The Buffalodown, Vol. 2, Issue 28
Stories & Events for Social Connection
- PPG Community Agenda process beginning next week
- Musings on Music: Who are you excited to see at Borderland?
- Featured Events: 22 this week, always encouraging submissions!
- Links to the Deep End: Buffalo News, Investigative Post, Buffalo Hive & more
Welcome to the Buffalodown, thank you for your attention!
Have you ever wanted to help solve a problem in your community through changes in public policy, yet been overwhelmed by the process? Really, who hasn’t?!
Educating and empowering everyday people on civic engagement is part of the essence of the Partnership for the Public Good (PPG), whose 380 partner organizations are invited each year into their democratic process to create a Community Agenda: “ten [maybe 11] ways that state and local governments can act to improve Buffalo Niagara in the coming year.”
This PPG Community Agenda has become one of my favorite ways to get involved in community – while most of us have participated in simple service opportunities like community cleanups and feeding folks in need, such efforts address only solve symptoms of problems which will soon return, whereas PPG is focused on the systems that sustain such problems.
The top three agenda items for 2025 as voted by partners are: 1. Fully Restore Olmsted’s Humboldt Parkway and Delaware Park by Removing the Kensington and Scajaquada Expressways; 2. Pilot a Community Responder Team in Erie County; 3. Public Goods for Public Dollars: Pass a Community Benefits Agreement Law for Erie County. Each has a group of organizations who partner on the pitch and ongoing advocacy, all with ongoing support from PPG.
PPG’s Community Agenda is open to new participants, transparent in its process, and inspirational in its connecting of so many kindred spirits committed to building the beloved community. And the fun starts next week! From PPG executive director Andrea Ó Súilleabháin:
On Wednesday, September 10, we’ll hold a virtual Community Agenda 101 information session. Each year, PPG invites our 380 partner organizations to propose local and state policy changes that make our region more just, sustainable, and culturally vibrant. At this session, we’ll share: What are the steps and requirements to bring your policy change priority to PPG’s annual Community Agenda vote? What kind of help and support does PPG offer through the Community Agenda? Join this overview session to learn more, on Wednesday September 10 from 12-1:30pm. Register here.
Become a paying member to support social connection!
Musings on Music
Who are you excited to see at Borderland?
In case you’ve missed it over the past seven years, the Borderland Music & Arts Festival at Knox Farm in East Aurora has given Western New York a wonderful three-day event comparable to favorite festivals nationwide, and a community-centric, family-friendly one at that – the lineup is amazing with both local and national acts, the vendors are plentiful from food and drinks to arts and crafts, and the layout is thoughtful throughout the glorious grounds.
With Borderland coming up again next Friday through Sunday, September 12th-14th, I’m wondering who folks are most excited to see? I have my favorites that I’ll preview along with yours next week – part of the fun of Borderland for me is being introduced to unfamiliar acts, as this festival is curated so beautifully to my tastes that I’ve enjoyed every performance, even artists I hadn’t known or planned to see.
Please send me your favorites and stay tuned for a suggested itinerary next week!
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Events in the Week Ahead
Thanks to all who’ve submitted their events! Welcoming submissions with a flyer and link to seamus@reconnecter.org.
Become a paying member to help us promote community events!
Links to the Deep End
Deeper dives into subjects that matter for social connection
Buffalo Charter Review Commission plots path forward – article, The Buffalo News – “I think we have a lot of challenges,” as a city, said commission chair Anna Falicov. “Obviously, in the City of Buffalo, the city charter can’t fix a lot of those, but maybe we can work to improve the function of City Hall so that it better serves residents and ultimately creates a better, more resilient city.”
ICE deports West Side restaurant owner, family – article, Investigative Post – “Murcia Henao, his wife and their eldest daughter had arrived in the United States as asylum seekers and were permitted to live and work in the Buffalo area as their case wound its way through the courts. A panel of federal judges rejected their asylum bid earlier this year. ”
Review: A Fiery Homecoming for Ani – by Jeff Miers in The Buffalo Hive – ““Yep. It’s all coming back to me now,” laughed Ani DiFranco one song into her debut performance at the new Terminal B Amphitheater on Buffalo’s Outer Harbor, and her first gig in her hometown since 2016.”
No Degree, No Problem – Chris Ring of Rec Room Buffalo – podcast, Let’s Know Buffalo – “Chris shares how he built a 25+ year career in music starting with DIY punk shows and roller rink gigs. Hear how he booked Vanilla Ice at 18, flipped college events into a business empire, and became a key figure in Buffalo’s nightlife and hospitality scene. Now a Kenmore trustee, Chris also discusses how he’s using his voice to drive community growth and advocate for small businesses.”
Thank YOU for reading this far and being part of it all – extra thanks to everyone supporting this work with a membership at www.reconnecter.org!
Please share with friends to sign up for next week’s Buffalodown, and reach out with any feedback, all ideas welcome!
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