The KCA plans to make improvements to the
intersection of Plymouth Ave. at Pennsylvania Street

CITY OF BUFFALO AWARDS KCA A LIVABLE COMMUNITY GRANT FOR ITS
PENNSYLVANIA/PLYMOUTH FOUR CORNER REVITALIZATION PROJECT
===============================================================
The KCA was awarded an important grant of $4,080 from the City of Buffalo to make improvements to the intersection of Pennsylvania Street at Plymouth Avenue.

The Pennsylvania/Plymouth Four Corner Improvement Project will improve the safety and aesthetic value of the four corners. The goal is to simplify and bring clarity to the existing signage through installation of unique and historically-appropriate street sign posts; improvement to existing bus shelter – a public/private partnership project - and general cleanup and beautification.

The intersection of Pennsylvania St. and Plymouth Ave. is in dire need of improvement. The site is included in one of the 11 targeted City of Buffalo livable community neighborhoods, yet is only one block away from Kleinhans Music Hall. It has been estimated that nearly 350,000 patrons visit the Hall annually, and many visitors park in this area. While the neighborhood immediately surrounding Kleinhans Music Hall has improved significantly over the last 10 years, just a block west at Plymouth Avenue, the neighborhood has not improved significantly. Because of the deficiencies in some of the common areas (graffiti, litter, poor signage, etc.) this area is not as inviting to visitors or pleasant to residents as it could be.

The Kleinhans Community Association has saved the KCA neighborhood both from a visual perspective and a viability perspective. This project builds on past successes of the organization and conveys a message to residents and visitors alike that the residents care about this community. The project will give incentives to owners to improve their properties and will allow visitors to have a more pleasant and safe experience when they park and walk the community’s streets.

The Pennsylvania/Plymouth Four Corner Revitalization Project will send an important message to residents that the neighborhood has not been abandoned. This project will not only beautify the neighborhood, but will also provide a crime-prevention strategy known as the “broken window theory” as first espoused in 1982 by sociologists Wilson and Kelling. The theory states that minor forms of public neglect lead to serious crime and a downward spiral of urban decay. It is presumed that visual cues such as graffiti, litter and abandoned properties are thought to attract criminal offenders, who assume from these cues that residents are indifferent to what goes on in the neighborhood.

The significant improvement planned for the corners of Pennsylvania Street and Plymouth Avenue will reinforce a positive response to the broken window theory. By changing the physical characteristics of the intersection, it will convey the message that many of these behaviors are not tolerated. Visitors will perceive that the neighborhood is significantly improving, thereby increasing the potential for improved private investment into the neighborhood and housing. In addition, it will also improve all residents experience in the neighborhood, as law-abiding citizens will enjoy living in a cleaner, safer environment.

The scope of the project includes elements of general clean-up/beautification plus increased safety features of each corner of the intersection and the first block of Plymouth Avenue and the block of Pennsylvania Street between West Avenue and Plymouth Avenue. These include:

• Improvements to public utilities (i.e. repaint light standards, fire pole, fire hydrant, etc.)
• Improvements to the bus shelter at Plymouth Avenue -
  • Installation of curb line pavers
  • Installation of flowering and ornamental plants
  • Soil improvements
  • Painting
  • Power wash and glaze aggregate sidewalks
  • General cleanup (wash glass, remove graffiti etc.)
• Construction and installation of unique and historically-appropriate street sign posts (to replace existing rusted, leaning posts and graffitied signs). These posts will be compatible with both the Victorian pedestrian-based community and the new Plymouth/Pennsylvania bus shelter.

COMMUNITY WORKS TO COMBAT GRAFFITI
========================================
It is important that buildings be kept clear of graffiti - and this year it has been a major problem all throughout the city of Buffalo. Most graffiti is created by youths and the reasons for it are fame, rebellion, self-expression and power. However, graffiti is ugly and gives visual cues that are linked to negative neighborhood perception. In other words, visitors and residents will perceive that the Kleinhans neighborhood is dangerous and crime-ridden because of a few incidences of graffiti. Therefore it is important to remove graffiti as soon as possible. Recently 315 Pennsylvania Street and 321 Pennsylvania Street at Plymouth Avenue have been vandalized with graffiti, but members of the community covered over the graffiti as soon as possible.

• The key to successful graffiti prevention is immediate removal - remove or cover it within 24-48 hours and most vandals will not return.
• Record the graffiti (photograph it or draw it on paper)
• Report the graffiti to the police
• Remove the graffiti

KCA SPONSORS BLOCK CLUB PARTY TO HIGHLIGHT HUDSON STREET SUCCESS
=====================================================================
On July 16, 2005 the KCA sponsored a block club party that was held in the School 36 parking lot on Hudson Street at the foot of Orton Place. Many people were involved in coordinating the party. Mary Ann Cassidy went door to door passing out flyers and getting signatures in support of the party. Darren Strickland, director of Friends of the Night People on Hudson Street at Wadsworth Street donated hamburgers, hot dogs, rolls and condiments and let the KCA use his grill. Darren Strickland stayed for the entire event and cooked hot dogs and hamburgers. Although the clouds opened up and it rained heavily, everyone stayed cozy and dry thanks to the large tents put up by Isabel Hartenberg and Tim Wilkinson of St. John's Place. The food was delicious and everyone brought their favorite dishes to share.

So many good things have happened on Hudson Street in 2005 the KCA wanted to draw people to the event so they could see first hand the gracious residents of the street and all the improvements they have made to their homes in recent times.

YOUR CHANCE TO INVEST IN THE KLEINHANS NEIGHBORHOOD
=======================================================
Several homes are now available for sale in the Kleinhans neighborhood, so tell your friends all the exciting things they are missing out on by not living here! Below is listed some of the most interesting properties available for sale:

• 318 Hudson St. - Great block of Hudson Street, Allentown Historic District, can be a double or single, $49,900.
• 112 Plymouth Ave. - Big, historic Victorian double with large garage, wonderful block of Plymouth, $87,900
• 496 Porter Ave. - Large single or double across from Kleinhans Music Hall, $128,000
• 310 Jersey Street - Historic 1875 former Firehouse, can be used for many purposes, $199,000

• 295 HUDSON, STANDINGWOLF ELEANOR J
• 297 HUDSON, STANDINGWOLF ELEANOR J
• 318 HUDSON, VEGA JOHN
• 310 PENNSYLVANIA, TRAN OANH
• 35 PLYMOUTH, DIAZ VIVIAN
• 117 PLYMOUTH, FADHIL MOHAMMED
• 33 WADSWORTH, ALI KAAREMAH

KLEINHANS COMMUNITY WORKS TO REDUCE SPEEDING CARS ON HUDSON STREET
=========================================================================
Due to complaints from residents and homeowners on Hudson Street, the KCA has contacted Public Works Commissioner Joe Giambra and requested his assistance to resolve a significant neighborhood safety concern on Hudson street at Plymouth Avenue and at Orton Place.

The KCA would like to design and install an approved traffic calming devices at strategic residential locations in order to reduce the level of noise pollution and increase safety conditions created by accelerating vehicles.

When vehicles accelerate too quickly the noise pollution produced has a negative effect on residential quality of life. For example, where Plymouth Avenue begins at Hudson Street (both are one-way streets), there is a tendency for vehicles (whether private, public or commercial) to accelerate too quickly thus creating the negative conditions of increased noise pollution (the engine’s noise decibel level increases to higher than an acceptable level) as well as creating a safety risk.

Many young children live in the neighborhood and are at a higher risk with accelerating vehicles sliding uncontrollably off the street, due to icy conditions, wet leaves or other compromised conditions.

The KCA believes that well designed and located traffic calming devices will resolve this concern and create conditions where there is a decrease in noise pollution and an increase in neighborhood safety.

The KCA will contact the Mr. Giambra within the next several weeks to request a meeting to discuss these concerns and develop an action plan for resolution.

KCA INITIATES MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
================================
The KCA has reached out to its neighbors and invited them to join the block club -- and the response has been incredible. Over 25 residents have recently renewed their membership or joined the KCA organization. Many others who are not official members participate in neighborhood sponsored activities and volunteer efforts.

People enjoy touring the architecture of the Kleinhans neighborhood.
This photo shows 28 Orton Place and 34 Orton Place.

KCA LEADS ANOTHER SUMMER OF SUCCESSFUL NEIGHBORHOOD TOURS
================================================================
One of the most important activities that the KCA participates in is bringing tourists to the Kleinhans neighborhood to see the beautiful architecture and meet friendly residents.

This summer, nearly 300 people were given tours through the KCA neighborhood at the following events:

• May 15, 2005, Large donor tour of Kleinhans Music Hall
• June 5, 2005, Allentown West Historic Walking Tour (featuring Kleinhans Neighborhood)
• June 11, 2005, Harold Arlen Concert and Architectural Tour of Kleinhans Music Hall
• June 18, 2005, NYU Arts & Crafts Conference, with Kleinhans Music Hall featured (scholars from all over the U.S. visited the neighborhood).
• June 18, 2005 - Symphony Circle and Kleinhans Music Hall Architectural Interior Tour
• July 16, 2005, Allentown West Historic Walking Tour (featuring Kleinhans Neighborhood)
• August 20, 2005 - Symphony Circle and Kleinhans Music Hall Architectural Interior Tour

Owner Diane Drummer has worked in 2005 to restore the facade of her
home at 16 Orton Place. A pair of brackets, rescued from a demolished home
on Connecticut Street by David Granville was installed on the home.

MANY AREA PROPERTIES ARE IMPROVED IN KLEINHANS NEIGHBORHOOD IN SUMMER
2005 WITH PRIVATE FUNDS
=============================================================================
Many homes in the Kleinhans neighborhood were improved during the summer of 2005. Here are just some of the highlights:

• 3 St. John's Place - Holly Holdaway and Daniel Culross beautified Wadsworth Street at St. John's Place by installing a series of planters along Wadsworth Street outside of their home. Their lovely landscaping adds beauty to their imposing Queen Anne style home at 3 St. John's Place.
• 13 St. John's Place - Henry "Hank" Williams painted the exterior of his Second Empire style home a shade of bright blue and installed Victorian fish-scale style siding to his home.
• 32 St. John's Place - Hauling out 10 dumpsters of debris, Ted and Sherill Flemming have been working diligently on 32 St John's Place. They recently received a permit from the City of Buffalo and they are hoping to start some structural construction and roofing completed by the end of September, 2005.
• 16 Orton Place - Diane Drummer has removed the siding from the front of her Shingle Style home and then restored missing shingles and clapboarding. She painted the exterior stunning shades of blue, purple and yellow. Ornamental brackets salvaged by Buffalo Architectural Salvage from a Connecticut Street property from the same era were utilized by Diane and restored under the eaves of the front gable of the home.
• 26 Orton Place - Ray and Mel Klein painted the front elevation of their circa 1885 Queen Anne style home in four colors with various shades of blue. They even painted their lawn furniture to match their house!
• 36 Orton Place - Owners Paul Lachacz and Michael Rooney completed painting the exterior of their Eastlake style home. The 4-color paint job in two shades of green, coral and creme perfectly highlights the architectural detailing found in the home.
• 38 Orton Place - Finding it a challenge to improve on perfection, owner Carl Schade performed repairs on the exterior of his home and painted the house even an even richer shade of ruby, contrasted with creme and shades of green.
• 14 Normal Avenue - Gary and Michele Sczerbaniewicz purchased a 3-unit house at 14 Normal Ave. that has been vacant for many years. They renovated the apartments and restored the original entrance door to the house. The front landscaping was recently improved making a big difference to the appearance of the home. The house is now fully occupied.
• 50 Normal Avenue - The lovely and understated architecture of the Arts and Crafts/Prarie style home have been accentuated with a new paint job and elegant landscaping by owner Scott Dunkle.
• 331 Hudson Street - Owner Jeffrey Venning, who recently purchased the lovely Victorian wooden house at the foot of Orton Place has installed a new tear-off architectural shingle roof.
• 112 Plymouth Avenue - Josie Bodami recently painted and restored the exterior of her historic Queen Anne style home from the late 1880s.
• 310 Pennsylvania Street - The house that has been vacant for the last several years, has had major exterior repairs made in 2005. They have included a new porch and paint.
• 333 Pennsylvania Street - A two year process of restoring the exterior of the lovely home at 333 Pennsylvania Street is nearing completion. Almost the entire home was re-sided with cedar clapboarding and architecturally significant details.
• 491 Porter Avenue - The owners have made great strides in 2005 reclaiming their house that has been long-vacant. A new Victorian-style porch was constructed in the rear of the house.
• 317 Jersey Street - In 2005 the house was painted and color changed from a deep blue with black trim to a cheery creme color.

Scott Dunkle's new paint job and elegant landscaping
help to make 50 Normal Avenue very attractive.

UB architecture students work to install new plantings
at the Plymouth/Pennsylvania Bus Shelter.
At left (in white T-shirt) is U.B. professor and architect Brad Wales
to his right (blue T-shirt and baseball cap) is Jon Spielman, a recent U.B. architectural
school graduate. Jon has been instrumental in putting in many out-of-class hours
to complete the bus shelter and was so enamored with the Kleinhans neighborhood
he purchased a home at 383 Hudson Street and is in the process of renovating it.
Photo by Dan Greenway of 325 Pennsylvania Street

PLYMOUTH VALIANT! PLYMOUTH AVE. BLOCK RECLAMATION PROJECT
MADE BIG STRIDES IN SUMMER 2005
================================================================
The concerted effort of neighborhood resources to make the first block of Plymouth Avenue a better place to live for all residents has really started to pay off. The summer of 2005 had many improvements made to the block:

• Organized cleanup of Plymouth Ave. & Hudson Street on May 14, 2005 - The community had great turnout and the street never looked so great and clean. Those that helped included: Chris Brown, Kristy Palumbo, Lauren Kostek, Gabe Price, Nancy Fuentes, Jose Fuentes, Chris Evans, Magnus Price, Mary Ann Cassidy, Dawn Drummer, Joyce DiChristina and Michael Rooney
• Street paving - the entire street has been repaved, giving it a better appearance.
• Improvements made to Plymouth Avenue bus shelter - UB Professor Brad Wales' efforts to make Allentown a more attractive place have been nationally recognized. The University at Buffalo Architecture department won a grand prize of $25,000 from The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards for the "West Side Streetscape/Small Built Works Project." Brad reinvested some of the proceeds of the award back into the project. On May 7, 2005 Brad and a small army of architecture students from UB spent $1,800 on permanent plants for the Plymouth/Pennsylvania bus shelter and installed curbside pavers and new soil. For the complete stories on the award, see the following:
  • Artvoice, page 16 and 17. Be sure to see the artistic photo of the Plymouth Ave. bus shelter on page 17.
  • Buffalo Rising
  • AIA Institute News
  • NCARB Announcement
• Continuous litter cleanups - Residents of the street have gone out of their way this year to clean up litter just about every day from the street to keep it looking its best.
• 44 Plymouth Avenue scheduled to begin renovations in September 2005 - Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc. plans on renovating 44 Plymouth Avenue to become a single family house. The historic 1850 house will be sold to a new family when the building has completed its renovations.
• 23 Plymouth Avenue sold to Heart of the City Neighborhoods, Inc. - HCN is scheduled to close on 23 Plymouth Avenue in September 2005 and plans to renovate and resell the house that has been abandoned for nearly 20 years. The house, a wooden "L"-shaped Italianate Victorian built in 1872, will be renovated into a single family home. HCN hopes to have the house completed by the spring of 2006.
• 314 Hudson Street received major renovations - One of the most beautiful Queen Anne style houses found in the City of Buffalo is found at 314 Hudson Street at Plymouth Avenue. The house was built in 1887 by renowned architects and builders Richard & William Caudell. The house features a turret and complex roof structure with 7 peaks! The home was purchased earlier in 2005 by Gabe Price and Lauren Kostek and they have been lovingly restoring it ever since. They have installed a new tear-off architectural roof on the house, repaired eaves and clapboards and are restoring the interior of the house, discovering pocket doors and the original positioning of the grand staircase. They also installed a practical concrete driveway in the back of the house accessible from Plymouth Avenue. A truly stunning renovation that is an inspiration for everyone in the neighborhood.
• 18 Plymouth Avenue in process of being restored - Joe Dallos has finalized the purchase of the grand old lady at 18 Plymouth Avenue and is working to restore the property.
• 15 Plymouth Avenue renovated - Dawn Lauck and her husband Sam have spent the summer escaping the Florida heat by working to renovate and restore their home at 15 Plymouth Avenue. They've focused their efforts on the downstairs apartment and have used their decorating know-how to create a beautiful space. They even bought a pair of original Victorian-era double "casket" entrance doors that they plan on restoring in the house. Dawn contacted the former owner, Josephine Villa, and brought her back to the house so she could see the plans they have for the home. Mrs. Villa, a resident of the house for nearly 65 years, was thrilled that the house is in good hands and is being restored.
• 55 Plymouth Avenue had new organic wooden picket fence installed - Owners Stella Mallon and Nicholas Perri have installed a lovely new fence at 55 Plymouth Avenue.
• 34 Plymouth Avenue renovations begun - The fire-damaged house at 34 Plymouth Avenue, abandoned for the last 6 years, has been purchased by several neighborhood residents. and the house is in the process of being cleaned out of its ample debris. Windows have been repaired to keep out the rain and snow. The plan is to convert the beautiful Shingle/Queen Anne style home into a two-family dwelling.
• 38 Plymouth improved with landscaping and improvements - Owner Efrain Nieves has made front-yard landscaping improvements and improvements to the back patio of his home.
• Plymouth Avenue documentation project to partner with Buffalo State College - As part of the Plymouth Valiant! project, an effort is underway to create a document that details the past and present efforts to build and revitalize the block. Research on the street's rich history is nearly finished. A dozen draft copies of the Plymouth Avenue document has been distributed to those in the neighborhood who have expressed interest in the project. They are proof-reading the document and providing suggestions for improvements.
  
  The next phase of the project is to capture information about residents, still alive, who have lived or are currently living in the neighborhood. These include elderly residents who have lived in the neighborhood for many years, community activists and "urban pioneers" - anyone with stories to tell about the Kleinhans neighborhood. To help with this next phase, the KCA is partnering with Sociology professor Gary Welborn from Buffalo State College. The KCA will make a presentation to his class in early September on the project and it is hoped that students will work to interview residents and document their information. Some of this information will be recorded into the Plymouth Avenue history document. For more information on Dr. Welborn's service learning program, click here. If you are interested in learning more about the Plymouth Avenue history documentation project or have ideas about people who should be interviewed, please contact Chris Brown at 884-1914.

KCA PRESIDENT TO GIVE LECTURE ON KLEINHANS MUSIC HALL
DESIGNER IN NOVEMBER 2005
=========================================================
Chris Brown, president of the Kleinhans Community Association, will give a short (40 minute) lecture called Kleinhans Music Hall and the landmark architecture of Eliel & Eero Saarinen and Franklyn J. & William Kidd on Wed. November 2, 2005 at noon. It is sponsored by the group Working for Downtown and will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, 128 Pearl Street, in the Walker Room. For more information, see the Working for Downtown website.

Katharine Simonds, Paul Lachacz, John Allen and Dick
help to install a white picket fence at Orton Gardens.

ORTON GARDENS IMPROVED WITH HELP FROM GRANTS
AND HANDS-ON COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS
===================================================
Orton Gardens, the community garden at 20 Orton Place, was made lovely once again in 2005. Geraniums, tomato and pepper plants were provided by Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo and planted in the garden. Thanks to Cyndy Allen and Joyce Berg for picking up the donated plants from the Botanical Gardens.

A grant from GardenWalk allowed for the purchase of a picket fence, mulch and several annual flowers that were planted in the front garden beds.

Janet Caudell Morgan provided a donation for the garden to be used for the purchase of perennial plants in memory of her grandfather, William Caudell, an architect and builder who constructed many of the homes in the Kleinhans neighborhood.

By the time GardenWalk came around at the end of July 2005, the gardens looked splendid! The garden was recognized by Buffalo In Bloom for its beauty. On Sat. August 20, 2005 the white picket fence was put up and made the garden look even lovlier than before. While grants helped to procure the materials, all the labor was performed by neighborhood volunteers. Joyce Berg helped to paint the fence and John Allen purchased and picked up all the supplies. John Allen, Cyndy Allen, Chris Brown, David Granville, Paul Lachacz, Beth Kauffman, Kate Simonds and Dick all assisted with the installation of the fence, cleanup of the gardens and painting of the fence's skeletal frame.

Chris Brown paints the newly installed picket fence
at Orton Gardens.

GardenWalk attendees visit the home of the Heaverlo family
at 29 St. John's Place... the home was decorated for
GardenWalk with the antique horse buggy parked on the front lawn.

KLEINHANS COMMUNITY BLOOMS WITH 2005 GARDEN EVENTS
========================================================
Once again, the Kleinhans neighborhood was one of the most popular spots on the Annual GardenWalk, held on July 30 & 31, 2005.

• Symphony Circle, Symphony Circle Steering Committee
• Life Memorial Park, Porter at Normal Ave., Joe Raimondo
• Orton Community Gardens, 20 Orton Place, Kleinhans Community Association
• Plymouth/Pennsylvania Bus Shelter, Kleinhans Community Association
• First Presbyterian Church at Symphony Circle
• 321 Hudson Street, Liz Stock & Kim Weber
• 325 Jersey Street, Joe Raimondo
• 22 Orton Place, Hal Limebeer
• 28 Orton Place, John & Cyndy Allen
• 34 Orton Place, Joe Gerace
• 36 Orton Place, Paul Lachacz & Michael Rooney
• 38 Orton Place, Carl Schade
• 42 Orton Place/43 Plymouth Ave., Dinah Gamin & Lynn James
• 49 Orton Place, Joyce DiChristina
• 33 St. John's Place, Isabel Hartenberg & Tim Wilkinson
• 29 St. John's Place, Pat & Mike Heaverlo
• 54 Normal Avenue at Jersey Street, Tom & Jen Hurley
• 289 Pennsylvania Street, Steve Osterstrom & Patrick Thomas
• 312 Pennsylvania Street, Ann Angelo
• 350 Pennsylvania Street, Susan Persico
• 42 Plymouth Avenue, Dinah Gamin
• 82 Plymouth Avenue, The Parrish Family
• 88 Plymouth Avenue, John Morgan & Ed Williams
• 107 Plymouth Avenue, Dot Brown

• 325 Pennsylvania Street - Dan Greenway
• 11 Orton Place - Ray Sharrer & David Zawistowski
• 289 Pennsylvania Street - Patrick Thomas & Steve Osterstrom
• 38 Orton Place - Carl Schade
• 28 Orton Place - John & Cyndy Allen

GardenWalk attendees admire the front gardens of Paul Lachacz & Michael Rooney
at 36 Orton Place.

Roo Buckley and his wife Keren in the dining room of
The (New) Coda Restaurant

THE "NEW" CODA RESTAURANT OPENS ITS DOORS
=============================================
The Coda Restaurant, the chic eatery at 350 Pennsylvania Street at the corner of Normal Ave. has been renovated and has re-opened. They will be open Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 5pm for dinner, and will be open after the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra concerts for desserts and drinks. Reservations are recommended because of the limited size of the restaurant.

The cuisine will be Contemporary Global, driven by French Technique. The Coda's food will be ‘Simple, Arresting, Delightful’ and the menu will change every week in our pursuit of the freshest ingredients and most pleasant combinations. The new owner is Roo Buckley who has been in the restaurant business for 18 years. He has worked with Michelin ranked chefs and chefs that were rank. The restaurant's phone number is 716-362-0435. Call them to make a reservation or visit their web site for more information. The KCA wishes the Buckley's much success with their new restaurant.

THE KCA PUTS PRESSURE ON NIAGARA MOHAWK TO BEAUTIFY
TRANSFER STATION
=======================================================
The KCA, in conjunction with City of Buffalo Councilmember Brian C. Davis is working with Niagara Mohawk to make the electrical transfer station at 259 Hudson Street at West Avenue more attractive. The front of the station has a chain link fence with high weeds. It is hoped that Niagara Mohawk will become a good community steward of the property and make it more attractive for residents and visitors. On behalf of the community, Councilmember Davis has contacted Steve Brady and asked him to pursue the matter.

NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENT WINS FELLOWSHIP TO RENOVATE
ABANDONED HOMES
======================================================
Aaron Bartley, a community activist who lives at 89 Plymouth Avenue, recently won a fellowship and grant to help save some of Buffalo's abandoned housing. For the full story, read it here.

Stefanie Stevens, Ernest Kimmel and Gabrielle Kimmel
Visit the Historic Sidway Barn at 32 Plymouth Ave.

DESCENDANTS OF MARGARET ST. JOHN
VISIT HISTORIC SIDWAY BARN ON PLYMOUTH AVE.
==============================================
In June 2005, Gabrielle Stevens Kimmel, Ernest Kimmel and Stefanie Stevens visited the historic circa 1845 Sidway barn at 32 Plymouth Avenue, today owned by John Gulick. The barn was built by their ancestor Parnell St. John Sidway and her husband Jonathan Sidway. Parnell's mother was the legendary Margaret St. John, who saved her home during the Burning of Buffalo in 1813. Legend has it that Margaret often visited her grandchildren when they lived on the corner of Hudson Street and Plymouth Avenue and gave Parnell and her family a milk cow that lived in the barn. It was the first time that Gabrielle and Stefanie had ever been to the barn and were thankful that this important relic of Buffalo's history has been preserved.

KCA PUTS WATCH ON AREA'S MOST TROUBLED PROPERTIES
=====================================================
The KCA is putting pressure on city inspectors and the housing court system to address the following problem properties in the neighborhood:

• 117 Plymouth Ave. - vacant and abandoned, it was recently boarded and up for tax auction in October
• 299 Pennsylvania Street - vacant and abandoned
• 306 Hudson Street - in serious disrepair, mostly abandoned; roof needs to be replaced

Allentown is home to many beautiful Victorian houses
like the home at 26 Orton Place owned by Ray and Melissa Klein
and painted in 2005 in a 4-color blue hue.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SECRETS OF ALLENTOWN TOUR
OF HISTORIC HOUSES SEPTEMBER 25, 2005
=====================================================
One of the major fundraisers for the Allentown Association, Inc. is its annual historic tour of homes, known as Secrets of Allentown. This year the event will be featuring some of the best properties on the tour from the last 10 years. There will be many properties on the tour, so the Association is in need of house-sitter volunteers. The event takes place on Sunday, September 25, 2005 from 11 AM - 5 PM. If you volunteer, you would work one shift (either 11-2 or 2-5) and you will receive a free ticket that you can use to see the properties on the other shift. For example, if you work the 2-5 shift, you'd be able to go on the tour for free from 11-2.

If you want more information about volunteering, click here or you can send a message to Kym Mosgeller, the volunteer coordinator in charge of the event.

Hope to see you at Allentown's premier historic tour event!

WELCOME TO ALL NEW AREA HOMEOWNERS
========================================
Several properties have changed hands in the last few weeks and the KCA extends a warm welcome to the newest homeowners in our Kleinhans community:

• 383 Hudson Street - Jon Spielman
• 257 West Avenue - Steven Osterstrom & Patrick Thomas, after a long process, were finally successful in purchasing a vacant lot adjoining their home at 289 Pennsylvania Street. They look forward to improving the land and incorporating it into their award-winning gardens.

KCA SETS PRIORITIES FOR 2006
============================
The KCA has set as priorities for 2006 the following planned accomplishments:

• Completion of Plymouth/Pennsylvania Beautification Project
• Continued focus on Plymouth Valiant! Block Reclamation Project, including marketing of 23 & 44 Plymouth Ave.
• Publication of Plymouth Ave. Documentation
• Planting of trees in neighborhood where needed
• New fencing around School 36 parking lot on Hudson Street
• Creation of KCA neighborhood directory
• Participation in GardenWalk with as many neighborhood residents as possible
• Historic tours of Kleinhans Music Hall and KCA neighborhood