Winter weather warrants warmer clothing

By Matt Bove and Gabrielle Mediak

Bengal News West Reporters

Linda Nguyen hangs donated coats at New to You

         The Buffalo area is known for its fluctuating weather and blustery winters. Sometimes, the temperature may drop 40   degrees in one day.  This makes life for those who live on the streets harder to deal with.

But help is on the way. West Side organizations and businesses are doing their best to ensure that people living on the street can be as warm as possible. Along with frigid temperatures comes a need for warm winter clothes.  

            New to You is a thrift store located at 289 Grant St. in the heart of the West Side. It  always accepts new donations from clothing to furniture, giving it   the nickname of “The Everything Store.”  But when the seasons change and the temperatures drop, its  main focus is to keep the community warm at an affordable price. 

            “We try to maintain a store where people can buy household goods and clothing for a discounted price,” Jasmine Milton, store manager of New to You said. 

 According to Milton, the shop negotiates   prices with customers and arrange pick-ups for receiving donations. As winter approaches, the need for donations grows. New To You has always kept up with the demand. By having an abundance of winter wear, people can usually find what they need. 

         “A lot of times there are other organizations specifically holding events for winter items,” Milton said. “They bring the excess over here. We have a lot of coats, sweaters and winter things.”

Although the store gets a lot donated, with people coming in everyday, it is   always in need of contributions. Linda Nguyen, an employee from New To You, said that there is a specific need for toddler winter jackets. People look for them everyday. 

“Since the weather has changed people come in all the time looking for winter stuff,” Nguyen said. “Right when it changes to fall people come in an find their coats, winter gear hats, scarves and all that.” 

But for those who can’t afford the used clothing at New To You, there is always the option to visit Friends of Night People, located at 394 Hudson St. Its main objective is to provide homeless, poor and destitute individuals food, clothing, medical care and counseling. Friends of Night People’s clothing cupboard is a place for those in need to get the articles of clothing necessary to make their nights as warm as possible.

“Everything is free, no questions asked,” Joseph Heary,  executive director of Friends of Night People, said. “People are hit with unexpected bills and expenses and we try to help them stretch their budget as much as possible.”

Blankets are another big item at Friends of Night People because of their functionality and versatility.

 “We’re in need of anything that will keep people warm when they’re outside,” Heary said. “When you’re walking and that’s your only mode of transportation, you need gloves and a hat, and forget how easy it is to misplace them when you need it 24 hours religiously.”

For those who spend almost all of their day outside, the clothes on their back could be the most important things that get them through the night.

“A normal person gets in and out of their car or their house and aren’t outside very long,” Heary said. “When you’re moving from place to place sometimes, it’s easy to forget that one item.”

Michele Gardner, a volunteer at Friends of Night People, stressed the importance for people to come out and donate for those in need.

“You see a lot of people in need that you would never expect to see,” Gardner said.  “I’ve seen people who look just like you and me, and are just simply down on their luck.”

           

West Side murals celebrate art, diversity

By Sean Dwyer and Youleidy Vega
Bengal News West Reporters

You may have seen them while going for a morning jog, or perhaps while drinking coffee near a window at your favorite coffee shop.                  

Maybe you have stopped in your tracks just for a second to admire them, or you could have possibly been so disturbed after seeing one that you vented to your friend about it later.

There are many murals on the West Side. Each one not only has its own story, but contributes to the ultimate urban experience.

Philip Ogle, on urban murals:


        Take a stroll down Allentown and stand right in between the intersection of Allen and College streets. There alone you will be able to see three murals on three different buildings all at once.

One popular mural has been the one located on the corner of Grant Street and Auburn Avenue. That particular mural was created by Philip Ogle, chair of the Fine Art department at Buffalo State.

“The mural deals with cultural diversity and the immigration to the West Side over the last 200 years starting with the Irish and railroad workers, to Italians to present day Burmese and Ethiopians,” said Ogle. “It helps to beautify vital areas but it also communicates to the residents that they are important by celebrating their ethnicity.”

Ogle said that murals have been in existence for more than 10,000 years and that there’s a lot that goes into the creation of each one.

He said that when putting together a mural, the artist generally talks to the residents of the community to get possible ideas. By doing so, the artist assumes the role of a journalist getting a collection of perspectives to potentially incorporate into their final products. 

Once the mural is finished, “it’s a look good, feel good,” for the community, said Ogle.

        Someone who would know exactly what Ogle was referring to is local artist Max Collins. Collins is a graduate of Michigan University with a dual-degree in Arts and Journalism.

Collins has contributed in numerous public arts projects in both Buffalo and Michigan. Now he owns his own business where he combines photography and a passion for murals for a living.

Collins said that one of his projects, a mural on the wall of Ro furniture store on Elmwood Avenue was done by taking a picture of a friend, tracing the photo on a piece of paper, enlarging it, and then tracing it again on the wall.

The subject of Collins’ photo was another local artist, Ian de Beer who also collaborated on the mural.

Collins said that they were trying to not only combine their styles, but to touch on the issue of graffiti on the West Side and the amount of attention it garners. Ian does graffiti, while Collins focuses more on large-scale photographic murals.

“We really simply just wanted to present a new angle in graffiti writing. So we took a photo of Ian holding a marker and made it look like he is tagging and we blew it up and put it on the side of the building,” said Collins.

Often confused, Collins said that graffiti and murals are completely different forms of art.

“Graffiti is illegal: illegal writing; illegal street art. A mural is picturesque commissioned by building owners. But as graffiti has become more mainstream, the two do overlap. Sometimes you find graffiti-styled murals,” said Collins.

De Beer was also able to take part in is the graffiti-styled mural located at Allen and College streets on the wall of Holly Farms.  De Beer’s inspiration for this mural was Spain Rodriquez, a successful 19^th century aristocratic artist.

Although he specializes in graffiti, de Beer has always had a passion for murals and considers them to be essential in keeping communities together.

“Murals are the glue of our society. Without public art who knows where we would be today. Without murals, I think our society would fall apart, and I think it’s because it’s a part of the human condition to need to see artwork on walls,” said de Beer. “Without it people would have no relationship to their surroundings and chaos would ensue.”

His fellow artist Collins also believes that art can exist as a symbol and has a way of speaking to a wide variety of people.   

“They are a symbol of human activity,” said Collins.  “And is something powerful enough to make you forget your next meal.”

West African inspires West Side boxers

By Patrick Lawler and Joe Sarro
Bengal News West Reporters

Boxers at the West Side Boxing Club get a smile from ear to ear when they see local pro boxer, Anges Adjaho walk in to train with them.

“Boxing is my life,” said Adjaho. “If I’m not training, I’m training the kids. They’re like my family here.”

Adjaho was an Olympic talented boxer. He trains professionally and is currently training for a fight that could put him back on the map to compete for a welterweight title. When he doesn’t train he helps with other amateur boxers and beginners to give them advice on what it takes to become a pro.

 “They look up to him as a role model,” said trainer Andrew Upchurch. “He has an amazing effect on the amateurs. They look to him for pointers in the sport because of his experience. He shares his wealth of knowledge of boxing with the rest of the boxers in the club.”

Adjaho emerged as a professional boxer back in  Benin, Africa. He had his first 20 matches in Africa and was recognized as one of the great boxers to come out of the country due to his undefeated record and a three time African champion.

He says he always wanted to be an Olympic champion. He was strongly encouraged to start boxing from his father, who was also the coach for Benin’s Olympic national boxing team, according to number1contender.net Adjaho was Benin’s only qualifier for the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympiad. However, with Benin being so poor, the country could not afford to send Adjaho to the Olympics.

Adjaho moved to the United States after being discovered by the boxing promoter Don King. Adjaho moved to live with King in Cleveland, Ohio after he signed a contract with him to fight in the United States. He faced professional fighters such as Shawn Porter, Antoio DeMarco and Joel Julio. Adjaho was even featured on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.  Adjaho didn’t agree with some of King's requirements after the contract was signed.

“When I came to the United States with Don it didn’t work out like I thought,” Adjaho said.  “Sometimes I would fight only once a year when we agreed on three fights per year, and so he eventually dropped me down.”

Adjaho has lost his past three fights. Andrew Upchurch is one of the head trainers at the West Side Boxing Club. Upchurch says Adjaho brings such a great upside to the area and the club.

He’s had opportunities to be a number one contender, but in order to get a decent paycheck you need to win those fights. Unfortunately with the fights not going in his favor, he is forced to work outside of his boxing career.

Adjaho eventually came to the West Side when he met head trainer of West Side Boxing club, Ricky Diaz. Adjaho said he likes living on the West Side. He said he loves the facility he works out at and that it reminds him of home. He has become a great influence on some of the Amateur and beginner boxers that participate in the club.

 “He helps with everything. He will do any thing that we ask,” said 17-year-old beginner boxer, Benjamin Serrano. “You look up to him. You admire to him. Its not often you get to train in the same gym with a pro.”

Bicyclist prepare for winter riding season

By Lauren Coppola and Samantha Wulff
Bengal News West Reporters

Andrew Johnson, a mechanic at Rick Cycle Shop, grins ear to ear as he fawns over his bike of creation. It's nothing flashy; an old rusty steel frame with knobby tires and recycled cables. But it gets the job done, and it's function over form when it comes to combating Buffalo winters on two wheels.

Within the next few weeks, Johnson will be making the transition from his summer bike to his constructed winter one. And he is not the only one. As the weather turns brisk and the snow begins to fall, fellow year-round cyclists will decorate bike lanes with tread marks.

Johnson recommends using old bikes and old parts for winter bikes, because no matter how good one treats their bike, the snow and salt will wear the parts down. He said that it is not uncommon to see people own two bikes for the different seasons.

Henry Raess, West Side resident and event coordinator for GO Bike Buffalo, has been cycling through the snow since 2005. After having his car impounded, he was met by surmounting fees when he tried to reclaim it. The whole process seemed ridiculous to him, and he no longer had interest in dealing with a motor vehicle.

“I was like: 'This is extortion, I don't care for it. Keep the car,'” he said. “And I went out and bought a bike for 50 bucks.”

 Henry Raess, on Buffalo's winter biking season:

Raess has relied solely on his bike and public transportation since then. When it comes to prepping a summer bike for winter, Raess recommends getting fenders and thicker tires.

“Having thicker tires is good,” he said. “Sometimes people get giant tires and that can actually collect snow, so having thicker tires but not giant knobby tires is often good.”

Tom Rick, owner of Rick Cycle Shop,  said that the biggest thing for someone to look over would probably be the tires and brakes.

“Put better brake shoes on so you stop better,” he said. “Make sure everything’s working properly.”

Rick Cycle Shop also sells used, refurbished bikes that are winter ready.

Emma Feldman, member of GO Bike Buffalo, knows that gearing up goes beyond the bike. Wearing layers upon layers of clothes is necessary to protect oneself during the frigid winter months, but the problem arises once the layers have to come off.

“One of the most known things is when you go out and have like nine million layers on and when you get to your destination, you have to guard a mound of clothes,” she said.

 Feldman moved from Montrael to the West Side in February. A big difference she has found between her hometown and Buffalo is that Montreal had convenient coat checks for cyclists to keep their excess clothing in, while the Queen City does not.

According to the League of American Cyclists, Buffalo is ranked number 14 in the nation for the number of bicycle commuters. While the city has tried to make the lives of Buffalo cyclists easier with bike lanes, Johnson  feels that more encouraging steps should be taken. He said that the city should tell cyclists where they could ride, instead of telling them where they cannot, and use bright, positive colors like green to illustrate the point. 

Sharing the road with cars in the winter can be taxing at times, with the slick streets, high winds and occasional wipe out. However, it seems that Buffalo cyclists would not have it any other way. Raess said there are different cycling communities around bike hubs like GO Bike Buffalo and Rick Cycle Shop, but that they are all in it together. 

“There's definitely a sense of camaraderie,” he said. “Where you see another cyclist out there on a windy day and you just go... 'I'm with you man'. ”

5 Loaves gives city kids farm experience

Juma Bienvenue and Matt Kaufman at 5 Loaves Farm

By Ebony Linzy
Bengal News West Reporter

In a track jacket, blue jeans and sneakers Juma Bienvenue seems at home, as he strolls through the farm with his bike. Scanning the season’s harvest and analyzing its progress, Bienvenue nods his head in agreement at the success of the crops thus far.

Bienvenue is one of the many who volunteer at the 5 Loaves Farm, created a year ago on the corner of West Delavan and West Avenue by the Buffalo Vineyard City church. The church, located on 170 Potomac Ave,  is using the farm to encourage healthy eating, education and urban economic development. 

 Matt Kaufman, on the farm's purpose:

 

The farm offers approximately 60 different fruits, vegetables and herbs all of which come from its year round harvest including the fall.

Acknowledging the growing link between poverty and obesity, the farm’s manager Matt Kaufman said establishing the farm is a big step in countering the problem at least in the area. “We grow healthy foods so that our urban neighbors will have healthier options. We’re trying to provide not only healthy food, but lifestyles,” Kauffman said.

Harvested by a variety of individuals including students of the Tapestry Charter School, neighbors and volunteers, the farm not only offers healthy produce but offers educational opportunity as well.

In fact the House of Grace After School Program plays a huge role in the maintenance of the farm, being as it’s students assist with harvesting a few days out of the month.

Dan Austin, the manager of the after school program said he thinks the farm is great when it comes to the educational opportunities and values that the farm promotes. “We try to encourage the kids to be proactive people in their neighborhoods. We talk a lot of pro-activity, and we chose the farm as an example of that,” said Austin.

The students not only gain firsthand experience about farming, but also learn about healthy living which is also what the church aims to do.

In addition to educational opportunities, the farm also offers a number mentorship and economic opportunities as well.

Interns are given an opportunity to work alongside Kaufman and gain the knowledge and skills required to operate a farm. Taking no more than about four interns at a time, the internships are paid and can be rewarding.

Bienvenue, an immigrant from Kenya, interned during the summer of last year said he enjoyed the internship and learned a lot.

“I gained a lot of experience, I thought I knew more,” Bienvenue, a student at Hutch-Tech High School. “Matt showed me how to organize things and keep them organized.”

Bienvenue who lives down the street from the farm on Normal Avenue, said although his internship has ended he still volunteers and helps Kaufman take care of the farm whenever he gets the chance. He is among the many who volunteer and dedicate themselves to the upkeep of the farm outside of the weekly Saturday volunteer hours.

Beyond economic and educational opportunities, the farm also offers Community Supported Agricultural shares that allow neighbors to invest in the farm. Through the purchase of CSAs people buy 20 weeks’ worth of veggies including beets, cabbages, and salad greens, in which the money supports the farm’s educational and economic aspects.

Kauffman also said the church is aiming to become a market farm, which would provide more youth employment opportunities as well increase produce options.

Kauffman is eyeing some additional lots that the church also owns for possible expansion of the farm. And with the growing community support expansion may be near.

“We’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback," Kaufman said. "A community of folks have stepped up and supported us.”