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

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

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

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"

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

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

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

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

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

Buffalo Rising on "University Slope"

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

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

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"

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

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

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

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