Shop & Stroll Returns for 2022

Shop Small Saturday is November 26th. Instead of visiting those big box stores, we invite you to support your local businesses. We’ll make it as enticing as we can with discounts and specials offered in Upper Rock.

And we will have a pop-up location at 1270 Niagara Street – stop in for refreshments and pick up an Upper Rock passport. Visit 5 of our lovely establishments and you will be entered in a raffle for a cash prize – $100. Our hours are 11am to 4pm. Stop back to show us your stamped passport or send a photo to Vision Niagara’s Instagram by 4pm and we’ll drop a raffle ticket for you.

Participating businesses have special offers! Check our Instagram feed for updates.

Looking Ahead…

We had our first holiday market in the Upper Rock neighborhood in 2021. This year, our target date is Shop Small Saturday, November 26th. We’ll make it easy for you to support our local businesses and organizations. Stay tuned! We’ll have maps, passports, treats and prizes.

Signing As Art

Something amazing is happening on the West Side. Kamil Gerald offers free signing lessons at various locations. The photograph of Kamil conveys just a smidgen of her enthusiasm and effectiveness. She began her project “to bring hearing loss awareness to the community and how to communicate with the hearing loss community effectively.” We became aware of Ms Gerald’s work through Creative Mornings’ founder, Kelly Atkinson. If you don’t know about CM, check them out, too! We’ve met amazing people in the community thanks to their monthly programming – the 2nd Friday of the month.

Kamil Gerald was recently awarded a grant through the Awesome Foundation. She will also have an event at Community Beer Works this Friday, October 21 6-10 pm. Fall Festive REMIX.

Cute Street Sweepers

Kudos to the City of Buffalo. They are stepping up in maintenance of the new bike lanes by purchasing two of these right-sized street sweepers that fit in narrow spaces. City workers tell us that they aim to clean the bike lanes weekly. You might see these cuties doing their work in other parts of the city, too!

Success!

Saturday, April 30 was a beautiful day for Brushing Up Broderick Park. Friends of Broderick Park and Vision Niagara worked with over 40 volunteers to weed, mulch and clean up the park. A huge thank you to all our volunteers and sponsors including Rich Products, Air & Waste Management – Niagara Frontier Division, McKinley High School Horticulture Program, Buffalo-Niagara Waterkeeper, COB Neighborhood Engagement Team and BWELL.

What is Possible for Scajaquada Corridor?

May 4th, 5:30 – 7:30 pm. Buffalo State Alumni Center

Four mobility scenarios will be presented. Roads, cars, bikes, people, water, land, neighborhoods, air, space, quality of life….the list goes on regarding the future of this corridor and our city. Public comment will be part of the decision making which is why we all need to be part of the process.

Presentation will be by GBNRTC.

Scajaquada Corridor Coalition has developed a vision for the corridor that is community based and compelling. Our Niagara Street corridor is impacted by the #198 which is why Vision Niagara is part of the Scajaquada Corridor Coalition and its vision.

Brush Up Broderick Returns!

Our beautiful Broderick Park is ready to be spruced up for summer events. Friends of Broderick Park is lining up a packed summer of music, art, and performance.

We’ll be at the park April 30, from 10 to 1:00 pm, weeding, mulching and tidying up. It’s work but it’s fun, especially because our volunteers are enthusiastic about the park.

We’ll have lunch and take-home goodies for our volunteers this year, thanks to a grant from Air & Waste Management – Niagara Frontier Division. And, once again, Rich Products has donated mulch!

Happy Hour – At Last!

We’re so excited to announce our first Happy Hour since….forever. Meet our board members, check out what we do and have a beer on us (Good Neighbor IPA). We’ll have a basket raffle and we are just so pleased to sit around and say hey!

March 24 @ CBW, 5:30 pm.

Evolution of Niagara Street

The folks at Company B are offering an evening for history and foodie buffs. Great combination! kerry trainor of kta preservation specialists will speak about the history of electricity, transportation, a female CEO and a working class neighborhood. It goes back to the battle for the terminus of the Erie Canal through today. It is a story of time, people, and place.

March 30 @ 6:00 pm. Drinks and delicious food are part of the package. As well as interesting people! If you’ve been to Company B’s Tasting Room, you know the setting is beautiful and inviting. Register at this link.

Holiday Event Dec 11

Shop Upper Black Rock! Support our fabulous local businesses during the holiday season. We will have treats and festivities at 1250 Niagara St on December 11 from noon to 4pm. Free raffle entries for two baskets of gifts donated by the businesses and organizations featured on this map. Did you know Upper Rock has an art gallery? Raft of Sanity is donating a gift certificate. We’ll have folks from Buffalo String Works, who recently moved their classrooms and studios here, too. Campus Wheel Works donated $50 gift certificates for our baskets. And that’s just a few of the donations! Company B is putting together the baskets and helping us organize the event. Join us, say hello! Big thanks to Stitch Buffalo for jumpstarting the event! We’ve got quite the happening little neighborhood! West Side Pet Clinic is also donating a gift basket that includes all kinds of pet treats and items – a big thank you to them, too!