IN DEPTH: Compost adds to fruitful West Side gardens

          While most of America tosses away its yard waste and kitchen scraps, food markets and farmers on the West Side band together to provide compost to nourish the city’s farms and gardens. Full story by Jeff Pawlak and Brittney Singletary

Global Villages celebrates 2nd anniversary

 

Global Villages, a gift shop opened by Rwanda native, Louise Sano, will be celebrating its two-year anniversary in May.  

The boutique carries things that are one of a kind ranging from jewelry to home décor. Sano has visited 20 countries on four continents. Sano gets her inventory from Rwanda, as well as 17 other countries including Kenya, Ecuador and Peru. 

 “These past two years I haven’t had a life, it has been business, all business,” Sano said. 

Global Villages' current location at 216 Grant St. began as the West Side Bazaar, which  served as a business incubator for immigrants from various countries to help them become entrepreneurs. 

The Bazaar was started by the Westminster Economic Development Initiative (WEDI) whose mission is to “to improve the quality of life for the residents of Buffalo’s West Side”.  Since then, the Bazaar has moved to 25 Grant St. Sano is a graduate of the program and her store occupies the Bazaar's original location.

            Since opening Global Villages in May 2012, Sano opened her second boutique, Global Chic a few stores down at 242 Grant St.  This location provides more fashion trends from around the world and even offers seamstress services.

             “This year I’m going to concentrate on building the businesses and having my own life,” Sano said. “Invest more, do more promotion and maintain what I already have.” By Jamie Hall, Kamesha Jones and Jazminia Rivera

IN DEPTH: Internship breeds 20-year plan for parks

Brian Dold, associate superintendent of the Olmsted Parks Conservancy, began his love affair with the city's park system a decade ago when he was hired as an intern to work with the organization's 20-year plan. Full story by Sean Brock and Ally Rotundo

Soggy doggy

Stanley, left, and his owner, veterinary technician David Gurbacki, find the only patch of dry ground Sunday afternoon at La Salle Park’s Barkyard. Recent snowfall left parks in the area wet and muddy, but that didn’t stop Stanley from getting out to enjoy the sun. The Barkyard is open from dawn to dusk, regardless of weather, and features an area exclusively for small dogs in addition to its general dog run. By Angelica Rodriguez and Brandon Waz

SAT changes A-OK

 

Administrators at Leonardo DaVinci High School believe   that the retooled SAT,  which will take effect in the spring of 2016, will align with the core curricula being taught in high schools. The changes to the SAT involve making the writing portion optional, and changing parts of the vocabulary portion. College admissions counselors such as Meghan Harmon at D’Youville College think the changes will even the playing field and make the test more accessible. By Sashana Campbell and Andrew Manzella

Tax tips for late filers

With tax season underway, Sachana Wright, H&R Block office manager, discusses the disadvantages of filing taxes late. Interest, penalties and late filing fees are some of the consequences of filing your return late. This year the H&R Block located at 250 Elmwood Ave. plans to save West Side residents money on their tax return by reviewing their information for a second time. The second review allows tax preparers to seek out faults in order to provide taxpayers with the highest refund possible. By Oliver Colbert and Kimberly Hylton

IN DEPTH: West Buffalo Charter adds 'Core,' expands

          Principal Andrea Todoro explains how the Common Core curriculum and a bigger student body is keeping the young West Buffalo Charter School busy. Full story by Oliver Colbert and Kimberly Hylton