Garden service blooms during pandemic

            Urban Roots, 428 Rhode Island St., a cooperative garden market, has found multiple ways to service its community during the pandemic.

            “When the pandemic first struck, we closed the store for two weeks in order to figure out how we can keep servicing people. Since we have found two new purchase options” Aaron Boutoundou, an Urban Roots team member, said.

            One of the new additions to the market is a curbside pickup. Phone orders can be put in Wednesday through Saturday during the times of 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Customers are able to pick up their orders from Thursday to Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Customers will not be allowed in the store, purchases will be placed next to their vehicle so that social distancing is still practiced.

            Urban Roots also announced that the reopening of the outdoor area business by appointment only. Six customers at a time will be able to physically pick out hard goods, plants, and pots. There is a 30-minute time limit in the yard per person. By Karizmaa Christiani and Yayemama Sane

Yoga sessions are now available online

            Shakti Yoga, 133 Grant St., has made the move to online sessions like many other businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. 

            Owner Michelle Gigante made the transition to online sessions and many of her students have also joined her.

            “Many have taken advantage of virtual classes, so many,” Gigante said.  “The up side is reconnecting with Shakti students that live abroad or outside of Buffalo. Many West Coast students are now able to join in my offerings.”

            Although online sessions aren’t the preferred option, Gigante and her students knew it was the only one they had.

            “Shakti students typically would not go for virtual offering due to the energetic connection that occurs in the room, but they know this is all we have, so they take it openly Gigante said.  “It is always about embracing the now even if we don’t prefer it.”

            With not much difference to her classes, the only major issue is not being in the same room.

            “The only significant difference is that everyone is not physically together in the same space. I miss the sound of us and the feel of us,” Gigante said. “To be able to roam the room making contact with beings or hearing the collective room is a great joy. But everything is temporary.”

            Shakti sessions are available at 12:45 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays.  For more information is available Shakti’s website: http://www.shaktibuffalo.com. By Patrick Miklinski

Quick facts: West Side COVID-19 cases

            Fully 28 percent of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Buffalo have been reported on the West Side.
            As of May 3, Buffalo had 1,480 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Of those, 415 were reported on the West Side, according to the New York State COVID-19 Health Tracker, which tracks data by ZIP codes.
            Cases reported by West Side ZIP codes in the Buffalo Review West coverage area are:
                        • 14209 -119
                        • 14213 -119
                        • 14214 - 71
                        • 14201 - 60
                        • 14222 - 36

Canisius among colleges shifting online

With the unexpected transition to distance learning, colleges are adapting to the change and finding new ways to assist their students.

            Several colleges have faced different challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. Many schools have transitioned to distance learning due to public safety concerns, but the change has not been easy for some schools.

            “Took some time to get used to and it's been very difficult to serve the students online,” said Lauren Carlin, graduate assistant for Canisius College Campus Ministry.

Although there are no longer any in-person meetings or classes, Canisius has continued to find ways to support students during this uncertain time. The college has decided to hold Masses and senior celebrations via social media.

“We are doing a lot more on social media and also having our senior retreat and Blessing of the Brains online,” Carlin said.

            The senior retreat is an annual celebration where seniors can reflect on their time as undergrads and look forward to their plans for the future. Blessing of the Brains is a Mass that helps students ease their minds as they head into finals week. Both are being held online, along with this semester’s finals.

            Along with providing online services, the school is still keeping up with its students. The college is sending out goodie bags to the students that attend online Masses and continues to talk to students who need help. By Emily Miller and Zachary Jones