Potpourri for a Monday

As summer stretches toward Fall, a bunch of news is right around the corner but nothing seems urgent.

• The city is spending about $4.5 million on constructing a dog shelter in Hyde Park. The funds are from the American Rescue Plan. The council was off so we didn’t hear activists complaining about Pit Chic Kelli Swagel who is providing shelter services to the city. Call the new facility Taj Ma Dog Shelter. The city has a ton of rescue plan money for dog shelters, police and fire but can’t fix the playground at Hyde Park or build a new one on Beech Avenue.
• Summerfest was Sunday at Hyde Park, the annual event raises funds for the Niagara Falls Firefighters annual toy drive. Kenny Tompkins and volunteers are heroes for putting this together.
• The city may spend about $1.8 million from its casino funds to purchase a collection of buildings along Main Street from lien holders who are foreclosing on Blue Cardinal Development and associated companies through its Urban Development Agency.
• Montante Development is still promising redevelopment of the utility building and adjacent former Imperial Garage into a Radio Social Development. Construction may begin at the end of the year but private financing is not in place.
• The Rapids Theatre is also a target of the $1.8 million. There hasn’t been a show there since May. Owner John Hutchins, awaiting trial on charges he and his bookkeeper embezzled payroll protection plan funds from the federal government. Earlier this summer, the last activity at the theatre was Hutchins selling chairs, tables and office equipment via social media.
• The last show, in May or June, was a Latino deejay playing for teenagers. The R is gone from the sign.
• We have been 322 days without a drug murder in the hood. Calling it the hood upsets some people but I don’t know what else to call the rough side of town.
• WAWG, SNUG and police GIVE patrols deserve credit. Also: A new program is placing Narcan kits in corner stores throughout the city. We don’t measure overdoses the way we do kids killing kids but they are just as devestating.
• The state park visitors center remains unfinished. Queries seeking comment on the incomplete exhibits have gone unanswered. The building looks spectacular from the outside. Inside, there is an information desk and a couple maps but that is it.
• The bathrooms are nice, and if you want an overpriced beef on weck, Delaware North has you covered.
• The waterfront revitalization plan sent an email last week seeking input from citizens but it still feels like a rehash of things never done. Count me skeptical.
• Rebirth of the Niagara Falls City Market is progressing. Plans were displayed last week at the 2nd evening market of the season. Senek Farms is there faithfully and a few other vendors but the vendor count remains sparse.
• Wednesday, Hanna Mushrooms was there for the first time of the season. The business is based on Oliver Street in North Tonawanda. I bought dried porcini as a way of saying thank you for showing up.
• We visited Noor Intercontinental Cuisine in the former Chu’s on Main Street Friday for dinner. The food we ordered on the menu according to the picture and description was not what came. Service was shoddy at best. The tables were covered with oversized plastic tablecloths that made it feel like a garbage bag was in our laps. I wish them well but the chance of success is low.
• The gorge is in late summer glory. Raspberries are done but thimble berries are around. Elderberries are in their glory. Red elderberries set fruit erect on the top. Blue does the same. Blue are edible and ready to eat adjacent to the Cave of the Winds docks.