🌱 Proposed Menthol Ban + Masking In Hospitals + Parking Changes

Hello, friends! Happy Valentine's Day! Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening in town. In today's issue of the newsletter, we have these stories and more...

• Winter parking regulations in February
• Ujima and Paul Robeson theatres
• Valentine's Day events

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny. High: 44. Low: 40.

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Here are the top five stories today in Buffalo:

1. A state-wide proposed ban on menthol cigarettes is being supported by anti-tobacco groups and opposed by New York Association of Convenience Stores and members of clergy concerned with criminal justice. These clergymen have written in their opposition letter, "Our collective primary interest is protecting the public, specifically communities of color, from abuse at the hands of both corporate influences and law enforcement. We share the same belief as others that we can have a robust and productive debate that prioritizes both public health and criminal justice concerns." Read more at Spectrum News.
2. Despite New York State state removing a mask mandate, many local hospitals are following CDC guidelines and continuing to enforce masking. Hospitals including Kaleida, Catholic Health, ECMC and Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital and opting to keep masks due to the high-risk environment and transmission rate. Learn more through Spectrum News.
3. Given the warm weather, Mayor Byron Brown has suspended winter parking regulations along bus routes until February 28. Brown notes that "should a significant snow event be forecasted for our area, the regulations will be re-instated." Find out more at WKBW 7.
4. Environmental engineer at General Mills, Mary Padasak, was named one of Buffalo Business First's 40 Under 40 in honor of her anti-pollution work at the production facility. "We want to make sure that we can stay here we're welcome here. We're good neighbors to the rest of the community. And then we can continue to work on our sustainability efforts," she said of her mission with General Mills. Visit Spectrum News to read more about Padasak.
5. Ujima Theatre Company and Paul Robeson Theatre both bring diverse theater to the stage of Buffalo. "In 1978, there were about 300 Black theaters that were building themselves, creating themselves, trying to tell that story. Now in 2023, there's less than 100," said Brian Brown, the managing director of Ujima. Learn more about upcoming productions at Spectrum News.

Today in Buffalo:

• Gull-entines Day! Goat Island, 8:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.
• Little Tykes on the Trails! Tifft Nature Preserve, 9:30 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
• Valentine’s Day Special Including Karaoke for Lovers! Days Park Tavern, 5:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.
• Valentine’s Day Sparklings & Sweeties! Chateau Buffalo, 5:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.
• Valentine’s Day at Harry’s House! The Beer Keep, 5:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
• Valentine's Day at Gardens After Dark! Botanical Gardens, 6:00 P.M. - 9:30 P.M.
• Intro to Improv Class (18+)! Harlem Road Community Center, 6:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
• Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy! Center for the Arts, 7:30 P.M.
• The Aleph Complex! Alleyway Theatre, 7:30 P.M.

From my notebook:

• Awesome Intersection: "This city needs a hero………. . . #buffalo #buffalony #billsmafia #wny #716 #clarkkent #superman" (Kevin Rybczyński via Instagram)
• Put a Plant On It: "Thank you so much to Put a Plant On It 🌱💘💋🐾 for having us this weekend!" (City Of Buffalo Animal Shelter via Instagram)
• Dynamic Stuffing for Firefighters: "🔒 🚨 Today, February 13th 2023, Engine 31 will be closed for "Dynamic Staffing" for a full 24 hour period. " (Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local 282 via Facebook)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you soon!