Print books are not a thing of the past

Bethany Ortquist works weekends at West Side Stories Used Books, which is celebrating its sixth year in business in an industry that has been challenged by the introduction of e-readers as alternatives to hard-copy books. Since its opening in 2011, the owners Joe and Jeanenne Petri had to fight an argument that e-books and e-readers will become the dominant means of reading, but by 2017 it hasn’t been the case. E-readers such as the Amazon Kindle and Barnes and Noble’s Nook have taken a dive in desirable markets such as young adults and college students.

According to a study in Telematics and Informatics, four-fifths of students surveyed preferred print books for both academic and pleasure reading. Another study, showed that millennials acknowledge that they read better with a print book instead of on a digital tablet.

The Petris found that their confidence in books came from taking a look at another industry that’s undergoing a resurgence. “E-readers will eventually become a bigger part of the market,” Joe Petri said. “I opened the shop six years ago and the reason I was confident in the book industry was by taking a look at the music and vinyl industry. Music and vinyl came back because there are some people that will choose fidelity over convenience.” By Edwin Viera

Explore Buffalo gets you inside in winter

Explore Buffalo’s new season of tours will move inside  through April 30, with a series showcasing the interiors of historical buildings and bus tours around the city.

The Gilded Age Series, which includes the Delaware Avenue Mansions tour, teaches individuals about the history of the homes occupied by some of Buffalo’s wealthiest residents.

“It’s a little bit of architecture, a little bit of history, a little bit of scandal,” said Michele
Siwinski, director,  chairperson of the financial committee and docent for Explore Buffalo.

         Explore Buffalo offers over 70 different tours throughout the year. There’s a tour available that fits everyone’s schedule.

            The next season for walking tours begins in May and will feature a new tour called, The Niagara Street Industrial Heritage Tour.

“Niagara Street was a center of industry with the Beltline Railroad and the Buffalo River,” said Chuck LaChiusa, board president and founding member of Explore Buffalo.

Explore Buffalo has 100 docents and volunteers who provide historical insight as they lead a variety of tours around the city.

Tickets are priced based on Explorer Pass holders, students and general admission. The initiative of the season was the Explorer Passes, which allow people to take unlimited walking and spotlight tours, and attended unlimited discussions. By Tatiyana Bellamy and Edwin Viera

Group raising funds to aid Puerto Rico

From left, Beatriz Flores, Erica Leon-Torres and Freddie Pagan, listen to stories from Buffalo residents who have family members in Puerto Rico struggling to get back on their feet after hurricanes Irma and Maria. Freddie Pagan founded Mission Puerto Rico 716, whose mission is to send relief to hurricane survivors in Puerto Rico. On Oct. 11 the organization held its second meeting, at the El Batey Dance Center, 289 Dewitt St. Pagan co-hosted the event with his sister Erica Leon-Torres, director of the Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY, and Beatriz Flores, community leader “We need money donations, we need canned food and batteries, we need generators but we really need volunteers here and in Puerto Rico who are serious about doing this,” Flores said. The group set a long-term fundraising goal of $30,000 to $40,000  for supplies. Attendees included business owners, and individuals interested in raising money, including some who have already sold food, wristbands and T-shirts. While the organization is dedicated to sending relief to Puerto Rico, it also assists in the relocation of families in Buffalo. People who are interested in donating can find more information on the organization’s GoFundMe account and follow Mission Puerto Rico 716 on Facebook for updates on future meetings. By Tatiyana Bellamy and Edwin Viera