Upcoming University District Fall 2020 Events

Please click on this link to pull up a list of places to vote.

where to vote

Also please remember to fill out the Census 2020.  The 2020 Census is happening now. You can complete your questionnaire online, by phone, or by mail.  The 2020 Census asks a few simple questions about you and everyone who was living with you on April 1, 2020.

Buffalo, NY –Shango Bistro (Shango) announced that after fifteen years of service they were approved for a liquor license, overcoming challenges from an obscure rule in the NYS Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Law. Until today, Shango could only serve beer and wine because of their proximity to St. Joseph University Parish and School. Locally owned restaurants depend on revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages to keep their doors open.

A prohibition-era rule prevents the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA) from issuing liquor licenses to establishments “on the same street or avenue and within 200 feet of a building occupied exclusively as a school, church, synagogue or other place of worship.” Few exemptions to this law from 1933 are allowed and Governor Cuomo signed stand-alone legislation duly passed by the New York State Legislature (A10707/S8662) so the license could be issued to Shango.

“I am thankful to everyone who helped us navigate this complex legal issue. Running a restaurant is difficult in the best of times and we are operating in the most perilous business environment imaginable,” said chef-owner Jim Guarino. “Fortunately, Shango’s loyal customers kept us afloat during the most severe COVID related restrictions and thanks to Senator Kennedy and Majority Leader Peoples-Stokes we finally have the tools we need to serve our customers for years to come.”

“I wish Shango the best of luck and I hope they will continue to call the University District home for fifteen more years,” said Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes. “The economic impact of COVID-19 is being felt throughout Western New York and its hitting small, family-owned businesses especially hard. My office will continue to work on strengthening our economy while keeping residents safe.”

“It was an absolute pleasure to help Shango, an anchor establishment in the University District, secure a license that will only further grow their family restaurant,” said Senator Tim Kennedy. “This was truly an effort driven by the community, and this win couldn’t come at a more needed time – a time when our small businesses are going above and beyond to keep their doors open and their customers served safely. Special thanks to Jim Guarino for continuing to invest in our city; cheers to many more years of continued success!” 

Shango is owned by Buffalo-native Jim Guarino, an award-winning, self-taught chef inspired by the soulful culture, music, and cuisine of New Orleans. Chef Jim is in the kitchen at least six days a week and he is currently busy preparing new menu options, cocktail and otherwise, and COVID-friendly anniversary specials. “We have the opportunity to celebrate Shango’s fifteen-year anniversary in the most fitting way imaginable. I look forward to creating a craft cocktail menu and entrees that allow our guests explore the flavors and history of New Orleans in a whole new way,” Guarino will announce his new menu items and anniversary specials soon. Plans for a NOLA-scale anniversary party are on hold until the current public health threat subsides.

Shango Bistro and Wine Bar strives to awaken the senses through Chef Jim Guarino’s culinary creations, a Wine Spectator-awarded wine list 170 bottles strong, and our eclectic, carefully hand-selected beer menu. Shango embodies the spirit of a true neighborhood bistro — offering a light, fun atmosphere paired with serious food and drink, in a safe and socially distanced setting. 

Qualifications to Vote by Absentee Ballot

• Unavoidably absent from Erie County, or
• Unable to appear at the polls due to illness or disability, or
• A patient in a Veterans’ Administration Hospital, or
• Detained in jail awaiting Grand Jury action or confined in prison after conviction for an offense other than a felony.
• NEW- Public health emergency (COVID-19)

Qualifications to Vote by Military or Federal Absentee Ballot

• Actively in the Military, or
• US citizen living outside of the country.
• Click here for a PDF version of the Military/ Federal Absentee Ballot Application Form.
• Additional information can be found by visiting the Federal Voting Assistance Program website.

How to Vote by Absentee Ballot

• Applications for Absentee Ballots are available at your county board of elections.

• click here for a PDF version of the Absentee Ballot Application Form.

• Upon completion, applications must be postmarked no later than the seventh day before the election or delivered in person no later than the day before the election.ter than the day before the election.
• You may also request an Absentee Ballot by sending a letter to the Erie County Board of Elections. The letter must be post marked no later than seven days before the election. The letter must contain the following information:
  • your name and date of birth
  • an address where you are registered
  • the reason for the request
  • if out of county, the place you will be and the dates you will be gone
  • an address where the ballot is to be sent , and
  • the signature of the voter

If you cannot pick up your ballot, or will not be able to receive it through the mail, you have the right to designate someone to pick it up for you. Only that person designated on your application may pick up and deliver your ballot.

If you are permanently ill or disabled, you have the right to receive an Absentee Ballot for each subsequent election without further application. Simply file an application indicating permanent illness or physical disability. You will then automatically receive an absentee ballot for every election until your registration is canceled.

Please do not fax your applications to the Board of Elections, all correspondence should be printed and mailed to:

IF YOU WANT AN ABSENTEE BALLOT FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION CHECK THE OURHEIGHTS.ORG WEB SITE FOR INFORMATION ON HOW TO REQUEST ONE.  YOU DON’T NEED ANY EXCUSE FOR WHY YOU CAN’T  VOTE IN PERSON,  JUST THAT YOU DON’T WANT TO DURING THE CURRENT PANDEMIC HEALTH CRISIS.

University Height Collaborative General Meeting

August 11, 2020

Attendance- Mickey Vertino, Mike Cartwright, Gary Lobley, Candy Hayes, Chris Hayes, Linda Garwol, Dayna Overton-Burns, Gail Willsky, Erricka Willard, Susan Carpenter, Anne Tarantino, Anthony Rijos, Pam Landel, Jim Rozanski, Darren Cotton, Tess Morrisey, Chris Bartololei, Chief Menza, Rasheed Wyatt, Rasheid mc Duffy, Doris Corley, Mega Blahuta, Lou Petrucci, Vince Ferraccio, Oswaldo Mestre

Report from Councilman Wyatt

National Fuel is going to be replacing gas meters on Tyler Street and Angle Street this fall. They will send out post cards and letters to let everyone know they are going to be in the neighborhood and explain what is involved. In other neighborhoods they haven’t done a great job restoring lawns and gardens, and the grass seed has been weedy.  The City is working with them to do a better job restoring lawns.

Report from Tess Morrisey, UB Community relations

The university has a web site for FAQ’s on housing safety in the Covid 19 pandemic.  Policies dealing with on campus students, from states requiring quarantine, will quarantine on South Campus for 14 days.  Students living off campus will be suggested they quarantine at home- no requirement or enforcement. On campus students have to follow policy, masks except in dorms room alone, or in office alone, masks available to people who don’t have them, most classes are remote, labs will be in person, 50% of employees working from home, no visitors in dorms or dorm rooms, stampede buss will continue to bring campus students to the community but with reduced schedule.  There will be no sports and no and social gatherings less than 50 or 25% capacity.  For off campus parties, they will do door hangers and ask students to be good neighbors.  Up to Buffalo police to keep the parties down.

One community member noted students are already in town having parties.

Report from Oswaldo Mestre, Department of Citizens Services, City of Buffalo:

The City is very concerned about potential for community spread with students going to the corner store, local businesses. One outbreak and the City will be going backward, with businesses and schools closing again. For parties, please call 911.  The city is asking the police to stop parties, issue fines and make landlords responsible if necessary.

Chief Menza- E District will have extra weekend details as in past years and will particularly monitor fraternities and sororities.  They hope to get on top of problems quickly.

Inspections- the city has a database of apartments where there have been past problems, overcrowding, no smoke detectors, blocked access.  The city will try to make landlords also responsible for nuisance parties.

Rashied Mc Duffie- Law department has in the past dropped nuisance party charges if UB says they are dealing with it. (It was not clear what they are going to do this year)

UB will have a conversation with students if they are violators and there are consequences if they are consistent violators.  UB is not providing testing for students and for problems with students in the community it will be up to contact tracers to try to find out who is infected.

LOVE YOUR BLOCK grants have been awarded to 25 or 30 organizations for clean ups, food, masks, murals.

There will be another wave of proactive inspections.  311 is operating with personnel at home.  There has been a big increase in calls.  If there is a problem call 311 so it can be logged in and there is a record.

There is a webex meeting for block clubs on Friday with Community Services.

Submitted by Susan Carpenter

THIS IS NOT A BALLOT, THIS IS A REQUEST FOR A BALLOT

 ******REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT TO VOTE********

Starting today, all registered voters can now request an absentee ballot if they are concerned about COVID. The legislation will also ensure that every vote is counted. All Boards of Elections in New York State must count:

2. All ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day (November 3rd) and received within seven days after Election Day.

3. All ballots without a postmark received on November 4th (the day after Election Day). New Yorkers can choose to vote early in-person or vote in-person on Election Day.
   
   IF YOU CAN NOT DOWNLOAD THIS APPLICATION:
   
    To request an APPLICATION for a absentee ballot go to the Erie County website:   www.elections.erie.gov or call 858-7818.  #1 question says reason for request check temporary illness or physical disability AND  next to it write Covid virus.
   
    READ INSTRUCTIONS  AND DON"T DELAY

   

BBC Registration Form 2018 (2)  Click on this Link

BBC Registration Form 2018 (2)

The UHC will have a Zoom meeting Tuesday August 11 at 7 pm   All are invited.  The UHC, Board of Block Clubs, and Citizen’s Services all have Zoom accounts

 UHC General Meeting Agenda August 11, 7 pm

1. The UHC will allow block clubs to hold a zoom meeting if requested
2.   Many of our block clubs are not registered with the board of block clubs. We need to re register every 3 years
3. Each block club that registers will get a free membership to the tool library
4.   The Board of Block Clubs has weekly meetings at noon with different guest speakers like Mayor Brown, Oswaldo Mestre from Citizen’s Services  etc. The Board of Block Clubs would like to know who are the leaders of the block clubs in the city and to give training to these leaders.  Here is the link to access the form.  BBC Registration Form 2018 (2)

This is the link for the service days for the tool library/UHC.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_2LAQA15qHn0kuxYb70lXuClFRVun5NqmI-Ke4A04S8/edit?usp=sharing  This is the address for the tool library work days for the summer.