South Buffalo Blogger

It was a beautiful day for a Parade. Pictures are posted in random order.

BUFFALO, N.Y., August 22, 2008 — KeyBank has significantly enhanced and revitalized its South Buffalo branch at 2157 Seneca Street in Buffalo.

The enhancements, unveiled at a ribbon cutting Tuesday, are part of a multi-year, nationwide branch revitalization program now under way at Key. By the end of 2009, several hundred branches across Key’s markets will have received technology upgrades and other features designed to enhance the overall banking experience for clients.

According to Gary Quenneville, senior vice president and head of Retail Banking for KeyBank’s Western New York District, clients will notice a number of new features at the renovated branch.

Exterior features include:
- new rooflines or facades,
- red awnings over the windows and ATMs,
- enhanced lighting and
- upgraded landscaping.

Interior features include:
- new technology that allows tellers to deliver more timely service to clients, and
- large, flat-panel video screens behind the teller areas featuring images from the local community, as well as general banking information.

Architects for the project were Zaxis and Vocon. RP Oakhill Development was the contractor.

“Our goal was to create a welcoming environment for our clients and guests that reflects the spirit of the community we serve and the solutions we offer,” Quenneville said. “Key’s branch revitalization program is a very tangible and visible _expression of our brand, as well as our broader Community Bank strategy, which includes enhancing our delivery channels and developing our employees.”

Key’s branch revitalization program reflects the continued importance of bank branches to consumers and businesses, who increasingly seek a mix of channels so that they have the flexibility to conduct their banking business when, where and how it is most convenient for them.

The 2,700 square-foot South Buffalo branch has five employees who provide a variety of services ranging from traditional retail banking, investment products and private banking to small business banking and commercial banking. The branch also features four teller stations and three employee workstations, as well as a drive-up ATM and free, onsite parking.

The City of Buffalo, in collaboration with Border Community SERVICE of Niagara University, presents:

Ready, Set, Prepare!
Tips for Personal Preparedness

September 17, 2008
7:00pm

Cazenovia Street Area Block Club
Grace Lutheran Church-174 Cazenovia Street

Presentation will run approximately 30 minutes.

Attend the Presentation and receive a free Safety “Grab & Go” Kit!

Emergencies often happen quickly and without warning. Planning ahead will help you to be ready to respond effectively to natural and man-made emergencies. This presentation will cover the basics of emergency and disaster preparedness based on the Department of Homeland Security’s “Ready America” program.

For more information contact Dana Estrada, Community Preparedness Coordinator for the City of Buffalo at 851-4299.

Additional Guest: Chief Brian Strobele - City of Buffalo Police

This is some good news to report. Various road & other infrastructure projects have been approved by the Erie County Legislature, including bridge (re)construction, and bike/pedestrian paths.

Over all, 14 projects were approved totalling $61,255,215.00 in cost (max) estimations. Of that, 10 projects had State & Federal Aid attached totalling $40,790,215.00 while $18,265,000.00 is in (Erie County) authorized bonds.

Maybe with money coming, Seneca Street might finally get some much-needed attention ….

Spaghetti Dinner & Auction Gala
Hosted by Christ Theatre Ministry

Christ Theatre Ministry (CTM) is hosting a Spaghetti Dinner and Auction Gala on Sunday, June 22, 2008 from 1 - 5 pm. The dinner will be held at Harvest House, 1782 Seneca Street in South Buffalo.

Tickets are $8.00 per person for a full dinner and $5.00 per person for a half dinner - includes salad, roll, spaghetti with meatballs, beverages and dessert. Take out is available.

This event will also feature an auction gala, with many great prizes, baskets and gift certificates. Everyone in the community is invited to enjoy the dinner, take chances on all the great prizes and meet your neighbors and the kids from CTM.

Proceeds from the spaghetti dinner and auction gala will support the staging of CTM’s next theatrical production, directly benefiting the group and influencing the lives of CTM youth in a positive way.

Ticket Information:

For advance tickets contact CTM Youth Director, Ellen O’Rourke, at 716.208.7040 or email ctm-@gmail.com. Advance tickets can also be purchased at Caz Coffee Cafe, 688 Abbott Road in South Buffalo.

This event is made possible, in part, with support from Harvest House and private donations.

How you can help: Volunteers are always welcome!
To help with the dinner please contact Sue Schmitt at 716.827.5809

To donate prizes, baskets or gift certificates for the auction please contact Kathryn Schultz at 716.824.3819

About Christ Theatre Ministry

Christ Theatre Ministry formed in the fall of 2005 with the goal of working with youth of various faiths to “teach Christ through the arts.” Last spring CTM partnered with Harvest House in South Buffalo, which provides a home base for the group to stage productions, hold special events and fundraisers and regularly meet with CTM volunteers and youth who come from many areas of Western New York.

The group has staged two major plays and is planning for a third production later this year. While the primary arts focus is theatre, another goal of CTM is to create community among young people. Youth members have opportunities to: write Christian-based, youth oriented skits; learn about stage set, sound and lighting; act, sing and dance; paint, draw and build. CTM’s youth members also participate in social outreach and build relationships with other youth, themselves and God.

Most recently CTM members began Lily’s Loft, a project designed by the youth to help other local teens by making the prom experience a joyful one. This spring they successfully fulfilled their goal in helping to supply many young women with formal dance attire without cost.

For more information and to find out how you can get involved in Christ Theatre Ministry please contact CTM Youth Director, Ellen O’Rourke, at 716.208.7040 or email ctm-@gmail.com

BUFFALO, N.Y.- (May 30, 2008)- The Jack Dononhue Memorial Scholarship Committee has announce that the 10th Annual Jack’s 5k will be the final race run in the honor of Jack Donohue. This year’s Jack’s 5k will be held on Friday, June 20th at 6:30PM. The race will once again be held in Cazenovia Park, while all pre and post race festivities will be held at Mount Mercy Academy.

The Jack’s 5k will begin once again in Cazenovia Park at 6:30pm SHARP. Race packet pick-up and pre-registration will be held at Mount Mercy Academy on Thursday, June 19th at 6pm-8pm. Long sleeve t-shirts will be given to the first 500 registrants; the cost will be $16 for all pre-registered runners and $18 for day of race registrants. Applications can be obtained at www.jacks5k.com or at Mount Mercy Academy, 88 Red Jacket, Buffalo, New York 14220. For additional information please contact Mount Mercy Academy at 825-8796, Jeff Conrad at 824-6768, or Erik Bohen at 713-5654.

Jack Donohue was the Cross County & Track coach of Mount Mercy Academy when he passed away suddenly. Jack was also a member of the 82nd Airborne, retired Ironworker for Local 6, and avid runner. “We lost Jack much too early, however this race captured his spirit and continued his efforts to give back the community loved,” said Jack’s 5k Co-Chair Jeff Conrad

This year the Jack’s 5k Committee will recognize two people who have been integral parts to Jack’s 5k and Mount Mercy Academy. The Honorary Starter for this year’s event will be Laura Finucane-Kirchgraber. Laura ran both Cross County and Track for Jack Donohue while attending Mount Mercy, coached Mount Mercy Track & Cross County, and is now the Head Coach of Army’s Women Cross Country Team.

This year’s Civic Pride Award was awarded to P.J. McParlane. P.J. has been an integral part in the setup of the Jack’s 5k since the race’s inception. P.J. recently retired from the Buffalo Park’s, Recreation, & Forestry Department after a long illustrious career. He has played a central role in many South Buffalo events such as the Irish Feis, Cazenovia Carnival, Connors-Kait-Harrity Memorial Run, Bishop Timon events, and numerous charity golf tournaments.

By: Cindyk.

While details are limited, the good news, yesterday evening the City of Buffalo Dept of Public Works announced to South Buffalo residents that installation of new concrete-based street lights would begin within a month.

By: CindyK. “Late summer” is the time frame, according to the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works.

So pictures like this:

Will have to wait a little while longer.

By: CindyK.

Councilman Mickey Kearns attended a public meeting at the Cazenovia Library yesterday evening, among the list of topics, Kearns expressed his views on the City of Buffalo using some of their “rainy day fund” to build a new police station in South Buffalo.

Reminding citizens that the A-district is the largest in the City, he talked about police presence and the “different kind of crime” like the rash of graffiti.

With a police precinct on South Park and a fire station on Seneca & Southside, his idea is to switch the locations of the two stations, putting a new precinct back on Seneca and a firehouse on South Park.

“We were promised a fire station, and I know that’s coming. We’d like to have a police station too.” Kearns stated.

Councilman Kearns noted all of the other districts in the City have new(er) police stations except the A-district, and said there is no locker room for female officers at the station on South Park.

“I know it costs a lot of money, but we [the City of Buffalo] have a $40 million rainy day fund, we have $40 million sitting in the bank, we have a record surplus, we can afford it, we deserve it. We’re the highest taxpaying district in the city and we need a new police station and fire station. I think it’s a reasonable thing to ask for.”

Having met with the fire commissioner, Kearns stated his idea was very different.

“My idea was to flip them.” Kearns believes the City can build a new station in the same spot as the old precinct that was closed about 10 years ago, with zero acquisition costs. Saying the footprint would fit.

By that meaning, build a new precinct on Seneca and construct the new firehouse on South Park. Kearns feels his idea makes sense.

“It would a tough trade off” says John S. Klukowski Sr. Cazenovia Street Area Block Club President.

“The fire station is very centralized where it is right now, it’s at Seneca Street, close to Bailey, close to the 1-90, and it’s easy access to Abbott and South Park via Southside.” He noted.

“A police station on Seneca was always central to South Buffalo. When the precinct house was closed, it was the biggest down-turn for Seneca Street.” He added.

Having a police station back on Seneca would definitely turn the area back around, Klukowski stated.

The Grace Lutheran Church, 174 Cazenovia Street, will host a Chivetta’s Chicken Dinner on Saturday, May 31st.

The cost, pre-sale $6.50 ~ $7.00 at the door

proceeds to benefit kids going to camp.

For more information, contact the Grace Lutheran Church: (716)822-0553