James ‘Bubba’ Frigo was diagnosed with Retinis Pigmentosa, a genetically inherited disease that will eventually lead to blindness, and after graduating high school hopped on his bike.  After convincing his father to join him, the father son team set out to explore America, raise money to cure blindness and experience the beauty of the United States before Bubba goes blind.

The Niagara Tourism & Convention Corporation met with the family Tuesday morning and presented them with a VIP tour of the Cave of the Winds and Discovery Passes for the family. “It’s truly remarkable what James has set out to do at such a young age. We wanted to make sure that his inspiration hasn’t gone unnoticed,” said Melissa Morinello, director of marketing and communications for the NTCC.

For more information or to donate, visit their Facebook page, Frigos Big Challenge or their donation page.

After a day at Niagara Falls State Park stop by Caffe Lola (507 Third Street) and enjoy lunch in a trendy restaurant.  Stocked with paninis, gelato, homemade soups, and locally produced sodas, you won’t leave hungry.  Treat yourself to the lobster mac and cheese, sweet potato frites, or roasted eggplant panini.  There is also a children’s menu including a nutella and jelly panino and a variety of pasta dishes.

Lewiston is home to the Brickyard (432 Center Street) that features barbeque that would even make the south jealous.  Opt for the ribs, St. Louis or Baby Back, or the chicken and shrimp creole for food so good your stomach will thank you. Be sure to ask for extra hand wipes though.

On your way to the Niagara Wine Trail stop at Gordie Harper’s Bazaar (3333 Lockport Olcott Rd.) in Newfane for homemade meals including meatloaf, turkey, sandwiches, soups, and salads.  The family restaurant also features an attached craft store where you will find handmade, unique gifts.

Lockport is home to many great restaurants including Garlock’s (35 South Transit Road) that serves everything from steaks to chicken, and seafood.  Family owned and operated, Garlock’s restaurant has been serving steaks since 1962. It is the perfect place for dinner after an afternoon on the Erie Canal.

Known for its old world Italian cuisine, The Como located at 222 Pine Avenue Niagara Falls opened its doors in 1927.  The Como is now the largest and most famous Italian-American Restaurant in Niagara Falls, serving the traditional dishes of both countries in a tastefully created atmosphere which conveys the charm and conviviality of Old Italy. Our pick: meat ravioli. Homemade macaroni dough cakes stuffed with ground beef, spinach and Romano cheese, topped with tomato sauce, how can you go wrong?

Call it a hoggie, hero, or sub but whatever you call it, make sure you get it at Viola’s Submarine House at 1539 Military Road, Niagara Falls.  Viola’s sandwiches are so good, some employees were flown to Hawaii in 2008 to cater a party with their famous steak and cheese submarine.

For a meal your grandma would serve, stop by Apple Granny’s Restaurant at 433 Center Street in Lewiston.  Homemade soups, salads, sweet potato fries and arguably the best wings around make for a great experience at one of the top restaurants in Lewiston.  The best part is, it won’t break the bank!

A Western New York tradition since 1927, Ted’s Hotdogs, 333 Meadow Drive, North Tonawanda, serves up giant Sahlen’s hotdogs with your choice of chili, cheese, or homemade hot sauce.  Ted’s son, Spiro, reminisces about the early days in that first building, “That little shack was held together by forty coats of paint. And when the train went by, the whole place shook. Back then, you could get a hot dog and a drink for $.22. Those were simpler times.” Now, a foot-long with the works and a medium drink will cost about six bucks. Still, not bad for a hometown favorite.

Enjoy great American fare in a 1800s building that now serves as a restaurant and bed and breakfast.  The Wilson House was built in 1844 by Luther Wilson, an entrepreneur and politician.  Today, you can enjoy dining in the unique house that Wilson built.  The menu is plentiful and will have something for everyone. Try the stuffed hot peppers, portabella mushroom salad, or “Dacc’s” crab cakes with roasted red pepper remoulade. You certainly won’t leave hungry!

These are just a few of the great restaurants that Niagara USA has to offer.  For more ideas and unique eats visit, www.Niagara-USA.com

NORTH TONAWANDA — A recent report on cnn.com highlighted the Falls’ renaissance as a honeymoon destination.

“We just had a ball,” Amy Wieller of Virginia told the Web site of her Niagara honeymoon in September. “You kind of feel like a kid when you’re back there … (and) that view — you can’t not be romantic there.”

Rebecca Dolgin, executive editor of theknot.com, told CNN that the Cataract City’s fun factor is one of the reasons that Niagara Falls is one of her site’s 19 best North American honeymoon hot spots.

“It’s sort of kitschy and it’s fun, and it’s for couples who maybe don’t take it too seriously,” Dolgin said. “I don’t think anyone is going to come back from Niagara being disappointed. You know when you go there what you’re getting into. It’s the same kind of thing with Las Vegas.”

Helping out with the bump in interest was the episode of “The Office” that was based in Niagara Falls. The Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation saw an 83 percent increase in Web traffic after the episode aired in October, CNN reported.

Jessica and Tim Hamlet of Portland, Ore., who honeymooned in the Falls in April 2009, said they’re already looking at returning.

“We’re planning to go back to Niagara Falls for our fifth anniversary, our 10th and our 25th and our 50th and pretty much as often as we can go back,” Jessica said.

Should any businesses ever consider coming to the Buffalo-Niagara region, a recent accounting report said they would have a bargain on their hands.

The accounting firm KPMG recently released a study of the most and least expensive cities in which to conduct business. Among mid-sized cities — those with a population between 1 million and 2 million — Buffalo-Niagara came in at No. 3 out of 12 cities that were examined.

The study concluded that big cities, although they attract more attention, cost more. Labor costs and facility costs were both 12 percent lower locally than the national average, the report said.

Out of cities of all sized, Buffalo-Niagara came in at No. 36 out of 75 cities in the United States and Canada.

The first fire hydrant was invented in Lockport

Lockport's Seven Sutherland Sisters

Tuscarora Native American beadwork

The existing iron railing next to the Flight of Five still shows the indentations made by the tow ropes over the years that the mules dragged across the top of the railing.

Lockport was once home to the widest bridge in the world

Learn More About These Unique Stories at the History Center of Niagara County

Compiled by: Ann Marie Linnabery, Assistant Director, History Center of Niagara County and Douglas Farley, Director, Erie Canal Discovery Center

We caught up with one of the show’s main cast members and asked him some questions about the show and Niagara USA.  Check out the video clip for parts of his interview and snip-bits of the show.

775 Cayuga St. Lewiston, NY

A few of us from the office visited Tin Pan Alley, 775 Cayuga St. Lewiston, NY,  yesterday evening for dinner.  We were quickly greeted and decided to sit in the bar/lounge area (that’s where most of the people were).  The menu was very diverse.  If you can’t find something there, then I have no idea what you eat.  They had everything from finger foods, to salads, burgers, wraps, pastas, and everything in between.  Between the three of us we ordered the taco salad, chicken quesadilla, and the philly  steak wrap with fries.

Our food came out fast! We were in a time crunch so it was perfect. The portions were huge and we all ended up with leftovers for lunch today.  On top of that, the price was right. For the three of us our bill was about $22!

Two thumbs up for Tin Pan Alley.

What is Holiday Battle on the block?

In each of two one-hour specials, three young families, with children up to mid-teens, are put to the challenge and partake in a friendly festive decorating face-off by the two HGTV hosts.

Each family, working as a team, is provided a healthy budget and asked to design, shop, source, and build something super-special from scratch for the exterior of their home, within 48 hours.

At stake are the bragging rights and the honor of being awarded the title of BEST HOLIDAY HOUSE in front of the local community.

After the sun has set on the final evening, a local panel of judges from the area, along with the HGTV hosts, will hit the switch that has these homes burst forth in season splendor! After careful deliberation, the winner is announced to one and all!

The show is scheduled to air in 2010.

How to be considered:

1. Outgoing young families with children up to their teen years

2. Who pride themselves on their annual outdoor festive decor

3. Live in a detached heritage or heritage style home

4. Live in the areas of LEWISTON, YOUNGSTOWN, NEWFANE, NORTH TONAWANDA, WILSON, OLCOTT, THE CITY OF LOCKPORT, or the neighborhood of DEVEAUX.

5. Available for four days of shooting between December 10-13 or December 15-18.
If your family is up for the challenge and a lot of festive fun, please contact Casting Director, Sue Skinner of SMS Concepts Casting, right away, with an attached family photo and an exterior photo of your house, at smsconcepts@rogers.com by Tuesday November 24th.

‘HOLIDAY BATTLE ON THE BLOCK’ is being produced by Cineflix for HGTV US and HGTV Canada.