Here is an interesting theory why gas prices are spiking ... what do you think?

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The real culprit, it seems, is good old-fashioned, Enron-style manipulation of the oil market by speculators and hoarders.

The Elmwood-Bidwell Farmers Market, a Western New York tradition featuring more than 30 vendors selling fresh, seasonal and local products, opens for the 2011 season on Saturday, May 7. Hours at the open-air market are from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, rain or shine.

Local singer/guitarist Kate Shaffer will kick off the market’s entertainment schedule, performing from approximately 10 to 11:30 a.m. At 10:15 a.m., a special presentation will honor the winner of the market’s 2011 poster competition, JoAnn Andolina of Williamsville.

Additionally, the market welcomes three local nonprofit organizations who will be distributing information about their organizations.

The Frizlen Group, a Buffalo-based architectural firm specializing in urban restoration projects, property development and green architecture, has been chosen to receive a 2011 Preservation Award from Preservation Buffalo Niagara. The award, for rehabilitation/adaptive use, recognizes The Frizlen Group’s restoration project at 257 Lafayette Ave. in Buffalo.

Now known as 257 Lafayette Center, the structure was originally built in 1928 and for decades served Buffalo’s West Side as Annunciation School and later Catholic Academy. The building sat vacant for four-plus years, until business partners Karl Frizlen of The Frizlen Group and contractor Paul Johnson of Johnson & Sons transformed it into a mixed-use building housing 20 occupied apartments and several businesses. 

The award will be presented at the annual Preservation Buffalo Niagara luncheon to be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.