Challenger Community News

NATIONAL: Hester Ford Takes Title of Oldest Living Person In the United States

Page 5

December 4, 2019 | FREE |

Will We See Humboldt Park Restored in Our Lifetime?

Restore Our Community Coalition Gives State Agency Failing Grade on Redesign Presented at Community Meeting Page 3

LOCAL

Annual Christmas Wonderland & Tree Lighting Event Page 11

INSIDE ROCHESTER

Garth Fagan Dance “Home for the Holidays” Page 2

ENTERTAINMENT

Vanessa Williams:Superstar’s Local Roots Run Deep Page 10

VOICES: “The Lawrence” in the Fruit Belt Highlights What’s Wrong

With City’s Land Use, Zoning, And Development Processes Page 15

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BUFFALO, N.Y. PERMIT NO. 164

2

INSIDE ROCHESTER

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 4, 2019

WHAT’S GOING ON @ THE BAOBAB?

GARTH FAGAN DANCE: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

2019 Home Season is Dec. 11–15 at Nazareth College Arts Center

The Road to Redemption!

Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of the UNIA A presentation and discussion at The Baobab Cultural Center (728 University Ave. Rochester) with President Lion Blyden and the Garveyites of UNIA-ACL Division #433 will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the birth of the UNIA on Saturday, December 14 from 2-5 p.m.

The focus of this gathering is outreach and education on Marcus Garvey, UNIA and The Centennial of the Red Black and Green.

This event is free www.baobabcultural.org •Tuesdays Gentle Yoga series with JAMES THOMPSON, 5:45-7:45 p.m.

•Wednesdays Kwanzaa planning, 6:30 p.m.

•Fridays 12/6 Friday Film Series, Black Candle, 7 p.m.

•Saturdays Drumming with FANA BANGOURA, 9:30a.m.10:30a.m., 10:45a.m.-12:15 p.m.

•The Baobab Center 728 University Avenue Rochester, NY 14607 (585) 563-2145

Rochester’s world-renowned Garth Fagan Dance presents its exciting 2019 Home Season just in time for the holidays: December 11 – 15 at Nazareth College Arts Center (4245 East Avenue, 14618)’s Callahan Theatre.

Home for the Holidays performances are: Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 14 at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. A meetand-greet in the lobby with the entire company will follow each performance.

All six performances will also feature the Rochester premiere of Triptych, Bessie Award-winner/GFD Rehearsal Director Norwood Pennewell’s tenth piece for GFD as well as four different programs that will also include a varying mix of the following pieces:The North Star, Distant Kin, “…ING\” , Time After Before Place, Prelude: Discipline is Freedom and Translation Transition (2002).

In addition, both Family Holiday Matinees will feature the Garth Fagan Dance Student Ensemble from the Garth Fagan Dance School. “I’m incredibly proud of achieving 49 years of excellence with Garth Fagan Dance and excited to share the fruits of this past year’s labors with our wonderfully supportive hometown audiences,” says Founder/Artistic Director/President Garth Fagan “There’s really nothing like experiencing Rochester’s international acclaimed Garth Fagan Dance in person, and what better time than when we’re Home for the Holidays?”

Tickets are $40 (Orchestra), $43 (Orchestra Aisle), and $55 (Premium), and are available at the Nazareth College Arts Center Box Office: in person at 4245 East Ave., by phone at 585-389-2170, or online at https://www2.naz.edu/events/4183/ garth-fagan-dance/. A ticket link and more info are also available at garthfagandance.org/home-for-the-holidays.

Check garthfagandace.org for further ticket discount info.

Rev. Stewart blasts racist "anti-annoyance" bill recently signed into law.

Rochester Gets Racist "Anti-Annoyance" Bill Signed into Law Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo signed the controversial "anti-annoyance" bill into law hours after protesters took to the streets recently in opposition to the measure. The bill defines harassment broadly — including everything from annoying a first responder, to assaulting one. Punishments include jail time and/or an up to $5,000 fine. The United Christian Leadership Ministry and Community Justice Advocates held a press conference prior to the signing to speak out against Legislature’s bill. This is a ridiculous and reprehensible piece of legislation,” said United Christian president Rev. Lewis Stewart. “If signed into law, it will be a step backwards,” Rev. Stewart said.

Rochester City Council Vice President Willie Lightfoot said the legislation "has racist overtones, is inequitable, and shows poor leadership." He said that City Council was drafting a letter in opposition. City spokesperson Justin Roj said Mayor Lovely Warren opposed the bill.

HOME for the HOLIDAYS! Nazareth College Arts Center December 11-15

Be upli ted this holiday season!

Opening night reception, kid-friendly matinees & BOGOS!

Tickets & info: garthfagandance.org

TALK PRO P L U S Hosted by

The Radman

(George Radney) &

The Mighty O’Ba (Patrick Freeman)

EVENT SPACE RENTAL Looking for a space for your event? Baobab Cultural Center is available for events, birthday parties, meetings, films, ceremonies, art or social shows and events.

105.5 FM “The Beat” Rochester Every Saturday 7AM – 8AM “Taking you to the locker room and beyond!”

Julie Lemberger

728 University Ave. 585-563-2145

3

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com • December 4, 2019

AREA BRIEFS Outstanding Buffalo Women Named to Power 100 List Leecia Eve, Vice President of Public policy for Verizon Communications, and New York State Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, have been named to the Annual New York Women Power 100 List for their leadership and accomplishments. Each year, People-Stokes Eve City & State recognizes the 100 Most Powerful Women who play a key role in business, government, advocacy, academia, media, business and beyond. Eve, who ranked number 40 on the list and Peoples-Stokes, number 20, were among those honored in November at a reception in New York City and featured in special issue of City & State.

Annual Convening of the Elders The Umoja Organization will host its annual Convening of the Elders Conference Saturday, December 7 at the Rafi Green CAO Community Center, 1423 Fillmore Avenue. The program will begin with brunch at 12 noon followed by the presenters at 1 p.m. Among the invited speakers are: L. Nathan Hare, Rev. James Giles, Kamau Fields, Cliff Bell, Eva Doyle Baba Eng, Frank Merriweather, Brenda McDuffie, Dahveed Muhammad, Jeanneie Muhammad, Richard Cummings, Carrie Dixon, Karima Amin and Lion Blyden.

Brother Bill Peoples is president of Umoja. Brother Sam Radford will serve as moderator.

For more information call Aymanuel Radford at (716)5836731 or Brother Peoples at (717)533-6283.

City School Board Elections Moved From May to November

Legislation has been signed into law to change Buffalo school board elections from May to the same day in November as political elections. Backers, including the Change the Date Coalition, a local group who had been pushing for the date change, say it will increase voter turnout for the school board races and save taxpayers $100,000. Assemblywoman Crystal PeoplesStokes has sponsored the legislation since at least 2011. It was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Tim Kennedy. Sam Radford of the Change the Date Collation praised Stokes and Kennedy for pushing the legislation through despite opposition from the school union. Buffalo Teachers Federation President Phil Rumore was critical of Gov. Cuomo for signing the legislation and said actions by Peoples-Stokes and Kennedy would bring party politics into the school board races.

Janaaza Held for Haijj Askia

Police have arrested two people accused of shooting and killing former Buffalo resident Askia Toure Abdullah Alkebulan, a 51-year-old security guard on Nov. 26 at an adult arcade in east Charlotte. Haij Askia was Charlotte’s 99th homicide victim of 2019.

Hajj Askia,was a longtime member of Jabul Arabiyya and the AA-UAA . His janaaza was held on Saturday November 30 at Masjid al-Mustafa in Charlotte. Plans for a memorial in Buffalo are yet to be announced.

(Salat al-Janazah. is the Islamic funeral prayer; a part of the Islamic funeral ritual.)

The Giza Sphinx at the Giza Pyramids.

(Ed. Note: Once upon a time Humboldt Parkway was a beautiful tree-lined street. But in the early 1960’s it was destroyed when the Kensington Expressway, a section of Route 33, was built. Today that expressway cuts straight through an African American community, creating in its wake economic, environmental and health related devastation to the Hamlin Park and MLK Park communities. It is a sad symbol of racial inequality. Community activists and residents have been advocating for the change since the 1970s with the Restore Our Community Coalition (ROCC) leading the charge to bring back the parkway design.

On November 13, the New York State Department of Transportation held a public meeting where it presented its proposed redesign of Humboldt Parkway. The Coalition gave the DOT a failing grade.

What they presented to the community “was a major disappointment” writes ROCC Executive Director Karen Stanley in the following update. However the Coalition is far from giving up the fight. They say it can be done and point to 21 other cities in the U.S. where parks have been built over expressways to reconnect communities and build green gathering spaces.

The question many are asking is, will we see the “green parkway” restored along Humboldt in our lifetime? ROCC’s Stephanie Barber Geter is adamently optimistic that we will.)

NYS DOT Gets Failing Grade for a Redesign of Humboldt Parkway

O

By Karen Stanley For Restore Our Community Coalition

n November 13, over 80 community residents and neighboring institution representatives were on hand at the Buffalo Museum of Science to see the New York State Department of Transportation proposed redesign options for the Kensington Expressway. This meeting was three years in the making, since April 2016 when Governor Cuomo announced that $6 Million in state funding would pay for an Environmental Impact Statement and Construction planning for a re-establishment of the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Humboldt Parkway.

The stage for the 2016 funding had been set by feasibility studies funded by $2 million in the 2010 state budget. Led by University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning and the UB Regional Institute, the study articulated the goals of the Restore Our Community Coalition (ROCC) and provided data regarding potential project costs, with the added bonus that such a massive construction project would create over 900 jobs during the course of construction (expected to be 5 years.)

However, despite ROCC presentations to local, state and federal elected officials, no funding was identified until in 2016, when then Assemblywoman (now Majority Leader) Crystal PeoplesStokes interceded with Governor Cuomo to set aside money for the planning stages of this project.

In late 2016 and early 2017, members of ROCC met with NYS DOT engineers to further discuss and develop ideas for a project to “Put The PARK Back in Humboldt PARKway.”

What the DOT presented to the community during the November 13 meeting at the Buffalo Museum of Science was a major disappointment.

One option merely added surface dressing to the existing overpasses. Another option offered a partial tunnel approach that would have required an enormous tunnel operations building, that would be an absolute insult to the neighboring homes. The purpose of the building would be to house the air cleaning equipment for the tunnel.

One community advocate, who had given input for the 2013 University at Buffalo School of Architecture and planning and the UB Regional Institute study, noted “that giant ventilation building in the middle of the parkway was so ridiculous that it made me wonder if it was a poison pill.”

The Restore Our Community Coalition had met several times with DOT representatives in 2017, and most significantly, co-drafted a purpose and needs statement that would guide the project design. However, that design was denied by the Federal DOT in Fall of 2018. Ultimately, the DOT Continued Page 8

•The human race is of African origin. The oldest known skeletal remains of anatomically modern humans (or homo sapiens) were excavated at sites in East Africa. Human remains were discovered at Omo in Ethiopia that were dated at 195,000 years old, the oldest known in the world.

•Africans were the first to organize fishing expeditions 90,000 years ago at Katanda, a region in northeastern Zaïre (now Congo).

•Africans were the first to engage in mining 43,000 years ago.

•Africans pioneered basic arithmetic 25,000 years ago using the Ishango bone, a tool handle with notches carved into it found in the Ishango region of Zaïre (now called Congo) near Lake Edward.

•Africans cultivated crops 12,000 years ago, the first known advances in agriculture.

Professor Fred Wendorf discovered that people in Egypt’s Western Desert cultivated crops of barley, capers, chickpeas, dates, legumes, lentils and wheat.

•Africans mummified their dead 9,000 years ago using a sophisticated technique that must have taken hundreds of years to evolve.

•Africans carved the world’s first colossal sculpture 7,000 or more years ago. The Great Sphinx of Giza was fashioned with the head of a man combined with the body of a lion.

•The first Great Pyramid of Giza, the most extraordinary building in history, was a staggering 481 feet tall - the equivalent of a 40-story building.

It was made of 2.3 million blocks of limestone and granite, some weighing 100 tons.

“Our history did not begin in chains. It will not end in chains.”

4

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com • December 4, 2019

Attorney Advertising

NEW LAW – ACT NOW!

ABUSED

by CLERGY in NEW YORK?

DO YOU KNOW THESE MEN?

Donald W. Becker

David Bialkowski

Robert J. Biesinger

James H. Cotter

Donald S. Fafinski

Douglas Faraci

Fred G. Fingerle

Michael R. Freeman

Mark M. Friel

Thomas G. Gresock

John P. Hajduk

Michael J. Harrington

Brian M. Hatrick

James P. Hayes

Louis J. Hendricks Richard P. Judd Thomas L. Kemp Richard J. Keppeler John D. Lewandowski Bernard M. Mach

Joseph Grant Higgins

Francis T. Hogan

Loville N. Martlock Thomas J. McCarthy Basil A. Ormsby Norbert F. Orsolits

Fred D. Ingalls

Florian A. Jasinski

Martin L. Pavlock Roy K. Ronald Joseph E. Schieder Gerard A. Smyczynski

Gerald C. Jasinski Chester S. Stachewicz Edward J. Walker William F.J. White Robert W. Wood

If you have information regarding alleged abuse or its cover-up involving these men, CONTACT US.

Contact us confidentially

1-800-ITS-TIME

AndersonAdvocates.com | SteveBoyd.com 40 N Forest Rd, Buffalo, NY 14221

5

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com • December 4, 2019

Mr. Bell at the "Making of a Monument" exhibit held at the Downtown Public Library in February. Challenger Photo

“The Making of a Monument" Display at Merriweather Library Answers Questions, Sets The Record Straight About Local MLK Monument Clifford Bell, Committee Chairman of the Buffalo African American Museum (BAAM), has announced that a display, “The Making of a Monument,” will be on exhibit at the Merriweather Library through the month of December .

“In Bufalo we commemorate Dr. King with a park named after him and a monument that reflects his fight for equality for the Black man,” stated Mr. Bell.

“There has been some confusion surrounding the monument,” he continued, and the display is designed to “ answer the questions "and correct the record.

"It answers the question of who built the monument and why. It answers the question why it doesn’t look exactly like Dr. King and most importantly what it stands for,” he concluded. “Join BAAM through the month of December at the Merriweather Library and learn the truth!”

For more information call (716) 884-4333.

After you have read all that you can, read some more. Never close the door on learning.

•Breathe: A Letter To My Sons by Imani Perry •A Death in Harlem (A Novel) by Karla F. C. Holloway •How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi •The Man Who Sold America: Trump and the Unraveling of the American Story by Joy-Ann Reid •Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People by Ben Crump •Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson •A Terrible Thing to Waste: Environmental Racism and Its Assualt on the American Mind by Harriet Washington •Tough Love: My Story of the Things Worth Fighting For

by Susan Rice •The Water Dancer: A Novel by Ta-Nehisi Coates •Why Young Men: The Dangerous Allure of Violent Movements and What We Can Do About It by Jamil Jivani ZAWADI BOOKS, located at 1382 Jefferson, is open Wed. ,Fri. & Sat. 12 - 4 p.m (716)903-6740. holleykenneth@yahoo.com NATIONAL

RETURN OF EXECUTIONS..There hasn't been a federal execution in nearly 17 years, but that may change soon. The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to reverse a lower court ruling that has effectively paused a series of federal executions. If the Supreme Court goes through with the request, the executions could begin as early as next week. The federal death penalty was dormant for nearly two decades until Attorney General William Barr revived it this July. Four men were waiting on federal death row when the lower court blocked the executions last month.

NATIONAL From Our “Black Don’t Crack” Files

Alelia Murphy, the oldest living person in US dies at 114 years old Months after being named the oldest living person in the United States, New Alelia Murphy York resident Alelia Murphy died Nov. 23at the age of 114.

Mrs. Murphy was the oldest living American, having celebrated her 114th birthday in July, surrounded by her fam-

ily, friends, community leaders.Murphy was born in North Carolina, July 6, 1905 Murphy's daughter, Rose Green, said her mom grew up living in the pre-civil rights era and had to drink from segregated water fountains and enter stores and restaurants through back doors.

Her secret to living a long life, she said, was to "treat people right." Funeral services for Murphy will take place Dec. 6 in Harlem.

Hester Ford

Hester Ford Takes Over Title as Oldest Living Woman in the U.S. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A Charlotte woman is now the oldest living woman in the United States as of Nov. 23.

Hester Ford, 114, takes over the title after her fellow North Carolinian Alelia Murphy passed away Nov. 23.

Born in Lancaster, South Carolina, she later moved to Charlotte and has been living in the same home for nearly 60 years. In addition to her 12 children, she has 48 grandchildren, 108 great-grandchildren, and approximately 120 great-great-grandchildren.

When interviewed on her 111th birthday in 2016, she credited God for her longevity.The following year, at age 112, Ford, a devout Christian, could still recite Psalm 23without skipping a beat.“I’m ready to go home,” Ford said.

“… a stunning reminder of our country’s history.”

Frederick Douglass, 1855

FREE EXHIBIT @ Downtown Central Library 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY (716) 858-8900 Mon.—Wed., Fri.—Sat. 8:30 am—6:00 pm Thurs. 8:30 am—8:00 pm

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS!

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com • December 4, 2019

Evangelistic Temple to Celebrate 33rd Pastoral Anniversary & Birthday of Pastor George W. DuBois On December 7, we are inviting the community, friends and former members to worship with us as we celebrate Pastor George W. DuBois on his 33rd Pastoral Anniversary and his 66th birthday at the Evangelistic Temple &Community Church center, 92 Hedley Place (between Jefferson & Meech) Our theme for this year is “In His Presence with Thanksgiving” Psalms 100 v4.

Our special guests will be the congregating from Jordan Grove Baptist Church, Pastor DuBois former Church Home.

We will start our celebration with our R.I.S.E. service, at 9:30 with guest teacher James L. Spencer. Our morning service will begin promptly at 10:45 with special guest speaker C.C. Cox, Pastor of Jordan Grove.

Immediately following morning service, we will fellowship with our guests. If you require additional information, please contact the Church at 882-1432.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all a safe and joyful Christmas Holiday.

Prayer Breakfast The Union of Black Episcopalians at St. Philips Episcopal Church, 15 Fernhill Avenue, Bishop James Theodore Holly Chaper, invites the comunity to a Prayer Breakfast Saturday, December 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Philips. The cost is $15 per person.The guest speaker will be Gloria Caver Robinson, spiritual gospel singer and evangelist and prophetess.

The event is a fundraiser for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

For more information call Wayne at (716)380-9746.

FAITH & FAMILY

6

Blessings From God Praise Dance Ministry Fundraiser

#NNPA BLACKPRESS

The Blessings From God Praise Dance Ministry will host a fundraiser on December 6 from 10 a.m. to 6p.m.

Sit back and chill with a nice delicious bowl of chili and roll until its sold out (12 oz. bowl $6; 16 oz. bowl $8). Cash App and Zelle accepted. If 7or more orders are purchased (for the same location) the 8th order is free. Delivery for three or more orders is $3. Or orders can be picked up at 273 High Street, side door, at First Centennial M.B. Church. For more information contact Visionary Shira at (716)440-4659.

FLORIDA COURIER — Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, filed the bill (SB 746) for consideration during the 2020 legislative session, which starts Jan. 14. Rep. Kimberly Daniels, D-Jacksonville, filed an identical bill (HB 341) last month in the House. The bill, in part, would require courses providing an “objective study of the Bible, including, but not limited to, a course on the Hebrew Scriptures and Old Testament of the Bible; a course on the New Testament of the Bible; and a course on the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament of the Bible, and the New Testament of the Bible.”

Bible Courses Proposed for Florida Public Schools

First Shiloh Widows Ministry to Host “A Holiday Gathering” The Widows’ Ministry of First Shiloh Baptist Church will sponsor “A holiday Gathering” Friday, December 6 from noon to 2 p.m. at First Shiloh Baptist Church, 15 Pine Street where Rev. Jonathan R. Staples is Senior Pastor. Refreshments will be served at this free will offering event.

Buffalo Challenger / 4c / Live/trim: 5.105” w x 11”h

Memorial Service Set for Daisy Estelle Anderson Free Breakfast for our community youth every Sunday. Adults a small donation. All Are Welcome!

Youth Church/ Sunday School – 10am Sunday Service – 11:45 am

1933

The memorial service for Daisy Estelle Anderson will be held on December 7 at St. Columba-Brigid R.C. Church, 75 Hickory Street at 11:00 following the 10:00am visit with her family. After a brief illness, Daisy Estelle passed away on July 29.

7

FAITH & FAMILY

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com • December 4, 2019

A COLLABORATION OF CHURCHES PRESENTS: "MESSIAH: BRIGHT MORNING STAR"

At a time when many churches have abandoned many genres of Christian music, a group of churches have come together to celebrate and introduce a forgotten style of sacred musical. "Messiah Bright Morning Star," published in 1993 by Reba Rambo and Dony McGuire, is a Christmas Cantata that draws our attention to the true meaning of Christmas.

This elegant evening of musical delight for the entire community will take place on: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 at 5:00 PM at FIRST SHILOH BAPTIST CHURCH, 15 PINE ST. A combined choir of more than fifty voices with full instrumentation, will take us back to a time when all forms of Christian music were embraced by the Church with excellence. Tickets are available for $15 and $20 at the door..

Student tickets are $10 with ID. Tickets can be secured by calling First Shiloh Baptist Church at 716-847-6555.

Seating for this event is 1st come, 1st served.

Let HEAP help you with your heating bills.

Eric, Customer Service Supervisor Buffalo, NY

HEAP

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that provides assistance to eligible households by helping to pay a portion of their annual heating costs. National Fuel helps customers take advantage of this benefit. Call 1-877-443-2743 or visit us online to see if you qualify for these limited funds.

Household Size

Approximate Maximum Monthly Gross Income Limit

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Each additional

$2,494 $3,262 $4,030 $4,797 $5,565 $6,332 $6,476 $6,620 $6,764 $6,908 $7,086 Add $553 per person

HEAPhelps.com

96001_Fuel_HEAPPrintAds.indd 1

11/26/19 4:36 PM

8

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 4, 2019

Legislation Extending & Streamlining Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission is Signed into Law

The Restore Our Community Coalition rejects the DOT's "fill in" design, which they say "would do nothing to provide a less poisonous environment for residents along the Expressway."

The Coalition's preferred redesign would feature a green deck over a portion of route 33.

HUMBOLDT PARKWAY RESTORATION continued from page 3 did what they do best – plan for a low-cost fix to the crumbling overpasses on the Kensington Expressway, falling far short of the concept to RESTORE Humboldt Parkway.

Having been an advocate for the restoration of Humboldt Parkway for over 20 years, Stephanie Barber Geter tried to be optimistic. "People should see it as an issue that we've worked on a long time and it's going to take a little longer, but we're going to get it done," Barber Geter said. Her organization was firm in their expectations for a restorative project. ROCC had their own handout to explain the community vision.

Here is an excerpt from the ROCC plan: The Kensington Expressway has caused decades of environmentally-induced illnesses of nearby residents and severe economic decline of entire neighborhoods. In order to restore our community, the redesign of Humboldt Parkway MUST: 1. Provide a reasonable and feasible mitigation for reconnecting divided neighborhoods.

2. Recognize the importance of the corridor as a multi-modal regional transportation link.

3. Mitigate health impacts due to poor air quality and noise pollution.

4. Re-establish the Frederick Law Olmsted-designed, tree-lined parkway.

5. Re-establish the Frederick Law Olmsted firm-designated park acreage.

6. Improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility.

7. Enhance the compatibility of the corridor with the surrounding neighborhood character, while not precluding the ability for the 39-acre restoration of Humboldt Parkway between Delaware Park and Martin Luther King Jr. There seemed to be another contingent of people at the meeting.

These people do not live in the area, and they do not bear the environmental and health burdens of cancer and respiratory illness that plague families living near the Expressway. These people seemed to be excited about the idea of “filling in” the Expressway and forcing traffic back to the Ellicott-designed radial grid that offers several surface roads as pathways to downtown. But that is not the preference of the immediate community, for a “fill in” would do nothing to provide a less poisonous environment for residents along the Expressway.

By the end of the meeting, there was a feeling of De Ja Vu, as the public comment section of the meeting was rushed, and people were left feeling that the Kensington project will go the way of the Scajaquada project, which is nowhere. ROCC has not given up, but we acknowledge there is still a long way to go.

Senator Tim Kennedy (D-Buffalo) and Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D-Buffalo) announced this week that Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed their legislation that would extend the authorization for and streamline the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission into law. The legislation, which extends authorization through the end of 2020, was required for the commission to continue its efforts to promote the unique cultural resources and historicallysignificant buildings of the two-block area that encompasses Buffalo’s Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor, including the historic Michigan Street Baptist Church, which dates back to 1845. In addition to the church, the corridor includes the Nash House, the Colored Musicians Club, Mary B. Talbert House, and the site of the Little Harlem Night Club. Buffalo’s key role in providing leadership in the formation of the Niagara Movement, which eventually led to the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), will be promoted and preserved by the continued work of the commission. Ultimately, the commission will transition to a nonprofit corporation.

“Buffalo’s role in the early formation of our nation’s civil rights movement cannot be understated, and deserves to be celebrated,” said Senator Tim Kennedy. “I applaud Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes for her continued vision and dedication to the success of the Commission, and I was proud to work with her to secure passage of this legislation.”

“This legislation signed by the Governor which extends and streamlines the Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission will help us to continue to celebrate and share our rich history,” said Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes.

“The Corridor is a living monument to the journey of many great African Americans like Harriet Tubman, W.E.B. DuBois, Rev. Jesse B. Nash, Cab Calloway, Billie Holliday and countless others. This legislation helps us make sure that their contributions and sacrifices will never be forgotten. From the Michigan Street Baptist Church and the Nash House to the Colored Musicians Club and the Mary B. Talbert House, the recent installation of the Michigan Street Archway serves as the catalyst for many forthcoming corridor improvements. Stay tuned…”

Toys For Tots Applications Matt Urban sites are now accepting applications for Toys for Tots at the Matt Urban Hope Center and its T.J. Dulski Community Center.

Applicants must provide picture identification, proof of residence, proof of income for last 30 days, and social security cards for the children in their household. Information on site hours and locations are below: Matt Urban Hope Center 385 Paderewski Drive Deadline to apply Dec. 6 Hours: 11:00AM-4:00PM Toy Distribution Date(s): Dec. 18 & 19, 11AM-2:00PM For more information, contact Cherise Carson at (716) 893-7222 x329 or ccarson@ urbanctr.org T.J. Dulski Community Center 129 Lewis Street Deadline to Apoply Dec. 13 Hours: 9:00AM-3:00PM Toy Distribution Date(s): Dec. 17, 18, and 19:10:30AM3:00PMFor more information, contact Danyel Sease at (716) 893-7222 x403 or dsease@urbanctr.org

ROOMS FOR RENT ROOMS FOR RENT: Delavan-Humboldt area, Bailey-Delavan. $325$480. Everything included.

(716)818-3410.

9

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com • December 4, 2019

GIVING BACK

GBUAHN AND GOYA FOODS PROVIDE THANKSGIVING DINNERS TO THOSE IN NEED: The Greater Buffalo United

Accountable Healthcare Network (GBUAHN) and Goya Foods teamed up to spread joy to Thanksgiving dinner tables across Western New York. GBUAHN’s Annual Turkey Give-A-Way identified 250 of its members in need, and provided them with a free turkey this Thanksgiving holiday. Goya Foods donated side dishes and seasonings for an unforgettable feast. “There is no better way to show our thankfulness and support for our local community during this time of year than to come together as a staff and give back” says Dr. Raul Vazquez. Holiday greetings from GBUAHN and Goya Foods.

Report: Surgery for Blocked Arteries Is Often Unwarranted Drug therapy alone may save lives as effectively as bypass or stenting procedures, a large federal study showed.

The findings of a large federal study on bypass surgeries and stents call into question the medical care provided to tens of thousands of heart disease patients with blocked coronary arteries, scientists reported at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association on Saturday.

HERB OF THE WEEK

Gingko

could be beneficial for: dementia Alzheimer’s disease eye health inflammation diabetes bone healing anxiety depression (Gingko use needs to be discussed with your doctor because of numerous drug interactions.)

eat to live

Western New York Chapter (716) 626-0600 -or- 800-272-3900 Programs are funded in part by a grant from the New York State Department of Health, Erie County Senior Services and the NYS Office for the Aging.

10

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 4, 2019

Interview : Vanessa Williams

Superstar’s Roots in Buffalo, Western New York, Run Deep

A

s a multi-faceted superstar, Vanessa Williams’ talents run deep. And so do her roots in Buffalo and Western New York.

“It’s family for me,” said the Bronx-born Williams, whose mother and husband both hail from the nickel city. From spending Thanksgivings with her late grandmother and cousins to black Friday shopping at the old AM&A’s downtown to getting married at Saint Stanislaus Church in 2015, Williams has a lot of love for Western New York and she’ll be bringing some much welcome soulful holiday warmth when she visits the intimate Bear’s Den Showroom at Seneca Niagara Casino December 4th and 5th.

Her upcoming performance will feature holiday selections from her two acclaimed Christmas albums ( 1996’s Star Bright and 2004’s Silver and Gold) as well as classics like the now standard “Save the Best for Last,” the quiet storm staple “Dreamin’” and the Academy Awardwinning “Colors of the Wind”-indelible soundtracks from a now more than threeand-a-half-decade long journey initiated

by Williams’ crowning as the first African American Miss America in 1983.

From multi-platinum, Grammy nominated albums The Right Stuff, The Comfort Zone and The Sweetest Days to Emmy nominations for her role in Ugly Betty to Tony nominated turns in Into the Woods to an Image Award in the classic Soul Food ,Williams has established herself as an international icon while also co-writing a best-seller with her mom and establishing her own fashion line. “I’ve ticked off a lot of boxes,” she acknowledged with gratitude when asked about her achievements.

Despite those illustrious accomplishments, she’s not done yet. Of the many boxes still un-ticked, she’d like to originate a role on Broadway in a new musical, host Saturday Night Live (she’s appeared twice as a musical guest on the television institution) and would like to do more television and film producing.

Prompted for her career pinnacle thus far, Vanessa looks to opening night on the great white way in 1994, when she followed Chita Rivera in Kiss of the Spider Woman ,which showcased her magnetic presence in all its glory. “I grew up in Westchester and I saw Broadway shows my whole life and that was a tangible goal,“ she explained. “But when you get a chance to see your name in lights on Broadway in Times Square, that was a hit yourself moment, personally, and for my friends and family who were in musicals from elementary school on; Broadway was a collective goal and achievement.”

Having recently done a talk at NYU to students hoping to break into the business, she also shared advice to up and coming artists: “ I think the most important lesson is surrendering to what’s given to you; what’s right in front of you. It’s great to have goals but follow your skill sets and what you’re really good at. You’ll never know where you’ll end up, but your skill set will help you pave the way. The biggest thing is being patient and trusting and you’ll find or search for something that is a compliment to your skill set. It might not be where you want to be eventually, but it’ll help you get where you need to be.”

Reflecting on the changes in the music industry since her debut album over 30 years ago, Williams lamented the loss of artisdevelopment and the security of long-term record deals, safeguards new artists (including herdaughter Jillian Hervey of the group Lion Babe) don’t have, yet she’s also secure in her place in the musical pantheon.

“I’m glad that I had a chance to start back in the old days but I’m also glad that melody has kept my legacy alive. It’s great to have a quick hit but people love lyrics that mean something to their lives and that’s what gets played year after year and what brings tears to people’s eyes when I sing. That’s a gift and I’m happy that the songs that stand the test of time out of my catalog are ones that reach people.”

Tickets for the both Dec 4 & Dec 5 shows can be found oun senecaniagracasino.com

ON STAGE

Don't Miss "Two Trains!" On Stage now thru

Dec. 8 at The Robeson Theatre! Director Ed Smith and the talented cast of August Wilson's classic play, "Two Trains Running" - Al Garrison, Debbi Davis, Fisher, Hugh Davis, Michael Hicks, Roosevelt Tidwell II, Russell Holt and Vincenzo McNeill. - has received excellent reviews. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office (716)884-0279. For reservations, 716) 884-0279 .

ON STAGE! •August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running” on Stage at the Robeson Theatre now thru Dec. 8, directed by Edward G. Smith; 350 Masten Ave. 884-2013 ; box office 884-0279 •Comedy Night, Golden Nugget, Friday, Dec. 6; 2 shows 8 & 10 p.m. $25 Helium Comedy: Nicole Byer will be at Helium Comedy, 30 Mississippi Street December 5th 8 p.m. Dec 6th & 7th two shows @7:30 & 10 p.m. for more info go to buffalo.heliumcomedy.com

11

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com • December 4, 2019

Project Mona’s House, 4th Annual THE FREE THEM GALA Project Mona’s House 4th annual THE FREE THEM GALA fundraiser, held December 7 at Forbes Theater 500 Pearl St., will feature powerhouse musical performances by Drea D’Nur, Kimera Lattimer, Peter Collins and Cathy Carter Richardson. There will also be dancing, raffles, silent auction and more! Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. General admission is $60 and includes balcony seating with hors d’oeuvres. VIP tickets are $100 and includes floor seating, dinner and special gifts. . Tickets and more information about the event and mission of Project Mona's House can be found at projectmonashouse.com

Tyler Perry Turns Up The Drama on Wednesday Nights with Two New Shows on BET

Flip the switch to POWER 96.5fm!

Bringing you the best in R&B and Throwbacks. listen worldwide in hd at

www.power965radio.com

TO ADVERTISE: advertising@thechallengernews.com

Tyler Perry’s two new shows on BET have been turning up Wednesday Night since their debut October 23rd and in just a few episodes the Oval and Sistas have viewers caught between gasps and laughs! We recommend giving it some viewing time this week (you can play catch up on demand) At 9pm The Oval : centers on a family placed in the White House by people of power while also highlighting the personal side and everyday lives of the staff who run the inner workings of the nation’s most iconic residence. Ed Quinn, Kron Moore, Javon Johnson, Ptosha Storey, Vaughn Hebron, Teesha Renee, Paige Hurd, Daniel Croix Henderson, Lodric Collins, Ciera Payton, Walter Fauntleroy, Taja V. Simpson, Brad Benedict, Travis Cure and Matthew Law star.

At 10pm Sistas revolves around a group of single Black females as they navigate their “complicated” love lives, careers and friendships through the ups-and-downs of living in a modern world. KJ Smith, Mignon Von, Ebony Obsidian, Novi Brown, DeVale Ellis, Chido Nwokocha, Anthony Dalton, Brian Jordan Jr and Kevin Walton star.

Perry writes, directs and executive produces both series, with Tyler Perry Studios’ Michelle Sneed serving as executive producer on both.

JAZZ NIGHT! Jazz and great company will be featured at the Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Society’s Jazz Night, Friday, December 13 from 7-9 p.m. at the Rose Bar and Grill, 199 Scott Street. Live music will be provided by the Love Supreme School of Music Faculty Band. Members are Free. Member guests $10.

Annual Christmas in Wonderland and Tree Lighting Event in MLK Park Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes announces the Annual Christmas In Wonderland and 10th Annual Tree Lighting Event to be held on Saturday, December 7 in MLK Park at the Lodge located on Fillmore Avenue near the Horticulture Green House.

This year’s Christmas In Wonderland event will include children’s activities, caroling, giveaways and an ugly sweater contest.

Children’s activities kick off at off 3 p.m. followed by the tree lighting ceremony at 4:15 p.m.

A host of elected officials and community leaders and organizations have been invited to attend. Call (71)897-9714 for more information.

Gospel Meets Jazz On Saturday December 14 the Delaine Waring African Methodist Episcopal Church and the DWAMEC@63 anniversary committee proudly presents the annual Gospel Meets Jazz Concert Series 680 Swan Street featuring Sabu Adeyola and the Oasis. Special guest jazz vocalist D’Lynn and many more! Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and concert begins at 5 p.m.

Tickets are $10 in advance ($15 at the door). Call 716 8426747 or email the church at delainewaringame@gmail.com or see a DWAME263 committee member for more information.. Rev Regina E. Gray, Esq., Senior Pastor.

SEE YOU AT THE EVENTS!

December Registration Now Being Accepted

2020 WINTER DANCE FUN!

MOTIVATION: Sam Herbert, creator of the “My Haters Motivate Me” T-Shirt, stands with Adrian Moorfuller, who he describes as “a fine young man” who works at Pernell's Liquor on Fillmore and Kensington. “Like me, he believes that his haters make him stronger!” said Sam. If you agree you can order your motivational shirt by contacting Mr. Herbert at saherbert1@verizon.net

12

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 4, 2019

Racially Discriminatory Legislation and Policies Must Be Stopped The Unintended Consequences of a Menthol Cigarette Ban to Black America From pro-slavery laws to Jim Crow, to Prohibition, to racial profiling, to Stop-and-Frisk, history is clear: racist laws and discriminatory bans have been devastating for Black America.

Today, Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) and National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) have joined together with other African-American law enforcement executives to call on you - our readers in Black communities across the nation - to see the warning signs of yet another proposed racially discriminatory law: the menthol cigarette ban.

It is a well-known fact that over 85 percent of African Americans who smoke prefer menthol cigarettes. There is no factual basis to assert that a menthol cigarette ban will stop African Americans from smoking. In fact, the unintended consequences of such a raciallydiscriminatory ban will set the stage for more negative and more likely counterproductive interactions between law enforcement and African Americans.

While proponents argue that a menthol cigarette ban could encourage menthol cigarette smokers to quit smoking cold-turkey, another possible outcome could be extremely dangerous—the creation of an illicit market. If this happens, illegal sales of menthol cigarettes will likely be concentrated in communities of color, leading to a greater police presence, citations, fines, and arrests for selling a product that for the past 50 years has been legal.

Possible bans on menthol cigarettes are now being considered throughout the United States as add-ons to e-cigarette bans. It must be said that while FDA has deemed teen vaping an “epidemic,” there is no teen menthol cigarette epidemic. The fact is teen cigarette use has steadily been on the decline over the past decade.

Recently in New York, the mothers of Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner courageously issued a public statement warning against the consequences of a proposed menthol cigarette ban. Sybrina Fulton and Gwendolyn Carr stated, “When you ban a product sold mostly in Black communities, you must consider the reality of what will happen to that very same over-represented community in the criminal justice system.”

Law enforcement leaders like Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), Grand Council of Guardians, and National Association of Black Law Enforcement Officers (NABLEO) have stated countless times that a ban on menthol cigarettes will have unintended negative consequences, especially for African Americans.

Over the past 30 years, we have reduced tobacco consumption overall across this country by about 40 percent. And we did not do that with the criminal justice community. We did that with education, we did it with treatment, we did it from a health and educational perspective.

Let’s continue with that. Let’s not do something that’s going to end up with these unintended consequences of increasing interaction between police and community members.

Major Neill Franklin (Ret.), Executive Director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP): “I dedicated 34 years of my life to public safety, enforcing the laws that our legislators placed before me. That’s what cops do, and we trust that those laws are well thought out, studied and based upon sound data and evidence. As we begin to mirror the days of alcohol prohibition with tobacco bans, expect the violence and corruption that comes with the illicit market and add something else, the over criminalization of the black community.”

Jiles Ship, President of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives – New Jersey (NOBLE): “Banning menthol cigarettes would be a 21st Century attempt at Prohibition, a past failure of government to restrict a previously legal product. As we learned with Prohibition, every time the government tries to ban something, it seems to cause other problems. And unfortunately, a menthol cigarette ban would be another example of government action that disproportionately disrupts the Black community.”

Charles Billips, National Chair Person of Grand Council of Guardians, “The first question I asked is how are they going to implement this ban on menthol cigarettes, knowing that a large number of Black and Brown people smoke menthol cigarettes? It would be best to educate the communities on the affect it has on our health instead of a ban enforced through Law Enforcement.”

As The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once prophetically said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” And the right thing to do for our families and communities and for all who stand for freedom, justice and equality is to speak out against all forms of racial discrimination and disproportionate law enforcement, as well as the systems, laws, bans and policies that perpetuate them.

Speak out against racism. Stand up against discrimination. Let your voices be heard.

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com • December 4, 2019

RISE UP RIGHT SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS Welcome to Rise Up Right, where we give you sports news, highlights, and updates taking full circle in the sports world. Thank you for your continued support....and with that being said Let's Rise Up....

NFL Top Teams of the Week Buffalo Bills shocked the sports world as they beat the very talented but poorly coached Dallas Cowboys 26-15. The 9-3 Bills are inching closer to clinching a playoff which can be done with a win this Sunday against the Ravens.

Baltimore Ravens beat the best NFC team proving for now they are the best team in the league as San Francisco went down to the Ravens 20-17. Ravens will face the Bills this Sunday coming up.

Houston Texans defeated the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots 28-22 as DeShaun Watson accounted for 4 touchdowns.

Buffalo Bulls Football and Basketball Jaret Patterson had a career day as he rushed for 298 yards and 6.....yes 6 touchdowns against Bowling Green as the Bulls won easily 49-7. Patterson is number 5 in the nation in rushing 1626 yards and was named Walter Camp FBS offensive player of the week. The Bulls would later in the week receive great News that they will be going to the Bahamas to play Conference USA Charlotte in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl on December 20th. Will the 7-5 Bills finally win its first bowl game in history.

UB Basketball has started the season off 6-2 as they defeated American 73-55. The Bulls were lead by Onwuka's 18 points.

The Torch's NFL Scoreboard Thanksgiving Games Buffalo 26 Dallas 15 Chicago 24 Detroit 20 New Orleans 26 Atlanta 18 Sunday Games Baltimore 20 San Francisco 17 Washington 29 Carolina 21 Cincinnati 22 NY Jets 6 Tennessee 31 Indianapolis 17 Tampa Bay 28 Jacksonville 11 Miami 37 Philadelphia 31 Green Bay 31 New York 13 Pittsburgh 20 Cleveland 13 LA Rams 34 Arizona 7 Kansas City 40 Oakland 9 Denver 23 LA Chargers 20 Houston 28 New England 22 Minnesota at Seattle

Buffalo Sabres News

Last 4 Games.

Next 4 Games Maple Leafs 2 Sabres 1 OT. Sabres vs Flames Sabres 6 Maple Leafs 4.

Sabres vs Canucks Flames 3 Sabres 2.

Sabres vs Oilers Lightning 5 Sabres 2.

Blues vs Sabres The Sabres have lost 12 of the last 15 games leaving many to ask if this season will be a repeat of last season and if Ralph Krueger was actually an upgrade to Phil Housley? Can the Sabres turn this part of the season around?

For more sports talk and news follow me on Facebook @Andre Robinson or D'Andre Torch Robinson. therealtorch716 or riseupfamilyseven16 on Instagram.

Watch Rise Up Unlimited TV Show every Thursdays at 130pm and Saturdays at 730am on Channel 1302 for Spectrum Cable Subscribers. Also tune in to Power 96.5FM every Sunday from 6pm to 7pm as I am a Co Host on the WUFO Sport Report

THE BILLS UPDATE Bills Shock America by Beating America’s Team 26 – 15

O

n a national stage Buffalo Bills came out and played their style of football which was good enough to defeat Dallas Cowboys. Who was that playing quarterback for Bills looking cool, confident and throwing the ball underneath the coverage? Josh Allen was finally taking what the defense gave him. It’s been there for Josh to take advantage of most of the season but he might have had a coming out party on throwing the ball accurately 5 to 15 yards from the line of scrimmage. The Dallas defense got tired early by being on the field too much and Allen became comfortable in the pocket and looked over the field until he found the open receiver. He went 11 for 11 at one point in the game which was a stellar performance for him. The Bills offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage with Center Mitch Morse making several key blocks on running plays to open up lanes for Devin Singletary to pick up first downs. Mitch Morse has serious concussion issues but he is the best Center playing for the Bills in quite some time. He’s quick enough to snap the ball and make blocks on power sweeps downfield. Bills General Manager Brandon Beene and Head Coach Sean McDermott rolled the dice on Mitch Morse and is now paying big dividends in the running game as the weather gets bad.

Morse continues to play injured and team needs a long term Center and the draft would be a good place to find one. I noticed Bills offense is operating much better since offensive coordinator Brian Daboll moved to Coaches Booth and is no longer on the sideline. Josh Allen also seems much more comfortable with Daboll calling plays from upstairs and allows him to discuss plays with backup QB Matt Barkley and QB Coach Ken Dorsey. This seems to be working and Josh’s ability to complete short passes along with a running game will make Bills a very dangerous team going into the playoffs. Leslie Frazier should be recognized for the hard work and steady performance week in and out of his defensive unit. The National TV announcer kept referring to Head Coach Sean McDermott and not Leslie Frazier’s unit. It was quite insulting to hear Tony Romo speaking ignorantly of the Bills defensive coaching staff. I would not be surprised that Leslie Frazer not only interviews for a Head Coaching job at end of season and lands one like three hours down the road in Cleveland. The recognition given to Black Head Coaches and assistants are minimal at best by mainstream media. We in Western New York know the Bills Defensive Coordinator makes the majority of the calls and Tre Edmunds, Micah Hyde, and Jordan Poyer are the beneficiaries

sports

13

A. Dorcely with

The Raptor’s Wrap

Championship Mettle Toronto-- It’s a cool Monday evening out, not too far from “Jurassic Park.” Not sure if that means I’m in “Jurassic World.” Please get acquainted with Google if you’re unable to follow along so far.

Anyway, The Toronto Raptors are playing the Philadelphia 76ers in Scotiabank Arena.

It’s the first time they’ve played Philadelphia since Kawhi Leonard hit his epic game 7 shot to send the Raptors into the Eastern Conference Finals and the 76ers on summer vacation. By the way if the playoffs were to start today these two teams would be seeded fourth and fifth respectively. Suffice it to say that this match up between these two Eastern Conference foes about a month into the sea-son is nothing to scoff at. Some coaches would see this as an opportunity to send a message early. The 76ers might see it as time to get a little get back.

Philadelphia comes in with a substantial size advantage and an overflow of star power due to the departure of Kawhi and the injuries to Lowry and Ibaka. With that noted the Raptors who have been dealing with these deficiencies get off to an 8-0 start. Philly doesn’t score until Pascal Siakam of the Raptors goes through the 8:37 left in the first quarter from a 3 pointer by contact by Joel Embiid of the 76ers to tie the game Josh Richardson making the score 8-3. But it at 96-96 with 1:01 left in the 4th. The free throw doesn’t take much after that for the 76ers to get after this make gave Toronto the lead and the eventheir legs under them. By the 6:02 mark they tual win./Photo A. Dorcely were only down by 2, 15-13 because of a layup

by Tobias Harris. You could tell early on that this was going to be a run and gun type of pace. No time to huddle for the play to get called in. Hurry up offense. Really!! I’m just checking to see if you’re paying attention. By the end of the first quarter the score was 34-28 in favor of Philly.

Mostly due to a couple of lapses in defense as Gasol had to switch on to Richardson during pick and roll action.

For almost half the 2nd quarter the 76ers took the lead by as much as eight points. But there’s an old saying that speed kills. Toronto was able to use that in their favor to keep the game close. R. Hollis-Jefferson kept the game tied towards the middle of the second with some crowd pleasing aerodynamic finishes. His hustle and energy was a welcome boost and a necessary addition to that of the starters. 4:34 left in the second the score was 44-39 and Jefferson, VanVleet and Siakam were keeping Toronto in contention with 11 points each. As the quarter came to an end Siakam put up a couple of shots that just went awry. But he made up for it by going to the basket strong for an “and 1” opportunity with about a minute left in the half. The Raptors went into their locker room with a lead of 51-49.

The game continued to be that which most basketball games are which is a game of runs. Halfway through the 3rd the Raptors led 68-62 with 5:17 left. The build up for an exciting finish was here once again. Basically picking up from where they left off in last year’s playoffs. Except for the fact that this time around the 76ers were playing the reigning world champions.

The Raptors led 81-80 to start the 4th. The back and forth continued for a bit and Philly was able to get ahold of the lead early on. With 8:01 and the 76ers by 1 the crowd instigated by HollisJefferson let their voices be heard as Richardson went to the free throw line and missed three free throws. The “claw biting” game dwindled down with every field goal attempt. Now there was a little over a minute left and the 76ers were up by 2, Pascal Siakam goes up at 1:01 in the fourth to tie the game as he floats a shot over Joel Embiid and also acquires a foul. He made the free throw which gave Toronto a one point lead that they did not relinquish as they added a couple of defen-sive stops and a few more free throws. The final score: Philadelphia 76ers 96; Toronto 101.

of it. Bills safeties Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer both should make the AFC Pro Bowl. They are the best safety combination in the entire league. Brandon Beene should sign Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips right NOW to a long term contract; Just don’t resign Trent Murphy and give money to a much more active player Jordan Phillips. The Bills get almost five full days off until they reconvene for practice on Wednesday to prepare for the Baltimore Ravens and 2019 league MVP candidate Lamar Jackson. The weather should be a factor with high winds at New ERA Field. Bills defense should play another stellar game forcing Lamar Jackson to throw the football and not allowing him to take off and run for first downs. The Bills should win in another hard fought football game 20-17. Once again The Bills are facing another young quarterback but this one is electrifying.

Follow me on Twitter: Georgeradney@georgeradman, Facebook, Instagram, and Cable TV: Pro Talk in Rochester & Buffalo NY RADIO: 105.5 FM Every Saturday Morning 7 AM to 8 AM Pro Talk Plus, Rochester, NY .

14

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 4, 2019

YOU DESERVE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE

NY State of Health offers high-quality plans with Free Preventive Care. Low Premiums. Low Out-of-Pocket Costs.

Get free one-on-one help from health insurance counselors to compare plans, apply for financial assistance to lower your costs, and choose coverage that works for you.

TEXT: HEALTH TO 917-905-7422 TO LEARN MORE

FIND YOUR PLAN AND ENROLL BY DECEMBER 15 FOR COVERAGE STARTING JANUARY 1.

Call: 1-855-355-5777 or TTY: 1-800-662-1220 Visit: nystateofhealth.ny.gov Get free in-person help available in your language

VOICES

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com • December 4, 2019

“The Lawrence” in the Fruit Belt Highlights What’s Wrong With City’s Land Use, Zoning, And Development Processes

T

By Arthur J. Giacalone

im LeBoeuf and his Symphony Property Management, LLC, have big plans. They would like to construct “The Lawrence,” a 5-story, 131-unit market rate apartment project on Michigan Avenue and Maple Street.

If built, The Lawrence would be the first major residential project encroaching on the Fruit Belt, a historically rich, economically poor, predominately non-White neighborhood. It is a neighborhood situated immediately east of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC), bordered by Michigan Avenue to the west, Jefferson Avenue to the east, Best Street to the north and the Kensington Expressway to the south, with High Street serving as its focal point.

The Fruit Belt’s streets, which include names such as Grape, Peach, Lemon and Orange, consist primarily of one-family, two-family and three-family homes, nearly all of which stand no more than two stories high.

Three peculiarities stand out to me as I review of the papers filed with the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning in support of “The Lawrence”: First, the submitted documents refer to “building” and “structure” as if the development consists of only one building. In fact, what is being proposed are two large buildings, one on Michigan Avenue facing the medical campus, and one on Maple Street, surrounded by the Fruit Belt neighborhood.

Second, Tim LeBoeuf’s application uses at least three different titles for the project: “The Lawrence Market Rate Apartments,” “Michigan Avenue/Medical Campus Apartments,” and “The Lawrence Michigan Avenue Apartments.” Notably, none of the names references the project’s location within the Fruit Belt, or seems to target as potential tenants current Fruit Belt residents.

Third, consistent with the various names given to the proposed development, the project seems designed to ensure that its “market rate” tenants can, if they choose, have virtually no interaction with the people who presently call the Fruit Belt their home (other than driving their vehicles to and from the enclosed ground floor and the adjacent street). Patios are located internally. None of the units will have balconies facing either Maple Street or Michigan Avenue. The prolonged Maple Street expanse gives the impression of an unwelcoming wall.

The more I think about the proposed development’s details – and the political, social, and legal context in which it was submitted and is being processed – the more I realize that “The Lawrence” proposal epitomizes virtually all that is (from my perspective) wrong with the land use, zoning, and development processes in the City of Buffalo. And the more I am reminded that much of what I view as detrimental to the interests and effectiveness of city residences is: (a) rooted in the pro-development philosophy of Mayor Brown; and, (b) facilitated by the all-too-often docile and ineffective actions of the city’s legislators, the Common Council, headed by its President, Darius Pridgen (who is also the Ellicott District Councilmember, and, therefore, tasked with the responsibility of representing the interests of the voters in and around the Fruit Belt).

More specifically: 1. The primary function of the Green Code is to provide a “Green Light” to development, not, as promised, to preserve neighborhoods or protect the quality of life of residents.

When Mayor Byron Brown announced the Buffalo Green Code back in 2011, city residents were promised a land use plan that would preserve the character of neighborhoods and encourage future development that was consistent with the prevailing patterns.

Residents were told that the historic fabric in a neighborhood – typical lot sizes, scale of existing buildings, and the intensity of development – as well as what residents wanted to see in their neighborhoods, would provide the foundation for future growth. That’s not what we got.

The Green Code, crafted, not by our legislative body, the Common Council, but primarily by and under the supervision of the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning, supplanted these lofty goals with a competing set of interests: the desire of developers to maximize profits.

2. The Green Code, and the state-mandated “environmental

“We wish to plead our own cause.

Too long have others spoken for us.”

- John Russwurm, Freedom’s Journal.

1827 America’s 1st Black Newspaper

review” that preceded it, ignored the adverse impacts of gentrification on less affluent neighborhoods such as the Fruit Belt, and encouraged displacement of longtime residents and homeowners by allowing commercial and residential buildings out-of-scale with the surrounding community.

Buffalo’s Common Council was the official “lead agency” responsible under SEQRA (the State Environmental Quality Review ACT) to take a “hard look” at the potential adverse impacts of the proposed new zoning and development law – that is, the Uniform Development Ordinance or “Green Code.” Rather than preparing, or, at a minimum, closely supervising preparation of the state-mandated “draft environmental impact statement” that preceded the enactment of the Green Code, Buffalo’s elected legislators let the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning perform the lion’s share of this crucial task.

Despite protests (by me and others), the SEQRA study prepared by the Office of Strategic Planning failed to address significant legal and moral issues, such as: To what the extent would Mayor Brown’s vision for Buffalo – manifested in the “Green Code” – result in the displacement of low-income, mainly non-White residents from their neighborhoods? Would a zoning code that allows “as of right” construction of large mixed-use commercial buildings (what the Green Code calls “Commercial Block” buildings) on portions of Michigan Avenue and High Street near the medical campus, and large residential buildings (referred to in the Green Code as “Stacked Units”) throughout the Fruit Belt, accelerate gentrification and the displacement of Fruit Belt residents?

3. Even when a zoning ordinance gives developers an extremely generous “inch,” some (most?) will try to take the proverbial “mile.”

The Green Code that was enthusiastically approved by Mayor Brown and the Common Council in early 2017 designates the portion of the east side of Michigan Avenue directly across the street from the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, as well as most of High Street between Michigan Avenue and Jefferson Avenue, an “N-2E” (Mixed Use Edge) zone. Under Buffalo’s zoning ordinance, an N-2E zone allows “by right” development of “Commercial Block” mixed-use buildings, and “Stacked Units” residential buildings, up to three-stories in height and on lots as wide as 120 feet.

The Green Code places virtually all of the remainder of the Fruit Belt’s residential streets, including Maple Street, in the “N-2R” (Residential) zone. While Commercial Block buildings are not allowed by right in an N-2R zone, under Buffalo’s zoning ordinance, “Stacked Units” residential buildings, up to three-stories in height and on lots as wide as 75 feet, are permitted “by right” in N-2R. As written, the Green Code magnanimously allows a developer to construct “by right” on Maple Street a three-story, 15,750 squarefoot apartment building on one or more parcels of land totaling up to 75 feet in width. Likewise, Buffalo’s zoning ordinance per-

Challenger Community News P.O. BOX 474 Buffalo, NY 14209 advertising@thechallengernews.com

P: 716 881.1051 F: 716 881.1053

15

Emancipate Yourselves Mental Slavery!

From

I

n 1980, when Bob Marley sang, "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds," he was referring to a speech given by President General Marcus Garvey in Nova Scotia (1937). So, what does it mean? Can a person truly be enslaved mentally?

One example of clinical work in this field is that of Dr. Joy DeGruy. She has worked diligently to research and document the condition known as Post Traumatic Slavery Syndrome in 2005. So, it seems that yes, a person can be mentally enslaved. What does it look like?

Research studies have found four typical situations for psychological slavery to occur,: ◦ Perception of a threat, physical or psychological, and the conviction that misfortune can really occur; ◦ Appreciation of small acts of kindness by the abuser towards the victim; ◦ Isolation from others; ◦ Conviction that one is unable to escape the situation.

(Dr. Ana Nogales Psychology Today 2014) How is this relevant to our situation as a Black Community here in Buffalo?

At a time when we have clear violations and misuse of power, not just locally but nationally. At a time when transparency is a bad word. At a time when we see all of these atrocities occurring to our people, we must examine why. There can be none in the Black Buffalo community that does not see the increased police contact, redlining, toxic soil, miseducation, maltreatment in hospitals, vanishing block clubs and community centers. The most obvious infraction of them all,is gentrification. Just like the enslaved African or the Stockholm hostage, we are blatantly aware of the traumas that we are experiencing, yet tragically afraid to do something about it.

Bro. David Walker, in 1829 tried to liberate the bodies of men.

Walker appealed to the enslaved, "Let no man of us budge one step...we have enriched [America] with our blood and tears...They must look sharp or this very thing will bring swift destruction upon them." William Lloyd Garrison even agreed saying, "Every sentence they write, every word they speak, every resistance they make......is a call upon their slaves to destroy them."

In Redemption Song, Bob Marley also is referencing having to fulfill "The Book." Many do not realize the book he is referring to is the Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey. The very theme of redemption in the song is that of African redemption. This is the core teaching of the UNIA and Garveyism. The first reference to the term African Redemption can be attributed to Benjamin Lundy at a Negro Convention in 1833. "The 'dark age' of African oppression is drawing to its close; and the happy 'millennium' of African redemption is near at hand!"

Harriet Tubman, the most infamous liberator of the bodies of our people, recounts in her biography, a time before she escaped in 1849. She prayed that the oppressor change his mind “I prayed all night long for my master till the first of March." When her prayers did not work she changed it to: “Oh Lord, if you ain’t never going to change that man’s heart, kill him, Lord, and take him out of the way.” Tubman stated in 1889: "I had reasoned this out in my mind; there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty, or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other;" Liberty or Death is a theme echoed by Henry Highland Garnet, while presenting his resolution to the 1843 Negro Convention held here in Buffalo N.Y. This resolution was shot down in favor of a more common tactic known as moral suasion, an appeal to the morality of the abuser. Which brings back to psychological enslavement. Not only does this show how we have distorted what liberty means to us, it shows that we have distorted it due to fear of what it would take to attain it.

True, we cannot blame the victim for being victimized, nor for suffering from or showing signs of trauma. We have to set up a system to help deal with these issues head on, without avoiding hurtful truths. Those of us who see this know the solution

Continued Pag16

• Published every Wednesday • News Deadline: Friday 5 p.m.

• Ad Deadline: Friday 5 p.m.

• Classified Deadline: Thursday 5 p.m.

We respectfully submit that the opinions expressed on the editorial pages of this newspaper are not necessairly those of Challenger Community News Corporation or its advertisers.

Continued Pag19 Advertising /News/ Information/Inquiries adver tising@thechallengernews.com

Phone: 716-881-1051 Fax: 716-881-1053

16

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 4, 2019

THE LAWRENCE continued from page 15 mits construction “by right” on Michigan Avenue of a threestory, 25,200 square-foot apartment building on parcel(s) of land as wide as 120 feet.

But that was not enough for Mr. LeBoeuf and company.

All in all, the total square footage of The Lawrence as proposed is approximately 136,800 square feet of new, market rate apartments (I say “appears” because LeBoeuf’s papers do not supply this figure).

4. Byron Brown’s AdminisLEGAL NOTICE

RFP

Buffalo City School District Request for Proposals The Buffalo Public Schools Division of Plant Services and School Planning, 406 City Hall, Buffalo, NY 14202 is soliciting proposals for professional architectural/engineering services for School #212 Leonardo daVinci High School – Interior Renovations & Related Work. Beginning Monday, December 2, 2019 the RFP document may be obtained by emailing Daniel J. Keefe, Associate Architect, at dkeefe@buffaloschools.org.

Paul McDonnell, AIA Director of Facilities Planning

LEGAL NOTICE BID Bids will be received by RP Oak Hill Building Co., Inc. for the DYouville College Health Professions HUB – Structural Steel Project on 12/5/19 at 2:00pm. Please fax bids (716-8224367) or email (bids@rpoakhill.com) prior to 2:00 pm. The scope of work is for structural steel furnish and install. The contract documents may be examined at Construction Exchange or can be purchased at Avalon Printing, (P: 716-995-7777). This project is prevailing wage. ***W/M/DBE & SDVOB participation is encouraged.

LEGAL NOTICE

RFP

COUNTY OF ERIE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPOSAL 2019 New Lancaster Highway Facility Project No. 2019-943-01 County of Erie is seeking qualification statements & proposals from interested firms to provide professional A/E services to construct a fully functioning, pre-engineered steel building structure on the site located at 127 Cemetery Road, Lancaster NY 14086. Qualification statements and proposals must be received by the County’s Commissioner of Public Works, Rath County Office Building, 95 Franklin St, Suite 1400, Buffalo, NY 14202 until 2:00 PM local time on Friday, December 20, 2019. RFQ/ RFP submission instructions may be found at: www.erie.gov/dpw/

LEGAL NOTICE BID COUNTY OF ERIE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS SUNY Erie City Campus Burt Flickinger Athletic Center 2019 Exterior Recaulking PROJECT NO. 2019-954-02 Sealed bids for: General Construction work for above project will be received by County’s Commissioner of Public Works in Suite 1400 of the Rath County Office Building, 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, New York 14202 until 10:30 AM local time on Thursday, January 9, 2020, at which time they will be opened and read aloud. MBE/WBE, Apprenticeship program, and Local & Disadvantaged Workforce requirements may apply to this project. Additional information must be found at: www.erie.gov/dpw

tration has created an environment in which “sophisticated” developers, their architects, and lawyers, don’t even try to present a proposal that meets the specific requirements of the Green Code.

As Mayor, Byron Brown appears to have filled City Hall with planners, administrators, and lawyers who understand, in the words of a friend of mine, His Honor’s “doctrine of development”: do everything you can to facilitate a developer’s proposal. On top of that, thanks to his longevity as mayor, Byron

DOCUMENT 001114

Brown has appointed – or, at a minimum, reappointed – every single member of the two entities meant to make the zoning process fair and transparent: the City Planning Board, and the Zoning Board of Appeals.

This approach leaves residents confused, cynical, and rightfully distrustful of the City of Buffalo’s land use and development process.

Read "the Lawrence" in its entierty on thechallengernews.com

LEGAL NOTICE

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Two (2) Electrical Work Contracts: 46161-E, 46163-E Two (2) Plumbing Work Contracts: 46165-P, 46167-P One (1) Roofing & Appurtenance Work Contract: 46165-T One (1) General Construction Work Contract: 46168-C Sealed bids for the above Work located in the Geographic Contract Areas described below in Table 1 and comprising separate contracts for General Construction Work, Plumbing Work and Roofing & Appurtenant Work, will be received by the Office of General Services (OGS), Design & Construction Group (D&C), Contract Management, 35th Floor Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12242, until 2:00 p.m. on the date indicated in Table 2 below, when they will be publicly opened and read. Each bid must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders and must be accompanied by a certified check, bank check, or bid bond in the amount of $25,000.

This Advertisement for Bids is for multiple Job Order Contracts (hereinafter called JOC). A Job Order Contract is an indefinite quantity contract pursuant to which the Contractor will perform a series of individual repair, alteration, modernization, maintenance, rehabilitation, demolition and construction projects at different locations. Work is accomplished by means of issuance of a Job Order against a master contract. Under the JOC concept, the Contractor furnishes all management, documentation, labor, materials and equipment needed to perform the Work. The State has published Construction Task Catalogs containing a series of work items with pre-established Unit Prices. The Contractor will bid Adjustment Factors to be applied to the pre-established Unit Prices. The price paid by the State for an individual Project will be determined by multiplying the pre-established Unit Prices by the appropriate quantities and by the appropriate Adjustment Factor(s).

All successful bidders will be required to furnish a Performance Bond and a Labor and Material Bond in the statutory form of public bonds required by Sections 136 and 137 of the State Finance Law, each for 100% of the amount of the Anticipated Annual Value of Work as noted in Table 2.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY CITY OF BUFFALO CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE & EVALUATION REPORT (CAPER) Pursuant to Section 104(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 as amended, and fulfilling the requirements of 24 CFR Part 91, the City of Buffalo’s Chief Executive Officer, Mayor Byron W. Brown, will make the CAPER covering the period between October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019, available for review in room 920 City Hall, and on the City’s website as of Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 at https://www.buffalony.gov/324/ Consolidated-Plan-Documents.

The CAPER is submitted annually to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It provides information to measure the City’s progress in meeting goals and priorities identified in the Annual Action and Strategic Plans for the Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership, Emergency Solutions Grant, and Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS programs. It also serves as an evaluation tool, and begins the process of setting goals for the next year. Persons wishing to comment on the CAPER must do so in writing by Thursday, December 19, 2019 by noon. Comments may be mailed to: Office of Strategic Planning, 920 City Hall, Buffalo, NY 14202, Attn: HUD Grants Manager; or emailed to HUDadministrator@city-buffalo.com. Persons who require assistance to review the report should call 716-851-5449.

CIUDAD DE BUFFALO INFORME ANUAL CONSOLIDADO DE EVOLUCIÓN Y EVALUACIÓN (CAPER) De conformidad con la Sección 104 (d) de la Ley de Desarrollo de la Vivienda y la Comunidad de 1974, según enmendada, y cumpliendo con los requisitos de 24 CFR Parte 91, el Director Ejecutivo de la Ciudad de Buffalo, el Alcalde Byron W. Brown, hará que el CAPER cubra el período del 1 de octubre de 2018 al 30 de septiembre de 2019, disponible para su revisión en la sala 920 City Hall, y en el sitio web de la Ciudad a partir del miércoles 4 de diciembre de 2019 en https://www.buffalony.gov/324/ Consolidated-Plan-Documents.

El CAPER se presenta anualmente al Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano. Proporciona información para medir el progreso de la Ciudad en el cumplimiento de las metas y prioridades identificadas en los Planes de Acción Anual y Planes Estratégicos para la Subvención Global de Desarrollo Comunitario, la Asociación de Inversión HOME, la Subvención de Soluciones de Emergencia y los Programas de Oportunidades de Vivienda para Personas con SIDA. También sirve como una herramienta de evaluación y comienza el proceso de establecer metas para el próximo año. Las personas que deseen hacer comentarios sobre el CAPER deben hacerlo por escrito antes del jueves 19 de diciembre de 2019 a más tardar al mediodía. Los comentarios pueden enviarse por correo a: Office of Strategic Planning, 920 City Hall, Buffalo, NY 14202, Attn: Gerente de subvenciones de HUD; o por correo electrónico a HUDadministrator@city-buffalo.com.

Las personas que requieren asistencia para revisar el informe deben llamar al 716-851-5449.

Prospective bidders must attend a mandatory Pre-Bid Conference. The conference will be held for the purpose of discussing the JOC concept, Contract Documents, specifics of the OGS JOC program, OGS expectations, JOC from the Contractor’s perspective (including how to properly prepare a bid) and other bid considerations. The attendees representing prospective bidders at the Pre-Bid Conferences should be principals of the firm and/or the individuals who will be compiling the bid on behalf of the firm. If the bidder is a joint venture, at least one party of the joint venture must have been represented and signed in at the Pre-Bid Conference.

Pre-Bid Conferences: In Albany, NY Pre-Bids held from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM on 19th Nov. 2019 & 10:00AM-12:00PM on 3rd Dec. 2019.

Pre-Bid Conferences will be held in Large Conference Room, 34th Floor, ESP Corning Tower In Willard, NY Pre-Bids held from 1:00PM-3:00PM on 20th Nov. 2019 & 1:00PM-3:00PM on 4th Dec. 2019.

Pre-Bid Conference will be held at the Grandview Building, Willard DTC In Orangeburg, NY Pre-Bids held from 10:00AM-12:00PM on 22nd Nov. 2019 & 10:00AM-12:00PM on 6th Dec. 2019.

Pre-Bid Conference will be held at the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research Pre-bid attendees should allow sufficient time for parking and processing through building security by presenting a government issued picture identification to building security officials and obtain a visitor’s pass.

Designated staff are Jessica Hoffman, John Pupons and Pierre Alric in the Division of Contract Management, telephone (518) 474-0203, fax (518) 473-7862 and John Lewyckyj, Deputy Director, Design & Construction Group, telephone (518) 474-0201, fax (518) 486-1650.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Article 15-A and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, OGS is required to promote opportunities for the maximum feasible participation of New York State-certified Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises (“MWBEs”) and the employment of minority group members and women in the performance of OGS contracts. All bidders are expected to cooperate in implementing this policy. OGS hereby establishes an overall goal of 30% for MWBE participation, 15% for Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (“MBE”) participation and 15% for Women-Owned Business Enterprises (“WBE”) participation (based on the current availability of qualified MBEs and WBEs). The total contract goal can be obtained by utilizing any combination of MBE and /or WBE participation for subcontracting and supplies acquired under this Contract.

The Bidding and Contract Documents for this Project are available on compact disc (CD) only, and may be obtained for an $8.00 deposit per set, plus a $2.00 per set shipping and handling fee. Contractors and other interested parties can order CD’s on-line through a secure web interface available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please use the following link at the OGS website for ordering and payment instructions:

http://www.ogs.ny.gov/bu/dc/esb/acquirebid.asp.

For questions about purchase of bid documents, please send an e-mail to OGS.dl.D&CPlans@ogs.ny.gov, or call (518) 474-0203.

For additional information on this project, please use the link below and then click on the project number: https://online.ogs.ny.gov/dnc/contractorConsultant/esb/ESBPlansAvailableIndex.asp.

John D. Lewyckyj, C.S.I., C.D.T.

Deputy Director

OGS Design & Construction Group

17

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com • December 4, 2019

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Please see website for more details:

www.buffalolib.org/content/ employment-opportunities

HHA-HCBS Outreach Specialist.

Conduct outreach to people diagnosed with serious mental illnesses and community agencies that may serve people diagnosed with mental illnesses about the benefits of utilizing Home and Community Based Services. EEOC. 12/16/2019.

Resume and cover letter to employment@wnyil.org SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES!

Facilities Business and Procurement Coordinator Buffalo State, State University of New York, seeks candidates for the position of Facilities Business and Procurement Coordinator.

For a full job description and to apply: https://jobs.buffalostate.edu.

Buffalo State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and committed to respect for diversity and individual differences.

HHUNY Care CoordinatorBuffalo.

To coordinate services with the Health Homes for the purpose of decreasing high risk medical and/or behavioral health costs for individuals being served in this Health Home. EEOC. Resume and Cover Letter to employment@wnyil.org.

12/16/2019.

ILGR HCBS Peer Specialist.

Fee for Service. Provide Peer Counseling to individuals with disabilities, and their family members, for the purpose of identifying life goals, objectives and values utilizing personal and/or professional background.$25/hr.EEOC. employment@wnyil.org MHPC Peer Support Specialist.

Work within the Renewal Center, serving guests of the livingspace in overcoming immediate, emotional crisis, who may alternatively result in emergency room visits. EEOC. Resume and Cover Letter req’d to employment@wnyil.org.

Deadline is December 12, 2019.

Community Energy Project Coordinator. Erie County is hiring a coordinator for the Erie County Low Income Program for Sustainable Energy (ECLIPSE). This is a new project to develop a community energy program for Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) participants. Learn more at bit.ly/AQ3KDU7

Employment Opportunities LPN Skills Assistant* Part-Time LPN Instructor* Part-Time Pharmacy Tech

Workforce Development

Follow us @E2CCB

*Licensure Required

Now Available Free ServSafe Food Handler course in Dunkirk

For info call 716-805-3159

COMMUNITY ACTION ORGANIZATION OF WNY Has been serving over 56,000 individuals and families since 1965. With a commitment to education advancement, workforce development, neighborhood revitalization, community health and economic advancement.

Come grow with us!

TO ADVERTISE: advertising@thechallengernews.com 716.881.1051

We are currently hiring and have immediate FT & PT openings in Erie and Niagara County: •Accounts Payable Clerk: Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivlent in accounting or business Management from two-year College or technical school.

•Quality Assurance Monitor: Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary, Secondary Education and/or Organizational Development with 3 years of work experience.

•Director of Employment & Training: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience. Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience in Human Services, job recruitment/program management. Minimum 2 years’ experience grant writing.

•Substance Abuse Counselor: BA/BS in Behavioral Health Services or Social Science field and two years related experience. (Certificates: CASAC, LCSW, LMS bvW, CRC required).

•Certified Teachers: Part Time evening opportunities.

•Director of Housing Development: Bachelors in Human Service or Social Work preferred, 5 years of housing related experience (Four years of relevant administrative experience may be substituted for up to 2 years of education).

•LPN/Health Coordinator: College graduate or nursing r egistration with NYS Department of Education.

•Youth Service Counselor: High School Diploma with one-year experience working with children.

•Teacher III: Bachelors or Associates degree in Early Childhood Education with 2-3 years’ experience teaching Teacher II: Child Development Associate (CDA) in infant development MUST be completed within one year from hire date (paid for by CAO

Apply now on our website www.caowny.org

Be A Census Taker  Extra Income  Flexible Hours  Weekly Pay  Paid Training

Apply Online 2020CENSUS.GOV/JOBS For more information or help applying, please call 1-855-JOB-2020 Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339 TTY/ASCII www.gsa.gov/fedrelay The U.S. Census Bureau is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

D-1531 | April 2019

TO ADVERTISE: advertising@thechallengernews.com

18

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 4, 2019

NEW YORK STATE LOTTERY NUMBERS SUN 11/24

MID-9-6-2

3-WAY

advertising@thechallengernews.com

ATTORNEYS LAW OFFICE OF DARIA L. PRATCHER, PC “Everything Real Estate” 523 Main Street (716)541-8574 PRATCHER & ASSOCIATES Franklin Muhammad (Pratcher) Attorney 1133 Kensington Avenue (716) 838-4612

ACCESSORIES DEMENSION42 Bracelets - Pearls Purses (716) 440-3700

AUTO BEN’S Downtown Tire

50 Sycamore (cor. Elm) (716) 856-1066 or 894-1483

BAIL BONDS GIST BAIL BONDS

A-1 Bail Bonds 855-2514 or 854-2128

BARBER SHOPS MASTERS TOUCH 1283 E, Delavan (716) 322-5641

BARBERSHOPNY.COM

BOOKS ZAWADI BOOKS 1382 Jefferson Ave. 716-903-6740

BOOKS ALIVE CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE 2275 Fillmore Ave. (716) 837-1118

CLEANING SERVICE SISTER DIANE'S CLEANING SERVICE

(770 )256-3271 Diane.Shakir@gmail.com Independent Contractor

CLEANING SERVICE SOPHIA CLEAN & CLEAR CLEANING SERVICE (716) 370-3862

OFFICE CLEANER AVAILABLE Monday -Saturday Any Time after 5pm (716) 602- 0000

ELECTRICAL EMPIRE ELECTRIC (716) 634-0330

FLORISTS MAUREEN’S Flower Market 441 Ellicott St. * 852-4600

GET PAID! GET PAID FOR OPINIONS! Up to $500 Per Week!

Work 1-4 hours per day only!

Text infoplz to 31996 GET PAID TO DOWNLOAD APPS! Up to $500 Per Week!

Work 1-4 hours per day only!

Text infoplz to 31996

PAINTING & GENERAL REPAIRS BODYGUARD INTERIOR PAINTING & GENERAL REPAIRS

Fully Registered/ Insured.

Seniors Welcome!

(716)940-8502

TAILORS ANN RHOD’S Tailoring 3185 Bailey Ave. (716) 838-5633

MID-0-4-7

WED 11/27

MID-8-3-9

EVE-3-8-4

EVE-2-1-4

EVE-6-3-4

WIN 4

MID- 7-3-6-0 EVE-0-8-5-6

MID-2-4-4-6 EVE-3-4-2-0

MID-8-5-5-2 EVE-7-8-8-0

TAKE 5

02-04-11-28-29

08-23-29-30-32

01-08-12-28-30

LOTTO

MID-3-4-1

EVE-6-4-8 MID-7-8-0-5 EVE-5-5-5-2 01-06-14-16-34

THURS 11/28

MID-7-1-2

EVE-9-3-7 MID-8-4-3-0 EVE-4-0-5-9 08-17-21-26-27

FRI 11/29

SAT 11/30

EVE-1-9-7

EVE-7-0-1

MID-2-5-4-6 EVE-1-7-5-9

MID-4-2-7-6 EVE 7-0-3-1

MID-7-2-0

12-18-30-31-36

18-31-32-40-43-53 #22

4018

HOT TIPS

022

064

648

Zakiyyah’s Rundown (ZR) Daily Vibrations 981-852-679-254-728-805-545-583-234-532-791-365193-428-4345-268-075-176-974-243-198-513-546-839079-340-645-790-190-653-334-568-919-784-546-894769-234-145-136-044-074-347-092-651-908-756-090198-652-882-681-192-345-678-978-567-786-846-675677-147-790-052-453-132-365-902-784-456-790-109535-780-735-632-460-179-106-801-634-610-235-900567-893-965-435-059-693-354-786-967-913-169-326MA RUTH SPEAKS THE TRUTH! SURE HITS! 168-985-678-198-256-890054-698-679-943-001-202147-001-865-732-855

DECEMBER Vibes 854 214294-190-124-547

“It’s In The Stars”

Aquarius -496-235-165-579 Pisces - 056-362-237-694 Cancer - 482-372-895-718 Aries - 289-946-034-594 Taurus -258-231-026-695 Gemini-495-257-694-508 Leo-345-213-157-201 Virgo 385-291-431-170 Libra -247-723-179-501 Scorpio - 453-253-571-597 Sagittarius - 389-701-234-924 Capricorn:893-275-342-506

quick money 189-809-444 886-980-422 322-522-355 800-592-390 394-833-924 127-909-418 927-313-466 124-550-098 511-005/201

GAMMA’S DECEMBER PICKS

302-536-741-394-164-870 BEST DECEMBER DOUBLES 662-711-919-422 BEST TRIPLE 999

WEBSITES SMALL BIZ WEBSITES CONTACT CHRIS PARKS (716) 249-4800

MON 11/25 TUES 11/26

999

This is a message signifying completion of an important chapter in your life...time to get to work on your life's purpose!

MID-4-0-8

05-15-16-26-34

14-30-39-51-52-53 #37

996

515

140

Challenger Hits MIDDAY 9-6-2 Gamma’s (box) 0-4-7 ZR (box) 3-4-1 Ozlla’s , Lucky Ducky, Virgo (box) 7-1-2 Quick Money (box) 4-0-8 Lucky Ducky (straight) EVENING 3-8-4 Ozlla’s (box) 2-1-4 ZR, Quick Money, Lucky Ducky (box) 6-3-4 ZR, Number Book (box) 6-4-8 Hot Tips, Lucky Ducky (straight) ZR (box) 9-3-7 Quick Money, Gamma (box) 1-9-7 Libra (box) 7-0-1 Virgo (box) LUCKIE DUCKIE

133-202- 335 -2015-4444-1871-0978 134-431--143

648*123*104

980-422-809-981-989-970-990-080800-515-996-390-196-102-581-752-319408-378-352-126-189-444-886-514- 332522-112-432-421-423-154-039-524

Madam Ozlla's FALL Predictions 140-143-133-392-320-965-843 5037-2156-3034-1342

WIN 4 2019 *1027 1590 *1928 5711 * 6502 1342 * 0907 3333*1971* 1931 *8938-1610-2001-6543

19

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com • December 4, 2019

Wednesday December 4

Friday December 6

Wednesday December 11

Wednesday December 18

Hustle for Health Urban Line Dancing Gloria Parks: 3242 Main St. 11am- 12pm. FREE for 55+ Call 716 832-1010 .

Book Signing “Whispers of Secrets” by Priscilla Y. Hill: Friday, December 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. Outside the Box, 1272 Delaware Avenue (Carriage House). (716) 897-9714 for more information.

Hustle for Health Urban Line Dancing Gloria Parks: 3242 Main St. 11am- 12pm. FREE for 55+ Call 716 832-1010 .

Public Meeting Notice: Board of the Westminster Community Charter School, 12 Noon, The Buffalo Club, 388 Delaware Avenue

The Durham Central City Baby Café Info and support for pregnant and breastfeeding moms 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 200 Eagle St. (716) 427-0566.

Thursday December 5 Free Lovejoy District Shopping Soiree : Schiller Park Senior Center, 2057 Genesee St. 5:30-8:30p.m. Hosted by Council Member Richard A. Fontana.

Grief Support Group: Delaine Waring AME Church, 680 Swan Street, Thursdays, 6:30-8 pm. 716-842-6747.

Yoga: Thursdays 5:30 p.m.

Gentle Chair Yoga $7; also Yoga & Meditation, 6:30 p.m. $10. Juneteenth Headquarters, 517 Genesee St. The Durham Central City Baby Café Info and support for pregnant and breastfeeding moms 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 200 Eagle St. (716)427-0566.

Fitness Friday: Hosted by Hustle for Health, Urban Line Dancing, Gloria Parks, 3242 Main St. 12noon – 1 p.m. 8321010.

Saturday December 7 Umoja’s Annual Convening of the Elders: Rafi Green CAO Community Center, 1423. Fillmore Ave. Brunch at 12 noon followed by the presenters at 1 p.m.For more info Aymanuel Radford at (716)583-6731 or Brother Peoples at (717)5336283.

Annual Christmas in Wonderland and Tree Lighting Event in MLK Park: 3 p.m. 4:15 tree lighting, The Lodge located on Fillmore Avenue near the Horticulture Green House.

Free Coats 4 Kids Distribution : The Belle Center, 104 Maryland St. ID needed

The Durham Central City Baby Café Info and support for pregnant and breastfeeding moms 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 200 Eagle St. (716) 427-0566.

Thursday December 12 Grief Support Group: Delaine Waring AME Church, 680 Swan Street, Thursdays, 6:30-8 pm. 716-842-6747.

Yoga: Thursdays 5:30 p.m.

Gentle Chair Yoga $7; also Yoga & Meditation, 6:30 p.m. $10. Juneteenth Headquarters, 517 Genesee St. The Durham Central City Baby Café Info and support for pregnant and breastfeeding moms 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 200 Eagle St. (716)427-0566.

Saturday December 14 Booksigning “Whispers of Secrets” by Priscilla Y. Hill Saturday, December 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. Merriweather Jr. Library, 1324 Jefferson Ave.

SEE YOU AT THE EVENTS!

LION BLYDEN

continued from page 15 is unity. A support network designed for us by us. Looking at Dr. Nogales research, we already knew there are repercussions for speaking out, that will be there anyway. Second, small acts of kindness from what she calls 'the abusers', need to be scrutinized. Third, notice in saying, "the isolation from others", effectively means supporting individualism and rejecting our own unification. Lastly, the conviction that one is unable to escape the situation. This is totally unacceptable by our great ancestor's standards. A traumatic bonding has happened somewhere along the line, keeping us psychologically enslaved. We must listen to our ancestors' lessons. PG Garvey said, "In order to liberate the bodies of men, you must first liberate the minds of men."

Wednesday December 18 Hustle for Health Urban Line Dancing Gloria Parks: 3242 Main St. 11am- 12pm. FREE for 55+ Call 716 832-1010 .

The Durham Central City Baby Café Info and support for pregnant and breastfeeding moms 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 200 Eagle St. (716) 427-0566.

Wednesday December 18 Urban League, BURA Fair Housing Forum: Urban League, 15 Genesee St. 6p.m.; (716)250-2418 or bsmith@buffalourbanleague.org SEE YOU AT THE EVENTS!

WEALTH BUILDING SYSTEM www.therealmoneyonline/warrenwerts

716 603-1988

Colston Mobil Auto Repair WILLIAM COLSTON

ASE Certified Technician

• IT'S WINTER CHECK UP TIME!

Phone: 716.896.3910 • 720 E. Ferry St.

Diagnostic Testing, NYS Inspection, Towing Service T ire Repair, Brake Repair, Air Conditioning Service

©2019 New York Lottery

B L A C K T I T A N I U M I S B I G. $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 B I G.

PLEASE PLAY RESPONSIBLY.

You must be 18 years or older to purchase a lottery ticket.

Struggling with a gambling addiction? Call the HOPEline 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or text HOPENY (467369).* NYLResponsiblePlay.com *Standard text rates may apply.

CAMPAIGN: NY Lottery Black Titanium 2019 Community Print Campaign

20 IMAGES OF US

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 4, 2019

ATHLETIC GREATS! The "Athletic Greats" continued their tradition of coming together over the Thanksgiving Weekend November 27 and the 416 Club located at 416 William Street was the perfect place for the event. Hats off to Richard "The Lion Hearted" Clark for keeping the tradition alive!

Challenger Photo

Thank you, Rocky!

Rocky Mohamed, owner of the Buffalo’s Golden Corner store located at 1715 Jefferson Ave at East Delavan Ave in Buffalo, NY, made the decision many years ago not to sell or market tobacco products at his establishment.

His reasoning:

“I don’t want to sell anything I know is going to harm people, especially kids.”

ApplAuds his selfless Commitment heAlth of our Community.

to the

caiglobal.org

COACH DUPREE AND HIS WINNING TEAM! Coach Fred Dupree poses proudly with his young 10-11 year old "Healthy Buffalo" AAU team after winning the XGen Elite 2019 Revolution Tourament Championship recently. Congratulations guys!

People Inc. Jefferson Avenue Apartments

LOCATION: 1140 and 1166 Jefferson Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14209 ACCOMMODATIONS: : Currently under construction, these 3-story apartment buildings are for head of household being 18 years and older, with 71 one-bedroom apartments and 18 two-bedroom apartments will be ready for occupancy in March and August 2020.

Professional on-site management and live-in caretaker Handicapped accessible or adaptable apartments On a major bus route • Smoke-free living • Community Room On-site laundry facilities • Central air conditioning Attractive grounds and outdoor space MONTHLY RENT:

**MAXIMUM INCOME:

1 Bedroom: (71) $532.00 – $782.00

1 person: $26,950 – $47,280 2 people: $30,800 – $47,280

2 Bedrooms: (18) $620.00 – $850.00

2 people: $30,800-$47,280 **Dependent on unit rent

Applications were mailed on November 12, 2019 to those individuals interested in keeping with approved affirmative marketing plan and opened by lottery at Johnnie B Wiley Center, 1100 Jefferson Avenue, Buffalo NY on December 17, 2019.

For more information or an application, email housing@people-inc.org,visit NYHousingSearch.gov or call 716.880.3890.