Federal funding threatens West Side services

By Craig Learn and Taylor Steinberg
Bengal News Reporters
 Imagine thousands of workers being ripped away from organizations that could possibly collapse without them. That is what will happen if the federal government passes a critical bill.
 Currently, there is a resolution budget bill that could cut nearly $60 billion in federal funding for the remainder of 2011. This bill has already been passed in the House of Representatives, and now the Senate will vote within the next two weeks on whether federal funded organizations, like the Corporation for National and Community Service, the parent agency for AmeriCorps programs is ended mid-year.
 This could disable many West Side organizations and businesses that utilize AmeriCorps workers, such as the New To You thrift store on Grant Street. New To You sells used household furniture, appliances and clothing at affordable prices.
 Rose Gandy, an AmeriCorps worker for New To You, thinks AmeriCorps is misunderstood.

Shoppers at the New To You store on Niagara Street

 “ I think AmeriCorps are underrated, they really need for people to understand what really good deeds they do for the community,” she said.
 Kim DeFlyer, executive director for New To You, worked with AmeriCorps for three years prior to her current job and feels that AmeriCorps is needed.
 “Through those three years in AmeriCorps, it allowed me to get a job, understand a culture I don’t live in and then developed my skills,” DeFlyer said. “I think it cultivates this culture of people that are bringing services to areas that need it.”
 DeFlyer said she does not know if her business could afford to keep Gandy if AmeriCorps was not paying for her services.
 Western New York AmeriCorps and Buffalo AmeriCorps released a press release stating that this is more than politics; it is a culture that could vanish on the West Side.
 “Hundreds of non-profits, schools, and educational organizations would be damaged by the elimination of AmeriCorps funding in Western New York, with some valuable non-profits possibly left unable to operate. These non-profits provide healthcare services to needy families on the West Side, they feed our neighbors in hard times, they provide a place for the homeless to escape our freezing weather, and they provide education to our children.” said Mark P. Lazzara, chief executive officer of WNY AmeriCorps.
 “These are not luxuries, these are basic human needs. These are basic human rights.”
 One of the educational services that make use of AmeriCorps workers to teach youth is the Jericho Road Ministries. The Focused Learning for Youth, a service offered by JRM, uses four AmeriCorps employees who assist middle school refugee students by helping them to improve their educational skills.
 With the FLY program using primarily AmeriCorps workers, the program is in danger of shutting down.
 “If AmeriCorps ended now, or even next year, then we would lose four out of five of our FLY staff. The success of FLY has to do with a low supervisor-child ratio,” said Suzy Derksen, the program support coordinator for JRM. “Our AmeriCorps volunteers are very one-on-one with helping kids improve reading and writing skills, doing their homework and learning science experiments.”
 Erika Grande, the program coordinator for FLY, could potentially be the only staff member remaining. Although the staff is necessary to run the program, the children receiving the services are the main factor.
 “There would be thirty refugee kids who would fall through the cracks of the school system, said Derksen. “Thirty refugee kids would not be able to get the extra support they need to succeed well in the Buffalo school system.”
 People United for Sustainable Housing is another organization that utilizes workers from AmeriCorps. Whitney Yax, another AmeriCorps worker, believes this too is not good for the community.
 “I think altogether there is hundreds of AmeriCorps that serve in this area, not just at PUSH, but I think it would make a really significant negative impact on tons of non-profit organizations around the area,” Yax said.
 Aaron Bartley, executive director for PUSH Buffalo said this bill would hurt his organization and the amount of AmeriCorps workers he has.
Aaron Bartley talks about the effect AmeriCorps has on PUSH:

 For Gandy, it is not about the money.
 “Even the money is not really what boosts me in here, I get a very good pleasure out of being able to help somebody,” she said. “I don’t have the money to put it on the table and say ‘here do what you got to do’ so my services are valuable as well. I may have been able to make a couple more dollars but I need to feel good about what I’m doing.”
 DeFlyer added that AmeriCorps won’t go down with out a fight.
 “We see the big protests going on around the teachers union, using their voice,” she said. “I think there would be a lot of Corps members that would want to have their voice heard on this one.”

Edited by Max Borsuk and Becky Ebert

Former drug house to be center for women

By Paul Kasprzyk and Chris Koss
Bengal News Reporters
 Beverly Newkirk had a vision telling her to start rebuilding the people so that a community could grow.
 “So often we’re building a community but not the people in the community,” said Newkirk.
 Newkirk plans to do just that by turning a former drug house on Normal Avenue into a residence and training center for young women who have to transition from difficult situations.
 Newkirk is the head of It Takes A Village, which has partnered with Rev. Kenyatta Cobb Sr. and the Hananiah Lutheran Church to turn a former drug house into a shelter and training center for young women.
 There are two buildings at 425 Normal Ave., which formerly housed drug operations. The front building will be used as a shelter and transition house while the back will be used for the training center.
 I know that area very well, and just the fact of them going in and rehabbing that house, which is a former drug house is a great thing,” said Cobb.
 Newkirk and Cobb are moving right into what Cobb called a hot zone. Cobb looks at it as the best way to send a message to the community that they are here to help.
 Newkirk said that the girls who will be coming into the training center are from foster care and detention centers, girls who can’t go home or don’t want to go home.
 “They need a safe place to go besides jail,” Newkirk said.
 Kirk Laubenstein, legislative assistant to Niagara District Councilmember David Rivera said he supports Newkirk’s efforts. Laubenstein felt that people in the community know how to change the street and improve the street best.
 “Politics can’t do it alone, spirituality or God can’t do it alone, and people can’t do it alone, put all three together, you’re getting closer,” Laubenstein said.

 Laubenstein discusses collaborative efforts in the neighborhood:


 This is a faith-based collaboration by Newkirk and Cobb focused on using this training center to administer spiritual guidance, educational training and career training.
 “Spiritual guidance is going to help them find out who they are, and then give them a sense of believing,” Newkirk said.
 Newkirk and Cobb said they don’t want to reinvent the wheel. They want to utilize the road that has already been paved. Newkirk plans to use GED programs that are already offered to help girls achieve an education.
 “They (young women) would be set up to go out on their own, whether to college or finding a career path that they’re interested in, or being able to maintain a house, because all that will be included,” Newkirk said. “Teaching them financial counseling, teaching them spiritual counseling, which is first and foremost because without that you can’t do anything.”
 Newkirk said she wants to make sure any young woman leaving the training center is ready and able to get from point A to point B.
 “Standing on a corner is not purpose. Going to jail is not purpose,” Newkirk said. “We’re trying to teach them how to make the right decisions with the right qualities, and qualities of life.”
 For now the house is still boarded up, but Newkirk hopes to start work on the house by the end of February or beginning of March, and plans to open the training center and shelter within the year. Newkirk has big plans for it.
 “People need to know that they are worthy, I don’t care who they are. There is a purpose and plan for their life, and they need to know that,” said Newkirk.

West Side community spreads holiday cheer

By Amanda O'Leary and Sametra Polkah-Toe
Bengal News reporters
 For most, the arrival of winter holidays is usually a joyous time filled with love, family, cheerfulness and warmth. But while many families across the West Side will soon be gathering around the table for their hot, homemade turkey dinners, many others will be gathering around the crowded doorways of soup kitchens and food pantries trying to evoke some sense of a holiday among themselves and their families.
 Fortunately for them, many West Side organizations are keeping in line with the holiday spirit of giving.

Loaves and Fishes food pantry prepares for food a giveaway

 For families needing assistance in purchasing food items, Angel Food Ministries will be delivering holiday food packages at a price that is 25 percent less than in the supermarkets. Foods in these packages are bought directly from supermarkets or retailers, are not out of date and can be purchased with food stamps.
 “Our food packages are so popular because they’re such a great deal,” said Marlyn Euler, a receptionist at the company. “Not only are you getting quality meats, vegetables, and fruits, but there are many options available such as gluten-free, or Thanksgiving themed dinners.”
 For families looking for a hot meal, many West Side organizations will be holding dinner parties on or around the exact holiday dates. Concerned Ecumenical Ministry, a West Side human service agency, expected about 300 people this year at its annual Thanksgiving dinner. While its primary population resides on the West Side, anyone is welcome to a hot meal along with care packages consisting of socks, mittens, gloves, sweatshirts and other winter necessities.
 Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen, which hosted the event in conjunction with the Concerned Ecumenical Ministries on Nov. 24, will be giving away free turkeys to families in need as well as referrals to a toy giveaway. Children can also receive backpacks filled with nutritious foods to eat during winter break in place of the free school lunches they’d normally receive during this time.

Loaves and Fishes makes holiday food giveaways "essential."

 “It is absolutely essential that we provide these types of services for the community,” said ministries executive director Catherine Rieley-Goddard. “Many of these children come from single parent, low-income families that may not have the means to buy warm clothing or provide a sufficient meal. But that’s why we’re here, to help as much as we can and hopefully make a difference.”
 West Side Community Services will also be hosting a youth Christmas party complete with music, food, entertainment and even an appearance from Santa Claus. Each child will be given a gift and the families who are most in need will receive food baskets. Community services also hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for all senior citizens in the community, many of who do not have much family to celebrate with.  Along with dinner, guests were treated to live performances and bingo with gifts serving as prizes rather than money. Then on New Year’s Eve, 10 of the center’s most dedicated seniors will receive a complementary dinner at Salvatore’s Italian Garden located in Depew.
 “We really like to do special things for our seniors,” said Danette Porto, human service coordinator. “For many, the center is the only real place for them to socialize and feel as if they’re still integrated in this society. They’ve really become the lifeline of this place and we like to show them we appreciate them.”
 The free dinner at Salvatore’s along with many other facets of these holiday parties are truly made possible by the generous donations of the Western New Yorkers. Most, if not all, of the food served or given away is provided by the Food Bank of Western New York or from local businesses such as Tops or the Lexington Co-op. Individual donations range from foods grown in neighborhood gardens all the way to large monetary donations given by corporations or concerned citizens. Many organizations also team up to share money and resources when trying to give a holiday event.
 While funding can sometimes be a hassle, the impact of these holiday events makes it all worth it.
 “Words can’t explain the sheer joy you feel when you see the gratitude our clients display when attending these events,” Rieley-Goddard said. “It feels so good hearing a simple thank you and knowing how happy you’ve made someone’s day.”

Edited by Allison Dunckle and Kaitlin Fritz

Local gardeners learn how to winterize

By Ashley Brown and Brittany Sherman

Bengal News reporters

 If the city of Buffalo were known for anything, it would be known for its unbearable winters. The term ‘unbearable,’ however, may be considered a stretch for Buffalo natives who know nothing but the relentless snowfall and zero-degree days.

 On the other hand, gardeners in the area have become passionate about incorporating exotic plants into their gardens during the summer season. Suddenly the term ‘unbearable’ becomes more than appropriate for plants like dahlias and elephant ears that thrive in dry, humid climates.

 So what is a gardener in Buffalo supposed to do with their exotic plants during the long winter months? Giving up hope certainly isn’t an option.

 Urban Roots, a West Side urban agriculture and gardening center, teamed up with veteran gardener David Clark to teach locals how to overwinter their tropical outdoor plants so they can have a flourishing garden in the year to come.

Gardener David Clark talks about getting non-native plants accustomed to Buffalo:

 The overwintering workshop is part of a grant given to Urban Roots from Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo Inc.

 “We had to do a series of gardening workshops that are targeted toward community gardeners,” said Kristen Armstrong, a member of the education committee for Urban Roots. “The overwintering workshop with Dave Clark is one of the 30-plus workshops we’ve put on that help people learn basic gardening techniques.”

 “There are some plants that can be outside during the summer, but not during the winter,” said Armstrong. “They have to be brought in and preserved in different ways to make it through the winter season, and Dave offers informative step-by-step information on how to do that with different plants.”

 So when is the right time to start the overwintering process?

 “With bulb items you will want to leave out for a couple more weeks, like until the middle of October,” said Clark.  “These will definitely need to get some frost on them.”

 Once the temperatures have dropped and the plants have received their fair share of frost, the overwintering process begins.

 “The first thing you will want to do with your bulb products is dig the plant out of the ground,” said Clark.

 Bulb products tended to be the focus of Clark’s how-to, because they are generally the most common products in Buffalo’s exotic gardens.

 “Next you will want to scrub the plant nice and clean,” Clark said. “Dust it with a little fungicide powder. “

 “You’ll want to store the plant in a paper bag,” Clark said. “You will most definitely want to write the name of the plant on the outside of the bag because trust me, you are not going to remember in the springtime what plant is in that bag.”

 “Then you’ll want to put that bag in a tray,” Clark said. “You’ll put a little sawdust around it, but not on the bulb. Then store it either in an unheated garage, basement or crawl space.”

 Local gardener Onda Simmons said the workshop helped her learn how to extend the life of plants from season to season.

 “I learned a lot at this workshop,” she said. “I learned how to pull my plants that I really want to bring back next year.”

 Armstrong said such  person-to-person workshops blend the idea of community and education, and that's better than getting information off the Internet or from a book.

 When do the plants emerge from hiding?

 “We’ll see these plants again around June 1 or Memorial Day,” Clark said. “That tends to be the magic number here in Western New York.” 

Edited by Melissa Kania and Paul Kasprzak

PUSH against National Fuel incentive program

PUSH supporters rally against National Fuel's program

By Mike Gambini
and Ken Obstarczyk
Bengal News reporters
 West Side residents and PUSH Buffalo, People United for Sustainable Housing, are preparing for a final fight against a local utility.
 PUSH is tied up in a battle with National Fuel over the renewal of its Conservation Incentive Program, CIP.
 CIP is a set of conservation initiatives with four major components: appliance rebates, lowering usage for low-income customers, education and valuation. CIP was initiated in 2007 as a three-year program funded at $10.8 million annually. If the program were renewed, funding would be $10.09 million through a delivery modification charge.
 The formal review period for renewal of the CIP ends on Dec. 1. The New York State Public Service Commission will make its final decision on whether it plans to accept the extension of the CIP, or put it on hold for further review sometime after the review period ends.
 In a letter sent Sept. 2 to Public Service Commission chairman Garry A. Brown and PUSH executive director Aaron Bartley. National Fuel outlined a revision of the CIP in a letter.
 The new version includes more weatherization efforts in low-income neighborhoods and project contractors to be required to hire workers from high-poverty census tracts.
 PUSH members are upset because less than a third of the $10.09 million funding the CIP benefits low-income customers $2.94 million total.
 Bartley expressed his frustration with National Fuel’s approach.
 “We don’t even know where some of the resources are going right now,” Bartley said.
 “That’s a critical part of our proposal -- we need to see how these monies are being spent and what zip codes are getting them.”
 People involved in this issue think PUSH may have taken its cause a little too far.
 On Sept. 21, National Fuel obtained a temporary restraining order against PUSH citing “escalating illegal, unprofessional and harassing tactics to promote its narrow agenda against the company,” according to a press release.
 In the same press release, David A. Smith, chairman and chief executive officer for National Fuel, expressed the company’s position on the matter in a press release issued Sept. 21:
 “It is unfortunate that PUSH has driven its agenda to such an extreme as to lead us into court to seek protection for the company, its employees, customers and our facilities. Given the egregious conduct of PUSH, its leaders and members, we will not, under any circumstances, partner with PUSH, nor will we support organizations that do so.”
 PUSH attended a hearing in Albany on Sept. 28 where the Public Service Commission heard the organization’s stance on the CIP.
 New York State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, said he is trying to facilitate a dialogue between PUSH and National Fuel. Hoyt said a meeting with the Public Service Commission is a good place to start negotiations.
 “The (Public Service Commission) isn’t going to say, ‘Whatever you want PUSH,’ but I do think the fact that PUSH is getting an audience -- two hours with the commissioner, is promising,” Hoyt said.
 PUSH held a rally on Sept. 29 to discuss the commission hearing publicly. The rally included its members, community leaders and local politicians speaking out against National Fuel’s plans.
 During the rally, Hoyt said he would do what he can through Dec. 1, even suggesting legislation that would mandate these types of changes.
 Buffalo Common Councilmember David Rivera, called National Fuel “arrogant” and said “PUSH has done a great job not only on this issue but on many issues.”
 The two representatives were at the rally to support PUSH and the Buffalo residents.
 Even though the relationship between PUSH and National Fuel seems to be broken, Bartley said there is hope. “As the metaphor goes, you can repair fractures.”
 “But we’re not going away, this is too important to our neighborhoods and communities to see a strong conservation program and real resources being made available to deal with our high utility bills.”
 The Public Service Commission released a on Oct.1 announcing it is continuing to seek public comment on National Fuel’s petition to extend its CIP.
 Bartley is urging citizens to get involved.
 “We can win this fight as a community,” he said. “Call, write, e-mail, whatever you have to do to make your voice heard.”

Edited by Kevin Freiheit and Taylor Steinberg

Grant Street brings 'sweetness' to West Side

University at Buffalo students Ian Murray and Shiv Kotecha

By Jeffrey Heras
and Kevin Hoffman
Bengal News reporters
 In a city full of transplanted people the search for a home away from home can be never ending. As the smell of roasted coffee beans and breakfast foods fill the air, local patrons begin their morning sitting on retro chairs with eyes squinting at the gleaming lights.
 At the sight of entering Sweet_ness 7 Café on 220 Grant St., locals are mesmerized by the café’s antique look and “homey” atmosphere giving them a place to meet others and engage in stimulating conversations.
 “For me it is a home away from home,” Kelly Cornelius, 35, artist said. “ I can sit in my kitchen and make espresso alone or with my husband, but being here feels very relaxed. I can come here for as long as I want to and there is no rush.”
 There is a certain vibe at Sweet_ness 7 Café that is different from that of Café Aroma and Spot Coffee said Cornelius. A lot of artists and musicians are among the common faces in the café, she added.
 Sweet_ness 7 Café, you can also find the common college student occupying its retro tables.
 “To me it’s a coffee shop with plenty of seating room, offering a laid back feel. You can get in your own world and work on your own stuff while also being in a public place. University at Buffalo student Ian Murray said. “The wood everywhere adds to the atmosphere, as it doesn’t feel like a Starbuck’s or corporate place.”
 As the West Side expands and rejuvenates itself, Sweet_ness 7 Café has become a central meeting place for many community activists and leaders to discuss ways to further improve the neighborhood.
 “A lot of people that come in here are community activists or really involved in Buffalo,” said Kate Weidner, 24, café barista from Buffalo.
 Weidner further added that many West Side non-profit organizations like, Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo and People United for Sustainable Housing use the café as their meeting grounds, making this place a special gem of trafficking ideas for the future.
 Weidner shines light on Prish Moran, owner of Sweet_ness 7 Café and her motives of opening it.
 “She opened this place with no expectations, just for friends to come hang out and it just blew-up,” Weidner said. “She doesn’t advertise, it’s all word of mouth, it’s all community oriented.”
 Moran was able to furnish and build her café with the help of Buffalo ReUse, a non-profit organization that aims to take used building materials or furniture and restore it or use it for other construction projects throughout the West Side, giving her the opportunity to win a restoration award for collaborating with the organization.
 Weidner also said that there are plans of opening another Sweet_ness 7 Café on Parkside Avenue across from the Buffalo Zoo in the coming months, adding another “home away from home” in Buffalo.

Edited by Kevin Freiheit and Taylor Steinberg

Streetwear culture hub moves to Grant St.

By Jeff Buchman and Mario Burks
BengalNews Reporters
‘Streetwear’ fashion is an emerging movement in Buffalo, and the West Side is home to many boutiques that carry the specific style. One boutique in particular that has influence on Buffalo’s streetwear sub-culture and carries the style exclusively is Krudmart, which recently celebrated its grand re-opening at its new location at 212 Grant St.

On the surface streetwear appears relative to contemporary urban apparel, which is where it draws most of its influence. Two unique ‘guidelines’ most streetwear brands follow are: to keep most of their collections extremely limited and to work with prominent designers/artists. The two go hand in hand in that many designers are likely to make smaller runs of a specific piece as opposed to when their styles are picked up by more commercial means.

Streetwear has evolved from all-over print designs to clean detailed graphic t-shirts, snug fit denim jeans, and a multitude of fitted cardigans, hoodies, sweatshirts as well as many other everyday articles of clothing one could think of with not-so-average messages behind them.

Krudmart‘s role in Buffalo’s streetwear movement is to serve as a hub for the sub-culture, meaning the clothes and those individuals who choose to identify with the style. Local designers are also encouraged to participate, which was successful in the store’s past at its former location on Elmwood Avenue. Habes currently has home made jewelry on up for sale as well as jewelry she’s had a hand in discovering on random jewelry hunting trips.

Erin Habes, co-manager and longtime ally to Krudmart, said the West Side reminds her of her time spent in Brooklyn when she first got involved with the fashion industry as a sales rep for shoe brand Faryl Robin.

“Before there weren’t places for these kids to shop, but now when they go out to shop it almost feels like they’re in New York. People don’t have to travel to find stuff like this, it finally exists here in Buffalo,” Habes said.

Habes’ reminiscence of her time Brooklyn is important when considering streetwear, because the borough is deemed as being a Mecca for everything streetwear related. Customer Sam Turner said that there is a parallel between Buffalo and Brooklyn the significance of stores like Krudmart to Buffalo’s emerging sub-culture.

Erin Habes says Krudmart brings new culture to the city:

“Having stores like Krudmart and Sunday Skate Shop are essential to keeping what we represent alive. Living closer to New York City has allowed me to engage in the streetwear culture in Brooklyn, and when I’m back in Buffalo for school, going out to shop at places like Krudmart is almost like plucking a boutique right out of Williamsburg,” Turner said. Williamsburg is a part of Brooklyn that has, in recent years, become a permanent dwelling for streetwear enthusiasts.

Krudmart began as an online clothing store in 2002 carrying New York City specific brands, 10 Deep and Mishka, which have both gained popularity over the years, which was also partial to the reason Krudmart too gained some popularity.

It was in 2006 that former owner Steve Krzeminski opened the Elmwood location and began operating both the online store and the new retail headquarters. Flash forward four years later and Krzeminski sells the company off to longtime friend and streetwear enthusiast, Lance Kutrybala, who now co-manages the store with Habes.

Krudmart’s current location on Grant Street represents potentially greater positives for the West Side. With Sweetness_7 Café on the corner and a neighborhood boasting multiple diverse cultures, Krudmart might have found its permanent home.