Tag: buffalo

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Seriously

So, I was thinking that I would go in a different direction with this blog. Something outside of the realm of citizen action. At the time I made this decision, I believed that we were going to elect our first female POTUS and continue with another 8 years of change for the better. At that time, I did not realize that we would be left with the most horrible man in that position. A man that is the antithesis of positive change. A man that would rather build a wall than build bridges.

With that – I feel that the original focus of rise up buffalo needs to remain. This space needs to be a place that residents can come to see what is happening in the city of Buffalo and the surrounding area. A listing of current and future events. Posts that discuss topics of interest to the activist community. Moving forward I will try to be more prolific in keeping rise up buffalo updated. I will also be looking for assistance in this effort.

Rise up buffalo has been around for quite a while (10 years as of 18 May 2016!), but has not been active for a while now. This is mainly due to my inability to keep things moving on my own. I have been busy with other things, but there are really no excuses. Going forward I promise to be more on top of the goings on in Western New York activism. As I said above, I could really use some help with this. I am always looking for guest posters, so please let me know if you would like to volunteer some of your words to the cause.

We must stay vigilant and continue to be allies to one another. Now, more than ever, it is important to keep our marginalized friends and family members safe. Continuing to be up to date with the activist community is a good step in that direction. Thank you for joining me on this renewed journey. Our new POTUS may end up being a devastating force, but together we can keep ALL of our leaders in check. We can write letters and make phone calls and assemble in the streets to peacefully resist the future direction of the this most wonderful country. At the root of it all, we are a great country, we just need to be sure that every single citizen has an equal voice and equal rights as we move into the future and away from our disgusting past.

Peace and happy organizing!

Chantale (aka hippiegrrl)

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Changing Things Up

As you can see, it has been quite a while since the last official post here at Rise Up Buffalo. We have been busy working on other projects and getting locked out of our accounts, but we are ready to pick up where we left off, with a few tweaks to the original theme. Rise Up Buffalo was originally created to be a resource for the Buffalo, NY activist community. Our main goal was to inform the activist community on matters of importance. To spur actions and continue the growth of community building in the city. In the past 5 years, we feel that Twitter has become a major source of this type of community building. The opportunities for activist outreach through Twitter are endless. Coupled with other social media outlets, Twitter has been an excellent resource and continues to move change in Buffalo and across the planet. Humans writing pieces on blogs cannot keep up with the minute to minute nature of actions and Twitter was really made for that type of interaction.

Having said this, it seems that Rise Up Buffalo needs a change of focus. Instead of maintaining a standard of information gathering and dissemination for current actions, we feel that it can be a repository for nostalgia in the Buffalo community. So, as we stated back in March, we want to move forward with the writing series listed on the Series Up pages. This will become the main focus of Rise Up and we hope that you will join us on this new leg of our journey. All submissions are welcome! Please read more about this series and contact us with questions. In the meantime, be on the lookout for the first installment of Buffalo, Then, coming in November.

Peace, love, and activism,
Chantale

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2004.8.23 – subversives

Let me first say that I would like to commemorate my second anniversary here at Backwash (one day late, it was actually 22 August) by saying thank you to all of my readers. I realize that I have been hot and cold with the updates over the last six months, but I promise to get back into the swing of things for fall. So, happy anniversary to me and happy reading to you!

This weekend brought about many new thoughts and feelings. On Friday night, the filmmaker and I attended a concert at a local club. “Lowest of the Low” (a fantastic Canadian band) and “The Marble Index” (a new group, also from Canada) were the headliners and it turned out to be one of the best shows of the year. At least for us.

This is where things get complicated. Canadians, in general, are a much more laid back breed then Americans. So it goes to show that when you get a huge group of people (composed of both Americans and Canadians) together you are going to have a bit of conflict. This is unfortunate, but true. Here is what happened.

Ron Hawkins (the leader of the Low) was talking about the release of the latest album, which will be happening in September, and he wanted to let the crowd know that after the album comes out there will be another Buffalo appearance of the Low. The next thing he uttered was felt with mixed response from the audience. Hawkins stated, “we will see you after September, although we don’t really want to play here again until you have a new president”. Being the liberal, green party members that we are, the filmmaker and I screamed and clapped at this comment, but the gentleman behind us felt the need to yell, “Go back to Canada, ass****”.

This wasn’t the end of it either. After the comment was made and the next song was started the group behind us began to give a very loud critique of the remainder of the concert. Not loud enough for the band to hear, but certainly louder than I would have liked. At one point I was ready to turn around and confront the hecklers, but I didn’t think it wise to get into a fight with Republican hicks that don’t know their ass from a hole in the ground. I just thought it strange to continue to be pissed off and complain, when you paid money to see the band.

Artists have a platform. They have a stage to pontificate from and a captive audience in a concert situation. If the people behind me at this concert have something to say they should really find their own platform from which to spew crap from. Ruining other concert attendees experience is not the route to take.
This goes to show that Canadians are truly more laid back than Americans. If we could just take ourselves a little less seriously and not dwell on what was, we would be a lot happier and perhaps even healthier. Anger and condescension only lead to ulcers. Letting things go is the best way to deal. At least in this sort of situation. Enjoy the music and relax. What will be will be and things that are said at a dive bar in Amherst, NY on a Friday night in August are not going to change the outcome of our futures here in America. Save the cattlecalling for the debates. We just want to enjoy the show.

Peace,
Hippiegrrl

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2004.3.18 – urban renewal

I live in a city, so I guess you could call me an urbanite. I enjoy being around tall buildings and having the ability to walk to restaurants and night clubs. With these abilities also come problems. Our cities are in danger of extinction. The yuppies have abandoned the city to live in the suburbs and although they work and (sometimes) play in the city, they make their home elsewhere. This threatens the very essence of the city lifestyle. Less people = less customers for small and medium sized businesses and this tends to drive more and more residents out. A vicious cycle.

In the city I live in (Buffalo, NY) we are seeing a sort of urban renewal happening. Three major department stores on Main Street (which have been abandoned and laying dormant for several years) are being remodled. The average rent for a studio in one of these new, fancy buildings is between $900 and $1500 per month plus utilities. The lofts go for even higher amounts in the hopes of bringing some professionals back downtown to live, as well as work.

This plan seems like a good one, but it may leave some of us out in the cold. With new buildings going up around us rents increase in current structures. Small businesses get a boost, but at times they can get greedy. With this new found customer base they will have the ability to raise prices on basic necessities and this may send those of us who have been here for several years packing. Don’t get me wrong – I love the fact that more people will be populating our city streets on a nightly basis, but I am just a bit worried.

Urban renewal is about bringing more business and green space to an area that has been devoid of human contact. It is about giving life to a neighbourhood that is dying. I just hope that this new life doesn’t also bring higher prices and less access to services already in place.

The one thing that would make me happier than anything is the idea of a community garden. We have them in the established neighbourhoods and we now need to find a way to bring one downtown. Growing our own vegetables and flowers would be a great thing for many downtown residents and it would give us more reasons to hang out in the wonderful (short) summer weather that we experience here. A rooftop garden would be ideal, but that seems a bit of a pipe dream, so we shall settle for what we can get.

If you are interested in urban renewal and community gardening please check out the great links below for more information on each. Our cities need help and it will only happen when everyone realizes the need and begins the journey of coming home to downtown! Our country was built around the city idea and we don’t want to lose this wonderful part of history.

Peace,
Hippiegrrl

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2003.10.10 – a hippie on the jury

Grand Jury. Sounds like it could be exciting, right? Well, that is where you would be wrong. Finishing up a Grand Jury term this week, I feel totally drained. Indicting people is exhausting. All we really had to do was sit and listen to witness testimony and prosecutors arguments, but it was draining.

Deciding the fate of another human being is not the easiest task. There is solace in the fact that our decisions were not final. The accused still have a chance in court with a trial jury.

New York is one of only 18 states in America that still uses a Grand Jury system. The other 32 states have elected to dispense of this antiquated system and simply have District Attorneys signoff on cases. Basically, the Grand Jury system is only around now to help the prosecutors. To show them if they really have enough evidence to take an accused individual to court for a felony. If there isn’t enough evidence, the Grand Jury can dismiss the case and the prosecutor must find new evidence in order to reopen the case.

The most striking thing about attending Grand Jury proceedings is how relaxed they are. On the first day of service I was expecting a very formal situation where I would need to continue to dress in my work clothes. This is not the case. We were ushered into a small room with 20 elevated chairs and 3 chairs at a desk, a small witness booth, and an even smaller desk for the prosecutor to question from. The stenographer brings in the stenograph at the beginning of each case. There are many breaks and we were able to eat in the room, even during testimony. Nothing like what you would expect. Although there were tense moments throughout the month (especially when individuals who were incarcerated testified and had to be accompanied by a very large guard), but overall it was an interesting experience.

Most people want to get out of jury duty, but you should think again before making up a silly excuse. Especially if you get paid by your company to attend jury service. It is a welcome break from the work week and it can be highly informative. Making you more aware of your surroundings and more interested in following the news in paper, radio or television form. It also gives you a clear view of how skewed the news media actually happens to be. When you know the facts of a case and then hear the news report later in the week, you realize that the local news just scrapes together what they can get to report on. They rarely have all the facts in a case and most of the time have misinformation.

The only real frustrating part of jury service is the fact that you have to keep everything completely secret. With Grand Jury it is even more secretive for the mere fact that if a case is dismissed the accused may never know they were being investigated. Leaking a story would be detrimental to those individuals who are truly innocent. I had a hard time the first week keeping things to myself, but by the end of the month I was a pro at it. The severity of some of the later cases was enough to keep me quiet. Nightmares are not uncommon and I’ll certainly be much more cautious when walking down the street now, but it is good to be informed. It is good to know what you are up against in life and especially in your neighbourhood!

Peace,
Hippiegrrl

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2002.12.5 – a bit territorial, aren’t we?

Have you ever felt territorial? This past weekend gave me new insight into territorialism in modern day relationships. A trip to Toronto would be the backdrop for a very educational trek down memory lane.

First of all you must know that Canada is almost like a second home to most of us here in Western New York. Border dwellers tend to take the fact that they live on the edge of another country, for granted. The people that I have grown up with at school, at work, and in my family have grown accustomed to being near another country. We don’t even look at it as foreign anymore. A good quarter of my life has been spent on the other side of the bridge. Hell, at nineteen we all went there in order to drink, as the drinking age was 2 years younger than in New York.

Having said all this, one of the members of our party was a true tourist by virtue of the fact that he had never been outside of the country before. Being from Fresno, California didn’t afford him many chances to go to Canada. Finding out this fact, the tour guide in me kicked up to full force and I was more than prepared to show him Toronto. I made the mistake, however, of deciding to go to the more obscure locations, rather than the touristy places and I think I may have lost his interest along the way. He had his girlfriend with him though (who happens to be one of my best friends), which made things better, but also brings in the territorial issue.

Let me sidetrack you here for a moment and give you a little history on territorialism. In my college days I tended to be extremely territorial of not only places that were what I considered to be mine, but also people. I shared this same feeling with my best friend at the time and whenever someone would try to break through we would be on guard. Basically, what this involved was when one of the out of town students would begin to learn the city enough to start giving driving directions or restaurant recommendations we would be irked. If at all possible, we would attempt to one up the out of towner with more intricate details. This was obviously a very childish phase and thankfully I’ve mostly outgrown it. I say mostly because every once in a while I have the feeling again. The difference is that I no longer act on it. I no longer go out of my way to make other people look like fools. I simply agree with whatever the newbie says and I don’t correct them. The best part of this strategy is that eventually they will make a fool of themselves by giving bad directions or the like.

Sidetrack completed. Moving on to Toronto.

The weather as we left Buffalo was cold, but sunny. Stuffing five people into a small four-door sedan, we finally hit the road at 1pm. Normally we would leave early in the morning, but certain problems arose, per usual, and we were unable to get out of town until this late time. One and a half hours later we arrived in Metro Toronto and a feeling of relief swept through the small vehicle. Walking around a metropolitan area in freezing temperatures is probably not the greatest idea, but we certainly made the best of it.

Our last stop before heading home that evening was a bar on Peter Street (“Fez Batik”) where the territorialism began to rear its ugly head. The bar was somewhat busy, which meant that all five of us were unable to sit together at a table. We decided to break into two groups and then rotate accordingly. A marked lull in the conversation began and so I decided to discuss a few items with my best friend. I have a nasty habit of being nostalgic at the most inopportune moments, and this was definitely one. We talked about my impending wedding and any plans that were to be taken care of. We talked about our mutual friends who are in other states now. We talked and talked and talked. Finally I realized that perhaps our talking was a bore to the newbie in our group and so I tried to get him involved in the conversation.

Tact and group activities are not a good mix for me. I suppose that I should probably get to know a person better before I begin talking about issues that are outside of the norm, but I can’t help myself. Eventually we moved to an area where all five of us were able to sit together, only now I was literally the “middle woman”. Two on one couch, two on the other, and me in the middle on a hard bench. I tried to bring the two groups together, but it was useless.

Giving up is a good thing sometimes and in this case it was the best choice. We finished up the drinks that we had and headed for home. Surprisingly, everyone stayed awake in the car so that I wasn’t made to be a lone driver. It is difficult to bring a new person into the fold when you have four people who have known each other for so long. The territories were mapped out and we didn’t break through this time either. Not for lack of trying, but perhaps for lack of consenting.

Until next time…

Shalom –
Hippiegrrl

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2002.11.15 – wish you were here

Ah, Buffalo in November. The leaves are getting near that brown crispy stage and the snow is about to fall any day. Yes we have long hard winters here in the Queen city, but there are so many other reasons to come and visit us.

I don’t think that Buffalonians realize how famous their city actually is. Maybe not in the sense of winning sports teams or motion picture sets, but we hold our own in the Art, Architecture and Theatre departments. It is a safe bet that the majority of people in Buffalo probably don’t know that Mark Twain once lived here, that Frank Lloyd Wright built several houses here, and that the Albright-Knox Art Gallery holds an original of Andy Warhol’s “100 cans”.

Yes, President McKinley was shot here and Teddy Roosevelt had a residence down the street from my apartment building, but nowadays Buffalo gets a bad rap. The main reason for this is the sad state of major league sports in this border town. Everyone knows about The Bills and their fantastic 4 superbowl losing streak in the 90’s. The Sabres aren’t much better, with their down to the end Stanley Cup loss a few years back, they are carrying on the tradition of sports incompetance.

A theory I have for the losing aspect of Buffalo teams has to do with the fact that a good portion of Western New York is built on Native American Land. It is thought that perhaps the Tuscaroras and Senecas of the area put a sort of hex on all sports teams. ?We took their land so they take our glory. If you ask me, it isn’t a fair trade for the Native American side as they don’t get much out of the deal, but it certainly makes sense.

Most sports fans in Buffalo think there is a curse on the teams and this would confirm that theory. However, I am not a sports fan in any sense of the word so I don’t particularly care if the teams win or lose. The only teams I really appreciate are The Bisons and Sabres because their complexes are still in the downtown area and they bring people into the city, even if only for a couple of hours a night. Plus, hockey rocks just because it is a Canadian pastime, and you all know by now how much I love Canada!

Getting back to the rich history of the Queen City. Hundreds of years from now Buffalo’s legacy will most certainly be Architecture. As long as the many buildings that were constructed near the turn of the 20th century still stand, Buffalo will continue to thrive as a historical landmark city. Finding use for these buildings has become the big problem in the downtown Buffalo area. Many of the structures have fallen prey to vacancy and, in turn, infestation. They are still beautiful to look at from the exterior, but to venture inside would be a risky proposition. If big business could just see that Buffalo is a great city to invest in, we would be able to refurbish these beautiful, old buildings and bring back a little of that Pan-American Historical spirit.

Peace,
Hippiegrrl

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Singing as Therapy

Back in the day, when I was in college the first time, I used to be able to work two part time jobs while I was studying. This was partly due to the major that I had chosen. See, even though I loved school, I didn’t really care about going to college. My mother was on my case about it and so I chose the easiest school to get in and the least difficult (for me at least) major. Playing instruments, singing, studying theory, practicing. These were all things that I had been doing since I was 3 years old. Some things (practicing for one) I did grudgingly. My mother had to set the oven timer to thirty minutes in order to keep me seated at the piano for at least that long. This would change in college where, when I was supposed to be practicing my singing, I would sit in the practice room for hours upon hours playing the piano. I guess it was a case of me wanting to do what I wanted to do. Per usual. Just like everything else in my life, if someone said I had to do something, I would choose to do something else. Music was not immune to this attitude.

Something I have come to find out in the past month is that no matter what, music is a saving grace for me. If I feel tired or sad or mad or agitated, I can sit at the piano, play a tune and feel better. It is really the best therapy. I inherited a piano from my maternal grandmother (Nana) that has brought many things to my abode. If I want to have a good cry, all I have to do is sit down at the piano and play “Blue Butterflies” and the waterworks start. I have been able to cry a little less with each rendition, but it still provides a release. I can think about how much I miss my Nana and Papa and the music gives me the push to let it go. After a good cry I like to sing a few tunes, usually of the operatic version, and this perks me up again. The piano also brings with it many memories of lessons (mine and other students) and holidays when the family would want me to play. Of days when I would visit and give in to or deny the request to play. It helps me to remember good times, but also times when I could have been quite a bit nicer. What is one song, really, in the grand scheme of things. Now I wish that I could play one more song on this piano, in the old house. And so it goes.

Music is like a drug. It can be an upper, downer, or maintainer. In college, it served as an escape. Forced rehearsals turned into wonderful occasions when the chorus sounded just right. When everyone was in tune and sounding glorious, it could truly lift ones mood. The addition of massive amounts of caffeine probably also had a lot to do with the up mood, but I am going to give music all the credit. Being in a show or chorus or band is an experience that everyone should be able to partake in at some point in their lives. It is cheaper than therapy and gives one the same outlet. In fact, it is sometimes even better, when you get to play out a “character” that is close to your own personality. Working out your issues on the stage is the ultimate in self absorption and whom but the self absorbed needs therapy? Try it, you will not be disappointed.

Peace,
Chantale

Appropriate links:

music therapy association
why music makes you happy
jamiroquai they always make me happy.

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from the archives – here we go… 26 november 2007

The holiday season is here. Black Friday (or Buy Nothing Day as we like to celebrate it) has come and gone and we are left with images of crazed shoppers trampling each other on the way into the local Wal-Mart. Highly motivated, yes, but for the right reasons?

In an attempt to make a difference this holiday season, we are going to pledge to purchase handmade items. This pledge will be made through an online group called, interestingly enough, buyhandmade.org. This group is just what the activist ordered. A way to buy products that are produced by the seller. A way to know beyond a shadow of doubt that the products you are purchasing are made by artisans in good working conditions.

Let me back track a bit and explain why this handmade pledge has been made:

– Over the past few years the production for products sold in the US has been largely shipped overseas.
– Products made in foreign countries do not undergo the same scrutiny that products in the US do.
– Working conditions in foreign countries are not monitored in the same way that working conditions in the US are.
– Buying handmade goods will insure that the products purchased were made by the seller under good working conditions.
– We hate malls.
For the reasons above:

We Pledge To Buy Handmade!

Buying handmade isn’t the only pledge I took this holiday season. Buying local is another promise I hope to fulfill. If it works out that I can somehow buy local AND handmade that would be the tops! I’ll follow up in the coming weeks to show my progress and give you some insight into specific reasons for shopping local and handmade. In the meantime – happy shopping! Just remember that people are more important than things. That should be the force that drives you this holiday season, while looking for the perfect expression of love and gratitude for your friends and family members.

Peace!
Hippiegrrl

here are my three favourite local shoppes on the elmwood strip – check them out!
Spoiled Rotten – [where: 831 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222]
Everything Elmwood – [where: 740 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222]
Clutch – [where: 814 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222]

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from the archives – eat local – 1 september 2007

rise up buffalo has been looking into the possibility of going completely local with our diet. the 100 mile diet, to be exact. in order to do this though, a few items may need to be given up in the winter months and other items given up altogether. with the help of a few great websites, we are learning more about eating locally and how it can help the environment while keeping our local farms in production.

local harvest is a great resource for finding and maintaining the means to eat locally. you can punch in your personal zip code and the site will show you all the farms in your area. there is also a wonderful section of the site explaining why we should buy locally and the effect it has on our planets and local economies. just in case you needed an explanation or would like to be more informed in discussing this 100 mile option with friends and family.

quoting from the sites about us page – “The Buy Local movement is quickly taking us beyond the promise of environmental responsibility that the organic movement delivered, and awakening the US to the importance of community, variety, humane treatment of farm animals, and social and environmental responsibility in regards to our food economy.”

for an even more in depth explanation about buying local, check out sustainable table.

isn’t this cause to at least give it a try? see what we can do as a community to continue the sustainability of our local farms and, while doing so, help the greater ecological issues we are facing in this current time.

staying on the local topic, but away from food there is a new movement in our buffalo community to buy local goods from retailers in our area. buffalo first “aims to encourage Western New York residents to make purchases at locally-owned independent business whenever possible. We also encourage local “mom and pop” stores to source with Buffalo’s farmers, producers and retailers; and work with local nonprofits, credit unions and other institutions whenever they can.” they are getting in on the movement as well, so isn’t it about time for you?

peace & happy marching!
hippiegrrl

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From the archives – back from the big city – 30 june 2007

yes, we have returned!

spending a weekend in toronto (or canada in general) always makes us want to do more for the environment. it also nudges us more in the direction of activism. realizing that toronto is a major metorpolitan area, you would think this wouldn’t be the case, but they are very conscious of usage, recycling, etc. up there.

so – considering the fact that we don’t want to be left behind when it comes to environmental awareness & activism, here are a few links to things happening locally in the western new york community!

re-tree wny – group formed to start the replanting process this coming fall for the trees that were lost during our storm in october 2006.

streets are for people – this group is organized in the toronto gta (mainly the queen west/kensington market neighbourhoods) to take back the streets for people. buffalo could use a little of this.

buffalo blue bicycle – buffalo’s bike sharing program. a great way for citizens to get back into biking without making a large investment in a new bicycle. you can join the club, learn how to repair bikes and share with other like-minded biking citizens! a season membership is only $25 or 6 hours of service helping to repair/maintain bikes. not bad!!!

freegans – As it states on the freegan website – “Freegans are people who employ alternative strategies for living based on limited participation in the conventional economy and minimal consumption of resources. Freegans embrace community, generosity, social concern, freedom, cooperation, and sharing in opposition to a society based on materialism, moral apathy, competition, conformity, and greed.”

push buffalo – helping low income individuals and families turn the page and become homeowners – one house at a time.

massachusetts avenue project – the mission of map is to “nurture the growth of a diverse and equitable community food system to promote local economic opportunities, access to affordable, nutritious food, and social-change education” and they have several ongoing programs to help them accomplish these goals!

queen city farm – a project that is still in the early stages, bringing the ability for fresh food and growing to the east side of buffalo.

i realize that this is quite a bit of information, but we are trying to get back on the right foot with this site. please join us in supporting these amazing groups and give you two cents on the comment board!

peace & happy marching –
hippiegrrl