🌱🏘️ "Land Bank" Controversy + Dog Ears' Literary Programs + Tool Library's Events

Happy October, neighbors! I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. In this issue, you'll find updates on...

• 🏘️ Controversy over the “land bank”
• 📖 Dog Ears Bookstore offering after school literary programs
• 🧑‍🌾 The Tool Library's fall service events

And so much more! Let's dive in.

⛅ But first, today's weather: Partly sunny. High: 60. Low: 37.

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Here are the top stories in Buffalo today:

1. The Buffalo Erie Niagara Land Improvement Corporation, also known as the “land bank,” is becoming less favorable with rising demand for real estate. The corporation’s main occupation is buying and fixing vacant land, renovating it, and reselling it. However, they get first access, steep discounts, and rarely have to pay back all owed taxes, which is causing them to be central in discussions by both parties in local politics. Learn more at The Buffalo News.
2. Dog Ears Bookstore in South Buffalo is offering free after-school programs for first through eighth graders starting this month. Tuesdays will focus on introducing youth to reading. Wednesdays will focus on guiding youth to become better readers. Thursdays are dedicated to writing workshops, specifically for short story writers. The program will cap at 20 students and is being funded by the Erie County Youth Bureau. For more information, visit The Buffalo News.
3. Community garden plantings and park clean-ups are among the Tool Library’s service events this fall. The board president of the non-profit, Darren Cotton, says, “Giving passionate people the tools they need to turn an idea for change into action within their communities is essential to The Tool Library. That’s what these service days are about. What providing affordable access to tools is about. By lending and using these tools, we are enabling all to contribute to the beautification, repair, collective knowledge, and sustainability of WNY.” The service events will occur on every Saturday this October and on November 5th. Buffalo Rising has more information and details about volunteering.
4. Canadian shoppers are back in Buffalo, likely due to eased Covid guidelines at the border. After two and a half years of difficulty crossing the border, retailers and restaurant owners in the Buffalo Niagara region are hopeful that the new guidelines will improve business. Learn more at The Buffalo News.
5. Damone A. Hennings, a 30-year-old male, pleaded guilty this week for attacking an elderly person. According to authorities, the attack was related to a domestic dispute between Hennings and someone in the victim's family. Hennings could face up to seven years in prison. Read more at The Buffalo News.

Today in Buffalo:

• Make and Take: Spoon Carving! Rockler Woodworking and Hardware. October 3rd, 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. Details!
• Skillshop: The Freelance Revolution! 166 Chandler St. October 3rd, 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Details!
• University at Buffalo’s Department of Art Visiting Speaker Series: Roberley Bell! Center for the Arts. October 3rd, 6:30 P.M. Details!

Buffalo Chatter:

• Field Goal Fox at the Zoo: "Sunday Funday! Go Bills! 💙🏈❤️" (The Buffalo Zoo via Instagram)
• Niagara Falls: "Good to glow ✨ From Niagara Falls to your next door neighboor, #UBTrueBlue pride is everywhere! 🤘🏽 #UBuffalo" (University at Buffalo via Instagram)
• Dogs For The Bills: "♥️GAMEDAY💙 🏈 With all these PAWesome fans from: 🌎 Portland, OR @jd3419 Charleston, SC @tuxandmav Austin, TX @katieuba Ottawa, ON @doodledogabby Boston, MA @winstonofsouthie Tampa, FL @bowser_themutt Sarasota, FL @chancepug Houston, ..." (Dogs Of Buffalo via Instagram)
• Oktoberfest: "#Oktoberfest attendees‼️ Tonight’s #DiningAtDusk will be held indoors. Please bring your own chair! See you tonight 🥨🎺🍻" (Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
• Yom Kippur is this Tuesday: "Here is a little bit of educational information about Yom Kippur. What it is, What to say, and What to do!" (JCC Buffalo via Facebook)