IN DEPTH: Niagara Street overhaul set for July start

The $12.7 million makeover of Niagara Street will effect motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians alike. Full story by Jamie Hall, Kamesha Jones and Jazmina Rivera

Mugging the camera

Kali the polar bear gets up close and personal to a viewing window at the Buffalo Zoo on a sunny  afternoon. Kali, originally from Anchorage, Alaska, is expected to remain at the Buffalo Zoo alongside fellow polar bear cub Luna as the zoo proceeds with construction of the $14 million Arctic Edge exhibit, which broke ground in February. The project received $750,000 from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s NY Works program to complete the funding. The construction of the exhibit will ensure that Luna will stay at the Buffalo Zoo. Kali also could remain a permanent resident pending approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, expected in Spring 2015. By Jeff Pawlak and Brittney Singletary

IN DEPTH: Amodeo peddles pasta in family business

 The Pasta Peddler, purveyor of homemade Italian-style pasta, is a family-run operation that has been a popular staple at the region's farmers markets and had plans for further growth. Full story by Fran McCann

IN DEPTH: Demand prompts rise in ethnic food options

The West Side, through a growing number of restaurants and specialty markets, is providing a taste of home for refugees in the area and a unique mix of authentic flavors and scents for visitors. Full story by Angelica Rodriguez and Brandon Waz

‘Friends’ to host annual hunger run May 3

          Friends of Night People will host its annual Putting Hunger on the Run 5K race at 9 a.m., May 3 on the West Side.

         The USA Track & Field-sanctioned run or walk will start at Niagara and Vermont streets, and loop around to Prospect Avenue between Porter Avenue and Connecticut Street. Past races have brought in more than 250 runners.

According to Nicole Gawel, the development assistant at Friends of Night People, the first race 11 years ago had only 30 participants.  This year, the race has been moved from April to May in hopes of warmer weatherand more runners.

Prizes will be awarded to the winner of each class in age and gender as well as the overall winner. Awards also will go to the person who brings the oldest race shirt, the most race shirts or the race shirt from the furthest place.

Race packets can be picked up between 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on  May 1 at D’Youville College, 320 Porter Ave. New this year, a chicken dinner provided by Chiavetta’s Chicken BBQ will be served at the packet pick up for $10. Proceeds from the dinner also will benefit Friends of Night People.

Registration on race day will start at 7:30 a.m. at D’Youville College. The general entry fee is $20 or $15 for D’Youville students and faculty.

Friends of Night People provides meals, clothing and medical care to those in need. In 2012, the organization served 83,052 meals. By Shana Campbell and Andrew Manzella

PUSH heads to D.C. for protest, conference

            People United For Sustainable Housing (PUSH) will be heading back to Washington, DC this month for a national protest and conference.

            PUSH Buffalo will be joining National People’s Action (NPA), which hosts the national conference every year. The conference runs on April 26-28.

            NPA has been fighting against social and racial injustice on a national level for more than 30 years. PUSH Buffalo has been affiliated with NPA for seven years.

            Round trip transportation will be provided via two, 50-passenger buses to and from Washington.  The cost of the trip is $45 for members and $50 for non-members. For reservations call (716)-884-0356.

            “We would love nothing more to bring more people to NPA,” said Jennifer Mecozzi-Rivera, organizing director of PUSH Buffalo.

            The goal of the conference is to prevent banks from giving out predatory loans. There are also other workshops that will focus on youth activism. 

            “I am hoping there is more impact on youth,” said Mecozzi-Rivera.

            Every year PUSH and NPA target different legislators and lobbyists to protest against while in Washington. Last year 800 protesters picketed the home of Edward DeMarco, who was the former director of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. By Shatai Melvin and Elisabeth Tate

Pet Clinic to make inroads to West Side

West Side Pet Clinic, a new provider of veterinary services, is trying its best to make things personal.

Over the next couple of weeks, staff members will go door-to-door and give brochures out to the community’s pet owners. The clinic will also hold an open house for community leaders.

The clinic at 1245 Niagara St. opened April 1 and has been seeing two to three patients per day. It expects a slow ramp-up over the next few weeks, said veterinarian Dr. Susan R. Sickels.

“Right now it’s just been more information dispensing than anything else,” she said.

West Side Pet Clinic shares a building with Pawprints, a dog groomer and daycare, and provides preventative care, physical examinations and treatment for simple health problems. Most services range from $10 to $39, with an all-inclusive puppy or kitten visit for $99.

The clinic keeps costs down by utilizing gently used equipment, including kennels and tables. It does not have radiology or surgery on the premises.

There are three vets and an office manager on staff at the clinic. Sickels’ partner, Dr. Reed Stevens, also owns Ellicott Small Animal Hospital downtown, so owners and their pets will be referred to that hospital for emergencies.

Sickels and Stevens chose the West Side as a means of putting their faith into action.

“We knew this was a place in need,” Sickels said. “If we are the first to vaccinate your pet, that’s great.”  

Eventually, the clinic may expand to include small laceration repairs, oxygen and anesthesia machines, but for now it is focused on settling into the neighborhood. By Angelica Rodriguez and Brandon Waz