY

WUFO’s promise: Over 45 years of serving the WNY community.

WUFO 1080 am “The Spirit of WNY.”

For Immediate Release: WUFO

Contact SheMisa Ali 89 Lasalle Ave.

(716) 834-1080 Office Buffalo, NY 14214

(716) 949-3276 Cell (716) 834-1080 Office

shemisaa@yahoo.com www.wufoam.com

What:

Support Tunes4food; WUFO Joins the Food Bank of Western New York for Historic Event

Where:

City Hall, Niagara Square

When:

Monday, June 22^nd 12 noon until Tuesday, June

23^rd 1pm

Buffalo Stand Up!!

Tunes4food - A 25 hour “music extravaganza” on the steps of City Hall On June 22, 2009 at 12 noon at the steps of City Hall, Niagara Square, Buffalo musicians are tackling hunger issues on a grassroots level by providing a 25 hour FREE concert titled: Tunes4food. This event, that runs 25 hours straight, and is in direct support of The Food Bank of Western New York. Bring food, your friends, family and more food! You can make a difference . .Tune in to WUFO’s “Inspirations” morning show every Monday – Friday with James “Doc” Cornelius & SheMisa Ali 6a-9a during your morning drive for your community news and prize giveaways!

• For more info: Tunes4Food.org and The Food Bank of WNY.
  

Thank You for your support!!!

Our Lady Peace: Burn Burn - Live Interview With Raine Maida

In 2009, Our Lady Peace produced their seventh album, Burn Burn released on Warner Music's Independent Label Group. 10 tracks will be available on July 21st, 2009. This album is their first since 2005, self produced by the band at Raine's home studio in L.A. Our Lady Peace surpassed Platinum sales status in Canada, sold over 5 million albums worldwide, won four Juno awards, The Much Music Awards and have shared the stage with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, The Rolling Stones, Van Halen, Faith No More, The Goo Goo Dolls, The Ramones, Stone Temple Pilots and Alanis Morrisette.

Our Lady Peace is: Raine Maida: vocals, lyricist, Duncan Coutts: bass, Jeremy Taggart: percussion, and Steve Mazur: guitar.

For years, music has been lacking acoustics, raw vocals, live instruments and pure driven rock and roll. The days of full bands performing with energy directed to the crowd, have been long gone. The monotonous subjection to the business of music and its lack of knowledge and experience with the subterranean has forced fans, as well as musicians, to revert to what they already know and like. Burn Burn is proof that music is indeed, still alive and thriving.

"I'm not for sale / but I've been sold", anthemic lyrics from the first track, All You Did Was Save My Life, intros Steve's aesthetic guitar to Raine on vocals, "You looked at me as you walked in the room / like a Red Sea you split me open / somehow knew these wings were stolen / All You Did Was Save My Life." The tune progresses with the addition of Jeremy, then Duncan, in brash harmony with "I'm not dying." All You Did Was Save My Life is an introspective self realization.

Dreamland is reminiscent of mid 90's sublime (the definition, not the band) interspersed with extreme positivity that can only be gleaned from being thrust into a world where morals and ethics are oftentimes difficult to maintain. Raine pleas: "In this dreamland the kids are alright / and the sky is blue / we all got wings / and know how to fly / I'm headed to the moon / the sun on my face / my head in the clouds / time on my side / my feet off the ground . . . I'm not comin' down."

Paper Moon is delicate elegance. Steve scorches throughout the track, as surreal as Raine's hypnotic vocal range: "I was thinking if you know a way out / then I'd like to go with you / and we can burn out like candles / under that paper moon / . . . they just don't know anything at all" All four of them (Raine, Duncan, Jeremy and Steve) annihilate the idealism of what "music" is today, bringing it right back to what works: simplicity. Raine ends: "There's a time that you get turned around / life itself just wears you out / you keep getting ready for that big parade." This tune is one for the stadiums.

To purchase Burn Burn on and after July 21st, 2009, Click Here - stocked with video, music, and studio sessions and on My Space. Our Lady Peace will be performing at Western New York's largest series on July 3rd, The Molson Park Canal Concert Series, 5:30 - 10:30pm.

To listen to an interview with Raine Maida and Susan Marie on Think Twice Radio, click HERE.

Our Lady Peace on Burn Burn transcends what is currently being sold and defined as music.

--
© Susan Marie
www.susanmarie.info
susanmarie.info@gmail.com
New York USA 2009