Asthma persists in West Side neighborhood

Children with asthma are becoming more common in neighborhoods near the Peace Bridge. Clinical assistant professor Bernadette Pursel, R.N. from D’Youville College talks about how environmental factors, like truck exhaust, can play a huge role in the development of asthma.  Pursel said economic issues seem to affect the community’s motivation to follow up on asthma treatments. “Some of these people take two or three buses to get to their healthcare provider,” Pursel said. “Then they have to take another few buses to get their prescription filled while they drag three kids in the rain.” Pursel has been a nurse on the West Side for 45 years, and lives on Ashland Avenue. By Shana Campbell and Andrew Manzella

IN DEPTH: West Side plays host to sweet piano sounds

The wildly painted pianos coming soon to sidewalks on the West Side will be more than   just eye candy—they will be fully functional instruments that anyone can play. Full story by Jeff Pawlak and Brittney Singletary

Garden Walk Buffalo on track for start in late July

As winter tries its hardest to linger in Western New York, preparations for the 20th annual Garden Walk move on without a hitch.  

This year’s Garden Walk, which runs from July 26-27, is expected to have more than 380 gardens throughout the tour of the West Side.

             Cindy Loomis, president of Garden Walk Buffalo Inc. and an avid gardener herself, noted that the gardeners who participate in what has become the largest garden-touring event across the country know how to prepare even when the weather doesn’t comply.

“In Buffalo, you just have to deal with it,” said Loomis.

She said gardeners should wait until the last frost has passed in order to plant their annual flowers.

“Some people don’t, but to be on the safe side, you don’t plant any of the annuals until after Memorial Day,” she added.

             Although this year’s walk is still three months away, Garden Walk Buffalo Inc. has gotten the city in a gardening state of mind by hosting a number of workshops throughout the winter and spring dedicated to teaching local gardeners better ways to plant.

The nonprofit also released a 60-page commemorative magazine during the first week of April that features both the large and small gardens of Buffalo, some of which will be in the walk. The magazine can be purchased online at the official Garden Walk store, at garden centers or in bookshops across Western New York. By Jeff Pawlak and Brittney Singletary

Plans for church property worry residents

Tony Mecca, a member of the Niagara Gateway Columbus Park Association and a West Side resident of 35 years, describes the environmental and social impacts of the plans to expand the Peace Bridge Plaza into the site of the former Episcopal Church Home. Episcopal Church Home and Affiliates sold the seven-acre property at 1 Massachusetts Ave. to the state last June. The state is now seeking bids to demolish the existing structures with the intent of turning the site over to the Peace Bridge authority. By Angelica Rodriguez and Brandon Waz

Forest Lawn tour unites birds and watchers

Northern flickers, right, enjoy an early spring morning at Forest Lawn Cemetery, providing plenty of fodder for birdwatchers. Those watching, below,  included, from left,  Kathy Snyder, Susan Gralak and Mary Jo Davila-Ryan, who followed tour guide and birder Dennis Gralak on a two-hour trip through the cemetery grounds April 25 as part of the recurring event “Forest Lawn is for the Birds.” The tour costs $10 and will meet at 8 a.m. on May 2, 4, 16 and 18. Binoculars are recommended. By Angelica Rodriguez and Brandon Waz

BreadHive adding to W.S. bakery options

Emily Stewart,  one of the three  owners of the Breadhive Worker Cooperative Bakery, explains the  plans for the new business, which opened April 12 at  123 Baynes St. By Peter Murphy and Bill Schutt

Beer Works marks milestone with Whale ale

Community Beer Works employees, Robert Turley Jr., left, and Drew Hardin, right, are working together on a microbrew called the Whale, an English style brown ale. It will be the first new beer distributed for the brewery’s two-year anniversary celebrated in April. The beer is  available to customers during business hours, which are 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday through Saturday at  Beer Works, 15 Lafayette Ave.  The new beer also is expected to be  distributed to local restaurants, bars, and Consumer’s Beverages locations. By Peter Murphy and Bill Schutt