Seedling sale

 A customer purchases organic seedlings at the Massachusetts Avenue Project’s second annual Growing Green Seedling Sale on May 4. A variety of organic seedlings such as greens, squash and tomatoes will continue to be sold at the farm stand at 389 Massachusetts Ave.  from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday throughout the month of May. Fresh produce will also be sold at the farm stand from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Saturday and on Tuesdays  when it becomes available.  By Malniquia Evans and Janiel Thomas

Surveillance cameras sought for West Side

By Bryan Price and Nick Stutzman

BengalNews Reporters

            Increased crime on the West Side has forced the Buffalo Police department to determine if new camera surveillance will help keep the area safe.

The City of Buffalo will be putting up three cameras on the West Side and four others will be placed elsewhere in the city.

According to Anthony Barba, chief  of Buffalo Police for the D District, determining the most important locations for each camera is vital because the cameras are $25,000 each.

Barba said that the department has been getting complaints from the public that more cameras need to be in place.

            “We have to look at crime stats and the complaints from citizens to determine where these cameras should be put up,” Barba said. “Reported crime has spiked in this area, so we need to weigh all factors from analytics to the cost.”

            The D District  has been trying to cut back on crime in surrounding neighborhoods as an . extra witness in crimes across the City of Buffalo. This will add to the current cameras Mayor Byron Brown has installed across the city, mainly on street corners, that have helped catch suspects and determine outcomes of crimes.

Along with the Buffalo Police, the West Side Youth Development Coalition is helping to get information out to the community about these cameras. According to Jon   Lindner, project coordinator with the coalition, his department receives information via the police, alerts his crime prevention coalition and  sub-committees, which then  get information out via social media.

           

Equine sentry nears 40 years on the job

By Michael Mazzuto

and Mike Provenzano

BengalNews Reporters

 It may not be Napoleon’s legendary white horse at the Battle of Waterloo, but the white horse in front of Frontier Discount Liquor & Beverage   is famous in its own right.

            The building’s original owner installed the horse at 121 Grant St. when it opened in 1974.  He has since sold the property to Bill Mackewitz and the horse came along as a package deal. The horse has since been refurbished with a new base and a fresh coat of paint.

            “People like it,”said Lakhi Singh, manager of Frontier Liquors. “We still bring it inside at night though, you never know what could happen.”

            Should you pass Frontier and notice the horse is missing, don’t worry. It isn’t the work of vandals.  Frontier Liquors often rents the horse out to local schools that wish to use it during events.

            The nameless horse was loaned out to McKinley High School over the weekend.

           “I don’t know what they use it for, but it always comes back in one piece,” Singh said.

            Being associated with Frontier Liquors doesn’t stop the horse from helping the Cricket  location and a convenience store located next door to entice customers. Mackewitz also owns both stores.

            According to Singh, the horse may not be the exact reason people are coming to the businesses but perhaps it may be a good luck charm that protects the stores overnight.

IN DEPTH: Anarchy in Action begins in the garden

Neighborhood residents gathered at the Normal Avenue Community Garden on May 4 with members of Anarchy in Action, an upstart group focused on education and volunteerism. It was a fun-filled afternoon of dirt digging and seed planting for community members, who learned from gardening experts the tips and tricks to growing and maintaining a successful garden as they planted their own. For Anarchy in Action,  it was a landmark day. Full story by Aaron Garland and Brandon Schlager

Buffalo’s youth show off at talent show

By Jasmine Peterson and Maria Yankova
BengalNews Reporters

Buffalo New Generations, an organization that promotes positivity for the city’s youth, recently held an event that showcased the talent of young designers and performers on May 4.

The second annual Stop the Violence Fashion Show took place at Holy Cross Church on 345 Seventh St. and benefited a local mentoring program for children and young adults called Youth with a Purpose. Proceeds from the event went towards their after school activities at the church.

            “They don’t have funding,” said Grace Modi, one of the event organizers. “They don’t have anybody that’s keeping them open. So we want everybody to come recognize this place and help the community.”

            Buffalo New Generations started last August by young adults looking to spread awareness about the city’s talented youth.

            “The reason we started it was because as you can see we have many talented people in Buffalo that nobody’s taking the time to recognize,” Modi said.

            The show featured eight young Buffalo designers. Nearly 30 models and a host of dancers, singers and rappers also participated.  

Kayla Bell, who helps run Buffalo New Generations, said there will be another show later this year for young people to participate in.  The organization welcomes youth who want to help build a positive environment in the city.

“I want everybody to know we’re here to help,” Bell said. “We want everybody to be known.”

Canalside celebration

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Kelly Samera, Soraida Martinez, Betzy Martinez, Julio Lopez, Carlos Martinez and Luis Rosas of the dance group “Citali de Mexico” perform at Canalside's celebration of Cinco de Mayo on May 5. The Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY, a West Side-based non-profit organization that fosters past, present and future contributions made by the Hispanics in the community, and the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation/ Buffalo Place presented the event. The 14-member folkloric dance group based out of Claymont, Del. preserves and promotes Latin culture across the country through music and dance. The celebration was the first of this year's list of events set to take place at Canalside, located on Prime Street. By Anthony Howard and Lars Lewis

It's that season...

Bakeries everywhere are preparing for the busy season ahead with cake orders for Communions and graduations. Wegmans Bakery Manager, Carly Kensinger, says that her bakery has at least 30 cake orders on a regular day and at least 100 on a weekend day. Wegmans, located at 601 Amherst St., can create cakes of different shapes, sizes and personalized designs that are decorated to fit any special occasion. By Brielynn Bell and Margot Harris