Last Saturday the 4th, we were amazed at the number of residents and PCA members that turned out for our 2nd Annual Parkside Chili Cook-off.  We saw approximately 80 people stop by to sample some or all of the 13 entries on hand.  With awards given to Jim Favasula for "Most Creative" and Joe Pendolino as for  "People's Choice", our grand champion, as determined by the firefighters of Engine 34/Ladder 7, was Kate Bukowski.

 Kate's name has ben engraved into our Chili Trophy, which we expect to be prominently displayed on her mantle for the next 12 months.  This time next year, we will ask for the trophy back so that it can once again be up for grabs for whoever thinks they have what it takes to be a Parkside Chili Champion.

Jack Anthony is larger than life in many ways.

His physical presence is commanding. At first it's the tall frame and broad shoulders of a man you wouldn't want to tangle with that you notice, but then it's the smirk and gleam in his eye that capture your attention and leave you to wonder what fun this guy's about to get into.

Having grown up in the Parkside neighborhood, Jack has been a civic leader here for parts of seven decades. A lifelong member and leader at Central Presbyterian  Church,  he was also a co-founder of the Parkside Community Association 49 years ago.  The reason for that first meeting in his parents living room was the invasion of unethical real estate people whispering that 'blacks are moving in and it's time to sell.'

Jack stood up to say 'yes they are, and welcome.' It wasn't a popular notion in 1963, but it gained steam, and helped save the neighborhood we love today from being overrun by those sales people only looking to make a fast buck by buying low and selling high at any cost. His most recent neighborhood effort was at the forefront of getting The People's Park up and running, where dozens enjoy a nice break next to the TriMain Building on Main Street.

The Buffalo Preservation Board has recently put forth an application to the Common Council for the Fairfield Library to be listed as a registered historic property.  Before the council takes action on this request they are looking for feedback from the neighborhood.

Councilman Demone Smith is therefore calling for a public meeting to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of having this property listed as historic.  The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday evening, February 29th, at 6:00 pm, at Saint Mary's School for the Deaf, located at 2253 Main Street. If you are unable to attend, please submit your written comments to the PCA.  We will deliver copies of all submissions to Councilman Smith at the meeting.

The Second Annual Parkside Chili Cook-off is scheduled for this Saturday February 4th, 2012 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Church of the Good Shepherd's Jewett Hall. Celebrity Judges from Engine 34/Ladder 7 will be on hand to award the trophy for Best Overall, with additional prizes going to Crowd Favorite and Most Original.  Bring your own beverage of Choice.  This event is open to the public and a $5 donation is suggested. Join the fun and hang out with neighbors.

We are charging ahead with plans to once again offer our wildly popular Summer Arts Camp in Delaware Park again.  As in years past, we will be offering two 3-week sessions for children aged 5-11 running from July 9th - 27th, and from July 30th - August 17th.  We are not yet accepting registrations for the camp, but hope to soon.  Thank you all for your patience as we work through some funding challenges, and stay tuned for further updates.

As you may have heard, the PCA offices at 2318 Main Street is currently undergoing renovations.  We received a significant grant from the State Department of Housing and Community Renewal, and have been making long delayed improvements to the building over the last few weeks and months. While we have kept our doors open as work proceeds in our rental units upstairs, next week the office will be unavailable to staff or our members as walls come down, and a new floor goes in. While we have kept our doors open as work proceeds in our rental units upstairs, next week the office will be unavailable to staff or our members as walls come down, and a new floor goes in. Accommodations have already been made to continue the business of the association off-site.  You can always reach us through the website or at the regular number, but for the month of February there will be no staff in the office.

The PCA's Flint Hill Village Aging in Place program is expanding beyond Parkside to a wider area of North Buffalo under the new program North Buffalo Neighbors. Two information meetings are scheduled - Feb 6 1-3 pm at Holy Spirit cafeteria, 91 Dakota Ave (Hertel & Delaware) and Feb 14 9:30-11am at North Buffalo Community Center, 203 Saunders Rd. More information on the website is available here. You can read the newsletter here.

On Tuesday night, January 17th, over 75 people came out despite the wind and snow to take part in our annual meeting, and elect a new board of directors for 2012.  Newly elected County Executive Mark Poloncarz came to answer questions from our membership on a number of issues of interest to Parkside, including funding for the new Arctic exhibit at the Buffalo Zoo, and development planning for Erie Community College. The general theme of his presentation was 'as goes the City, so goes the county' highlighting his commitment to Buffalo as the economic and cultural generator for much of Western NY.

More information about the meeting and the Parkside Partner awards is here.