Allen St. repairs a headache to businesses

Siobhan Taylor, store owner of Ms. Eye Candy Boutique, stands at her storefront at 85 Allen St. with construction underway behind her. Taylor says that businesses such as hers on Allen Street have lost not only foot traffic, but have minimal space to park because of the construction to widen the street. “It’s just been a deterrent so we're not getting the drive through traffic,” Taylor said. The construction has been going on since early March and it is expected to finish up in summer of next year. By Gabrielle Kime and Conner Wilson

Kleinhans Music Hall Turns 80 in Fall 2020

            World-renowned Kleinhans Music Hall is getting ready to celebrate 80 years of hosting concerts and other events in Buffalo next fall. 
         The venue, which was built thanks to the patronage of Edward and Mary Seaton Kleinhans, was officially opened on Oct. 12, 1940 with a performance by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO).
         Ever since the official opening of the hall, the venue has served as the BPO’s home on 3 Symphony Circle.
          "The fact that we have an actual home base for the BPO and that fact we have a concert hall available to us for the entire season is huge,” says Rachael Nakoski, assistant manager of patron services for the BPO. “Most orchestras don’t have a home base; they work out of a lot of different venues. That fact we get to utilize the space pretty much as we want, we’re very, very grateful for that.”
          There is no bad seat in the house to listen a performance, according to Nakoski, and musicians both locally and internationally speak highly in concurrence of its acoustics as well.
           Prominent national figures such as Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave  speeches in the hall.
           Concerts and events for local performing arts organizations, college and high school graduation ceremonies and even weddings are held at the hall throughout the year.
            In 1989, Kleinhans was dedicated as a National Historical Landmark, which is the highest honor any building in the United States can receive. By Francis Boeck and Emmanuel Rodriguez

G&L puts carpets under feet for 75 years

Paul Murphy, third generation owner of G&L Flooring located at 200 Grant St., says the family has managed to compete with bigger businesses for 75 years through good customer service and quality products. They plan on keeping the same mentality and providing for the people of the West Side. By Christian Gaffney and John Propis

Ice boom waiting for drop in lake temps

            The Lake Erie-Niagara River Ice Boom, a device designed to control ice buildup in the Niagara River, is set to go in the water this year on Dec. 16 or when the water temperature reaches 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

            The ice boom is a series of steel pontoons strung together by steel cables, said Keith Koralewski, chief of water management at the Army Corps of Engineers. 

            “The boom reduces the risk that ice blockages will interfere with reducing hydropower production and reduces ice damage to shoreline property,” Koralewski said.

            The ice boom was created 55 years ago to reduce the amount of ice passing between Lake Erie and the Niagara River. 

            When in position, the 8,800 foot ice boom reaches across the outlet of Lake Erie, near the water intake of the city of Buffalo.

            The International Niagara Board of Control installs, operates, and removes of the ice boom.  The Army Corps performs the day-to-day operations of the ice boom.

            The boom is removed by April 1 of each year, unless there is more than 250 square miles of ice remaining in the eastern end of Lake Erie. By Gabrielle Kime and Conner Wilson

Voting begins Oct. 26 in election 2019

            New York State will be offering early voting for the first time in its history this year for the general election.

            Between Oct. 26 and Nov. 3 registered voters will be able to cast an early vote before Election Day. Throughout the week stations will be open from noon to 9 p.m., and on the weekends from noon to 6 p.m.

            “The idea was that if people have more options, they would turn out in greater numbers,” DerekMurphy, communications director for the Erie County Board of Elections said. “There is no question that having ten days in total to vote, with the nine early days and the election day itself, will make it easier for people to juggle their schedules.”

            West Side registered voters can visit any of the designated early polling stations in Erie County. The Belle Center, 102 Maryland St., and the Salvation Army, 187 Grant St., are the two early polling stations on the West Side.   

            Election Day, Nov. 5, will be the official day for voting when voters will be able to participate from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. On the actual Election Day voters will be limited to their usual voting location based on their address, Murphy said.

            Supreme Court Justice, County Executive, Buffalo Comptroller and the Niagara District City Common Council are among the offices that will be on the ballot for West Side voters.

            A regional map of the districts can be found here, and the candidates running for each position here. By Thomas Corsi and Ryan Williams

W.S. Bazaar to head to bigger quarters

Westminster Economic Development Initiative Community Development Director Bob Doyle (left) orders food from Alain Rodriguez, co-owner of Kiosko Latino in the West Side Bazaar. WEDI recently announced that they’ve bought a larger property at 1432 Niagara St. to serve as a new site for the business incubator. WEDI plans to move the Bazaar to the new location, which is one mile away from the current spot on 25 Grant St., by spring 2021. By Francis Boeck and Manny Rodriguez

WEDI launches program for refugee students

Westminster Economic Development Initiative has begun a workforce development and career exploration program to help refugee students.

            The program, called Launch, kicked off on Oct. 9. It  will assist refugee students in ninth grade through 12th grade with computer skills, financial literacy, job readiness training and college prep.

“We are launching our students into their future,” Education Director Courtney Yonce said.

The program will be held from 4:05 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays Lafayette High School.

Launch targets students who are English language learners. Students will get the opportunity to develop organizational skills, studying techniques, and writing clear and well-formed essays.

Homework help is also provided.

WEDI has partnered with various local organizations such as Mission: Ignite Powered by Computers for Children, helping students learn the basic fundamentals of Microsoft Office.

“Students will be able to take home a computer at the end of the program. Through Sprint students receive free Wi-Fi for the four years they are in high school,” Yonce said.

The business incubator The Foundry is offering opportunities for students to explore STEM careers as a part of the program.

“Our main goal is to help students graduate high school, but also to set them up on the right path for their career goals,” Yonce said. 

Clients of WEDI will also participate in this program by introducing students to successful entrepreneurs and mentors. 

            WEDI has collaborated with Buffalo Public Schools to ensure that students receive a hot meal after school.  By Bianca Moise and Jasmine Huntley