University Heights

Templeton Park, University Heights

2011-11-29T17:28:00.001-08:00

Gingko Tree, Templeton park -photo by patrick Willett

University Park Historic District- One of the finest neighborhoods in all of the city of Buffalo.

PBN newsletter article on this nomination (.pdf) portions of Larchmont Road, Niagara Falls Blvd, Radcliffe Road, University Ave, Allenhursst Road, & Pellhan Drive in Buffalo.
The University Park Historic District is a remarkable, intact example of an early 20^th century planned residential subdivision in the city of Buffalo. In the broad context of the city’s turn of the century development, the location and development of University Park reflects the importance of the streetcar and the rise of automobile use which determined much of the city’s expansion. The themes of suburbanization in the city of Buffalo are covered extensively in the National Register Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF), Multiple Resources Associated with the Suburban Development of Buffalo, New York. For Residential Subdivisions to be added to the MPDF, the registration requirements state: The property type must represent the range of residential subdivision structures associated with the growth of the city into a new form during the period between the Civil War and World War II (1860-1945).

http://www.preservationbuffaloniagara.org/buildings-and-sites/preservation-resources/national-register-listings/

Housing Issues Addressed

2011-10-24T05:47:00.000-07:00

The City of Buffalo and UB are collaborating on an effort to address issues relating to the housing stock in the neighborhood. "Operation Student Safety" has brought City and University officials into the neighborhood on Saturdays to ask students and other renters to allow licensed building inspectors into their apartments.

WIVB reported on the effort here, and the Buffalo News ran a story here.

The project will be discussed in greater detail at an upcoming UHC meeting.

South Campus, a neglected jewel

2011-09-30T05:32:00.000-07:00

Photo © Patrick Willett

UB's South Campus, also known as the Main Street campus, located on 154 acres in northeastern Buffalo, is the former grounds of the Erie County Almshouse and Insane Asylum, of which four buildings still remain (Hayes Hall, the former insane asylum; Wende Hall, a former maternity hospital; Hayes D; and Townsend Hall, a former nurses' quarters).The college was designed by architect E.B. Green in 1910, and was intended to resemble Trinity College, Dublin.

Adjacent to the UB South Campus is the UB Anderson Art Gallery, a converted elementary school with an all-glass atrium exhibit space.

Stay classy UB!

2011-08-24T06:35:00.000-07:00

This piece from UB's "operation Doorhanger" really helps to class up UB's image in the University Heights neighborhood.
My first reaction was -"are you serious"?

Promise Neighborhood Community Meeting

2011-04-28T09:17:00.000-07:00

A community meeting to learn about the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood and give your input will be held Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 10:00am – 12:30pm at the Westminster Community Charter School 24 Westminster Avenue, Buffalo, NY.

A continental breakfast will be served at 9:30am.

Featured Speakers are Honorable Byron W. Brown, Mayor, City of Buffalo; Mark Czarnecki, President, M&T Bank and Dr. Yvonne Minor-Ragan, Principal, Westminster Community Charter School.

RSVP: Buffalo Urban League 716-250-2400

Buffalo was only one of 21 communities around the country to receive a competitive neighborhood development planning grant last October from the U.S. Department of Education’s $10 million “Promise Neighborhoods” program. The local partnership, called Buffalo Promise, will receive a total of $750,000 from the federal government and local funders, including M&T Bank and the John R. Oishei Foundation.

Source

University Park District Lecture

2011-02-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

Information about the University Park district, now added to the National Register of Historic Places, will be shared on March 29.

Who: Lecture by Kerry Traynor
President, KTA Preservation Specialists

What: UB at Noon with Kerry Traynor luncheon program
Learn about University Park, the National Register of Historic Places, the planned suburban neighborhood, NYS Historic Residential Properties Tax Credit Program & the future of the University Park neighborhood

When: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at noon

Where: Allen Hall, Room 100
UB South (Main Street) Campus
University at Buffalo

Registration required by Tuesday, March 22nd
Cost: UB Alumni Association Member, $10
Non-Member, $12
Hosted by the University at Buffalo Alumni Association
Online registration see:
https://secure.www.ubconnect.org/olc/pub/BUF/event/showEventForm.jsp?form_id=69639

University Park could earn place on National Register

2011-02-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

Buffalo News story:
Buffalo neighborhood nominated for historic designation

By Jay Rey

News Staff Reporter

National recognition is being sought for a triangular-shaped neighborhood that sprouted in the northeast corner of Buffalo as an urban subdivision in the early 20th century.

University Park, a slice of the city's University Heights neighborhood, was nominated for the National Register Historic District in November as part of a University at Buffalo class project.

Supporters are hopeful the national status will be granted in the spring, after the application is reviewed by the National Park Service.

"To be listed on the National Register is an honor," said Kerry Traynor, a clinical associate professor of architecture and urban and regional planning at UB.

University Park is made up of 252 homes and a park on portions of Larchmont Avenue, Niagara Falls Boulevard, Radcliffe Road, University Avenue, Allenhurst Road, Pelham Drive and Capen Boulevard between Main Street and Kenmore Avenue.

The neighborhood is ripe for the National Register, Traynor said, not necessarily for its Craftsman, Bungalow and Prairie Box homes, but for its planned design, which provided a gated, suburban flavor next to Main Street.

"It really was a good example of early suburban planning," said Traynor, an architect and architectural historian, who owns the consulting firm, KTA Preservation Specialists. "It makes it an interesting component in the history of Buffalo."

There are only 11 historic districts in Erie County recognized by the National Register, including Allentown, Delaware Avenue between North and Bryant streets, the Roycroft Campus in East Aurora and the Parkside neighborhood, which was designated in 1986.

The idea of a University Park Historic District was first raised last spring as a possible class project in Traynor's historic preservation course at UB. Her students did the preliminary research and work assessing the properties. UB graduate student Annie Schentag further developed the project as an independent study, using the information to complete the lengthy, detailed National Register application.

The University Park property was developed in 1913 by Anthony J. Huck, who wanted to capitalize on the purchase of land across the street for the university, Schentag said.

University Park boasted wider streets, manicured medians, larger-than-normal setbacks and garages to account for the rising popularity of the automobile. The neighborhood's development continued throughout the 1920s and '30s.

"It was sort of seen as this respite for this middle-class person who wanted to leave the crowded, crazy industrial City of Buffalo at the time," Schentag said. "What's really special is you can go there today and feel the sense of that pastoral environment."

The process for seeking the national designation has the support of the City of Buffalo and the New York State Historic Preservation Office, which listed University Park on the New York State Register of Historic Places in early December.

University Park homeowners seem receptive to the recognition, too, Traynor said.

It opens up property owners to tax credits for rehabilitating their houses, Traynor said, but homeowners aren't necessarily required to restore residences to their original historic condition to be eligible.

"We'll definitely do a project like this again," Traynor said.

jrey@buffnews.com

The UB Anderson Gallery - a gem in our midst

2010-11-04T13:02:00.000-07:00

As home to the University at Buffalo’s permanent art collection, the UB Anderson Gallery is a museum that manages and exhibits the school’s visual resources and serves as a venue for scholarly exhibitions. The UB Anderson Gallery provides students with hands-on experiences in museum studies and arts administration while offering faculty and graduate students curatorial opportunities.

Situated between the university and the larger Buffalo community, the UB Anderson Gallery has become a cultural crossroads and an important part of the Western New York arts scene. Located in University Heights, it plays a vital role in the community by offering innovative educational programs and working collaboratively with other local institutions to highlight collections and present scholarly exhibitions focused primarily on the post-war period.

Future plans for the gallery include the creation of a prints and drawing study room and the development of the Martha Jackson Research and Archive Center.

O'Connell's Featured in New York Times Style Magazine

2010-09-09T13:14:00.000-07:00

The long time Heights clothiers O'Connell's was recently featured in the New York Times Style Magazine in recognition of their unique stock and style. Please click on this post's title to view the full article.

Higher Heights Basketball Clinic

2010-09-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

This month the UB Division of Athletics, in conjunction with the Office of Community Relations, will be co-sponsoring the Higher Heights Basketball Clinic, Saturday September 18, 2010, at Good Year Basketball Courts – next to Allen Hall (South Campus). Rain site is Clark Hall on UB’s South Campus.

The clinic, which will run from 9:30am until 2:00pm is free and open to boys and girls, ranging from grades 3-8, who are residents of South Campus Neighborhoods. Each child will receive a complementary t-shirt and lunch.

Directing the clinic will be head men’s basketball coach Reggie Witherspoon; head women’s coach Linda Hill-MacDonald, who will talk to participants about the value of an education; and assistant men’s basketball coach Jim Kwitchoff.

Participants will receive instruction in six basketball skills, including shooting, ball handling, passing, defense, footwork, and rebounding. The kids will also have the opportunity to ask questions of UB coaches and student-athletes. The children will also have the unique opportunity to travel to North Campus and tour Alumni Arena, player locker rooms and weight rooms.

Due to the high level of interest for this event, participants are encouraged to pre-register by completing a pre-registration and consent form found at the following locations: Gloria J. Parks, Ed Saunders, Highgate Heights, Westminster, Phoenix computer lab, Ken-Bailey housing and St. Joes. Parents will have the opportunity to register on-site on the day of the event is there is availability. The form must be completed and received by the Office of Community Relations in 1010 Allen Hall or by fax 829-3912 to ensure placement. The first one hundred and twenty (120) completed forms received will be chosen to participate.Don’t miss the opportunity to share in this positive and fun-filled event.

Complete and return your form today!

Photos by Nancy J. Parisi

Good Neighbor Video

2010-08-31T06:19:00.000-07:00

Check out the new video targetted toward UB students. Look for some of your neighbors in their debut screen appearance!!

Roll Back the Drinking Hours?

2010-08-30T06:45:00.000-07:00

"UB dropped the ball when it dropped Buffalo CarShare"

2010-08-28T07:37:00.000-07:00

Buffalo Rising Story: Canisius Supports its own... and UB's own.
by: queenseyes

It's funny how things turn out sometimes. In a world where it is increasingly the right thing to do by supporting homegrown projects and businesses, University at Buffalo dropped the ball when it dropped Buffalo CarShare (BCS). It was a crushing blow to the company, not because CarShare was dependent on UB, but because it would have been such a natural relationship and source of growth. After all, CarShare was incubated at the university. Instead of tucking its tail between its legs, CarShare went out in search for partners that would understand the importance of 'buying into local". It didn't take long to earn the trust of Canisius College, which has agreed to bring CarShare onboard as its car sharing business of choice.

To think that another local higher education institution would bring a University at Buffalo castoff under its wing is... well, it's really something. Canisius could have taken UB's lead and gone with a national. Instead, it decided to go with a homegrown business, run by a young team made up of mostly UB alumns. Interestingly, Todd Salansky, board member of both CarShare and Buffalo First was one of the first to share the good news and was, "Extremely happy that my alma mater has chosen to support Buffalo CarShare for their car sharing needs. BCS provides students access to a car to shop and explore what our area has to offer. In addition to their first car on campus, they also have access to 10 other vehicles across the city. I think this is a great win for Buffalo!"

Canisius has already expressed an interest in a second car as demand increases, which both parties assume will happen after school starts.

Operation Doorhanger a Success!

2010-08-27T03:58:00.000-07:00

Special thanks to the more than thirty neighborhood residents, students, faculty and staff who made Operation Doorhanger possible.

UB on the Green Opens Tonight

2010-08-25T10:13:00.000-07:00

UB on the Green, a free outdoor performance series held on the front lawn of Hayes Hall on the UB South Campus, opens tonight with a performance by The Rockas with special guest Caitlin Albe Koch.

UB on the Green's free music and dance performances will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Aug. 25, Sept. 1 and Sept. 8. In addition to providing all-ages entertainment, the series is designed to educate, as well as entertain, with interactive demonstrations and other hands-on activities that are fun for the whole family.

This year's series was moved to later in the summer to allow more community members, students and staff to attend, he adds.

Designed to showcase the university's resources, as well, activities that will be held as part of UB on the Green include participation by UB Anderson Art Gallery and UB Athletics, in addition to other local community organizations.

Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic, lawn chairs and blankets. Light refreshments will be available for sale. UB on the Green is an alcohol-free, family-friendly event.

The series kicks off on Aug. 25 with The Rockas with special guest Caitlin Albe Koch. Their sound is Caribbean based, full of chunky horns, spicy Riddims and melodic and soulful vocals.

The Sept. 1 program will open with N'Dias, a West African-inspired local dance and drumming group, followed by One World Tribe, an Afro-beat, funk, reggae, Latin and world beat orchestra whose show will feature musicians, dancers and extras.

The series will end on Sept. 8 with a full-band performance of melodic pop songs by Scott Celani, followed by Black Widow, one of Western New York's top rock bands, playing the latest and best of rock, party, dance, country, alternative and classic music.

More information about UB on the Green is here or contact the UB Office of Community Relations at 716-829-3099.

Career Opportunities Workshops in Life Sciences at UB

2010-07-19T09:14:00.000-07:00

The UB Millard Fillmore College will hold a workshop, "Career Opportunities in the Life Sciences," from 6-8 p.m. on July 20, Aug. 24 and Sept. 21 in 147 Diefendorf Hall on the UB South Campus.The free workshop is open to anyone interested in learning more about job opportunities in the life sciences.

The Buffalo Niagara region is home to more than 150 life sciences companies, including pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, biotechnical companies, and biomedical service and software companies.

In addition to the workshop, Millard Fillmore College is designing a life sciences curriculum that will offer a certificate program for professionals, adult students and transitioning workers looking for employment in the life sciences field. The certificate program will offer courses and on-site workshops on regulatory issues, quality management, Lean manufacturing and leadership in the medical device and biotechnology industries.

For more information, or to register for the upcoming life sciences workshops, go to http://www.millardfillmorecollege.com/ or call 716-829-3131.

Free Outdoor Summer Movie Series at UB

2010-07-07T08:55:00.000-07:00

New this year at UB will be a free outdoor summer movie series. In partnership with the Student Association and Late Night UB, the Outdoor Summer Movie Series will be held Wednesdays beginning July 7 through August 18 on the South (Main Street) Campus front lawn. A variety of new releases and classic films will be shown starting at 9:00pm each week. The movies are free to attend and free parking is available on campus.

“We are excited about expanding our summer programs in the South Campus neighborhood. The addition of this new movie series demonstrates the University’s continued commitment to providing family-friendly programming for the neighborhood,” said Vincent D. Clark, Director, UB Community Relations. “Our community programming is an opportunity for the University and community to come together to build upon our efforts to strengthen our surrounding neighborhoods.”

Movies will also be shown on the North Campus on Tuesdays July 6 through August 17 and Fridays July 9 through August 20. Community members provided input on which movies they would like to see. See the full schedule below. More information on the movie series and movies can be found on here.

South (Main Street) Campus on the Main Street front lawn Wednesday Nights

July 7 Toy Story
July 14 Alice in Wonderland
July 21 How to Train Your Dragon
July 28 Invictus
August 4 Remember the Titans
August 11 Date Night
August 18 Ironman 2

North Campus Special Event field across from the Student Union

Tuesday July 6 and Friday July 9 Toy Story 2
Tuesday July 13 and Friday July 16 Alice in Wonderland
Tuesday July 20 and Friday July 23 Shutter Island
Tuesday July 27 and Friday July 30 Hot Tub Time Machine
Tuesday August 3 and Friday August 6 Youth in Revolt
Tuesday August 10 and Friday August 13 Date Night
Tuesday August 17 and Friday August 20 Ironman 2

In the event of rain, our North Campus films will be shown in the Student Union Theater and our South Campus films will be shown at Allen Hall. Please be aware that some of these films may not be suitable for all ages. All films will begin shortly after sundown. Feel free to bring chairs and blankets. See you there!

Wanted: UB on the Green Performers

2010-07-01T13:30:00.001-07:00

If you love summer and summertime events like outdoor music then you'll love UB on the Green. This free music and dance series, now in its fourth season, is presented on the UB South Campus front lawn each summer. It is is a free, outdoor, family-friendly festival of music, dance, and fun.

This year UB on the Green will be on Wednesdays August 25, September 1 and 8 from 6:00pm-8:00pm in front of Hayes Hall on the South Campus.

Both local and international groups have graced the stage at UB on the Green. Garth Fagan Dance, The Budos Band, Dance Brazil, Outer Circle Orchestra, Illstyle & Peace Productions, Taylor Made Jazz and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra are just some of the acts that have performed.

Neville Francis & The Riddim Posse 2009

Now is your chance to let us know who you'd like to see at UB on the Green 2010. We're interested in hearing about vibrant bands and performers the audience will love.

Leave a comment with some information on a band or dance group and we'll be sure to check them out.

For more information visit UB on the Green online or contact UB Community Relations at 829-6145.

University Community Farmers Market Opens Saturday

2010-06-03T08:44:00.000-07:00

The fourth season of the University Community Farmers Market will open June 5 on the University at Buffalo South Campus featuring a variety of new and old vendors and selling fresh food and local products.

The market will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday through Oct. 16 on the Main Street sidewalk at Kenmore Avenue. Attendees can park for free in the Allen, Main and Bailey parking lots on the South Campus, directly behind the market across from the University Plaza.

The market is coordinated by a planning committee and a new market manager this year.

"The University Community Farmer's Market improves the quality of life in our neighborhood by providing an opportunity to buy healthy fresh produce from local farmers, to support local artisans, and to meet our neighbors in a relaxed outdoor environment," said Gail Willsky, market manager and associate professor of biochemistry in the UB School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

This year's vendors will be selling fresh fruits and vegetables as well as artisan products. New this year, the market planning committee is inviting individuals to help coordinate the market. Vendor applications are also available.

For more information, contact the UB Office of Community Relations at 829-6145 or visit the Farmers market online here.

Enter Your Garden in the Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk

2010-05-13T07:10:00.000-07:00

Do you live near the South Campus? Do you love to garden? Now is your chance to showcase your love of plants and flowers in the 9th Annual Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk on Saturday July 17th.

The Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk began in 2001 with 24 gardens to showcase the neighborhoods surrounding the University at Buffalo South Campus, including University Heights, Buffalo, Eggertsville and Amherst. Samuel P. Capen was the first full-time, salaried Chancellor of the University of Buffalo.

Now in its 9th year, the Garden Walk is a free self-guided tour of more than 60 private gardens and carefully nurtured public spaces. The Capen Garden Walk is designed to encourage neighborhood beautification and to build community among neighbors.

This year, the Samuel P. Capen Garden walk will be a participant in the National Buffalo Garden Festival, a five-week long garden celebration from June 18 – July 25 with tours, workshops, special events, concerts and plant shows all around Western New York. Find out more about this exciting garden festival.

To enter your garden visit Garden Walk web page for an entry form. All entries are requested by June 30th.

The Garden Walk will be held from 11:00am – 4:00pm. Maps are available at University Community Farmers Market on the UB South Campus on Main St at Kenmore Ave from 8:00am – 1:00pm; and 22 Larchmont Rd; 135 Capen Blvd; 17 Maynard Dr; 38 Brinton St; 201 Minnesota Ave and 178 Minnesota Ave from 11:00am – 4:00pm

More information about the garden walk can be found here.

Neighborhood Plant and Seed Exchange

2010-05-04T09:46:00.001-07:00

The weather is getting warmer and neighbors are out and about prepping their yards and gardens for summer.

If you are a gardener or are looking for some new plants and seeds for your outdoor space, come to the neighborhood Plant and Seed Exchange this Saturday May 8th at 11:00am.

The event will take place at the home of Anne Tarantino at 38 Brinton St in Buffalo.

Attendees are invited to bring their own plants and seeds to swap with other garden enthusiasts. It's a give one, take one system, so come find some new items for your garden.

For more information, contact Anne at 838-1793.

Volunteer at UB Community Day

2010-04-28T12:36:00.000-07:00

Saturday May 15th is your chance to make some new friends, have fun and beautify the neighborhood all at the same time. It's the 2nd annual UB Community Day where residents, UB students and staff all come together to volunteer in the neighborhood.

This year's event is in partnership with Habitat for Humanity and Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo, so we'll be doing some minor home repair work and gardening in various areas of the University District.

The event is from 9:00am-3:00pm, with volunteers asked to arrive at 8:30am on the South Campus. After the volunteering is done, come to the after event celebration for refreshments and a chance to win an ipod shuffle.

Anyone is welcome to volunteer, for more information and to sign up contact UB Community Relations at 716-829-3099.

Get Involved in Our Summer Events

2010-04-19T08:26:00.000-07:00

Now that the weather is getting warmer, you know what that means! Time for the planning of the neighborhood summer programs.

Now is your chance to get involved in the planning and coordination of the University Community Farmers Market and the Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk, two of our favorite events. Please see below if you are interested in volunteering on the planning committees for either event, or both.

University Community Farmers Market

Our neighborhood farmers market began in 2007 and was held on Saturdays on the UB South Campus. The first planning meeting of the year will be this Wednesday April 21st at 6:00pm in 109 Allen Hall on the South Campus. If you are interested in having a hands-on role with the market, are interested in supporting local business and healthy living through fresh food sales, or have ideas on the market, please come to the meeting this Wednesday.

Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk

The planning for the 2010 Garden Walk is underway. The Walk will be held on Saturday July 17th. Be a part of the planning committee, which meets on Thursday April 29th at 6:00pm in Allen Hall on the South Campus.

For more information on the planning meetings for these groups, please contact Jessica in UB Community Relations at 829-6145.

Get Involved with the Garden Walk

2010-04-08T09:02:00.000-07:00

Each summer since 2001 neighbors around the South Campus have gathered to see the many gardens on the Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk. This year the walk will be held on Saturday July 17th and planners of the Walk are hoping to have more than 60 gardens participate.

Now is your chance to help with the planning of the walk and get involved in the neighborhood. Tonight at 6:00pm, members of the Garden Walk planning committee will meet in Allen Hall on the South Campus.

Planning committee members work on coordinating the event including securing gardens, and getting residents and businesses involved in the 1-day Garden Walk. The idea of the Walk is for neighbors to meet each other and to showcase the beautiful neighborhood surrounding the South Campus.

If you are interested in getting involved with the neighborhood, please come to the meeting tonight at 6:00pm in Allen Hall. If you are not able to attend, leave a comment and we'll be in touch about future meetings.

See past photos of the Garden Walk here.

'UB Getting Dirty'

2010-03-31T16:16:00.000-07:00

On April 10th, UB's Student Association will be coordinating the annual "UB Getting Dirty" cleanup campaign that recruits several hundred volunteers to perform service within the area around the South Campus.

Every year, the program partners homeowner volunteers with university volunteers in order to facilitate camaraderie and achieve the highest impact in the neighborhood. There are already a number of projects planned for this year's event, but there will most likely be accomodations made for a few more. If you have a project for which you are interested in seeking volunteers and if you will be able to work with the volunteers as well, please contact UB's Office of Off-Campus Student Services at 829-3541.

Projects with the largest number of homeowners volunteering with UB Getting Dirty volunteers will recieve the highest priority, as they will have the greatest affect on this day of service.

UB’s School of Nursing Hosts Grand Opening of New Facilities on South Campus

2010-03-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

The University at Buffalo recently relocated its School of Nursing to Wende Hall, one of South Campus’ original buildings built in 1885. UB invested $7.1 million to renovate the historic building into a model, energy efficient 21st century research building equipped with new classrooms, offices, and laboratories. These physical improvements accompany advancements in the school’s administrative and educational structure as well, in an effort to make itself one of the most competitive nursing programs in the United States.
Wende Hall’s restoration is a part of an overarching goal attributed to UB2020’s plan to update facilities to the highest standard as well as to locate all five of the university’s health sciences schools on the South Campus.

UB Named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

2010-03-19T08:46:00.000-07:00

Pictured: UB students spending their spring break cleaning up the Heights neighborhood.

For the third consecutive year, the University at Buffalo has been nationally recognized for its community service in areas of volunteerism, service-learning, and civic engagement. The award is a collaborative recognition from the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Department of Education, HUD, Campus Compact and the American Council on Education. Recipients of the award are chosen based on a compilation of factors including the scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation, and the incentives provided by the school to participate in service-learning programs.
UB qualified for the honor roll due to their free tax preparation service that returned almost $640,000 in tax refunds to low-income families, the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement’s “Saturday of Service” program that paired students with Habitat for Humanity twice a month, UB’s free medical clinic on the city’s East Side that provided health care to over 1,500 Buffalonians, and the Community as a Classroom program that taught inner-city students how to use their educations to positively impact their neighborhoods. Overall, approximately 4,700 UB students along with hundreds more faculty and staff provided the Western New York community with an estimated 323,000 service hours.

Well done to all of those who contributed to this esteemed effort!

VEDA Yoga Space

2010-03-10T13:13:00.000-08:00

New to University Heights:
VEDA Yoga Space
1862 hertel Avenue
716-446-9225

beyoga3@gmail.com

http://www.vedayogaspace.com

VEDA is a primarily hatha yoga studio offering a variety of classes to suit all bodies and levels.
Stop in and say hello or get information and sign up online at: http://www.vedayogaspace.com

Yoga: A school of Indian philosophy accepted as a science and practical method of self-discovery.

Benefits of yoga practice (among many others!):

• Stress relief
• Postural improvements
• Reduction in muscle tension
• Improved muscle strength and tone
• Increased joint flexibility
• Increased range of motion
• Improved physical balance and coordination
• Replenished endurance/ energy
• Cleansing and nourishing of tissues through increased respiration and circulation
• Nervous system regulation/ restoration of emotional balance
• Relaxation and rejuvenation
• Improved self-awareness/sensitivity
• Improved concentration/ mental clarity
• Promotion of restful sleep
• You will learn to love and understand your own body, listening to what it needs. You will discover your strengths and accept your areas of resistance without fear or avoidance. With heightened sensitivity and awareness, you will progressively grow and gain confidence in all areas of life.

UB's Moving Off-Campus Fair

2010-03-05T13:03:00.000-08:00

On Thursday March 4th, UB’s Office of Off-Campus Student Services hosted its annual “Moving Off-Campus Fair”, which welcomes both on-and off-campus service providers to conduct demonstrations and provide information for UB students who are moving into off-campus neighborhoods. Organizations participating in this event included the City of Buffalo Housing Inspectors and Office of Citizen Services, UB’s offices of Environmental Health & Safety, University Police, the Student Wellness Team, and Legal Services. Students were enlightened on issues regarding tenants’ rights, selecting roommates and landlords, transportation, utilities, recycling and garbage pickup, preventing burglaries, and acting as responsible members of their community.
UB’s office of Environmental Health & Safety also provided fire extinguisher training and simulated a bedroom burn outside of the Student Union to portray the quickness in which a room can be engulfed in flames.

For more information regarding UB’s Off-Campus Student Services or to be involved in next year’s Moving Off-Camus Fair, call 829-3541 or visit http://livingoffcampus.buffalo.edu/.

Amanda's Law: Giving a Voice to the Silent Killer

2010-02-26T12:35:00.000-08:00

Amanda's Law: Giving a Voice to the Silent Killer

On Monday Governor David Paterson signed "Amanda's Law" into New York State law, making it mandatory for all homes to be equipped with a carbon monoxide detector. The law is named after Amanda Hansen, the 16-year-old West Seneca girl who lost her life to a carbon monoxide leak while at a sleepover party. The bill that became Amanda's Law was drafted by South Buffalo Assemblymember Mark Schroeder at the behest of the Hansen family.

Carbon monoxide leaks are particularly prevalent in multi-unit homes, such as those throughout the University Heights, where shared utilities often cause mechanical problems. Carbon monoxide is known as the 'silent killer' because it is undetectable without a CO detector and can kill within minutes.

As of right now, there is no funding to distribute carbon monoxide detectors on a large scale. However, everyone should take it as a personal responsibility to provide their homes with these life saving devices and ensure those in your home will be protected.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors can be bought at hardware stores, such as ABC Rental on Bailey Avenue for $26.

Sign Up for Summer Home Repair Event

2010-02-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

Group Workcamps, a national Christian-based youth mission organization, will make basic home repairs to 100 selected homes in the University Heights area for a week in June. The work crews will consist of high school students with adult chaperones. The volunteers will paint, build or repair wheelchair ramps, weatherize and repair steps and porches for elderly, disabled or low-income residents.

Local sponsors of the program are the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, UB’s Office of Community Relations, the City of Buffalo, Nichols School (where the visitors will stay) and the Erie County Department of Health.

Several sponsors are also members of Wipe Out Lead, a Western New York coalition dedicated to educating the community about the dangers of lead. Used in many homes built before 1978, leadbased paints pose a serious health hazard, especially for children.

Applications for Group Workcamps home repair are being accepted until Feb. 28. To apply, contact Linwood Roberts, neighborhood outreach coordinator in the Office of Community Relations, at 829-3524 or lr26@buffalo.edu.

Interested homeowners should have insurance, have someone present at the home during the event in June, and be physically or financially unable to make repairs.

Photo by Enid Bloch

Free Tax Preparation Services Available at UB

2010-02-12T08:26:00.000-08:00

IRS-certified accounting students from the University at Buffalo School of Management will again provide free tax preparation services to individuals and families with annual incomes below $49,000.

Area residents and students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, which will be held on UB's North and South campuses. The IRS estimates that using such free services can save taxpayers between $100 and $300 in preparation fees.

This service can be especially valuable to low-income tax filers by helping them apply for earned income-tax credits that can provide a needed boost in annual income. The tax credits, which can reduce or completely eliminate income taxes by refunding taxes already withheld from wages, can mean as much as $5,028 for a family with two children.

Earned income-tax credits also can be collected from back tax filings. The service will prepare tax filings for the two previous years, as well as 2009.

Free tax preparation will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis in 109 Allen Hall, South Campus, on Feb. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28, and in 106 Jacobs Management Center, North Campus, on March 27, 28 and April 3, 4, 10 and 11.

Participants must bring proof of identification (government-issued ID for each adult, such as driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport, military ID card, etc.); original Social Security card for each filer and dependent; date of birth for self, spouse and dependents; wage and earning statements (Forms W-2 and 1099) from all employers; interest and dividend statements (Form 1099); a copy of last year's federal and state tax returns, if available; and bank routing numbers and account numbers, if direct deposit is desired.

The tax service is coordinated by the UB chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honors organization for accounting, finance and information systems students, with help from the UB Accounting Association.

Frequently asked questions as well as maps and directions can be found at http://mgt.buffalo.edu/freetaxprep. Additional questions can be directed to mgt-freetaxprep@buffalo.edu or 716-533-1553. Services on the South Campus are available thanks to support and equipment provided by the UB Office of Community Relations.

An Open Letter to the"Answer Lady"

2010-02-09T13:58:00.000-08:00

To whom it may concern, but I think just about everyone knows who you are………

I am very tired….. very tired of your negative blogging. Many of us in the University District are working hard to improve the living conditions in the area we have all chosen to call home. Your type of anonymous and generally venomous commentary does absolutely nothing to help those of us that are trying to generate positive change. I for one, not that you probably care, am retired and have chosen to give back to the community in many different and satisfying ways and I know that we have a long slog ahead of us. There is an old saying that should become the motto of all of us that have chosen to give their time to the enrichment of our community. “If you are not part of the solution you are probably part of the problem”.

I am available, at your convenience, to discuss your comments…. But I would be very surprised if that occurred.

Fred Brace

Less is More: Promoting Recycling and Waste Reduction in Western New York

2010-02-08T13:33:00.000-08:00

Join us in the Allen Hall Theatre on 2/23 at 7pm to learn more about recycling and waste reduction efforts that are happening in Western New York! Heard about single stream recycling? Wondering what it is? Come here to find out! We'll be talking about all that is new and exciting about waste and recycling in our region!

Moderator: Erin Moscati, UB Green Environmental Educator

Panel:

Andrew Goldstein: Community Recycling Expert
Susan Attridge: Area Manager, Abitibi Bowater Recycling Division
Ted Osborne: Buffalo Recycling Enterprises

Midnight Movie Madness at the Amherst Theater

2010-01-26T12:57:00.000-08:00

The University at Buffalo and the Amherst Theater have announced the Winter/Spring lineup of films for the popular Midnight Movie Madness series. This event occurs every Saturday at Midnight in the Amherst Theater and is free for UB students and $5 for the public.

The Winter/Spring lineup includes:

January 30th- Shaun of the Dead
February 6th- Couples Retreat and Crazy Heart
February 13th- Twilight New Moon
February 20th-Hot Fuzz
February 27th- Star Trek (2009)
March 20th- Transformers
March 27th- The Hangover
April 10th- I Love You Man
April 17th- The Blindside
April 24th- Pirate Radio

UB continues its abandonment of South Campus

2009-12-16T06:11:00.000-08:00

Research institute moves downtown

Buffalo News story
By Jay Rey

NEWS STAFF REPORTER

December 16, 2009, 6:53 AM

A policy and research center at the University at Buffalo has been relocated, in what marks the beginning of similar moves to strengthen UB’s presence downtown.
UB’s Regional Institute has moved from Beck Hall on the South Campus to refurbished space on the third floor of UB’s Downtown Gateway building, formerly the M. Wile building, 77 Goodell St.
Moving the institute’s 10-member staff into the building is just a small part of the university’s larger plan to create a vibrant downtown campus along the Buffalo Niagara Medical Corridor.
UB eventually wants to relocate its Medical School and other health-related fields downtown, where this year it broke ground with Kaleida Health on a new 10- story vascular and research center.
Next spring, the university is scheduled to start building a four-story Educational Opportunity Center on a parking lot next to the UB Gateway building.
UB acquired the former M. Wile building in 2007 to relocate several of its community outreach programs, like the Regional Institute. They include: UB’s Office of Economic Engagement; administrative offices for UBMD, which represents 450 faculty physicians; UB’s office of Government and Community Relations; and the Center of Educational Collaboration, an initiative designed to collaborate with the Buffalo Public Schools.
“Over the course of the next few years, the community can expect to see additional units follow the institute to create an engaging, vibrant space for university-community interaction,” UB President John B. Simpson said in a prepared statement.
Founded in 1997 as the Institute for Local Governance and Regional Growth, the Regional Institute analyzes issues affecting the Buffalo Niagara region, such as the economy, governance reform and demographic change.
For the institute, the move downtown offers greater visibility and the opportunity for new partnerships, Kathryn A. Foster, institute director, said during an open house Tuesday afternoon.
“Proximity to our government, business and civic partners in the region’s hub lets us broaden and deepen our regional connections,” Foster said.
jrey@buffnews.com "> e-mail: jrey@buffnews.com

Home Improvement Program

2009-12-04T07:53:00.000-08:00

The Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo is looking for up to 100 homes to repair! High school students with adult chaperones will provide basic home repairs-painting on the inside or outside, building/repairing wheelchair ramps, weatherization and step/porch repair in your neighborhood during the week of June 20 - 26,2010.

To qualify, you must:
1. Be physically or financially unable to repair your own home.
2. Own your home.
3. Have homeowners insurance.
4. Have someone present at the home during the week of June 20-26, 2010 (it could
be a family member, friend or neighbor).

Want to Hear More?

Please join us at one of the following meetings!
• December 10, 6:00 p.m. at 100 Allen Hall, UB South Campus
• December 15, 6:00 p.m. at Gloria J Parks Community Center, 3242 Main St.
• January 5, 6:00 p.m. at Ken-Bailey Neighborhood Housing Services 995 Kensington Ave.

To be considered. you must complete an application and mail it in by January 30. 2010.
Space is limited! ApplyNow!
Questions?
Call Mary Fisher at the Wipe Out Lead Hotline
(716) 712-5500 or WipeOutLead.com

Click here for a form yiou can print out and send in or bring to the information session.

Video from Buffalo Rising Story

2009-11-23T11:02:00.000-08:00

Buffalo Rising on "University Slope"

2009-11-23T10:51:00.000-08:00

Full article here
University Slope - Again
by Steel

A year or so ago I wrote a BRO story on a portion of University Heights that I took upon myself to call "University Slope". I did not have a very extensive or very good set of photographs of the neighborhood at the time; now that I do, I have put together this slideshow stroll through one of Buffalo's least known neighborhood treasures. This section of University Heights occupies a triangular area at the north end of the city, west of the UB Main Street Campus.

The streets sweep up a gentle but dramatic (by Buffalo Standards) slope. The bell tower of Hayes Hall on campus forms an elegant backdrop to many streets. In recent years, University Heights has been painted with a broad brush as a place with growing urban problems including crime, rowdy students, badly managed absentee property, and poor city services. This neighborhood really does not fit that stereotype, hence I gave it a new name.

What one finds in this portion of the city is actually a picturesque enclave of streets with well-kept (mostly owner occupied) houses. The streets wind and angle in a complex weave as they fit into the triangle between Kenmore Avenue and Main Street. You feel enveloped within this comfortable setting as you explore its small blocks and mini parks lined, with comfortable houses mostly in the homey craftsman style. You will even find a major Buffalo art gallery (UB's Anderson Gallery) here. The people who live here are friendly and eager to brag about their hidden treasure. Check out the slide show and see if you agree.

Buffalo CarShare comes to University Heights

2009-11-16T08:16:00.000-08:00

Buffalo CarShare, the rapidly expanding nonprofit car sharing service, has chosen the parking lot behind St. Joseph’s University Church as its newest hub location. The organization was created six months ago by University at Buffalo urban planning graduates and has since become a popular transportation alternative for over 130 dues-paying Buffalonians. With a growing fleet of vehicles concentrated in downtown and the Elmwood Village, the car at St. Joseph’s is the first and only uptown location.
The service allows its users the advantages of driving a car without the hassles that accompany car ownership. Members rent the car on an hourly basis, typically for errands, shopping, or other brief trips. Cars can be reserved either online where the availability of their cars is shown or over the phone. Once reserved, the member uses an electronic key to access the car and then returns it to the same spot for the next member to use. The cost of the service is $5-$8 per hour with a small additional mileage charge, depending on use. There is also a monthly membership fee of either $5 or $20, also depending on use. Membership is available to anyone 18 or older with a relatively clean driving record. Once accepted, members are insured through Buffalo CarShare to drive any of the vehicles in their fleet.
Contact Buffalo CarShare at 898-0850 or online here to enroll in this unique neighborhood amenity.

More Evidence of UB abandoning the Heights

2009-11-14T07:49:00.000-08:00

A $57 million project for north campus while south campus waits for crumbs to fall from the table.
Why wasn't this project proposed for University Heights?
600-bed dorm planned at UB North Campus

By Jay Rey

NEWS STAFF REPORTER

Updated: November 12, 2009, 8:20 AM

Work has begun on a 600-bed residence hall on the University at Buffalo North Campus in Amherst.The $57 million project is being built on land between John James Audubon Parkway and the residence halls at the Ellicott Complex. It will feature a more “living learning” design intended to mesh campus residential and academic space.

“The entire first floor of the building will demonstrate the vibrance of 24-hour-a-day academic activity, a principle in the living learning concept,” said Joseph J. Krakowiak, director of university residence halls and apartments. “The first floor has a wide variety of settings for classroom spaces, for study groups, for individual study and a casual cafe.”

Opening is scheduled for August 2011.

The new South Ellicott Suites is significant to the North Campus for a couple of reasons, said Robert G. Shibley, senior adviser for campus planning.

For one, the project will include features that will be the gold standard in environmental design and serve as a demonstration for what UB wants to do when constructing future buildings.

Second, it’s the first step toward building a mix of housing and retail along Lee Road, a campus access road, to create more of a “Main Street” through the campus spine, Shibley said.

As part of the project, Lee Road will be extended to the Ellicott Complex across Audubon Parkway, where a traffic circle will be installed to slow the vehicles.

“It starts the evolution of Lee Road as UB’s new Main Street,” Shibley said.

UB faces more competition in the student housing market, as developers in recent years have built hundreds of private student apartments just across the road from the university.

Still, Shibley and Krakowiak don’t anticipate a problem filling up the new residence hall, which is geared toward sophomores.

Sophomores tend to want a little more space and privacy than the traditional campus housing but may not be quite ready for an apartment, Krakowiak said.

The new residence hall will have a “suite style” design, which includes two double bedrooms, a bathroom, storage and a dressing area.

A 2,000-square-foot Market Cafe on the first floor will have seating for 50 people.

“First-floor spaces have extended flexibility and capability to offer different educational settings as required,” Krakowiak said. “Space is available for faculty offices, seminar rooms and impromptu study.”

The project will be built without state money, Krakowiak said.

State education law allows the university to enter into agreements with the UB Alumni Association and UB Foundation, which would borrow money for the project. Payments collected from students living in the residence hall would go toward the cost of building and operating the facility.

UB — which has nearly 29,000 students — currently has about 1,350 beds on the South Campus on Main Street, about 4,000 beds in residence halls on the North Campus and about 2,200 beds in apartments on the North Campus.

The last time housing went up on campus was in 2002, when Creekside Village — apartments for graduate and professional students — opened on the northwest edge of the North Campus.

jrey@buffnews.com

Makeshift memorial at University Heights slaying scene, "law enforcement and the university are ineffective in policing the student population"

2009-11-03T06:41:00.000-08:00

Buffalo News, November 03, 2009,

Peer into the few square yards of ground along Lisbon Avenue near Cordova Avenue and the tragic tale that unfolded there at 4:30 a. m. Saturday tells itself.
A dozen or so flickering votive candles surrounded by bouquets of flowers, a football and pictures and messages of love and friendship are what you see first.
But a closer look Monday evening — 2 1/2 years later— painted a more sinister picture of the events leading up to the death of 19-year-old Jacob Herbert, a 2008 graduate of Clarence High School.
Just over the sidewalk from the memorial, remnants of medical equipment —a pair of syringes; an empty box of atropine sulfate, an injection to treat cardiac arrest; an intubator; and spent roll of gauze tape — were left behind the grass.
A few steps down the street, empty cognac and rum bottles lie just off the sidewalk.
Herbert, according to law enforcement authorities, was one of a dozen or so people who returned to a house party at 112 Lisbon Ave. that police had shut down twice earlier that night. Herbert was stabbed multiple times during an argument that erupted as the third party let out.
Despite the trail of evidence that paramedics attempted to save Herbert’s life, the teen died.
Now, neighbors and friends are left wondering why.
Why wasn’t the party shuttered after police first broke it up around midnight? Why did it continue after they dispersed partiers again 90 minutes later? Why were no arrests made? Why was the party allowed to rekindle a third time?
“That’s a question for the kids,” said Michael J. DeGeorge, Buffalo police spokesman. “Who persisted and came back?”
DeGeorge said authorities first responded at about midnight after fielding 911 calls from neighbors concerning loud noise.
Police arrived to find a “large house party” described by De- George not as a “college, fraternity or University at Buffalo party” but rather a “mixed group party” consisting of “upwards of 200 people.”
Officers “shut down the party” and ordered revelers to “disperse and go home,” DeGeorge said.
After receiving more complaints, they returned at about 1:30 a. m. and did the same thing.
But the party reconvened again later that morning.
“For whatever reason, certain individuals persisted and came back to the party,” De- George said. “The victim and a few other people came back to the party.
“About 4:30 a. m., there were 15-20 people there. Most of the people were leaving and some type of argument broke out between Herbert and some individual. Herbert was stabbed multiple times.”
Herbert is the city’s 50th homicide victim of 2009. A woman acquaintance of Herbert, who said her name was Danielle, visited the memorial at dusk Monday. She called Herbert “very athletic and very popular.” She was not at Saturday’s party.
A 33-year-old next door neighbor who identified herself only as Mrs. L. Randle said student rowdiness is disruptive to the neighborhood — particularly toher— the mother of a newborn.
“The college students are out of control,” Randle said. “They’re all up and down the street screaming and hollering.”
Claiming law enforcement and the university are ineffective in policing the student population, Randle believes their methods — or lack thereof — culminated in Saturday’s events.
“They need to talk to the kids and the parents about partying,” Randle said, “and there should be a penalty when they don’t act right.”
No connection seems to exist, however, between UB and Herbert or the hosts of the party.
Still, some mourners who gathered at the memorial Monday evening also said Buffalo and university police need to work more closely to curb rowdy, and sometimes violent, behavior.
“Don’t you feel like this is something that could have been prevented?” asked one neighbor who wouldn’t give his name. “[Police] should have never left the scene.”
Another who identified himself only as “Kevin” was disturbed not only by the violence but also by the medical items left behind at the scene, calling it “sloppy” and “disrespectful” for the family of Herbert who gathered to mourn there Sunday.
Jay Smith, spokesman for Rural/Metro Medical Services, said crews clean up after themselves unless they’re specifically asked not to by police but added that the scene Saturday morning was especially “chaotic.” Herbert’s condition was so dire, Smith said, that two paramedics worked on him during transport to Erie County Medical Center.
“Because of the patient’s condition . . . they didn’t stick around the scene very long.”

tpignataro@buffnews.com

UB Recognized for Civic Engagement

2009-10-27T13:56:00.000-07:00

The University at Buffalo was recently acknowledged on the Honor Roll of “Saviors of Our Cities: Survey of Best College and University Civic Partnerships.” Conducted by Dr. Evan Dobelle, President of Westfield State College, the survey highlights programs across the United States that show positive economic, social, and cultural impact upon the cities in which they reside. The rankings were based on how effectively the college or university “forged a collaborative vision of a shared future with its community.”

View the Survey here.

Farmers Market Ends this Saturday

2009-10-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

Join us this Saturday, October 17th as we celebrate the final day of this season's University Community Farmers Market.

Started on May 16th, the market has run for 22 weeks this year on Saturday mornings from 8:00am - 1:00pm at the South Campus on Main Street at Kenmore Avenue.

New this season were special events on the first Saturday of the month, where a different event was featured for attendees to lean from and enjoy. Events included Gardening Day with master gardeners from the neighborhood and a plant swap. There was Neighborhood Day where you could come sign up for a block club or talk with neighborhood leaders, and in August we had Artisan Day with local crafters and artist selling their wares.

This season' most popular special event was in September when we held safety demonstrations in cluding child seat safety checks from University Police, fire extinguisher demonstration from UB Environmental Health and Safety and even the Buffalo Fire Department was on hand for tours of the fire truck.

This year's vendors included Independence Hill Farms, McHenry Produce, Kate's Country Cousins, Pasta Temptations, Ken's Maple Products and Honey, Heaven's Gift Just For You home and personal fragrence items, Yancey's Fancy cheese, and Sweet Greek. Also new this year were the addition of local wineries which came to sell and sample their wine on various weeks.

Stop by on Saturday to say thanks to this year's vendors, meet some of your neighbors and stock up on products for the winter at the last market day of the year.

For more information on the University Community Farmers Market contact UB Community Relations at 716-829-3099.

UB Gets Dirty

2009-10-13T07:20:00.000-07:00

UB gets dirty
Ashley Smith, Staff Writer

UB students recently put down their pens and notebooks and picked up shovels, brooms, rakes and gloves to pick up trash around the University Heights.

The students were participating in UB Getting Dirty, a Student Association-sponsored community cleanup event.

According to Angela Jones, SA club services director, about 400 students participated in the community service project this year.

“I think we had a fantastic turnout,” said Jenny Harb, SA assistant community engagement director.

The project covered all of the University Heights area, utilizing volunteer drivers, shuttle buses and sponsors to get students out onto the streets to clean up trash.

“At first I thought [UB Getting Dirty] would be really lame … picking up trash really early in the morning, but it actually turned out to be a lot of fun and I felt really good doing it,” said Caraline Stocker, a sophomore art major.

UB Getting Dirty was started four years ago to encourage UB students and clubs to give back to their community. The project satisfies some of the student clubs’ mandatory community service requirement.

“It gives us an opportunity to better the community that we actually inhabit,” said Chloe Lake, a sophomore undecided major.

Angela Reale, a senior nursing major, has participated in UB Getting Dirty several times.

“We used to have competitions to see who could find the best piece of garbage,” Reale said. “It’s a good way to get groups together, get to know people and help the community at the same time.”

Other students also expressed the value that community service has had in their lives.

“When I was in China, I did a lot of community service,” said Xinyi He, a junior accounting major. “Last semester there was [a community service project] for preparing tax returns, [and] I did that.”

In past years, the event has drawn 300 to 400 students who were ready to clean up the Buffalo streets.

“[Japanese Student Association members] think that it makes the community stronger,” said JSA secretary Kosuke Higo.

As SA coordinators began calling clubs forward and distributing T-shirts and equipment, the event became significantly less coherent, according to several attendees. Though many students agree that this was a good cause, there was room for improvement.

“I think it’s disorganized and they need a megaphone,” said Ciara Trosin, a freshman undecided major.

Trosin pointed out that while these projects have their flaws, they provide an opportunity that allows communities surrounding UB’s campus to see students volunteering and helping others.

“[UB is not] making adequate efforts to give back to the community, but there is beginning to be an awareness under [President] Simpson,” said Gordon Connally, a University Heights resident.

Connally hopes UB will have a positive effect on University Heights and the city of Buffalo in the future.

“[Students] just need to be present in the community,” Connally said.

E-mail: features@ubspectrum.co

UB Spectrum Article

2009-09-18T07:52:00.000-07:00

Improving life in the Heights
Chelsie Hinckley, Staff Writer

For many UB students, living off campus is an attractive alternative to dorm life – there’s more privacy, no shared bathroom and the feeling of complete responsibility. But many don’t consider the potential issues that living off campus can cause.

Students living off campus, especially those living near South Campus in the University Heights, are not only held to UB rules and regulations, but to the rules of their new landlords as well, which can cause issues as college students experiment with their first real tastes of freedom.

Last year, UB established the Office of Off-Campus Student Services, which is working to meet some of these issues as well as help create a sense of community that the office feels is long missing from the Heights.

If they break any regulation or cause trouble in their neighborhoods, they can be held liable and fined.

In addition, students living in houses in the University Heights that are caught throwing more than one loud and rowdy party are first warned and then expelled, according to new regulations put in place by the university.

Outside of the rules and regulations focus, Off-Campus Student Services also directs a lot of attention toward community involvement. On the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, the office held a block party and safety fair, attracting an estimated 750 people. It brought together residents and businesses from the University Heights neighborhood to share information about organizations in the community. The fire department also held a demonstration on how quickly an apartment can burn from a candle.

Off-Campus Student Services also conducted “operation door hanger” before the beginning of the academic year, in which they distributed 2,700 recycled shopping bags to homes in the neighborhood with important numbers to call, information on recycling and first aid kits in an effort to make the Heights a safer place to live.

Senior mentor Stacey Fredrick lives in off campus housing on Highgate Avenue. She said that although she has read though the safety tips provided on the Off-Campus Student Services Web site, she hasn’t actually used any of the services they provide. She does, however, use the Anti-Rape Task Force Safety Shuttles on a regular basis.

Another responsibility of Off-Campus Student Services is to help with situations that often arise with apartment living standards and leases. Dan Ryan, director of off campus student services, discussed one such situation.

“Many students are living in apartments with landlords that are taking advantage of them because they don’t understand the terms of their lease,” Ryan said.

The office is readily available to help with unsafe living conditions, including bad plumbing, poor electricity and landlords that try to take students’ security deposits and not return them.

The central goal of Off-Campus Student Services is to help students get more involved in their community, enabling them to be safer and more responsible citizens. By implementing new changes this academic year, the office is helping students who live off campus stay connected to the school.

E-mail: spectrum-news@buffalo.edu

Fire Safety Demonstration

2009-09-11T05:35:00.001-07:00

UB Neighbor's Day Block Party & Safety Fair

2009-09-09T19:05:00.001-07:00

Shango in the News - Perfect pairings: It's not snobby to want wine to match your meal : Food and Recipes : The Buffalo News

2009-09-09T12:49:00.001-07:00

Perfect pairings: It's not snobby to want wine to match your meal : Food and Recipes : The Buffalo News

Shared via AddThis

UB Neighbor's Day

2009-09-06T17:32:00.000-07:00

University Heights: A neighborhood at risk, Buffalo News Front page story

2009-09-06T07:35:00.000-07:00

University Heights: A neighborhood at risk
by Jay Rey and Mary B. Pasciak
NEWS STAFF REPORTERS
Updated: September 06, 2009, 9:59 AM / 9 comments

It's Thursday night, and the party houses, restaurants and bars along Main Street in Buffalo's University Heights come alive with college students who have returned for a new school year.
On this night, cops patrol on bikes. Security cameras watch from high above on light poles.
Both are new, after several high-profile crimes -- including a May murder on Main Street -- raised a sense of fear on these streets surrounding the University at Buffalo's South Campus.
The students -- and their parents -- have a right to be concerned.
While the University Heights has traditionally been one of the city's safest neighborhoods, it has experienced a rise in crimes over the past five years that are more violent and more personal, a Buffalo News analysis found.
Assaults are up.
Burglaries are up.
Robberies are way up.
Just look at Minnesota and Lisbon avenues, the two residential streets with the most crime in this neighborhood.
At the same time, crime citywide hasn't increased nearly as much. For some crimes, city streets have become safer.
The difference, some believe, stems from the large number of college students living off campus in this northeastern corner of Buffalo, home to 16,000 residents, about 20 percent of them UB students.
The University Heights crime database contains information on more than 9,000 incidents reported to Buffalo police from 2004 to 2008. Type in an address or street name. Or select the type of crime you would like to search for.
The cheap rent, the nightlife and the proximity to campus outweigh safety concerns.
"It's a lot of fun," said Alyssa Fronk, a UB student who lives on Englewood Avenue. "All of our friends live down here."
For years, homeowners complained about the college students' drunkenness and the foolishness that can spill over during all hours of the night.
The same careless, carefree attitudes also make the students easy prey.
"There's no question about it," said Capt. David Stabler of the Northeast District, which includes the University Heights. "You have a lot of young kids targeting these students, because they're easy, they give it up and they can't describe [their assailants]."
Students tend to agree.
"Where else but the University Heights are you going to find a house full of 18-year-old guys with a new stereo system, who leave their door open and are passed out drunk?" said Fronk's roommate, Ashlee Hoover.
Over the years, longtime neighbors watched with concern as University Heights started to shrink. In the past five years, nearly 500 UB students have left the neighborhood, many of them opting instead to move to the newer, higher-end private apartments near the North Campus in Amherst.
The longtime residents are worried about crime on the rise and low-income families moving in.
"We tend to think of the East Side creeping north, and that's what we're trying to prevent," said David J. Ellerbrock, president of the University Heights Collaborative.
Officials from UB and the city point to the cameras along Main Street, the bike-patrol detail, and more-aggressive efforts to thwart rowdy parties as solutions.
"It's not a panacea," said Vincent D. Clark, director of community relations for UB, "but the university is committed to doing what it can do right now."
Some residents question how much UB is doing to protect the neighborhood that borders its South Campus … and whether that's enough.
When Javon R. Jackson was shot dead after a dispute in a Main Street restaurant on his graduation day from UB in May, University Heights became rather deserted, with many people taken aback by the early-morning murder.
"Students are more cautious, because that never happened here," said Nelsys Aybar, a UB junior who lives in the Heights. "That was like a wake-up call."
The News looked at University Heights crime incidents reported to the Buffalo Police Department from 2004 to 2008, the most recent year for which data was available.
The analysis found:
Assaults, burglaries and robberies are up significantly.
Burglaries were up by one-third from five years ago.
Assaults … down citywide … were at a five-year high in the University Heights in 2008, with an average of two a week. It's unclear how much of that may be caused by fights among students, such as last year's brutal beating on Main Street that left a UB student paralyzed.
Particularly troublesome were the robberies, which nearly doubled over five years.
The 151 robberies last year were fueled by a string of armed holdups in the spring and fall. Police arrested several teenagers for the crimes.
Crime escalates as students return for the fall.
While crime citywide peaks in July and August, crime in the University Heights is highest in September and October.
The homicide rate is no higher in the University Heights than it is throughout the city. An average of two murders a year occur in this part of town.
Main Street, the commercial heart of the neighborhood, not surprisingly accounts for the most crime, including larcenies, robberies and assaults.
But among residential streets, Minnesota and Lisbon each had more reported robberies, burglaries and assaults than any other.
Crime varies widely within the University Heights.
Dissected by Main Street and Bailey Avenue, the boundaries of the University Heights … as defined by UB … are Kenmore Avenue to the north; East Amherst to the south; Eggert Road to the east; and an old railroad right of way to the west.
Fearing crime, some students have moved away from the Bailey area over the years, longtime residents say.
But the crime rate between Bailey and Eggert is actually lower than it is citywide.
The most troubled area of University Heights lies between Main and Bailey, which includes parts of Minnesota and Lisbon.
Neighbors say this area, once heavily populated by students, now is the home for more low-income families.
Some say that juxtaposition of poverty and the affluence of students is driving up crime in the area.
College students, many from Long Island and Westchester County, bring with them more expensive electronics than ever before. Gadgets like laptops and iPods are small, easy to carry … and all too often, easy to take.
Many students also tend to be naive and somewhat careless.
They often leave their doors unlocked, or even slightly open.
They don't bother to use security systems.
And they think nothing of walking alone at night, often tuned in to the music on their iPod, rather than any danger that might be lurking behind them.
"I tell mothers, I can put 10 locks on the door, but I can't make them lock them," said Nancy Miranda, who has been renting apartments to students in the Heights for 32 years.
The triangular-shaped area west of Main … which is becoming known as the party capital of University Heights … had the lowest overall crime rate.
But the crime, including assaults, robberies and burglaries, is increasing faster in this area than elsewhere in the neighborhood.
Hoover, a UB junior, should know. Her house was broken into and her laptop was stolen from her room.
Corey Medina knows, too. A couple of old chairs were stolen from his porch since moving onto Englewood in June.
"If you're smart, don't call attention to yourself, keep your doors locked, I don't think you're going to have a problem," said Medina, a UB junior.
Many longtime residents say the university seems more concerned about the Heights in the past few years. They generally seem to appreciate the security cameras the university has paid to install in the neighborhood.
It's a step in the right direction, many say. One of the cameras was instrumental in catching the person accused of killing Jackson in May.
Buffalo police also designated a patrol car specifically for University Heights last year and are deploying additional cars in the area for the first few weeks of the semester.
The new bike detail … using UB, Buffalo and Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority officers to patrol on peak party nights through September … seemed to go over well the first night.
"I think it's wonderful," said John Bernard, owner of Third Base, a Main Street bar.
Still, more needs to be done, residents say.
"[The cameras] can deter some crime, but nothing deters crime like a police cruiser driving down the street," said Tucker Curtin, owner of the Steer and Lake Effect Diner on Main Street.
Residents would like to see UB's 61-member police force patrolling the University Heights.
"We don't patrol off campus. Us going into Buffalo would be the same as Buffalo [police] going into Amherst or Cheektowaga," said UB Police Chief Gerald W. Schoenle Jr, whose force is about the size of the West Seneca Police Department. "Buffalo police would tell you it's their responsibility to patrol the Heights, and we agree with that."
University police can patrol on campus, along with other property that UB owns.
So while UB officers are seen near the president's home on LeBrun Road in Amherst, a mile and a half from campus, they respond in University Heights when Buffalo police ask them for help.
UB patrolling in Buffalo would be almost like having a regional police force, Schoenle said.
It also could pose union issues for Buffalo police.
"If we had our officers always responding to things off campus, they wouldn't be available for things on campus," Schoenle said.
That frustrates some residents.
"We'd like to see a greater willingness of the SUNY police to get involved," said Ellerbrock, the neighborhood activist.
These problems aren't unique to UB.
UB officials say they are looking at ways other universities … like Ohio State in Columbus and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia … helped stabilize the neighborhoods around their campuses.
"We're not going anywhere," said UB's Clark, who lives in the University Heights. "We will invest in our South Campus, and we're looking to be even more aggressive in the neighborhood."
But for now, UB said it's doing what it can … like the bike patrols.
On the first night of the patrols, Buffalo police officer Antione cqLanier, along with UB officers Scott Bixby and Lt. Chris Bartolomei, biked along Main, between the campus and LaSalle avenue.
They stopped to talk to bar and restaurant owners, and warned them police don't want to see patrons drinking on sidewalks.
"The idea is to be visible and hopefully a deterrent," Bartolomei said. "Maybe we'll be able to roll up on something in progress."

jrey@buffnews.com

Safety Day at the Market this Saturday

2009-09-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

This Saturday September 5th at the weekly University Community Farmers Market will be Safety Day from 10:00am – 12:00pm as part of the market’s first Saturday of the month special event series.

Representatives from University police will be present to do child seat safety checks.

Representatives from Environmental Health and Safety will be providing practical portable fire extinguisher training and a table where the Off Campus Student Resident Task Force resources will be available. Buffalo Fire is also expected to attend with equipment for display.

The University Community Farmers Market runs every Saturday through October 17th from 8:00am – 1:00pm with these special events from 10:00am – 12:00pm on the first Saturday of the month. The market is held on the UB South Campus on Main Street at Kenmore Avenue.

For more information please contact UB Community Relations at 826-3099.

Neighbor's Day Block Party & Safety Fair

2009-09-01T10:53:00.001-07:00

This Sunday September 6th join your neighbors and friends at the Neighbor's Day Block Party to be held on the UB South Campus.

This is a free special event designed to bring together residents of the University Heights, Main Street and Bailey Avenue Businesses, and city, county and university offices. It will be from 3:00pm - 7:00pm on the lawn in front of Hayes Hall.

There will be free food, a live band, informational tables from local organizations and more. Students and neighbors are invited. A rain date will be on Monday September 7th from 3:00-7:00pm.

For more information about the event please contact the UB Office of Off Campus Student Services at 829-3541.

Joint Bike Patrols Launched

2009-08-28T04:30:00.000-07:00

Push to take back University Heights | WIVB.com

2009-08-27T05:04:00.000-07:00

Push to take back University Heights | WIVB.com

Love the Market

2009-08-12T08:32:00.001-07:00

Care2.org, a popular online destination for people who care about making a difference is sponsoring a "Love Your Market" contest in collaboration with LocalHarvest.org, a web site all about organic and local food. As you know, University Heights has its own market, called the University Community Farmers Market. It is held on the South Campus has been entered in the "Love Your Market" contest and is eligible to win money to support it.

An important feature in the University Heights neighborhood, the market started in 2007 and is a great way to get healthy local products, support local businesses and meet your neighbors.

It runs every Saturday through October 17th from 8:00am - 1:00pm on the UB South Campus on Main Street at Kenmore Avenue. Read about the market on LocalHarvest.

Please vote in the "Love Your Market" contest today, and tell others to vote as well. We appreciate your support! Click here to vote.

For more information about the University Community Farmers Market contact UB Community Relations at 829-3099.

• Shutting the Door on Foreclosure and Drug-Related Problem Properties: Two Communities Respond to Neighborhood Disorder

2009-08-07T07:25:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting article on how two communities responded to housing issues.

City and University Collaborate on Safety Issues

2009-08-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

Artisan Day at the Farmers Market

2009-07-31T08:59:00.000-07:00

This Saturday the University Community Farmers Market on the UB South Campus will get a bit bigger as we host Artisan Day, August's special event, one of five on the first Saturday of the month during the market season. Artisan Day will feature some crafters and local artists from 9:00am - 1:00pm. The market begins each week at 8:00am on Main Street at Kenmore Avenue.

Some of the vendors include Green Dog Biscuits, a local company that makes natural dog treats of organic ingredients. Also in attendance will be Erin Bellavia who does calligraphy and paper crafts.

You will be able to find jewelry this weekend too, compliments of Dana Saylor Designs. Her custom pieces for weddings, every day or special occasions are made with Swarovski crystal.

Clay and pottery fans can shop from Clayguys, who make polymer clay embellished items such as kitchen serving utensils, salt & pepper shakers, pie servers, and some hand built jewelery which is also made with polymer clay.

Regular vendors include Independence Hill produce, jellies, jams and canned goods; McHenry Produce, Kate's Country Cousins; Pasta Temptations; Sweet Greek; and Heaven's Gift Just for You. The market is located on the South Campus on Main Street at Kenmore Avenue. Free parking is available in the Main-Bailey parking lot right next to the market.

The market is each Saturday through October 17. Contact UB Community Relations for more information at 829-3099.

Improving safety, life in the Heights

2009-07-31T05:29:00.001-07:00

Improving safety, life in the Heights

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Garden Walk Highlights

2009-07-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday the neighbors living around the UB South Campus showcased their plants, yards and gardening skills in the 8th Annual Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk. Begun as as a way to build community among neighbors, as well as highlight gardens, the Walk had 54 participants this year.

Thank you to all of our neighbors who spent the day opening their yards and sharing their gardening tips. Below are some photos, the rest can be found on the YourUB flickr site.

Here is a backyard on Heath Street.

A young but thriving garden on Deveraux.

Some garden walkers enjoy the colors on Niagara Falls Boulevard.

Here is an audio slideshow from Douglas Levere, A UB photographer.

Any garden within the neighborhoods surrounding the UB South Campus is eligible to participate. Volunteers are invited to help plan the event each year. For more information on the Capen Garden Walk, contact UB Community Relations at 716-829-3099.

Teen held in killing of UB graduate : Buffalo/Erie County : The Buffalo News

2009-07-24T12:06:00.001-07:00

Teen held in killing of UB graduate : Buffalo/Erie County : The Buffalo News

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BPO to Play at UB Tonight

2009-07-21T07:38:00.000-07:00

Tonight UB will launch its third season of UB on the Green, a free outdoor performance series held on the South (Main Street) Campus, with a performance by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

UB on the Green's free music and dance performances will be held from 6-8 p.m. on July 21, July 28 and Aug 4 on the Hayes Hall front lawn. In addition to all-ages entertainment, the series is designed to educate, as well as entertain, with interactive demonstrations and other hands-on activities that are fun for the whole family.

Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic, lawn chairs and blankets. Light refreshments will be available for sale. UB on the Green is an alcohol-free, family-friendly event.

"UB on the Green is an opportunity to bring the community and university together for more than just good entertainment," said Vincent D. Clark, director of UB Community Relations. "This event provides opportunities for residents to organize and keep our neighborhoods strong by joining a block club or neighborhood watch, attending a safety training or participating in other neighborhood associations."

Designed to showcase the university's resources, as well, the series also will include participation by the UB pediatric dental clinics, the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the UB Anderson Gallery, as well as other local community organizations.

The series will begin on July 21 with a program of light classics by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by Paul Ferington, it is the orchestra's first return to the South Campus for an outdoor concert since 1997, when Ferington conducted a post-Fourth of July show.

Local musician Neville Francis and his band, The Riddim Posse will headline the July 28 program, which also will include The Budos Band, a Brooklyn group with a jazz, afro-beat and soul sound.

The series will end on Aug. 4 with Taylor Made Jazz, a local award-winning group, and Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, known for its appeal to diverse audiences.

For more information about UB on the Green, contact the UB Office of Community Relations at 716-829-3099.

Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk this Saturday

2009-07-16T13:23:00.001-07:00

Come out to see the beauty in the South Campus neighborhoods this weekend at the 8th annual Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk, scheduled on Saturday from 11:00am - 4:00pm.

Fifty four gardeners will be home to talk with you about their gardens, which are filled with art, ponds, arbors and many more surprises.

Maps for the walk are available from 8:00am - 1:00pm at the University Community Farmers Market and from 11:00am - 4:00pm at the following houses: 22 Larchmont Rd, 38 Brinton St, 135 and 405 Capen Blvd and 67 Highgate. Maps are available Friday at 101 Allen Hall from 9:00am - 5:00pm.

This year’s walk will showcase gardens with a variety of attractions, including fish ponds and other water features, sculptures, gazebos, organic and native plants in Japanese, English and Cottage-style garden designs. Other gardens are entirely grassless or center around rock and boulder elements.

This year, attendees can get a Garden Walk passport, where they will visit gardens and collect the password at each house. Then they can enter the passport into a drawing to win a prize. Passports will also be available with the maps.

The Capen Garden Walk is coordinated in collaboration with the UB Office of Community Relations, the University Heights Collaborative and the Eggertsville Community Organization. Its mission is to showcase the neighborhoods surrounding the UB South Campus while building community among neighbors.

Clark Hall- Fitness in the Heights!

2009-07-15T06:15:00.000-07:00

Clark Hall, located on UB’s South Campus, provides UB and University Heights with an extensive fitness and recreation center. The amenities provided include 3 full-court basketball courts, 3 volleyball courts, 3 badminton courts, a multipurpose gym with tartan surface, a dance studio with a wooden floor, 3 racquetball/squash courts, a wrestling room, a weight room, an abs/cardio room, showers, locker room, and a 25 meter swimming pool for the full-body workout. The Fitness Center at Clark Hall features Nautilus and Cybex selectorized equipment for the person desiring this type of workout. In addition, the Clark facility is fitted with a Heartline Jungle Gym, free weights, benches and a variety of cardiovascular equipment.

Using Clark’s facilities is more affordable than most health clubs, with only a $20 monthly, or $189 yearly fee for University Heights neighbors and other community members. This price also includes access to the facilities on North Campus’ Alumni Arena. Various programs and training classes are also offered for an additional fee.

Visit Clark Hall today to begin a healthier, more active life!

Planning blunder doomed Main Street trees : City & Region : The Buffalo News

2009-07-10T06:07:00.001-07:00

Buffalo News looks at the problems with the Main St. Mmedians.Planning blunder doomed Main Street trees : City & Region : The Buffalo News

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Buffalo News Feature Story

2009-06-12T06:16:00.000-07:00

Donn Esmonde: University Heights needs UB to step up

The recent rash of violence around UB’s South Campus brought it all back for me: the school’s broken promise over the last decade to invest in —and to stabilize—the surrounding University Heights neighborhood.

If anything should spur UB to revisit the plan, it is last month’s shooting death of model student Javon Jackson the night after his graduation.

Banks, corporations and politicians in the mid-1990s were in place with UB to buy, renovate and resell more than 100 homes. UB never pulled the trigger.

The idea was to retrace the footprint that UB had in the ’70s, when it owned many houses—and had its campus police station—on nearby Winspear Avenue. Then-President Bill Greiner of UB abandoned a limp ’90s housing effort after redoing a half-dozen homes—at the same time UB was building reams of student housing at its isolated North Campus in Amherst.

Activists hoped that new President John Simpson’s UB 2020 plan would include a University Heights housing piece. Instead, it was the missing piece of a worthy 2020 vision that will—among other things—deepen the university’s downtown footprint and buck up its South Campus academics. But it does little to deal with the fraying University Heights neighborhood and the glut of absentee landlords and trolling street thugs.

Dozens of urban colleges—as close as Canisius and as distant as USC—extended their reach into surrounding streets. Whether fueled by altruism or self-interest, it makes sense for schools to reach into neighborhood housing—for student safety, and to avoid the enrollment- killing reputation that crime brings.

Police say crime in University Heights is down. But the last year saw several high-profile student rapes and beatings, a homeowner’s shooting and— last month—the shooting death of Jackson and a UB student’s brother.

Jackson’s tragedy should prompt UB officials to stop dipping their toe into the neighborhood and dive in. A similar tragedy prompted Milwaukee’s Marquette University to get off the dime a decade ago. Half steps such as UB’s employee housing incentives and task forces do not get it done.

“It was the right thing to do back then,” said Kevin Helfer, “and it is the right thing to do now. . . . I think it should be part of their core mission.”

As University Heights member of the Common Council in the ’90s, Helfer helped to craft the buy-rehab-sell housing plan that UB never launched. He said that it “would not be that hard” for UB to do it. Neighborhood residents have bought and rehabbed a handful of houses, but nothing on the scale UB could bring. Along with building a city at the Amherst campus, UB could prop up the one that already exists along Main Street.

“It is in their self-interest to stabilize the neighborhood,” Helfer said. “If they do not invest in the community and the housing stock, what we have now will just perpetuate. . . . Think of where we would be now if they had [started] 15 years ago.”

The lack of UB-controlled housing did not cause the recent violence. But stable neighborhoods smother crime.

UB’s vice president for student affairs, Dennis Black, said the focus is on adding to the mature mix of grad students and faculty in University Heights.

“I don’t know of much conversation going on [at UB] about us getting back into the buy-rehab-sell business,” Black said. “There is not much talk of us as a developer.”

Maybe it is time for the talk to start. The neighborhood—and its problems— are not going away. Unless UB finally decides to step beyond the fence, I think the next 15 years will look a lot like the last 15.

desmonde@buffnews.com

UB Community Service Day with Brush Up Buffalo

2009-06-11T10:35:00.000-07:00

As part of the University at Buffalo’s inaugural UB Community Service Day on Saturday, June 20, the university will participate in Brush Up Buffalo 2009. All community members, faculty, staff, students, and alumni are encouraged to volunteer.

Founded in 1996, Brush Up Buffalo is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that organizes an annual event to repaint about 10 to 15 low-income, single-family, owner-occupied homes and revitalize city neighborhoods. This year’s event takes place in the University District, directly south of the UB South Campus. The University at Buffalo is proud to be a key sponsor.

Registration for Brush Up Buffalo 2009 is simple and can be done on the Brush Up Buffalo web site. You will be asked to include your name, e-mail, phone number, t-shirt size, and lunch preference.

About 500 volunteers from across the region are expected to participate this year and the organization hopes to repaint approximately 15 homes. More homes may be painted if additional volunteers register. There is no cost to participate, but volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.

All Brush Up Buffalo volunteers will meet at the UB South Campus beginning at 7:30 a.m. Parking is in the Diefendorf Lot off Sherman Road at Bailey Avenue. Buses are provided to transport volunteer teams to and from houses. Each volunteer will receive breakfast, refreshments on-site at the houses, a Brush Up Buffalo t-shirt, and lunch back at the UB South Campus.

With 30 to 40 volunteers assigned to each house, the painting takes about three to four hours to complete. Most volunteers are finished with the entire day by 1:00 p.m. Most supplies are provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring extra ladders if possible. No painting experience is necessary, and union painters will be at each house to provide assistance.

Please consider taking part in this unique opportunity to volunteer with friends and neighbors to help beautify the neighborhood.

Be in the Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk

2009-06-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

The Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk has been a University Heights tradition since 2002, created to showcase the neighborhoods surrounding the UB South Campus, including University Heights & Eggertsville, while building community among neighbors. It is a joint initiative between the University at Buffalo and local neighborhood partners and is held rain or shine.

At this time we are receiving entry forms to participate in the walk. There is no fee to enter a garden in the walk and no garden is too small! This event is part of the University and community’s larger efforts of making the neighborhoods surrounding the South Campus an exciting, safe and vibrant place to live, work and play.

The walk itself will be on Saturday July 18th from 11:00am - 4:00pm. Maps will be available at the University Community Farmers Market on the South Campus on Main Street at Kenmore Avenue from 8:00am - 1:00pm. They will also available at 22 Larchmont Rd; 135 and 405 Capen Blvd; and 67 Highgate Ave during the walk hours from 11:00am – 4:00pm.

All participants will be invited to a pre-event gathering on Friday July 17 in the neighborhood to meet other gardeners and pick up maps and your signs for the walk. Location and time will be distributed upon your confirmation of participation.

All participants are invited to leave their signs up on Sunday July 19 so you can see the other gardens on the walk.

Contact UB Community Relations for more information and an entry form at 829-3099. See photos from the Garden Walk here. Photo by Nancy J. Parisi.

Police Make Arrest in the Javon Jackson Murder

2009-05-28T04:32:00.000-07:00

From the Buffalo News

Updated: 05/28/09 07:37 AM
Amherst man held in slaying of UB grad
By Lou Michel
NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Theresa Williams can hardly believe it.

On Wednesday, she learned Buffalo police charged a young man with killing her son only hours after he had graduated from the University at Buffalo a little more than two weeks ago.

The Bronx woman also found out that day that earlier this week one of her son’s roommates was fatally gunned down while visiting a woman in an Amherst apartment.

It’s a lot to absorb in one day, but Williams says she is certain justice will now come to pass for her son, Javon R. Jackson, with the arrest of Da- Mario Cordelius, 20, of Amherst.

Cordelius is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Jackson, 23, who was out celebrating his graduation from UB after earning a degree in electrical engineering.

“He [Cordelius] has taken something from me that I can never replace, but my son will have justice. I am suffering,” Williams told The Buffalo News in a telephone interview from her home.

Any satisfaction that police scored an arrest was tempered by news that 21-year-old Jesse Garnett had been killed Monday night in an unrelated case. The killer remains at large.

“The pain and irony of these two young men who lived under the same roof is unbelievable,” Williams said. “I had the opportunity to meet Jesse. Javon introduced me to him. This makes me feel Javon now has been reunited with a friend in his new life in heaven.”

The break in the Jackson case was announced late Wednesday afternoon by city officials who gathered at the corner of Main Street and Lisbon Avenue, a short distance from the May 10 crime scene.

Mayor Byron W. Brown and Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson, accompanied by homicide detectives and city and UB police officers, said the arrest was the result of an intensive investigation that still continues.

While details remain sketchy on what could have provoked Cordelius to allegedly kill Jackson, Gipson said Cordelius might have been punched in the face by someone other than Jackson.

Brown said one of three video surveillance cameras operated by city police provided police with key information that helped in the arrest.

Cordelius, Gipson added, became a suspect early in the investigation based on the surveillance video and a number of interviews conducted by detectives.

Homicide detectives questioned Cordelius several times, including Wednesday morning, when he appeared in City Court to answer a summons on a criminal mischief charge. As he was questioned, Cordelius confessed to killing Jackson, police said.

Garnett’s family members Wednesday said they are shattered by his death. “We definitely all hope for [an arrest], hopefully soon,” said Richard Garnett, Jesse’s twin brother, a UB psychology major.

Police in Buffalo and Amherst say it is a tragic coincidence that two roommates would share the same violent fate in unrelated cases.

Two days after Jackson’s death, Jesse Garnett stood in Jackson’s bedroom on Lisbon Avenue as Williams packed up her dead son’s belongings. He made a public plea for better protection of UB students.

Garnett’s own words seem haunting now that he has joined Jackson on the list of recent homicides.

“What happened to Javon was just crazy. Kids can’t go out and have a good time anymore,” Garnett said that day in an interview with The News.

Garnett, who was not a UB student, explained that he had moved to Buffalo eight months ago from Yonkers to live with his twin brother. “It has to be safe for the students and anybody else,” Jesse Garnett had said. “We need more security.”

Garnett was shot several times at about 9:30 p. m. Monday in a Yale Avenue apartment east of Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst in what may have been a lover’s triangle, authorities said.

He was visiting a woman and her 2- year-old son. Amherst police described the woman as Garnett’s friend, stopping just short of saying he was her boyfriend.

Andre Ridgeway, 24, of Buffalo, has been identified as a person of interest wanted for questioning in the shooting and was an acquaintance of Garnett, according to Amherst Assistant Police Chief Timothy Green.

In what seemed a surreal replay of two weeks ago when Jackson’s parents were packing up their deceased son’s clothes and books in the Lisbon Avenue apartment, Jesse Garnett’s family, some of them immigrants from Liberia, filled that apartment Wednesday to do the same.

And, like the Jacksons, they had another grim task — making arrangements with Brian K. Lewis, the same Sycamore Street funeral director who had made arrangements to send Jackson’s remains downstate.

Burdened with grief, Garnett family members asked to be left alone while they tended to their son and nephew’s final affairs.

If the Jackson family’s grief is any type of road map of what the Garnett family will travel, they can expect a long journey.

“I still can’t imagine not coming home with my son,” Williams said from her home in the Bronx. “We were counting the minutes. Javon was so excited about completing his degree. He had never given up on it. I was calling him every day and he’d tell me, ‘Mom, I’m studying,’ or ‘I just have a few more things to do.’ ”

The grieving mother also said she remains touched by Jesse’s twin brother, Richard. “He traveled from Buffalo to New York City to be at Javon’s funeral, and I was comforted by him. That showed me the type of friends Javon was involved with,” Williams said.

And while the Garnetts declined to talk, Javon’s mother said, “I know what they are going through.”

lmichel@buffnews.com

Find this article at:
http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/685003.html

Alternative Spring Break

2009-05-17T16:58:00.000-07:00

Here is the video from this Spring's cleanup of linear park with UB students, faculty and staff and the City of Buffalo's Mayor's Impact Team.

Buffalo News Story , University Heights

2009-05-17T07:45:00.000-07:00

Below is the Buffalo News Story about crime and other issues in University Heights.
I think it is a well balanced article accurately describing the current atmosphere and concerns in the heights.
A few points about this article I'd like to point out:
1: I think bike patrols and a larger presence in the Heights by the University police is a great idea and long over due.
2: What Canisius College has done in their neighborhood is sort of a model for what UB could be doing. Yes I know there are far more students at UB, but the presence in the community and the way Canisius has bought up property and become part of the community fabric is a great thing, UB does not need to reinvent the wheel here.

Updated: 05/17/09 08:57 AM
Safety issues top agenda for South Campus neighbors
By Lou Michel and Phil Fairbanks
NEWS STAFF REPORTERS

John Proudman didn’t relish the job. His moving company had been hired to pack up Javon R. Jackson’s belongings following the murder of the University at Buffalo graduate three days earlier.
And then, it got worse.
Out of nowhere, it seemed, came a series of gunshots shattering the late morning stillness on Lisbon Avenue.
“We were sitting out in the truck, waiting for his family to arrive, when we heard three gunshots,” said Proudman, an employee of Lincoln Moving & Storage. “It was tough. I was about to leave when his mother pulled up.”
The fact that someone would use a gun in broad daylight, in the middle of what seemed to be a peaceful neighborhood, struck Proudman and his coworker as bizarre.
Unfortunately, crime is part of life for residents of University Heights, the neighborhood that surrounds one of Buffalo’s enduring economic engines, UB’s South Campus, and where off-campus students and city residents mix.
And it might be getting worse. “This is a wake-up call that UB needs to take care of its students first,” said junior Chris Scibilia, who was Jackson’s neighbor. “It’s great that the university wants to increase its standards and create thousands of jobs, but students are its legacy.”
Like it or not, muggings, assaults, burglaries and homicides are part of life in a neighborhood many consider crucial to Buffalo’s renaissance.
In the past three years, three homicides — including last Sunday’s shooting death of the 23-year-old Bronx man the day after his graduation — plus one beating so severe that a UB student was left paralyzed have occurred in the neighborhood.
No one is suggesting the Heights ranks among Buffalo’s most dangerous neighborhoods, but there is a feeling, even among longtime residents, that crime is on the rise.
“My father called after he heard about the death and told me to start applying to other colleges,” said Scibilia, a Rochester native.
Few people are as familiar with University Heights and what ails it as neighborhood activist David J. Ellerbrock.
For Ellerbrock, president of the University Heights Collaborative, the rejuvenation of his community hinges on improved public safety.
And that, he says, depends on its stakeholders — residents, students, business owners and UB employees — becoming better acquainted with each other.
“My argument is there are things we can do tomorrow to increase safety in the Heights,” Ellerbrock said. “Having those kind of connections and relationships are the essence of a true, safe and enjoyable neighborhood.”
He singled out UB, the neighborhood’s largest institution, as a player that needs to get more involved in the Heights.
“What we haven’t seen is a push on behalf of UB decision-makers to encourage UB employees who live in the neighborhood to become engaged in neighborhood revitalization,” Ellerbrock said.
He praised UB President John B. Simpson for his UB 2020 initiative, which aims to increase the student population by 10,000 and increase faculty and staff by 2,500.
But once the infrastructure and jobs are in place, Ellerbrock says, he wants to know “how that changes the culture here in the Heights.”
Jackson’s death, he added, will provide a further test “of UB’s leadership in this community.” Ellerbrock thinks a good first step would be the addition of more police patrols by either the city or the university in the neighborhood around UB.
City police say they had increased patrols prior to Jackson’s killing.
But residents and students say an even greater effort is needed and point to UB for help.
UB’s 61-member police force does patrol the campus and the streets on its perimeter, but it does not go into the neighborhoods around the campus.
Should that change?
“It’s a possibility, and we’re considering all options,” said UB Police Chief Gerald W. Schoenle Jr.
At a meeting held last week, city and university officials discussed expanding UB’s presence on Main Street and adding more surveillance cameras to the area. The meeting was held at the direction of Simpson and Mayor Byron W. Brown.
“Where are the crowds? Where are the issues? On Main Street,” said Dennis R. Black, UB’s vice president for student affairs. “We want to increase our visibility on Main Street.”
One improvement might be UB police officers on foot and bicycle patrols along Main.
“We’re talking about getting out of the cars,” Black said.
The university also might expand its use of surveillance cameras. UB has three cameras operating now, including one that may have provided police information about the Jackson shooting.
Black also noted that the first officer on the scene at last Sunday’s shooting was a UB police officer.
At Canisius College, farther south on Main Street, 25 public safety officers routinely patrol the streets surrounding the college where students live in off-campus housing.
“We go into the neighborhoods where our students reside. We’re New York Statesworn peace officers, and that gives us the ability to make arrests on and off campus,” said Gary M. Everett, the college’s public safety director. “We have a highly visible patrol force, and everyone notices it, including the bad guys.”
Unlike UB’s South Campus, with its close proximity to nightspots on Main Street — which sometimes fuel alcohol-related crimes — Canisius does not have a nearby nightlife district.
But, to be sure, Canisius students are not immune to neighborhood crimes.
“People do get mugged and robbed,” senior Peter Leoni said. “We get e-mails informing us of the crimes.”
Schoenle thinks it’s unfair to compare Canisius with its approximately 3,400 students to UB, the biggest school in the State University of New York system, with 28,000 students.
And while not discussing the Jackson homicide directly, Schoenle said, “An incident like that could have happened anywhere.”
The possibility that UB and Buffalo police might jointly patrol Main Street is the kind of police initiative that Michael K. Clarke, a neighborhood development expert, thinks is needed in the Heights.
“Greater collaboration between various police agencies is essential to give people the feeling of safety they need to invest and live in the neighborhood,” said Clarke, executive director of the Local Initiatives Support Corp. in Buffalo.
Clarke is quick to note that crime is not the only challenge chewing away at the Heights’ foundation.
“You have undergraduates moving away from the neighborhood, living in university apartments on or near the North Campus in Amherst, and the lowering of income and economic potential over the years,” said Clarke.
Yet, he sees at least one important bright spot: Heights residents want to preserve their neighborhood.
He pointed to members of the Collaborative, St. Joseph University Catholic Church, Gloria J. Parks Community Center and the local business community on Main Street.
“They understand that the perception of the neighborhood is [that it is] unsafe and undermines their efforts,” he said.
No one has to tell John Proudman about perceptions. The three gun shots he heard in broad daylight last week are proof enough for him.

lmichel@buffnews.com and pfairbanks@buffnews.com

A dialogue needs to start

2009-05-16T09:49:00.001-07:00

What exactly is UB's relationship to University Heights?
Below is a letter written by Scott Ries that sums up nicely how most residents and students living in the Heights feel towards UB.
With escalating crime and the tragic cold blooded murder of this bright young graduate, the resentment towards UB is reaching critical mass. I encourage all parties involved to start talking and start addressing the issues that plague the Heights.

"It’s May 10th, the day Javon Jackson was shot and killed on Main Street, near UB’s South Campus.

Buffalonews.com quotes Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson, presumably in response to a question about the surveillance near where the shooting occurred: “We are in the process of examining the tape to see if there is any usable information from the cameras. Of course, you’re dealing with ambient light and nighttime. The best information, of course, would be an eyewitness account.”

Such an admission makes clear that Gipson’s lobbying for the $4.4 million installment of the cameras in 2007 was badly misguided. Ambient light and nighttime, I assume, are common conditions for crime scenes, especially the armed and violent crimes for which University Heights has become notorious. If the cameras function preventatively (panopticism: if the surveilled believes himself watched, he will not misbehave), they simply do not work. If anyone was foolish enough to believe they were being watched, Gipson himself will now have convinced them otherwise. The “information” the footage might present is obviously visually problematic, and, as Gipson implies, not actively monitored. And again, if the cameras are intended as an aid to enforcement, what good is such footage?

The tragedy of Jackson’s murder makes clear in the very worst way the problems in University Heights and of the relationship of the University to the city as a whole. While I cannot claim that this was Jackson’s situation, many University students arrive to Buffalo with the promise of cheap rent and proximity to UB’s badly located two main campuses. When I moved to Buffalo to begin my master’s degree in 2007, my first apartment was on Lisbon Avenue, where Jackson lived as well, according to the Buffalo News. My landlord lived in Brooklyn, did not maintain the property, and charged an exorbitant rent when I moved out. In April 2008 I was robbed at gunpoint not a block from where today’s incident occurred.

I see a direct connection between the location of the University and its relationship to the city and the crimes that all too commonly occur there. (The Answer Lady’s blog at buffalowatch.blogspot.com provides a detailed list.) The University provides very little guidance as far as off-campus housing, and its direct influence on the area around South Campus seems to be little more than the opportunity for students to export money to irresponsible landlords and to provide an image of class division with its location atop the green hill.

These are very high-level problems for which there is no simple solution; the location of South Campus maintains a social and class division and a tension as palpable as the visual separation between Crosby Hall and the Tops Plaza across Main Street. The locations that the University chose are fatally unfortunate. The location is not the problem to be solved. It is absolutely essential, in the thrust to UB2020, that the University address its situation to the surrounding community.

It is not solved by romanticizing an alumnus’ murder. How many students are the victims of violent crimes in the Heights? This is an important question, one to which the University as a research institute must address its efforts, but the University should not remain selfish to its effects. What precisely is the University’s role with its community at the bottom of the hill, and much more importantly, how will it resolve the tensions its locations commonly (if not, perhaps in the present situation) cause, perpetuate, or ignore, and the violent crimes by which these tensions manifest themselves?

Something is very wrong in the Heights. Cameras that are meant to be seen more than to see are not the solution. The University’s position atop the hill compounds the problem. The city and the University are not responsible for Javon Jackson’s murder, but they must address their impact on the concentration of crime in University Heights. It is too late; UB must, however, address its responsibility in fostering a healthy community, both in proximate neighborhoods and with Buffalo as a whole. President John B. Simpson’s assertion, coordinated with UB’s purchase of three security cameras in the Heights at $80,000, that the University “will continue to take a leadership role in improving safety and behavior in the neighborhood,” (according to the UB News Center) is simply not enough. How can UB and the Buffalo Police, no administrative strangers, contribute to a healthier Buffalo community?

Scott Ries
Buffalo "

University District - Home to the Best Buffalo has to offer!

2009-05-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

Artvoice has published their annual
"Best of Buffalo" winners and the University neighborhood had winners in several of the categories!

Late Nite Eats
Jim’s SteakOut

Best Sub
Jim’s SteakOut

Best Middle Eastern
Falafel Bar

Best CD/Record Store
Record Theater

Best Book Store
Talking Leaves

Best Vegetarian
Amy’s Place

Best Diner
Lake Effect Diner

Congratulations all!

Thanking the Police

2009-04-23T13:57:00.000-07:00

The Montrose Avenue Block Club sponsored a Buffalo Police E District Appreciation day to thank the Police for all that they do. Chief Young and his staff welcomed over a dozen local residents to the police station along with Councilmember Bonnie Russell.

Cleaning Up

2009-04-19T11:53:00.000-07:00

Students from the University at Buffalo and St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute paired up with neighborhood resident and President of the University Heights Collaborative Dave Ellerbrock to clean up litter throughout the neighborhood. The volunteers hit streets between Englewood and Main& Kenmore, filling up close to ten large sized trash bags.

The effort, part of an ongoing joint undertaking between the University and the community. If you would like to volunteer and work with other volunteers to clean up your streets, contact the University at 829-3541.

Buffalo Rising In the University District

2009-04-18T18:41:00.000-07:00

Buffalo Rising did a nice article on a collaborative effort of Councilmember Russell , the Phoenix Community Computer Lab at the New Testament Revival Cathedral on Kensington and the University at Buffalo.

University Police Detail

2009-04-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

Neighbors,

Good news here. The other week, the Buffalo Common Council had some budget votes that would have forced the loss of the Buffalo Police District E’s university special detail. After the Common Council votes, Councilmember Russell discussed loss of the university detail with Deputy Commissioner Dan Derenda. He agreed to reinstate the detail.

For those new to the University Heights Collaborative or the University Heights blog, the BPD university detail specifically patrols the residential streets of south campus at night for large student house parties, and the like. It was formed by District E Chief Young last summer as a result of our community meetings with him and Commissioner Gipson. It is a law enforcement tool the UHC is counting on to deepen the solutions to the neighborhood problems. Information on student-related /arrests are communicated to UB by BPD. Last year, UB suspended 30 students for unacceptable off-campus behavior. Some of these incidents were reported by residents (good job!).

As the weather warms, the loud student parties are sure to return, so we all need to do OUR part by continuing to call 911 for any out-of-control behavior. Also, speaking with your neighbors about holding neighborhood watch training with Officer Losi is important. The Collaborative will assist you arrange that. Feel free to reply to this email if you are interested in learning more! “Thank you!” to the Northrup, Winspear, Lisbon and Highgate folks for arranging a neighborhood watch training next week.

It is important that the neighborhood watches/block clubs be setup on each street to change the neighborhood. Talk to any law enforcement person or district attorney and they will tell you a NW has the most impact on crime and safety. Neighborhood watches are a very COST EFFECTIVE way for taxpayers to help local police. Perpwork can take a tremendous amount of time, but it is much easier if the residents know their street. We should be aware of this since the city budget will likely be strained in the future, and cuts to the police department are an issue that surely will not go away. We need to rely on the police just as much as they need to rely on us.

Captain Stabler, who is in charge of the university detail, says that District E morale is high because the officers are seeing results of their work.
David Ellerbrock

Talking Leaves Books

2009-04-01T06:14:00.000-07:00

Talking Leaves Books
3158 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214
(716)837-8554

Buffalo’s Oldest Independent Bookstore!

Talking Leaves Books, located on Main Street in the Heights, has been a Buffalo owned and operated bookstore since 1971. Talking Leaves prides itself in providing not only mainstream literature, but a “distinctive and unusual” selection of the finest reading available. They also provide a section for UB course readings, children’s books, and a large assortment of magazines unavailable elsewhere. Be sure to stop in and browse their overstocked shelves, you’re bound to find something you like!

Two Interesting Articles on University Communities and the Economy

2009-03-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

Kelly Evans writes in the Wall Street Journal that college towns continue to be regarded as recession-resistant even during this global economic down-turn. Those college towns who are surviving especially well are the major education centers and those areas with regional education based health-care centers. Colleges and college towns are experiencing some of the similar budget woes as the rest of the country, but, unemployment rates in college towns like Ames, Iowa; Logan, Utah; Morgantown, WV; Iowa City, Iowa; Manhattan, KS; and Lafayette, LA rank among the lowest unemployment rates in the country.

A "factor helping college towns: 'communiversity,' the current term for partnerships between universities and their home cities, such as joint economic development projects. The trend also reflects a shift in education to increasingly emphasize out-of-classroom learning, such as internships and volunteer work that by definition engages the community, according to Sal Rinella, president of the Society for College and University Planning in Los Angeles. 'We could actually call these town-gown partnerships a kind of new movement in American higher education,' he says. 'In the last 20 years or so, the boundaries between the cities and the universities have really begun to crumble'."

Forbes magazine added that they often
rank College Towns high on the FORBES' list of Best Places for Business and Careers. In fact,half of this year's top ten metros host big schools.Austin,Tex., Raleigh and Durham, N.C., Boulder, Colo. and Madison, Wis. all added jobs in the recession years of 1991 and 2001.Unfortunately, 2009 may present added difficulties to ALL, including college towns and for these, just breaking even with jobs and business will be a success.

Organized Religion

2009-03-24T13:31:00.000-07:00

Within a short walk of the University at Buffalo’s South Campus you can find yourself on the doorstep of several different places of worship.

Here is the rundown, in no particular order:

St. Joseph’s University Roman Catholic Church, 3269 Main Street
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 3107 Main Street
University Presbyterian Church, 3334 Main Street
Chabad House of Buffalo, 3288 Main Street
Saints Home Church, 336 Winspear
United Methodist Church, 410 Minnesota
Bailey Avenue AME Zion Church, 3296 Bailey Avenue
Cornerstone Community Methodist Church, 49 Capen
New Bethel Community Church, 175 Englewood
Cathedral of Praise, 3189 Main Street
And two quick stops down the subway will drop you in front of the Islamic Society of the Niagara Frontier, at 40 Parker Avenue at the corner of Amherst Street.
Indeed organized religion is alive and well here in the University District. Tell us where you worship and we can add the location to the list.

Get Involved in Our Neighborhood Events

2009-03-19T14:13:00.000-07:00

Here is your chance to get involved in two of our neighborhood activities, the Farmers Market and the Capen Garden Walk.

This Monday, March 23 at 6:00pm will be a committee meeting for the Samuel P. Capen Garden Walk. If you like to garden, and are interested in helping with this year’s event, please come to the meeting and bring your ideas. See photos of the Garden Walk here.

Tuesday, March 24 at 6:00pm will be a committee meeting for the University Community Farmers Market which runs Saturdays from May to October on the UB South Campus. The market is a great community social event, please come get involved.

Both meetings will be held in the conference room in 101 Allen Hall, which is the 2-story glass building right across from Tim Horton’s. Parking is free and available next to the building in either lot.

All are welcome. RSVP with Jessica Biegaj in Community Relations at 829-6145 or jbiegaj@buffalo.edu. We look forward to seeing you there.

Photos by Nancy J. Parisi and UB International Admissions.

Request to Mayor for more Police in the Heights

2009-03-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Honorable Byron Brown
Mayor of the City of Buffalo
201 City Hall
Buffalo, NY 14202

11 March 2008

Dear Mayor Brown;

On behalf of the University Heights Collaborative and St. Joseph University Parish VOICE, two groups of residents addressing various quality of life issues, we are writing to request four specific actions of City Hall and District E Buffalo Police.

As you are aware, the University Heights area has a high concentration of University at Buffalo students and out-of-town landlords. University student house parties that spill onto residential streets, and teenage parties at Linear Park, have been chronic issues that distress homeowners and other students. Rental houses are in abundance along Merrimac, Englewood, and Heath Streets. Significantly, the teenage parties at Linear Park often involve fires, loud music, and drug use/dealing, beginning as early as 3PM when school lets out. Guns have been carried in the open, brandished to pedestrians, and assaults have occurred. I am pleased to inform you the our groups are currently working together with UB and the NFTA Police to address these issues as the weather turns warmer this April and May. We are doing our part, and will do more.

However, a combined approach to these problems is critical, and involves increased law enforcement help from City Hall to ensure a complete and long-lasting solution. The four requests we have are:

A) An increase in the number of Buffalo Police officers deployed in our neighborhood west of Main Street and along Linear Park. We understand the new class of recruits will graduate from the police academy this summer. An overall visible increase in regular police patrols, where residents can get to know the officers in our community, will provide a sense that City Hall has not abandoned University Heights.

B) A stepped-up commitment by City Hall to enforce quality of life "crimes and misdemeanors" activity. We believe that this effort was a campaign promise of yours, and has been successful most recently on Chippewa, for example. Different City departments may be engaged, specifically with task-force sweeps, to address theft and drug-related crimes.

C) A collaborative strategy that increases police presence during peak party times such as recently on Chippewa. At a minimum, focus should be given to Thursday through Saturday nights during the months of April, May, September and October, when students return for classes. Our groups have been communicating with University at Buffalo Police Department on a strategy as well.

D.) A specific strategy that streamlines City Police and University at Buffalo Police Departments’ responses to calls. It is our understanding that there are delays in sending calls to UB Police depending on call frequency. UB Police should be able to respond directly to 911 calls without Buffalo Police being an intermediary.

In the past year, you and Commissioner Gipson met with three churches and residents on the West Side with positive results. A similar meeting with you was called approximately 18 months ago by Councilmember Russell. A new meeting in University Heights would be timely as our groups focus on neighborhood watch activities and other projects.

Finally, Heights residents are encouraged by the University’s UB2020 plans for growth of students and faculty in our community. Main Street is a gateway entrance to both the South Campus and the City that we are proud of. The University Heights Collaborative and St. Joseph University VOICE realize our members must be engaged with other shareholders to make our community attractive and safe for these new homeowners and quality students – a vibrant community where people desire to be at all hours. We look forward to your involvement as well. Thank you for your efforts regarding these matters.

Sincerely,

David Ellerbrock, Ph.D. Robert Heffern
President President
University Heights Collaborative St. Josephs University Parish VOICE

Three-Step Procedure for Obtaining Police Response to Emergency & Neighborhood Nuisance Behavior

2009-03-13T11:40:00.000-07:00

Build your neighborhood! Remember that the best way to build a quiet, civil neighborhood is to know your neighbors before any incidents occur. Everyone will proactively be more responsible for the neighborhood this way, and have direct influence on quality of life. If you have already spoken with your neighbor and they do not respond positively, then the following steps may be taken:

1. Call 911. State the complaint clearly and with descriptions.

The purpose of this step is to ensure your complaint is formally registered. The 911 system is run by Erie County, not the City of Buffalo, and the City prioritizes all calls. Student partying/loud neighbors/drunken neighbors usually are a lower priority than emergencies. This step may result in the police coming to your aid quickly, but emergencies elsewhere in the district may be happening.

2. Call the District E Station (851-4416), and ask to speak to the Lieutenant on duty and ask them to request help from University Police officers.

The purpose of this step is to contact the Buffalo Police directly. A Lieutenant may not be available since they are on patrol. If not available, ask that a Lieutenant be contacted regarding the disturbance.

Note that only the Buffalo Police Lieutenant has the authority to request help from University at Buffalo Police officers. This authority is outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding between UBP and BPD.

!! It is critical you call 911 first, since even District E personnel need to call 911 if you do not! Calls are logged into CitiStat and will eventually be addressed. !!

If there is no response to an emergency situation quickly, then call 911 and District E again. Nuisance behaviors may take longer.

3. Involve Office of Student Affairs & Office of Community Relations at UB.

If the problem is being caused by UB students, then record the address, time, how many students, if people are coming and going from the address, in what direction are they leaving, etc. License plate numbers are helpful. This information may be reported to Mary Clare Fahey at UB’s Off-Campus Services - mcfahey@buffalo.edu or 829-2493. Finally, follow-up the incident at the next Problem Properties Task Force meeting (contact UB Office of Community Relations at 823-3099 or 829-3524 for date of next meeting). The PPTF can engage City Inspections. Inform other neighbors of the incident and get them organized in a neighborhood watch or block club. The UHC can assist with this.
____________________________________________________________________________________
For Crime and Drug Activity
Call the Confidential Tip Line at 847-2255. Tips go to the top of District E for review. Do not expect a follow-up call regarding progress. Crimes and tips may also be reported over email at: http://www.bpdny.org/Home/Services/Report .
____________________________________________________________________________________
For Problems on NFTA Property
Call 911, and then the NFTA Dispatch at 855-6405.
____________________________________________________________________________________
*Nuisance behavior includes loud student parties, speeding, fighting, underage drinking, drug activity, public intoxication, drunk driving, etc.

Report Housing Violations Online

2009-03-10T16:53:00.000-07:00

Sick of spending your lunch hour on the phone requesting to have a tree removed? The City of Buffalo 311 Call and Resolution Center provides citizens with fast, centralized access to city services. Register complaints, get information, and access non-emergency police services. When appropriate, a Reference Number will be assigned to your request so that you can track its progress. There are two easy ways to reach us:

Call 311 or (716) 851-4890. The Call Center hours are posted to the right. During periods when the Center is closed, you can leave a voice-mail message. Or even better —

Online from their web page anytime!

University Height Collaborative

2009-03-09T06:38:00.000-07:00

The University Heights Collaborative (UHC) is a community-based group of residents and other interested people working together to maintain and enhance the quality of life for all in our neighborhood. We have been doing this by establishing neighborhood watches on each street. This strategy empowers the residents to address issues immediately arond them. Our committees include: Beautification, Business Involvement, Communication, Crime & Safety, and Landlord Outreach. We work with residents, property owners, University at Buffalo staff and students, law enforcement officers, business owners, our elected officials, and other community leaders in order to coordinate resources and co-create our future.

Buffalo’s Favorite Mediterranean Eatery Sets up Shop in the Heights

2009-03-03T10:57:00.001-08:00

The Falafel Bar
3476 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214
(716)831-3822

The owners of the Falafel Bar in the Elmwood Village and Allentown have chosen University Heights for their latest location. Occupying a small, unassuming storefront on Main Street across from UB South Campus, this fresh new restaurant brings a Mediterranean vibe to the neighborhood. All food is authentically homemade using local Buffalo markets like Guercio’s for their ingredients as well as delicacies imported from Lebanon and Toronto. Reasonably priced menu offers falafel, hummus, soups, maza, salads, souvlaki, platters, wraps, desserts, and a kid’s menu. Dine in or take out, they are open from 11am-10pm every day except Sunday when their hours are between noon and 8 p.m.

Award Winning Indie Films in an Old Time Theater

2009-03-03T10:35:00.000-08:00

Amherst Theater
3500 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14226
(716)834-7655

The Amherst Theater, located at 3500 Main Street in the University Plaza, offers a unique selection of critically acclaimed independent films. One of three locally owned and operated theaters, the Amherst is a great source of culture for film afficionados. The movies are selected by a New York City film booker and can usually only be seen locally at the Amherst Theater. The theater itself is a throwback to the ‘50’s from the neon marquee to the real butter used in their popcorn. There are usually only 3 films playing at a given time due to there only being 3 screens, adding an endearing quality to the theater that is lost in modern cinemas. It’s location across from UB South is ideal for Heights residents, UB south dormers, or North Campus dormers taking the Stampede. Students pay $7 at all times except Tuesdays when all films cost only $6.50. Use the link above to see what films are currently playing and be sure to make it over for a one of a kind movie experience!

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