Challenger Community News December 9, 2020

ORANGE MEANS REALITY CHECK! Covid-19 is still very much with us! Protect yourself and

others! Wear a Mask. Wash your hands. Practice Social distancing. Make safe choices. Stay well!

Stay prayerful! Stay positive. “When it rains look for rainbows. When it’s dark look for stars.”

December 9, 2020 | FREE | COMMUNITY NEWS

To Take The Vaccine Or Not To Take The Vaccine.

That Is The Question.

Black Americans continue to stand out as less inclined to get vaccinated for COVID than other racial and ethnic groups according to a recent survey, which found that just 42% of African Americans said they would get the vaccine when made public. Page 4

ENTERTAINMENT

Girl Gang Entertainment Provides Unique Event Experiences Page 8

LOCAL

COVID, Evictions, Slumlords and the PUSH for Justice Page 3

ROCHESTER

Lightfoot Submits 1,000 Signatures to Reopen Barber Shops Page 2

NATIONAL: Biden’s All Female White House Press Team Includes These Powerful Women Page 12

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

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INSIDE ROCHESTER

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9, 2020

Around the NFL

FIGHTING FOR BARBERS: Council VP Lighfoot is also President of the United Professional Barbers and Cosmetologists Association in Rochester.

Lightfoot Submits Over 1000 Signatures to Reopen Barber Rochester Shops Council Vice President Willie J. Lightfoot, who also serves as the President of the United Professional Barbers and Cosmetologists Association (UPBCA), submitted 1,022 signatures to Governor Cuomo asking that barber shops and other businesses in the appearance enhancement industry be reopened. This list of signatories is comprised of industry workers, their clients, and other business owners impacted by the shut-down.

“We wish to ensure that all New Yorkers are safe, but we must recognize that viral spread has not been linked to appearance enhancement industry establishments. Many businesses are following guidance issued by the State and exercising extreme caution when working with customers, “ said Lightfoot. “We also must recognize that a disproportionate number of businesses that have been shut down are minority owned and located in the City. We must do everything we can to help them and ensure that workers and customers remain safe.”

The petition, signed by over 1,000, included 288 Appearance Enhancement Business Owners and those who rent booths in businesses.

Black Physicians Network to Host Black Doctors for Black Lives Virtual Gala

The Black Physicians Network of Greater Rochester will host its "Black Doctors for Black Lives" virtual gala Friday, December 11 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. View on 13WHAMABC. “Just 5% of America’s physicians are Black,” a statement from the organization points out. “This lack of diversity results in increased health disparities. We need more Black doctors. Please join us for our virtual gala and help us affect change in our community.”

Police Accountability Board Meetings Held Virtually

The last two Police Accountability Board regular Board Meetings for month will take place December 10 and 17.

All Board meetings will be held virtually via Zoom in light of the state and local rules regarding the pandemic. These meetings can be watched live on the Board’s YouTube page, which can be accessed at this link: https://www.youtube. com/channel/UCbTkxcH8SQYccMC5DxTrKCw/.

•Thursday, December 10 6:30 PM - Regularly scheduled Board Meeting streamed live on YouTube.

•Thursday, December 17 6:30 PM - Regularly scheduled Board Meeting streamed live on YouTube.

A full list of the City’s public meetings can be found at https://www.cityofrochester.gov/publicmeetings/

You are now starting to see the cream rise to the top of the NFL Divisions. The New Orleans Saints continue to impress with a surprisingly strong defense that’s not allowing over 20 points per game.

The offense is not as potent without Drew Bree, but Taysom Hill is adequate enough to continue on a nine-game win HONEY streak. The Saints finally have a legitiDavis Honey mate Super Bowl caliber defense and Local Raw Honey quality backups on their roster.

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Bills Rout 49ers 34 – 24 in The Desert The Bills came out with an offensive display that put the 49ers on their heels and Josh Allen completed 32/40 for 375 yards and passed for 4 Touchdowns.

Yes, the Bills offensive line was outstanding in pass protection as Buffalo flooded the field with receivers getting open at will against a hapless secondary. Cole Beasley had 9 receptions for 130 yards while Stefon Diggs contributed 10 catches for 92 yards.

This was a very big game for Josh Allen, who did not panic and was able to make plays throughout the night.

The Bills defense seems to be finding their stride by continuing to put pressure on opposing QB’s with a variety of Blitz packages.

The Bills have the luxury of veteran players knowing their assignments and not getting beat down the field.

Bills safety Micah Hyde had 12 tackles with six of them being solo while cornerback Levi Wallace had ten tackles and seven of them solo.

That’s the best game I’ve ever seen Levi Wallace play and he was involved in some critical defensive stops.

There was no bigger stop than the fourth and one at the goal line. Bills defensive tackle Vernon Butler, Jr. was a dominant force with many pressures on 49ers QB Nick Mullens. The Bills defensive front must continue to step up their game in stopping the run.

Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott :“It’s a credit to our players and coaching Continued Page 13

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9,2020

AREA BRIEFS

COVID, Evictions, Slumlords and the PUSH for Justice In midst of worsening COVID-19 public health crisis, local family is illegally evicted

by California-based landlord. Family and community leaders speak out; call for tenant protections and a Buffalo Tenant Bill of Rights

C

APPOINTED: Thomas Beauford Jr. has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Visit Buffalo Niagara (VBN), the official destination marketing organization for Erie County. Mr. Beauford currently serves as president and CEO of the Buffalo Urban League.

Brandy Loveland

Brandy Loveland Joins WNY Women’s Foundation

Brandy Loveland has joined the WNY Women’s Foundation as their new Achievement Coach for the organization’s Mobility Hub, funded by a prestigious grant from the Women’s Funding Network.

An experienced social worker and social justice advocate, Brandy is the former Director of Community Engagement at Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition. She previously worked at Baker Victory Services, the YWCA, and the Salvation Army.

Brandy also serves as a board member for the WNY Peacemakers and YK716.

She holds a BA in Social Work from Syracuse University and MA from the University at Buffalo. She was part of the 2020 cohort for the Oishei Fellowship for Leaders of Color.

Extension for Driver Licenses and Permits The Governor has extended the expiration dates on all New York State driver licenses and permits amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Motorists will now have until January 1, 2021 to renew.Anyone needing to renew their driver license or permit may do so by scheduling an in-person appointment at www.erie.gov/clerk/ autobureau.

ommunity leaders and housing advocates gathered and spoke out in solidarity with Cheryl Williams and her family outside Ms. Williams’ former residence at 10 Humason Ave. Tuesday to expose the unjust and illegal treatment she experienced at the hands of Californiabased landlord Farhad Raiszadeh of Premier Heritage Homes, LLC and Prime Heritage Homes, LLC. In November, Ms. Williams and her family were illegally and immorally evicted and harassed by Supporters, including members OF PUSH Buffalo, Mr. Raiszadeh following a fire at PUSH! participated in Tuesday's press conference. Challenger Photo the property. In clear violation of New York State law, the landlord locked the Williams family out of the property on two occasions and removed their belongings from their home and placed them into garage. Despite having paid rent through the end of November and not having access to the property, the landlord demanded $1,000 from Ms. Williams to turn the water back on, demanded rental payment, and then proceeded to rent her family’s home to new tenants while increasing the rent. Ms. Williams notified local officials more than once and no action was taken against the landlord.

“The landlord has robbed me blind and he has kicked me out of my home. He doesn’t care about people. He only cares about profits. But he picked the wrong woman because I’m gonna keep going until I secure justice for myself and the other people that he’s done this to,” said Cheryl Williams.

According to City of Buffalo records, Mr. Raiszadeh, through his real estate holding companies Premier Heritage Homes, LLC and Prime Heritage Homes, LLC, owns approximately 70 rental properties in Buffalo with a majority on New York State’s Section 8 housing list. According to prior tenants who wish to remain anonymous for fear of retribution, Mr. Raiszadeh has allegedly subjected other renters to unjust, deceptive, and potentially illicit treatment, such as allowing tenants without their knowledge to move into housing that lacked heat and hot water equipment or water service, and charging higher rent than what was agreed to by tenants in the original lease.

Continued Page10

Falls Group Seeks to Re-Name Schools After Notable Blacks A community Group known as Men Standing Strong Together, has brought the idea of renaming five area schools after notable African Americans.

Hugh Leftwich, president of the group, said that such a move would make a positive impact on young people and give them hope.

Name changes must be reviewed by a special 10-member committee, but that may be delayed due to the pandemic.

Currently the city schools are named after streets. Some of the proposed suggested names include Bloneva P. Bond Elementary School, Theodore Williamson Elementary School, for two outstanding local community leaders, and national historic figures Dr. Charles Richard Drew. Mary McLeod Bethune and a school after Rep. John Lewis of Georgia.

Police Advisory Board Seeking To Fill Vacancies Applications can be submitted to policeadvisoryboard@gmail.com by end of day December 16th, 2020.

The Buffalo Police Advisory Board is looking for City of Buffalo residents who are passionate and involved individuals interested in improving community-police relations in Buffalo. We currently need to fill several vacancies, and we need highly engaged, civic-minded individuals to join us.

The "Hidden Queen" Nyabinghi, the "hidden queen" fought to free Africans from English slavery and rule. Also called Queen Muhmusa or Tahtahme, she inspired the Nyabinghi underpinnings of Rastafarianism.

Nanny of the Maroons was born in Ghana, and folk history says that she came to Jamaica with the express purpose of becoming a high priestess and leader of her people, never having been a slave.

She led the eastern Maroons based in Moreton, and forged an alliance with another group led by Cudjoe. (The name Maroons comes from the Spanish cimarron,meaning "gone back to the wild.")

The Jamaican Maroons were the first people to force the English to sign a treaty with their subjects, on March 1, 1738. The lands conceded in this treaty formed a base for the Maroon's independent survival. One of these communities was named Nannytown after the female Ghanaian leader.

Maroon country was so feared by the English that it became known as the "Land of Look-Behind."

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9, 2020

BUILDING COMMUNITY AMID Positive Examples of Working Together Within Our Communities To Support Ourselves And Our Neighbors During The Covid-19 Crisis

Black Americans continue to stand out as less inclined to get vaccinated for COVID than other racial and ethnic groups according to a recent survey, which found that just 42% of African Americans said they would get the vaccine when made public.

T

o Take the Vaccine or Not to Take the Vaccine. That is the Ques-

COMMUNITY FRIDGE: George "JJ" Johnson, community organizer, stops by to leave fresh fruit and pastries at the "Community Fridge" in front of the former GiGi's Restaurant on E.Ferry near Jefferson.

It's location is fitting. Gigi's was the "soul food hub" and Blondine Harvin, it's beloved owner, fed her share of hungry folks - whether they had money or not - over the years. Described as "simply a fridge filled with free food for the community by the community," stop by and leave a donation any time! Let's keep the Fridge full! For more information, go to @buffalocommunityfridge or email buffalocommunityfridge@gmail.com challenger photos

Come One! Come All!

The First Fruits Food Pantry Is Open!

Offering Healthy Food Options Free To The Community

NEW TIME! Tuesdays 4-6 PM & Saturdays From 10 A.M. To 12 NOON Lincoln Memorial United Methodist Church, 641 Masten @ Northland No Forms To Fill Out, No Proof Of Income Or Residency Etc. Just The Blessing Of Good Food!

While You’re There Check Out The Lincoln Memorial. Clothes Closet!

“Fighting Food Insecurity & Meeting the Needs of The People.”

Rev. George Nicholas, Pastor, Lincoln Memorial UMC Rita Hubbard Robinson, Coordinator, First Fruits Food Pantry

tion.

NPR recently reported that 71% of Black respondents to a survey by the Pew Research Center told researchers they knew someone who has died or been hospitalized due to the Covid-19 virus, nearly 20 points higher than Americans overall (54%).

Yet Black Americans continue to stand out as less inclined to get vaccinated than other racial and ethnic group according to Pew, which found that just 42% of African Americans said they would get the vaccine when made publicly available compared to 83% of English-speaking Asian Americans, 63% of White and 61% of Latinx respondents who say they would take the vaccine.

-An Issue of History. A Question of TrustMany Blacks are mistrustful when it comes to the medical profession as a result of centuries of racially tinged experience in this country. It did not start with the Tuskegee experiment, but it is perhaps one of the best known examples.

During that notorious experiment of the 1930s, researchers lied to hundreds of Black men, telling them they were conducting research on treatments for "bad blood."

In reality the scientists were allowing the Black men to die of untreated syphilis. Those experiments were slated to go on for six months, but they lasted 40 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Then there was The “father of modern gynecology” J. Marion Sims , who per-

formed horrific experiments on Black female slaves without anesthesia.

Today, the Covid-19 vaccine is proving to be such a hard sell, that the Black Coalition Against Covid, a group of Black doctors and nurses, has begun a national dialogue about Covid-19; starting with a “love Letter” about Covid-19 urging Blacks to continue practicing safety guidelines until a vaccine is proven safe and effective - and then to take it.

Even President Obama, during an interview last week with SiriusXM's The Joe Madison Show, said that he'd be willing to get vaccinated in front of cameras when it becomes available.

He said he may even end up taking it on TV or having it filmed “just so people know I trust the science.”

Former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush have also said they are willing to get the vaccine in front of a camera.

But will that make a significant difference?

It’s hard to say. Consider that racial disparities in vaccinations are common, including for the flu shot.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that just 39% of Black adults were vaccinated during the 2018-19 flu season, compared with 49% of White adults. And a poll by the Undefeated/Kaiser Family Foundation found that even among Black adults who normally get a flu shot, one-third say they probably or definitely will not get a coronavirus vaccine.

Following is some general information about the status of the vaccine development.

How many vaccines are there? What are the side effects? Are they being developed too quickly?

The Vaccines •There are three drugmakers that have moved at record speed to come up with a Coronavirus vaccine Pfizer, Moderna and AsraZeneca.

•According to the Washington Post, Pfizer and Moderna continued Page 15

MENTAL HEALTH: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW! Sponsored by

The Community Health Center of Buffalo, Inc. DATE: Thursday, December 17th TIME: Noon-1 pm Zoom Training Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life. $10 Target Gift Card for Attending Spots Limited

For more information, please contact: slamwaka@chcb.net 986-9199, EXT 4051 Be sure to like us on Facebook or visit our website at:

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9,2020

Water Authority Offers Water Amnesty Program to City of Buffalo Residents

Stay safe at home with these exciting new books...just in time for the holiday. Zawadi Books also has a selection of Black Christmas and Kwanzaa cards, Black calendars and the full Kwanzaa sets. Open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 12-4. Extending hours on the week of December 14 from 12-5.

•Glory: Magical Visions of Black Beauty by Kahram and Regis Bethencart •Long Time Coming: Reckoning with Race in America by Michael Eric Dyson •A Promised Land by Barack Obama •The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food

by Marcus Samuelsson •Rise Up: Confronting a Country at the Crossroads by Rev. Al Sharpton •Say I'm Dead: A Family Memoir of Race, Secrets and Love by E. Dolores Johnson •Travesty Generator by Lillian Yvonne Bertram •Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho •We're Better Than This by Elijah Cummings (Zawadi Books is located at 1382 Jefferson Ave. 716-9036740 Sharon & Kenny Holly Proprietors)

Program announced by the City of Buffalo earlier this year to help ease the economic burdens caused by the pandemic. Residents must apply by Dec. 31, 2020 The Buffalo Water Authority, in partnership with the City of Buffalo, is continuing to offer its Water Amnesty Program to eligible residents in the City of Buffalo. The program waives any late fees or interest for individuals who have had their service turned off due to delinquent payments. Enrollment must take place prior to December 31, 2020 in order to be considered for assistance.

“Since the Water Amnesty Program was announced in June by Mayor Byron W. Brown, we have been able to restore water services for hundreds of residents. The pandemic has brought on additional financial hardships for many residents, and if we can ease the burden just a little bit, to continue providing affordable water services, we will. We hope those who have not yet applied do so by December 31, so we can assist anyone in need,” said Oluwole A. (OJ) McFoy, Board Chairman, Buffalo Water.

In addition to the Water Bill Amnesty program, the Buffalo Water Authority is encouraging City of Buffalo residents to enroll in its Pathways to Affordable Water, which can help residents access different levels of assistance to help lower their water bills by 20 to 60 percent per year. Residents can find more information and enroll by visiting online at: getwaterwisebuffalo.org or by calling (716) 847-1065.

WE MAY BE APART, BUT WE’RE NOT ALONE SOMEONE WHO CARES IS JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY. If you or someone you love is feeling isolated or anxious in these challenging times, hearing a friendly voice on the phone may help. That’s why we created the AARP Friendly Voice program – a trained, caring group of volunteers standing by ready to chat, listen, or just say hello.

It’s easy. Request a call by dialing AARP at 1-888-281-0145, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. local time.

Erie County Stay Fit Meals for Seniors

Erie County “Stay Fit Meals For Seniors” age 60 and up are being offered at the Dorothy J. Collier Community Center. For more information call 882-0602. There is a $3 suggested donation however no one in need will be turned away.

Celebrating 10th Year Anniversmy As A Health Voice For Our Community. Women's Health With Dr Catherine Collins Now Heard Every Saturday9-9:30A.M. On 1400 AM & 107.3 FM. She Can Also Be Heard On Think Twice Radio. Go To Thinktwiceradio.Com For Date And Airing Time.

6 VIRTUAL BIBLE STUDY The Dorothy J. Collier Community Center Virtual Bible Study from noon to 1:30 p.m. will take place Wednesday Dec. 16 and 30; and Thursday, December 10. The classes are held live on Facebook and Zoom.

For questions or if you need help get ting o Zoom please call (716)882-0602 prior to the class or email: FRIENDSINCDCCC@ GMAIL.COM

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9, 2020

Bethesda World Council Approves Lead Prevention Legislation Harvest International Introduced by Council Members Nowakowski Toy Give Away and Rivera Bethesda World Harvest International Church will host its annual Toy Give Away December 18,19 and 20. Call Bethesda early to register and for further information before Dec. 14 at 884-3607. Children must be registered and present to receive toys. Due to COVID 19 everyone must wear a mask.

We’ve come this far by Faith, leaning on the LORD. Trusting in His Holy Word, He's never failed me yet!

Legislation Seeks To Strengthen Housing Codes and Ensure Public Safety Legislation introduced by Council Members Mitich Nowakowski and Rivera was approved by the Common Council.

The legislation that will require proactive rental inspections of single family and double rental units. The inspections will help to ensure that rental dwellings will be free from any health hazards, including deteriorated lead paint. This legislation will contain four (4) ordinance amendments in order to combat the issue of lead paint in our city's rental dwellings.

The ordinance amendments introduced to The Buffalo Common Council aim to strengthen the housing standards in the City, give the Department of Inspections more opportuni-

ties to inspect rental dwellings for lead paint, improve the City’s plan for lead based paint abatement and ensure that rental properties in The City of Buffalo are protected from living conditions that pose a risk to a person's health and well-being.

“This legislation will update and strengthen our housing codes to ensure health and safety compliance in one and twobedroom dwellings in the city,” said Fillmore District Council Member Mitch Nowakowski. “Since taking office this year, combatting lead poisoning in the Broadway-Fillmore neighborhood has been a top priority of mine.”

“Today, we begin the process of addressing this crisis by introducing four ordinance amendments that raise the standard of living for rental housing in The City of Buffalo,” Nowakowski continued. “Lead poisoning disproportionately affects low income neighborhoods on the East Side of Buffalo, poisoning hundreds of children a year. These ordinance amendments will bring substandard housing into compliance and improve the public health of residents in The City of Buffalo.”

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9,2020

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9, 2020

Girl Gang Entertainment Enriching Black Life Through Unique Event Experiences

G

irl Gang Entertainment co-founders Yanava Hawkins and Rayna Moncrieffe have been friends since childhood. From middle school through high school (City Honors) and college, (University At Buffalo), the two have had an inseparable bond that has grown from friendship to empowered young women in a healthy business partnership.

While in college the two were inspired to change the narrative of how parties and events were hosted, primarily by men. They saw an opportunity to focus on womenhosted events bringing some balance to the full entertainment experience to close the gap giving birth to Girl Gang Entertainment in 2017.

“Many of the parties in college were hosted primarily by men, especially the successful ones, and this was when the first spark of wanting to start a business that was women run came to be. We noticed that many of the events that we were going to in college

Co-Founders l/r Yanava Hawkins and Rayna Moncrieffe Photo by Jimmy "Rook" Hawkins

were not only hosted by men, but most of the creatives that were hired (DJ’s, photographers, etc.) were also primarily men,” said Yanava.

Girl Gang Entertainment successfully started out as a woman owned and operated event-based company with a mission to host events and book as many women as possible .

“Our first event was a graduation party, and it was one of our most successful events to date," she continued. " Our second most successful event was a summer pool party 'Wet Fete' where we had about 75100 attendees. We converted Rayna’s backyard into an exclusive backyard pool party experience with VIP cabanas, a bar, and food!”

When they initially launched Girl Gang , Yanava and Rayna, both worked full time jobs in addition to running the

business.

Last June Yanava decided to quit her full-time job and became a full-time entrepreneur.

Rayna, who was working at a law firm, was furloughed which led to to joining her friend and co-founder in becoming a full-time entrepreneur as well, as they made Girl Gang their daily priority.

What also shifted amidst the pandemic was their mission and focus.

Girl Gang went from being an event planning and hosting company that focused on hiring and supporting as many women as possible to a comany company with a mission t of enriching the lives of Black people.

Girl Gang also adjusted their experiences to the proverbial “virtual” flow for the time being and focusing their events on entrepreneurial skills as well as financial,

physical, sexual, and mental wellbeing in the Black community.

Ready for the challenge that all entrepreneurs are faced with during these uncertain times, Girl Gang is well into their 2021 planning stages and intent on continuing their popular sexual health virtual series on Facebook.

Every third Thursday of the month they host a Facebook live mini web series called 'Let’s Talk Black Sex' where we discuss topics of Black love, relationships, and sex and discuss why healthy Black sex is important.

They have also just released their “Healthy Black Sex Matters” merchandise and plan to start podcasts with virtual guests addressing topics related to their newfound and much needed overall wellness focus for a wider and more diverse audience.

“Even though we are no longer only looking to support women, we wanted to keep the name Girl Gang because it holds power and Girl Gang will always be a business that has been founded by two strong women.”

On December 19 Girl Gang will host their first 2020 experience “SOUL SIPPIN”- a virtual wine tasting and soul food pairing event. The experience will include a professional DC based sommelier (wine expert) that will facilitate a virtual wine tasting experience with three wines from Paradise Wines that have been paired with a three course meal from Brother’s Takeout Cafe and Catering as well as

Pride in Place CALL FOR ARTISTS! Application Deadline December 18 LISC WNY & The Buffalo Center for Health Equity are looking for artists to participate in the painting of “IDEA BOXES” for the Pride in Place Buffalo Initiative - part of the AARP Community Challenge grant. The grant is being used to celebrate and reinvigorate Black and Brown culture, community, and pride throughout many of Buffalo’s near East Side neighborhoods: Broadway-Fillmore, MLK Park, Grider, Fruit Belt, Kingsley, Cold Spring, Hamlin Park, Willert Park and Masten Park.

By providing these areas with this unique ” Idea-box” (also called a suggestion box, feedback box) this effort aims to gather community input while lifting up important landmarks, parks, art and music happenings, and cultural events occurring (Continued Page 9)

Angel’s Treats of Heaven.

“All of our event partners have been intentionally chosen as we wanted to support local small businesses, specifically Black owned” she concluded.

Don’t miss this Girl Gang curated experience! Find more info and tickets for the SOUL SIPPIN at www.girlgangent.com -About the Co-FoundersA former athlete, and executive board member for the UB step team Yanava Hawkins, 26, holds two degrees from the University at Buffalo, a BA in Communications as well as a BA in Health in Human Services with a Concentration in Community Mental Health.

Rayna Moncrieffe, also 26, holds a degree in Finance from the University at Buffalo and has life-long experience planning events including the first Natural Hair Convention for the UB step team. They are both proud Buffalo natives!

-staff writer

SUPPORT THE ARTS!

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9,2020

CALL FOR ARTISTS Continued

in these neighborhoods The effort will highlight and promote health, hope, and exploration during COVID-19 recovery, while planting seeds for neighborhood-owned community development visions as we work together to rebuild.

Each artist will receive a stipend of $400 to put toward their time and supplies for one box to create an original piece of art for the mailbox they will be provide with. A total of 20 mailboxes will be painted.

Application deadline is December 18 and artist will be notified by January 1 if selected .

For application link and full artist responsibilities and project details go to prideinplacebuffalo.com or Contact Alexa Wajed eatoffart@ gmail.com or Saira Siddiqui at SSiddiqui@lisc.org before deadline.

LISC i n Western New York has been named a recipient of a 2020 AARP Community Challenge grant in partnership with the Buffalo Center for Health Equity, one of six grantees selected in the state of New York.

COMMUNITY-BASED REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

ATTENTION: COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS ON BUFFALO’S EAST SIDE

Learn How to Develop Commercial Real Estate

Typography of Women On December 11, 12, and 13, 2020 the long-anticipated

passion project conceived, produced, written and directed by Celeste M. Lawson, will be available for online viewing on VIMEO. Vimeo is a high-quality video hosting platform used by many professional filmmakers and videographers. Typography of Women gives viewers an insiders’ perspective on human trafficking that is grounded in the written words shared by real women in our community who suffered trafficking and managed to escape their captors. Many turned to Project Mona’s House in Buffalo, Pictured above starting front and

then back left to right: Front Shanntina Moore; Row 1. Melinda Capeles Tashani Wiggins, Gunilla Kester, Joy Scime, Goodness Shawndrell Green, Vernice Turner; Row 2. Dewel "Dee" Perez ,Vonetta T. Rhodes, Dayatra Amber Hassan, Brandon Williamson.

Tickets are available on the Typography of Women website: https://typographyofwoman.wixsite.com or you can reserve directly on VIMEO - https://vimeo.com/ondemand/towiamnotinvisible

Gain direct knowledge and hands-on experience to redevelop your commercial property. Learn about the things that matter most in real estate development—from financing a project, to permits and approvals, to design and construction.

There is no cost to apply or participate in the program. Accepted applicants will just need to pay a one-time registration fee of $100.

Classes meet Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and run for 23 weeks, starting March 3, 2021.

For details visit:

Applications due by January 6, 2021

EastSideAvenues.org/CBREDT This program was developed through collaboration of the University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning, University at Buffalo Regional Institute (UBRI), Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) WNY, and Empire State Development (ESD).

FIND YOUR NEW CAREER

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

in partnership with Program funding generously provided by

Classes Start January 12

Tues & Thur; 3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (classroom instruction) Mon – Thur; 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (field work to begin in Spring 2021)

SPACE IS LIMITED. APPLY TODAY AT BUFCAT.ORG/APPLY-NOW Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology • 1221 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14209 • 716.259.1680 • @bufcat716

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9, 2020

Applications Being Accepted for Community-Based Real Estate Development Training Program

IN LOVING MEMORY

Applications are now being accepted for the 2021 Community-Based Real Estate Development Training program which teaches East Side building owners and community members how to plan for and implement a commercial real estate development project. The program is designed to build a community of citizen developers on the East Side of Buffalo by empowering community members with the skills and knowledge to successfully complete a project.

Applications for the Program are due January 6, 2021 by 5 p.m. and a at Www.eastsideavenues.org/CBREDT. T ere is no cost to apply or participate in the program. Students will be selected from the pool of applicants.

Upon acceptance, there is a one-time non-refundable $100 registration fee.

Celebration of LIfe for LEADLEY LORENZO

CRAY

NEIGHBORHOOD CHAMPIONS! Urban League President and CEO Thomas Beauford (center) and staff are all smiles behind their masks!

Bank of America Names the Buffalo Urban League Neighborhood Champion

Program Provides $50,000 in Grant Support and an Opportunity for Virtual Leadership Training

Need help with small business PPE expenses?

Apply for a Grant from the ECIDA! ELIGIBILITY

✓ B us ines s or nonpr ofit mus t be l oc at ed i n Eri e Count y ✓ Max i mum of 50 empl oy ees ✓ Mus t be l oc at ed i n a Hi ghly Dis t r es s ed A r ea Cens us Tr ac t OR be mi nority - , womenor v et er an- owned ✓ M us t demons tr at e fi nanc i a l v i ability pri or t o Marc h 7, 2020 ✓ M us t doc ument bei ng negativ ely fi nanc i ally af f ec t ed by COVID - 19 s hut down

For information, call: (716) 856-6525 ext. 126 or visit www.ecidany.com

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Bank of America recently announced the Buffalo Urban League as a Neighborhood Champion, a recognition that includes both grant funding and leadership training. The Neighborhood Champions program supports the role strong nonprofit leaders play in advancing economic mobility, and is an extension of the bank’s signature philanthropic initiative, Neighborhood Builders®, the largest corporate philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership in the country.

As part of the program, the Buffalo Urban League will receive $50,000 in grant support and an opportunity for engagement in virtual leadership training delivered by experts in the nonprofit sector. The Buffalo Urban League has recently named a new President/CEO, Thomas Beauford Jr., who is looking forward to utilizing the leadership training during his transition. Due to the coronavirus, the Buffalo community’s needs have increased significantly. The nonprofit will use the grant to keep up with the influx in demand for their services, as well as help them utilize other mediums to deliver both individual and group services in a safe and socially distant way.

COVID,EVICTIONS, SLUMLORDS AND PUSH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

As the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened and temporary tenant protections, like the statewide eviction moratorium, are eased or go unenforced by government officials in communities, housing advocates are increasingly concerned that the kind of self-help eviction actions taken by Mr. Raiszadeh will become more common occurrences in the months ahead.

"We are in the midst of a housing disaster like we have never seen before, but our elected officials have done almost nothing to help our neighbors, and our communities are suffering. Conditions are only going to get worse in the coming winter months as the effects from the pandemic deepen, and without rent and mortgage cancellation, thousands will lose their homes," said local housing rights attorney Adam Bojak. "..Stopping evictions would stabilize society for everyone. To stop evictions, we must stop the entire ‘eviction machine’,” said PUSH Buffalo volunteer Minnie Kim. “PUSH Buffalo is working on two projects that will fight the eviction machine in Buffalo: the Buffalo Tenant Bill of Rights, which will strengthen renters' rights and prevent unfair evictions, and the online Slumlord Wall of Shame, which will list landlords who have shown themselves through their actions to be slumlords, and also the law firms, attorneys, and property managers who enable slumlords to operate."

Angel Rosado, interim Housing Justice Organizer at PUSH Buffalo, added, “By allowing people to profit off of whether or not someone has a place to live, we are failing ourselves and our neighbors in our communities. Without Just Cause Eviction and proper consequences for breaking the law, we will always see illegal and immoral actions by landlords. We need a Buffalo, a New York, and a national Home's Guarantee and our city officials have a chance and a responsibility to start us on that path by enacting a Buffalo Tenant Bill of Rights."

LeadleyLorenzo Cray, 69, of Buffalo, NY, passed peacefully on November 24, 2020, at Sisters of Charity Hospital.

Leadley was born on June 2, 1951, in Utica New York, to Leadley M. Cray Sr. and Anna Mae Cray. cation He moved to Buffalo, NY at a young age and attended Bennett High School where he won All-High honors in both track and cross-country. Leadley continued his education at Buffalo State College where he attended for two years.

Leadley enjoyed living life and meeting people from an early age. Leadley, his brother Patrick, and friend Al Garrison were well known in the city for managing the popular club Maxel’s.

He also enjoyed traveling on the open road and could drive anything with wheels, as his career showed. Leadley worked at the Buffalo Courier-Express as a Hopper, driver, and eventually a District Manager. He went on to drive for Greyhound and various trucking companies. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time with his family, gardening, cooking, and music.

He is survived by his siblings, Valeria Cray, Patrick Cray (Michelle), Linda Cray Maclin’ Randall (Tony), Alonzo Cray, Bobbie Gene Cray, and Reginald L. Cray (Olivia), his children, Dana Cray (Rhonda), Lasandra Cray, Jennelle Cray-Pelamoko (Mokeli), Lynette Cray (Jenny) and nephew/son Hiram Lee Cray, his grandchildren, Nina and Xzavier Cray, Dominic Crum, Masai and Zahra Pelamoko, and a host of nieces and nephews.

A virtual memorial was held for close family and friends via Zoom on December 4, 2020.

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9,2020

National/World

From George Floyd to Iyad al-Hallaq: Palestinian Lives Matter The killing of IIyad alHallaq by Israeli police officers has exposed the police brutality problem in Israel. Al-Hallaq, a 31year old unarmed man with autism, was shot to death by police after officers called out to him and he ran, despite witnesses who said his teacher had shouted out to police that he was disabled. Activists have linked Mr. AlHallaq’s killing to that of George Floyd in Minneapolis, turning his name into a “Palestinian Lives Matter” rally cry. Israel’s problem with police brutality is long standing and aimed the vast majority of the time against minorities. Lethal force , although rare, is wielded almost exclusively against Palestinians and citizens of Ethiopian descent. The vast majority of complaints of police brutality are never investigated according to Justice Ministry records. Those that are almost never lead to criminal charges or even disciplinary action

Police Tase Black Man Who Stopped Them For Help

A Black, Los Angeles man is recovering from injuries sustained during an encounter with the police, which began as a plea for help. On Tuesday an unnamed man was tased by deputies of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department while he attempted to assist victims of a nearby car crash in South Los Angeles, according to VICE. Police claimed they used a taser as a last re-sort. A video recorded by witnesses has over 25k likes with over...A continuation of these encounters only continues to erode the trust of Black community members weary of a system founded to enslave them.

This article originally appeared on NewsOne.

Virginia Governor Signs Breonna’s Law, Banning No-Knock Warrants

Virginia is the third sate to ban no-knock search warrants which led to death of Breonna Taylor Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has signed Breonna’s Law which will ban police from using no-knock search warrants in the state. The law is named after Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old EMT who was shot and killed by Louisville, Kentucky police on March 13 after they executed a botched no-knock raid. The measure was passed after a special session in Virginia’s legislature and co-sponsored by Senator Mamie Lockat and Del. Lashrecse D. Aird, D-Petersburg.

Kentucky Council Denies Taylor Mother’s Request For Special Prosecutor A state prosecutor advisory council says it lacks legal authority to grant such a request for a special prosecutor.

Back in October, Breonna Taylor‘s mother, Tamika Palmer, requested to have a new prosecutor assigned to oversee the case of her daughter’s death by police in Louisville, Kentucky. That request was denied Friday by Kentucky’s Prosecutors Advisory Council, and many in the community are not happy about it, according to CBS News.

To Buffalo With Love...

By Tasleem Dawud

G

reetings Buffalo family.This is a Love Letter.

I often find myself missing the Afro-American community and the cultural love found in Buffalo.

I have traveled, lived and worked in different communities around the country like LosAngeles,Baltimore,the DC area,Tampa and now Atlanta. Although I loved and enjoyed all these places and had great, wonderful times, Buffalo is the city that made me ready for the world. The historical references it is known for and the strong African community presence brings me home again and again.

When you leave Buffalo YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN. I love to come home for Kwanzaa.It's my favorite holiday. I especially enjoy seeing family and friends and experiencing seven days of celebration and reaffirmation of who you are....and all the values that Buffalo and family instilled Tasleem Dawud in you.

I have been blessed to experience many phases of my life as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and now a widow. Life has been good,rewarding and challenging for a little girl of humble beginnings from the Niagara Falls -Buffalo area.

Our home was always an adventure. You never knew who would be there when you arrived from school, like musician extraordinaire Pappy and his sister Professor Kay Martin; my Godfather Al Brisbane one of the many Premier DJ's at WUFO....; or even being in the presence of one of my heroes besides my parents - Malcolm X! The list goes on and on.

For me these people and their ideas were my first trip around the world at least in my head. I too wanted to be someone who motivated my community.

My parents Wayman Diggs and Lailah Diggs were great parents.They taught us about our great and illustrious history.My father would always say "Fame is Family name."

He said we were all born famous because we had a family. I loved that and never forgot it.

You can imagine our amazement when he told us as that Richard Allen, founder of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the first independent Black denomination in America, was our relative.We always stood, fought and strived for the humane and excellence of our people.In our time as a members of US and the Black Panther Party, we knew Black Lives Mattered! As young people we fought for civil rights and started the free breakfast programs and medical services for the community.

So many people nurtured and influenced me as a young person and still touch my life, like the late Mrs. Marie Harris who took me to audition at the Studio Arena to tryout for a scholarship and I won! There was her daughter Gail Harris, my best sisterfriend and my children's Godmother; Mrs Ora Lee Lewis Delgado, the first businesswoman I ever met (she was so dynamic!) But most all my regal mother who was always there steady and ready. There are so many to mention and acknowledge.

I thank you all so much for making me ready for the world and I pray that in the future that the musical ensemble Imani....that used to perform around town and at the Revilot can one day bring you a stellar performance once again!

I LOVE you and am so proud of the Afro-American community of Buffalo!!!.

Until the eclipse of the Covid and my return home, may God bless...as He provides and protects. The Ancestors are watching....Ashe

VOICES

11

“A Good Day for the Residents of Erie County” 2021 Erie County Budget Yields funding for non-profits, city infrastructure, and adds to historic tax rate decrease while maintaining services with a responsible spending plan The2021 Erie County budget document my Caucus proposed and passed today is one that shows our priority and commitment to the people of Erie County, a place I am so grateful to serve. The Minority Caucus amendment proposals were not only fiscally irresponsible, but they would not help community organizations and non-profit groups, nor the residents and persons in the urban core who pay County taxes but do not get the benefit of County roads. Furthermore, their amendments would have created long-term structural holes in our County’s financial plan.

Utilizing an extra $10 million in fund balance to double the amount of money the County was using in 2021 from our reserves risks the County’s credit rating, could be rejected by the County control board, and harms and our ability to, if necessary, use that money when needed in 2021 for COVID-19 response or outlying years to balance future gaps. The County Division of Budget and Management has done an excellent job maintaining the county’s fiscal integrity through this crisis and the Legislature should be preserving that good work, not attempting to damage it unnecessarily.

The approved Erie County Budget for 2021 stays under the property tax cap and includes a 29-cent property tax rate decrease that is the largest we have seen in nearly 2 decades.

The budget we passed is equitable. We provided $2.1 million funding to Erie County’s three cities, which have historically been excluded from infrastructure funding. We funded nonprofits who have struggled to remain operational this year.

We restored $100,000 to youth summer programming. We funded $100,000 for a mental health facility on Buffalo’s East Side. We added additional savings to the County Executive’s tax rate proposal. We allocated millions to the County’s three cities who undoubtedly generate revenue for our entire region. Today was a good for the residents of Erie County and I am proud to have presided over this legislative body.

HUA HU CHING

Humanity grows more and more intelligent, yet there is clearly more trouble and less happiness daily. How can this be so? It is because intelligence is not the same thing as wisdom. When a society misuses partial intelligence and ignores holistic wisdom, its people forget the benefits of a plain and natural life. Seduced by their desires, emotions, and egos, they become slaves to bodily demands, to luxuries, to power and unbalanced religion and psychological excuses. Then the reign of calamity and confusion begins. Nonetheless, superior people can awaken during times of turmoil to lead others out of the mire. But how can the one liberate the many? By first liberating his own being. He does this not by elevating himself, but by lowering himself. He lowers himself to that which is simple, modest, true; integrating it into himself, he becomes a master of simplicity, modesty, truth. Completely emancipated from his former false life, he discovers his original pure nature, which is the pure nature of the universe. Freely and spontaneously releasing his divine energy, he constantly transcends complicated situations

and draws everything around him back into an integral oneness. Because he is a living divinity, when he acts, the universe acts. (Seventy-Seven)

12

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9, 2020

Biden's All-Female White House Press Team Includes Three Powerful Black Women

T

hree outstanding Black women are among seven women who will serve in the upper ranks of Presidentelect Joe Biden’s communications team, becoming the first White House team in history to have an all-female staff who will speak on behalf of the incoming commander-inchief.

The three African American women on Biden’s communications team are Symone Sanders, Karine Jean-Pierre and Ashley Etienne.

Sanders, 30, from Omaha, Nebraska, previously served as a senior advisor for Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign. In 2016, she became the youngest press secretary for a presidential candidate while working on U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders’ then-presidential bid. Sanders is the former chair of the Coalition of Juvenile Justice Emerging Leaders Committee and a former member of the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice. Sanders also spent time as principal for 360 Group LLC, where she provided strategic communications to businesses, campaigns, and candidates.

Jean-Pierre, 43, who is a member of the LGBTQ community, served as Kamala Harris’ chief of staff during the Biden-Harris campaign. She will now serve as Biden’s principal deputy press secretary. She has previously worked on presidential campaigns for John Edwards, Martin O’Malley and Barack Obama. Jean-Pierre was born in Martinique to Haitian immigrants and grew up in New York City. She shares a daughter, Soleil, with her partner, CNN’s Suzanne Malveaux.

Ashley Etienne, 42, is the former communications director and senior advisor to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She was the first Black woman to serve as communications director for a Congressional House Speaker. Etienne was also a former special assistant to Barack Obama. Etienne, who served as senior adviser for strategic planning and Harris’ senior campaign advisor for Biden’s presidential campaign, will now serve as her communications director.

which will play a key role in advising the president on the economy, which has been struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic. Biden earlier named economist Janet Yellen as his treasury secretary.

Symone Sanders

Karine Jean-Pierre

“Communicating directly and truthfully to the American people is one of the most important duties of a President, and this team will be entrusted with the tremendous responsibility of connecting the American people to the White House,” Biden said in a statement.

Vice President-elect Harris, the first woman in U.S. history elected to the position, in a statement commended the women on their “commitment to building a White House that reflects the very best of our nation.”

“Our country is facing unprecedented challenges–from the coronavirus pandemic to the economic crisis, to the climate crisis, and a long-overdue reckoning over racial injustice,” said Harris in a statement.

“To overcome these challenges, we need to communicate clearly, honestly, and transparently with the American people, and this experienced, talented, and barrier-shattering team will help us do that,” Harris continued.

In another historic appointment, Biden tapped another Black woman, Princeton University labor economist Cecilia Rouse as chair of the three-member Council of Economic Advisers, with economists Jared Bernstein and Heather Boushey serving as the other members.

Rouse will be the first woman of color to chair the council,

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Rouse served as a member of President Barack Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers from 2009 to 2011. Prior to serving in the Obama Administration, Rouse served in the National Economic Council under President Bill Clinton from 1998 to 1999. She has two daughters. Her husband is Ford Morrison, son of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison.

Rouse holds three degrees from Harvard University.

She is the Dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs and the Lawrence and Shirley Katzman and Lewis and Anna Ernst Professor in the Economics of Education.

Rouse is the founding director of the Princeton University Education Research Section, is a member of the National Academy of Education and a research associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research. Her primary research interests are in labor economics with a focus on the economics of education.

Rouse has served as an editor of the Journal of Labor Economics and as a senior editor of The Future of Children.

She is a member of the board of directors of MDRC, and a director of the T. Rowe Price Equity Mutual Funds and an Advisory Board Member of the T. Rowe Price Fixed Income Mutual Funds.

President-elect Biden also recently named Nigerian-born attorney Adewale Adeyemo, as the Deputy Treasury Secretary who will work under Janet Yellen, the first female Treasury Secretary in U.S. history.

13

Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9,2020

BILLS

IN continued from page 2 LOVING MEMORY

Thomas E. Morris

A Son of The Black Rock Family Thomas E. Morris, a beloved son of the extended family of African Americans who grew up in the Jasper Parish Housing Projects in the Black Rock section of the city, made his transition on December 3, 2020. The loving son of the late James W. and Hennerita (nee Perry) Morris, he leaves to cherish his precious memory, dear brothers James, Richard, Robert, Pauly and the late David and late sister Juanita; also a host of nieces, nephews, friends and his entire Black Rock family. May his Soul Rest Forever in the Eterne Fields of Peace…

staff working with guys that are eager to learn and grow are a good quality for our football team. On defensive tackle Darryl Johnson, he’s been given an opportunity.

Yes, we played a couple plays last week and Flash is a young player who is an extremely hard worker who can only get better.”

Darryl Johnson is a secondyear player out of HBCU North Carolina A & T. He’s continuing to improve weekly and has caused veteran edge rusher Trent Murphy to be placed on the inactive list two weeks in a row. The Bills General Manager must stop over paying for over the hill veteran players.

The Bills face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football after the Steelers finally lost a game to Washington Football Team on Monday night. The Steelers lost two more key defensive players to injury during the game and I see the Bills challenging Steelers linebackers with short passes to Devin Singletary and how about activating running back TJ Yeldon for this crucial matchup? II predict the Bills will win another hardfought game at Bills Stadium 21 – 17.

Follow me on FACEBOOK, TWITTER: georgeradney@ georgeradman, RADIO: Pro Talk Plus, on 105.5 FM The Beat of Rochester, Every Saturday Morning, 7 AM – 8 AM, Live Call in Show, 585 595 1055. What’s Going on The Experience, Every Sunday Morning from 8 AM – 9 AM on WHTK 1280 AM, Rochester, NY LEGAL NOTICE BID The Faculty-Student Association of State University College at Buffalo, Inc. is soliciting bids for an independent audit for fiscal years ending June 30, 2021 through June 30, 2026. Interested Certified Public Accounting firms and sole practitioner CPAs may obtain bid specifications by contacting Hope Dunbar at fsa@buffalostate.edu, or writing FSA at: Faculty-Student Association SUNY Buffalo State 1300 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14222

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LEGAL NOTICE BIDS Buffalo City School District Advertisement for Bids Sealed proposals for the following project will be received at the offices of M/E Engineering, P.C., 60 Lakefront Blvd, Suite 320, Buffalo, NY 14202. Proposals shall be delivered to the security desk located on the ground floor and will be received until Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 2:00 p.m., at which time proposals will be publicly opened, utilizing a virtual Go To Meeting platform and read aloud for: Buffalo Public Schools - Emergency Generator Replacement Project at: 0059-011 P.S. 59 Charles R. Drew Science Magnet 0050-010 P.S. 99 Stanley M. Makowski Early Childhood Center 0200-019 P.S. 200 Bennett High School Bids will be opened for multiple prime contracts: General Construction, Mechanical, Plumbing/ Fire Protection and Electrical.

Beginning Thursday, December 3, 2020, bidding document packages may be viewed and purchased through Avalon Document Services online Planroom website at www.avalonbuff-planroom.com, under “Public Jobs”, or ordered by phone at 716-9957777. Owner can assume no responsibility for errors, omissions, or other misinformation obtained via other bid document distribution resources.

A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held, beginning at P.S. 200 Bennett High School, 2885 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214 on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.; please assemble at the main entrance.

We will then proceed to P.S. 59 Charles R. Drew Science Magnet, 1 Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Buffalo, NY 14211, and P.S. 99 Stanley M. Makowski Early Childhood Center, 1095 Jefferson Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14208. The Engineer and District personnel will be present. Eligible bidders are required to attend this walkthrough or another previously arranged and documented site visit with the Engineer and/or District personnel.

Please note that required bid bond is 10%. The work will be subject to the equal employment opportunity requirements. Any questions regarding this project, please refer to M/E Engineering, P.C., 60 Lakefront Blvd, Suite 320, Buffalo, NY 14202, attention: Mr. David Schlant, dmschlant@ meengineering.com, 716-8455092.

Paul McDonnell, AIA Director of Facilities Planning

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LEGAL NOTICE BID

NFTA Procurement Invitation to Bid

4999 - CONSULTANT FOR TRANSIT SURVEY Download Bids from www.nfta.com LEGAL NOTICE BID COUNTY OF ERIE NOTICE TO BIDDERS Bridge Painting and Steel Repairs Leydecker Road (BIN 3328840) over Cazenovia Creek PROJ# FA-5762.07-21 Department of Public Works, Division of Highways seeking sealed bids for Federal Aid Bridge Painting and Steel Repairs Project. Sealed proposals will be received at Rath County Office Building, First Floor Lobby, 95 Franklin St, Buffalo, NY 14202 by, and opened via Webex at 10 am local time, Tuesday, December 22, 2020. Certified check in the amount of $30,000.00 is required as bid deposit. Pre-let meeting via Webex is scheduled for Thursday, December 3, 2020 at 11:30 am local time. Davis Bacon Wage Rates, Local Minority, & Disadvantaged Workforce goals, NYS Apprenticeship, and DBE goals may be required. Plans, COVID bid procedures, and additional bid submittal information on the Erie County website and at: http: //www2.erie. gov/dpw see On Line Bid Retrieval.

EMPLOYMENT Seeking skilled certified phlebotomists, LPNs, RNs who can perform difficult sticks/have EXCELLENT venipuncture and patient interaction skills for mobile home blood draws in the Buffalo, Rochester, and Central NY area. The applicant must have a valid drivers license, a reliable car and availability for appointments scheduled between 7am-12pm MondaySaturday as needed. Fill out application at: https://form.jotform.com/201148165568155

Network Administrator Buffalo State, State University of New York, seeks candidates for the position of Network Administrator.

For a full job description and to apply: https://jobs.buffalostate.edu/postings/5140.

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

name change Notice is hereby given than an order entered by the Supreme Court, Erie County, on the 30th day of October, 2020, bearing Index Number 2020/600225, a copy of which may be examined at the office of the clerk, located at 92 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY grants me the right to assume the name of Joseph Anthony Parker. The city and state of my present address are Buffalo, NY; the month and the year of my birth are June, 1993; the place of my birth is The Bronx, Ny, NY; my present name is Joseph Anthony Sanchez."

Virtual Job Fair December 16, 2020 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

name change Notice is hereby give that an Order entered by the Supreme Court of Erie County on the 30th day of October, 2020, bearing the index number 2020/600227, a copy of which may be examined at the Erie County Clerk’s office, located at 92 Franklin St, Buffalo, NY grants me the right to assume the nam of Rin Lee Parrack.

I currently reside in Williamsville, NY and I was born on October 31, 2006 in Naperville, IL; my present name is Virginia Ellen Parrack.

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9, 2020

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community calendar Westminster Community Charter School Public Meeting Notice: There will be a meeting of the Board of the Westminster Community Charter School on Wednesday, December 16, 2020. If you are interested in participating, please email info@buffalopromiseneighborhood.org for further details.

VIRTUAL TREE LIGHTING A Virtual tree Lighting will be held Saturday Dec. 12 from 3-6 p.m. at the Historic Michigan Baptist Church, 511 Michigan street. Call 322-1002 for more information.

TOY STORY DRIVE On Saturday December 19 there will be a Toy Drive at the Local community Buffalo Police station District C at East Ferry and Fillmore Ave from 3-6pm. There will be a small stocking with candy, cookies and a box of cereal and a toy or gift card for ages birth through teen years. Covid 19 safety precautions will be used during this even. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Any questions

please contact Esthlia Hunt at 716 564-7087

Free On-Line Alkaline Cooking Classes The Dorothy J. Collier Community Center is offering On-Line ZOOM Alkaline Cooking Classes with Coach AJ of Finger Lickin' Alkaline every Tuesday at 1 p.m. during the month of November.

Benefits of following an Alkaline Diet : fights against fatigue, strengthens immune system, reduces inflammation and strengthens bones.

Just go to the following link to register and we will send you the link for the class: https://form.jotform. com/203003595102037 SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES!

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9,2020

COVID-19

continued from page 4

Westy’s Sycamore Inaugural Harvest Fest, A Big Success Recently the Westy’s Sycamore Organization, sponsored a Harvest Fest where families received free pumpkins, candy, PPE, Hotdogs/Hamburgers and free flu shots. This event was co-sponsored by Congressman Brian Higgins, County Legislator Howard Johnson, and Councilmembers Bryan Bollmann and Mitch Nowakowski, African American Cultural Center and The UNITY Coalition. This 1st ever event was successful. Over 600 families were able to benefit from this effort. The Westy’s Sycamore Organization, founded by President Ivory “Ikey”, Payne, hopes to make this an annual safe alternative each fall!

vaccines could be given in the coming weeks to those in high risk groups numbering about 200 million people and then to the general population in late spring and early summer. However Moderna has only been in the business for 10 years - considered a very short time for a pharmaceutical company. And it reportedly has never brought a single drug to market.

•The Food and Drug Administration has confirmed the safety and efficacy of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine candidate.

•Britain started administering the same vaccine, becoming the first Western nation to begin a mass effort to inoculate people against the coronavirus.

•AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford are the first vaccine developers to publish their full data in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. It suggests the need for more trials.

“Warp Speed”: Fast Track Historically vaccines have taken years to develop. Before coronavirus, the mumps vaccine for example - which took four years to develop - was the fastest to be approved for use in humans.

Safety No serious safety concerns have been reported - but the full safety data has not been yet been made available. Initial side effects have

been minimal. Possible long range side effects are not yet known. Many people feel there is not enough information on potential side effects.

Pfizer and Moderna are the first vaccines using messenger RNA technology ever approved for human use by the Food and Drug Adminis-

tration. By definition experimental. It is different from more traditional vaccines.

Doses All three Coronavirus vaccines require two doses.

Effectiveness Pfizer reports protection for 28 days after getting the vaccine. No information on

what may happen after that.

-Masks /Social DistancingEven after a vaccine is approved experts say people will need to wear masks and socially distance. Exerts say it could take months to return to “normal.” Source: Time Magazine, The Washington Post,NYT

The best time to get a flu vaccine is right now.

Recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older.

Protect yourself and those you love by getting a flu vaccine.

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PLEASE MAIL YOUR PAYMENT AND COMPLETED FORM TO: The Challenger Community News, P.O. Box 474, Buffalo, NY 14209. Credit card payments are accepted by calling (716) 881-1051. We sincerely value your business! Please advise us immediately at email editorial@thechallengernews.com or call (716) 881-1051. If you experience any problems or delays with delivery. If you move please contact us so that we can update our records. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •December 9, 2020

COME BACK WITH CARE

LET’S TAKE CARE OF OUR HEALTH – AND OUR COMMUNITY. This once-in-a-century health crisis has been challenging for Buffalo and Erie County, but if we stick together, we’ll see it through. Local businesses and restaurants have carefully adapted to keep you safe, and they need your support more than ever.

Remember – money spent locally is money earned locally, and if we’re smart, we can take good care of ourselves and our community at the same time.

LET’S COME BACK WITH CARE. WNYNeighborhoods.com