Category: PostEvents

It’s time to Build Back Bailey. On Saturday, September 17 (10am) and Wednesday, September 21 (6pm), community members are invited to give feedback pertaining to planning improvements scheduled to take place along Bailey Avenue (between Winspear and Kensington). These workshops are excellent opportunities to learn about what the future of the streetscape project beholds. There are numerous ways to unlock Bailey’s full potential – Bailey is a street that has a lot going for it, but needs a number of urbanist updates.

Responses from the 2nd survey will be used to finish preliminary design and proceed into detailed design. 

For years, there have been discussions (and actions) underway, with plenty of community members and organizations rallying together towards a common cause – for a better Bailey. Back in 2018, Darren Cotton wrote, “… as a regional connector, Bailey Avenue suffers from heavy through traffic where motorists’ destinations are oftentimes not the local businesses along the corridor. This, in addition to speeding cars, unmanaged turning, unmarked parking and travel lanes, aging light standards, barren sidewalks, and the dangerous experience of walking across Bailey without designated crosswalks, has helped to reiterate the need for a major streetscape overhaul.”

At the time, there were surveys conducted that were intended to explore the community’s wants and needs. Now, the time has come to learn about the on-going design phase, before work commences. Input is also welcome.

Get connected: Build Back Bailey | The workshops will be held at the Westminster Community Charter School, 24 Westminster Avenue

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New York State Senator Sean Ryan and Assemblymember Jon Rivera are two of 385 elected officials that are calling for President Joe Biden to beef up the number of refugees allowed into the US, thus honoring his initial commitment. In 2022, the US is on pace to settle fewer than 25,000 refugees – a far cry from the 125,000 cap that was originally announced by the Biden administration. Ryan and Rivera are hoping that the country, and NYS, can get back on track, by boosting the numbers in 2023.

Thanks to the creation of the New York State Enhanced Services to Refugees Program in 2017, cities in Upstate New York have been able to maintain much of the service infrastructure for refugees, which means that there is room to accommodate more people who are fleeing their war torn home countries. This year’s state budget delivered a record $6 million in funding for the program.

Ryan and Rivera feel that the refugee resettlement programs offer a win-win for the fleeing refugees as well as their host cities. Relatively large refugee communities have settled in neighborhoods such as Buffalo’s West Side, which have greatly enhanced the diversity of the city, helped to increase census numbers, and brought about a wide range of cultural amenities that have contributed to the revitalization of the city as a whole.

“Welcoming people displaced from their homes is a moral imperative for a nation whose strength stems from its diversity,” said Senator Sean Ryan, who, along with Rivera, sent a letter urging President Joe Biden to provide the resources needed to restore the United States’ refugee resettlement infrastructure and allow the nation to resettle more refugees in 2023. “But not only that – here in Buffalo and throughout New York, the economic contributions of immigrants and refugees provide enormous economic benefits. President Biden’s commitment to restoring refugee admissions was an important first step after the restrictive policies put in place by the previous administration, but the incremental progress of 2022 has left more work to do. There are still millions of people in need of resettlement services, and it is vital that we follow through with the support required to reach the goals the President put in place.”

Both Ryan and Rivera feel that Biden should be doing more to address the situation at hand, by restoring the refugee resettlement infrastructure and allowing the nation to resettle more refugees in 2023.

“The previous federal administration eviscerated refugee resettlement structures and caused long-term damage to refugee populations across the nation by enacting enormous cuts to refugee admissions,” said Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera. “While New York has been proactive in ensuring that refugee agencies are sufficiently funded, more must be done at the federal level to restore our nation’s resettlement program so that it has both the resources and flexibility to respond to humanitarian crises when they arise.”

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On Monday, September 12, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and Slow Roll Buffalo are teaming up to present the Tour the Towpath Ride. The ride will take cyclists from Tow Path Park at the foot of Hertel, on a ten-mile roundtrip ride “with two stops in Market Square and Front Parks, including neighborhoods Black Rock, Forest, and Grant-Ferry along major streets Hertel, Military, Niagara, Amherst, and Forest.”

This is the first ride of its nature for Slow Roll, thanks to its partnership with the Erie Canal Museum. To that end, the ride is an official (and free) Canalway Challenge event, an undertaking that encourages more people to get out, and active, along the 524-mile NYS Canal System and 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail. People are invited to track their progress, whether they are cycling, paddling, running, hiking, rolling, or walking along the Canalway.

The Tour the Towpath Ride is the 20th of 27 straight free and inclusive Monday night community bike rides organized by Slow Roll Buffalo. The ride will culminate with:

An afterparty with food from Imperial Pizza, Sun Cuisines, and Pudgy PotatoesBuffalocal drinks from Community Beer Works and Chateau BuffaloLive musicSlow Roll fellowship

As summer rolls into fall, this is an excellent way to partake in a sensational group ride, that will be full of sights, sounds, tastes, and surprises.

To learn more, visit this Facebook event. Also visit slowrollbuffalo.org for a schedule of the remaining 2022 rides.

People driving to the event, please respect surrounding residents by refraining from parking on residential streets – park at the big lot at 2192 Niagara Street, thanks to the folks at Acqua and Harbor Place Marine for sharing their space. This event is funded in part through the generous support of the NYS Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

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It’s time to explore East Buffalo. As part of Doors Open Buffalo 2022, attendees are invited to tour 19 locations throughout the Broadway-Fillmore historic district. This free event will be held n Saturday, September 24, from 10am to 4pm. The central hub will be the Broadway Market.

An opportunity to get inside all 19 buildings and enjoy a free tour of 18!

This is an incredible opportunity to see a number of beloved historic buildings and sites, including the Buffalo Brewing Company, Buffalo Muslim Center, Buffalo Central Terminal, St. Adalbert Basilica, Al Cohen’s Bakery, Eugene V. Debs Hall, and a host of others. Click here to view the program.

Doors Open Buffalo 2022 entails the following:

Weekly Houses of Worship Music Series – Tours & concerts throughout SeptemberSeptember 17 – Museums & Culturals Day – Enjoy discounts at Western New York museums!September 24 – Broadway-Fillmore Neighborhood Day – Tour inside buildings in this historic district!

Q. What is Doors Open Buffalo? 
A. Doors Open Buffalo inspires greater appreciation for Buffalo’s unique history and architecture through free public access to significant building interiors.  Our vision is to build relationships for residents and visitors with Buffalo’s history and architecture.

Doors Open Buffalo hosted 6,000 attendees in 2021 when 35 downtown buildings opened their doors for touring.  This year we will be hosting a series of smaller events.  The downtown event will return in 2023.v

Q. Will I need to register for these events? 
A. Free registration will be required for the Houses of Worship Music Series and the September 24 Broadway Fillmore Neighborhood Day.

Visit explorebuffalo.org/doorsopenbuffalo to register and learn more about the participating buildings. Some buildings will require timed tickets for tours and that information will be released closer to the event.

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In order to recognize the works of female directors, the mother-daughter team of Tamar Lamberson and Kaelin Lamberson are introducing the Valkyrie International Film Festival (VIFF). The film festival – to be held at The Screening Room Cinema & Arts Café from March 23rd to 26th, 2023 – is scheduled to coincide with the Women’s History Month.

The mission of the annual event is to celebrate films directed by women and to advance the cause of women in film.

The film festival founders and directors will be screening narrative, experimental, and documentary shorts and features from around the world. At this time, female film directors are invited to submit their works exclusively on FilmFreeway.

“We want to create a unique event where women support each other’s work,” says Tamar. “We hope to bring together female directors for lively Q&As and discussions, and want every woman who attends to feel like she’s found a home. Showing only films directed by women sets us apart from other festivals in Western New York.”

While there will be some screening incentives, such as “Superior Achievement” awards, Tamar and Kaelin feel that this film festival is more inclusive in nature, rather than a regimented competition. At the same time, directors should be recognized and rewarded for their efforts.

The film world is getting to be a pretty big deal in Buffalo as of late. It’s the perfect time to launch a project such as this, not only for local female directors, but for those who are looking for tighter solidarity when it comes to being in an industry that has historically been dominated by male directors. While female directors are gaining traction in the film industry, there is still a wide disparity when considering opportunities. The Valkyrie International Film Festival intends to help level the playing field for women.

www.valkyriefilmfest.com

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The Screening Room Cinema & Arts Café | 880 Alberta Drive | Buffalo, New York 14226

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After years of watching Canalside and Ohio Street transition into prime waterfront destinations, it’s time to start considering Buffalo’s waterfront as a whole.

Recently, a groundbreaking was held at Ralph Wilson Park (formerly LaSalle Park). Before that, we witnessed a crucial investment into Broderick Park. But much of the city’s waterfront has been compromised over the years. A leading example? The Erie Canal was filled in to make way for the I-190, resulting in the city being blocked off from the Niagara River.

Now that major investments have occurred along Niagara Street, it’s time to consider implementing supplemental investments that help to connect people to underutilized waterfront destinations.

For years, we’ve been talking about the potential of drawing up a master plan, or a general guideline, to analyze what it would take to create a premier waterfront, not just investing in a few key out-parcels.

To that end, the Buffalo Common Council has adopted a resolution that asks for Federal and State funding and development, and further enhancements, to tap the full potential of waterfront amenities that include Riverside Park, Towpath Park, Unity Island, Black Rock Canal Park, Broderick Park, and Front Park.

The resolution was prompted by data that shows “three to one return in revenue dollars for pursuing economic activity on Buffalo’s waterfront.” If that is the case, maybe it’s time to look at an even bigger picture – how the downgrading of the Scajaquada Expressway is directly tied in to the relocation or the downgrading of the adjoining I-190 that runs along the Niagara River. There’s no reason that waterfront land can not be reclaimed, while creating a boulevard scenario that allows people to directly access the Black Rock Canal and the Niagara River. Let’s not simply ask for bandaids, let’s ask to re-attach a body of water to its city. Maybe that starts with investing in the isolated and squandered parks? But maybe there is a chance to analyze what it would take to complete an even larger waterfront puzzle? What’s the downside? This resolution is certainly an important start to the process.

“It’s great to see how the waterfront has developed thus far in Downtown Buffalo. I want to use this momentum we have seen in other communities and bring waterfront access and amenities to residents in the North District,” said North District Council Member Joseph Golombek, Jr., who sponsored resolution along with Niagara District Council Member David A. Rivera. “I live about a half a mile from the waterfront and can envision the potential this region has for waterfront development.” 

“In recent years, there has been major investment in the waterfront, specifically to Canalside and the Outer Harbor,” Rivera. “As the City of Buffalo, we need to look at the waterfront as a whole, from the Southern-most end to the Northern-most end, and make sure that investment in the waterfront from the Peace Bridge going North is not forgotten.” 

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Roswell Park Cancer Institute is proposing a community health center on Michigan Avenue across from its campus.  The project involves renovations to an existing Roswell-owned house at 917 Michigan, construction of a modern addition, an outdoor garden, and parking lot off of Virginia Street. Roswell has an agreement with the City to purchase a vacant lot at 887 Michigan Avenue needed for the project.

The project will renovate and repurpose the existing house and add an addition of approximately 3,950 sq ft. The new facility will be the site of the hospital’s community outreach and engagement team, providing space for public use and events free of charge for the community. The project will also include an outdoor garden and plaza.

The Planning Board will review the project on Monday.

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As we prepare for fall temperatures and the sniffles that often come with the change of season, now is a great time to start boosting your immune system as it braces for the colder temps. Whether you’re looking to take your health to the next level or not, juicing is a great way to not only get nutritional benefits, but also a refreshing way to cool down during these final warmer days. By combining healthy ingredients into one delicious drink, it makes getting all the necessary health benefits fast and enjoyable.

We chatted with some of Buffalo’s best juice spots in order to get the real low down on juicing do’s and don’ts all while learning some healthy tips.

Sunshine Vegan Eats

Nikki Searles (better known as Chef Nikki) is the owner and operator of the fast casual vegan restaurant Sunshine Vegan Eats. It’s easy to see that the sunshine in this restaurant comes straight from Chef Nikki’s love for food, life, and people. Although the restaurant offers a variety of foods gone vegan, she also specializes in juicing- a passion she found about five years ago. What started as a 7 day detox, turned into a new vegan lifestyle that ultimately changed the course of her life forever.

“We don’t realize how many things we hold onto over the years and years because we don’t see it. I started posting my detox on social media, and then it turned into “Hey, can you do this for me?” or “Hey, can you make me a juice?” So that’s how my journey really got started- I did it for myself and I then started doing it for other people.”

The shop itself has a variety of 7 to 8 juices that are cold pressed and bottled daily inside the restaurant with freshness guaranteed. Chef Nikki describes juicing as an easy and fun way to get the veggies that you otherwise wouldn’t be apt to trying. Take beets and turmeric for example,

“Some people get intimidated by beets, but I tell everybody to just try something new. The beets are good for your kidneys, and are very good for your blood. Turmeric is good for inflammation in the body that a lot of people have and don’t even realize they have. it’s also an energy boost!”

As Chef Nikki would say, start your day with a “GREAT & AMAZING MORNING!” with the help of a juice!

893 Jefferson Ave., Buffalo, NY 14204 | 716-455-2735
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Mojo Market

The second stop on this juice journey brought us to Mojo Market. Just as the name would describe, there is an undeniable magic charm about this quaint cafe that makes it unlike any other throughout the city. On top of the high quality, fresh, house- made goodies that cover the menu, this team delivers a juice menu that is also entirely customizable!

One of the four owners of the market, Joseph Orlando shared,

“What differentiates us from most places is instead of cold pressing juice, we’re using just a regular, top of the line home juicer. We do all juices to order, and it’s great because our customers can craft their own juice and build what they want.”

He went on to explain that each juice is priced simply by the size of the cup, making even the most veggie packed juice a set price. This offers a healthy on-the go solution, perfect for an energy pick-me up needed throughout the day. Although most of us are caffeine addicted, juice can offer a healthy alternative minus the jitters,

“If you’re someone who’s addicted to caffeine, you could try a juice instead. You will get some of the same immediate results for your energy levels, and it’s definitely overall better for you. Although I of course love coffee too, juice is sometimes what your body needs, especially in the summertime when you’re feeling a little dehydrated.”

Orlando says his go-to menu item is their “Go-Green” juice. This drink packs a hydrating punch with ingredients like cucumber, apple, celery, and spinach. The rich green color mirrors just how rich this drink is in vitamins and minerals like vitamin B and Calcium.

“I encourage everyone to try and eat healthy in general. Juice is a fast, easy, fun, palatable way to get fruits and vegetables. You can do it on the go and it’s easier than eating a big plate of vegetables or a salad.”

030 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14217 | 716-874-6656
Website | Facebook | Instagram

Instead of opting for artificially sweetened drinks this summer, drink your way to health with a juice- it might just spark a new kind of wellness journey toward living your best life!

This series is sponsored by Project Best Life. Buffalo Rising and Project Best Life have teamed up to produce a series on wellness inspiration and advice to direct readers to the people, places, and experiences in Buffalo and beyond that will help them fulfill their health, nutrition, and wellness goals. For more information on how you can live your best life, subscribe to the Project Best Life newsletter.

Project Best Life

In tough times, our efforts to maintain fitness, healthy nutrition, and personal wellness can fall by the wayside as we direct all our energy into navigating our individual storm. Yet, in the face of what’s happening in the world around us, it is essential to make space for self-care and experiences that fortify our physical and mental wellbeing.

Check out Project Best Life’s personal assessment tool. Get personalized health insights and a cancer screening checklist by completing this health assessment. This questionnaire will only take you around 10-15 minutes to complete.

Listen to the Happy & Health Podcast

Trying to manage a proper work-life balance, saving for your future while paying all your bills, all while keeping strong relationships with friends and family… We know that life can get pretty stressful, and it’s easy to forget what’s best for your health both physically and mentally. Project Best Life is here to help with our podcast: Happy and Healthy. We provide tips from experts and share stories that will inspire you to live your best life, whatever that means to you. Listen now on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google

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Seneca One is becoming more of a one-stop-shop, with every new service that they roll out. In the case of DNA Detailing, people can now get their cars fully detailed from the comfort of Buffalo’s tallest tower.

DNA Detailing is the brainchild of Austin Bonefede and Dean Carollo, who have been friends since the age of 5.

“We started cleaning cars with Dean’s dad when we were 12 years old,” said Austin. “Were now 22. My parents go to Hershey, PA every year, and after a trip they said, ‘Hey, can you clean our car?’ Afterwards, they said, ‘You guys are pretty good at this!’ That’s when we started thinking about doing it as a business.”

It turns out that Austin’s dad plumbs for Douglas Jemal at Seneca One. That’s how they came to discuss the opportunity with Jemal, who thought that the detailing service would be a good addition to the services offered at the tower. He recently set them up in one of the loading docks, off Exchange Street, right next to the entrance of the parking garage, where they have access to electricity, water, and everything else that they need to perform professional cleanings, inside and out.

“The service is open to everyone,” said Austin. “It’s especially convenient for people at Seneca One, whether they live there or work there. We just go to their apartment or office and pick up the car keys, so that they never have to leave… we take care of everything, then bring back their keys. It saves people a lot of time. We even give discounts to tenants of Seneca One, for the Express Detail, for example. We’re trying to keep people at Seneca One happy. But we want to keep everyone happy so that we have return customers – that’s why we offer the best service, the best turnaround, the best prices, and the best experience possible.”

With more people living and working downtown, this type of service is becoming more of a necessity. And for anyone wondering, it’s not a seasonal business… it’s year round!

I asked Austin if he had detailed Jemal’s car yet, and he answered, “We cleaned his car yesterday. I ran into him and he wanted to see the operation. He asked Paul Millstein (Jemal’s executive vice president), to hand me the keys. We took the car and did a complete detail. Afterwards, he said that he was very pleased, and told me how happy he was that we started our own business. He’s been so supportive of what we’re doing.”

To check out some of their work, services, rates, etc., visit the DNA Detailing Instagram page. And the next time that you’re heading out for a nice dinner, or out on a date, and you’re looking to have the car spiffed up, be sure to stop by 1 Seneca Street for a professional, no hassle, detail job. Stick shifts and paddle shifters welcome!

Jemal approved, interior and exterior details, year round. Services include a hand wash and express detailing.

Monday – Friday 9-5
Saturday 9-1
Sunday appointment only

Call ahead: 716-480-8530 or or email DNAdetailingWNY@gmail.com

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