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Dream Play Build: Hands-On Community Engagement: Enduring Spaces and Places

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The room is dim, the chairs are in perfectly lined rows. The city planner puts up a color-coded diagram of the street improvement project, dreading the inevitable angry responses. Jana loves her community and is glad to be able to attend the evening meeting, she has a lot of ideas for community change. But she has a hard time hearing and can’t see the diagrams. She leaves early. It’s time to imagine a different type of community engagement – one that inspires connection, creativity, and fun. People love their communities and want them to become safer, healthier, more prosperous places. But the standard approach to public meetings somehow makes everyone miserable. Conversations that should be inspiring can become shouting matches. So what would it look like to facilitate truly meaningful discussions between citizens and planners? What if they could be fun? For twenty years, James Rojas and John Kamp have been looking to art, creative expression, and storytelling to shake up the classic community meeting. In Dream Play Build, they share their insights into building common ground and inviting active participation among diverse groups. Their approach, “Place It!” draws on three methods: the interactive model-building workshop, the pop-up, and site exploration using our senses. Using our hands to build and create is central to what makes us human, helping spark ideas without relying on words to communicate. Deceptively playful, this method is remarkably effective at teasing out community dreams and desires from hands-on activities. The offers wisdom distilled from workshops held around the world and a deep dive into the transformational approach and results from the South Colton community in southern California. While much of the process was developed through in-person meetings, the book also translates the experience to online engagement–how to make people remember their connections beyond the computer screen. Inspirational and fun, Dream Play Build celebrates the value of engaging with the dreams we have for our communities. Readers will find themselves weaving these artful, playful lessons and methods into their efforts to make change within the landscape around them. About the Authors::  James Rojas is an urban planner, community activist, educator, and artist who runs the planning, model-building, and community outreach practice Place It! He is an international expert in public engagement and has traveled around the US, Mexico, Canada, Europe, and South America, facilitating over 500 workshops, and building 100+ interactive models. His research has appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Dwell, Places, and in numerous books.  John Kamp runs the landscape, urban design, and engagement practice Prairieform. He has developed innovative tools to engage people of all ages and backgrounds in both design and the natural world, with two decades of experience leading hands-on interactive workshops with James Rojas of Place It! He frequently translates the findings and outcomes of those workshops into designs for inclusive and livable streets and neighborhoods that leave room for all residents to improvise and help create a more welcoming public realm. Read More From Buffalo Latino Village All Post Art Books & Poems Business Column Community Community News Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Media Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports New Book by Puerto Rican Writer Alberto O. Cappas January 29, 2024/No Comments GET YOUR COPY TODAY! The poetic Book about colonialism in upstate, NY is here: “Back to the Twilight Zone: A… Read More Phyllis Thompson, Evolving Memories Opening Reception: Friday, January 26, 2024 from 5:00–8:00 PM January 22, 2024/3 Comments Part of M&T Fourth Fridays at Tri-Main Buffalo Arts Studio presents Phyllis Thompson’s new exhibition, Evolving Memories, a survey of… Read More Justice Sandra Day O’Connor January 1, 2024/3 Comments Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, passed away on December 1, 2023,… Read More Load More End of Content.

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RESILIENCE AMIDST TRAGEDY: ONE YEAR LATER, REFLECTING ON THE BUFFALO CHRISTMAS BLIZZARD OF 2022

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As the Christmas season ends and a New Year is upon us, I can’t help but reflect on the difference a year makes when it comes to the way my family celebrated Christmas this past December. The temperatures were in the mid-50s and there was nary a snowflake in sight. However, just one year ago, the Christmas Blizzard of 2022 left a lasting impact on Western New York, claiming the lives of 47 people and exposing vulnerabilities in the region’s emergency response and communication systems. The aftermath prompted local authorities to reflect on the factors that contributed to the high death toll and implement changes to better prepare for future severe weather events. The blizzard struck Western New York on the morning of Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, catching many residents off guard. The timing, just before the Christmas holiday, combined with the aftermath of the “Snowvember” storm a month prior, created a perfect storm of challenges for the community. Some individuals, unable to prepare earlier due to financial constraints linked to the payday on Dec. 22, found themselves ill-equipped to face the sudden onslaught of severe weather. The city’s preparedness for such extreme weather events came under scrutiny as the Buffalo Christmas Blizzard struck with unexpected ferocity. Inadequate infrastructure, communication breakdowns, and delays in emergency response were among the contributing factors that exposed residents to heightened risks. I was in the unfortunate position of making my way to work on December 22 after a harrowing drive on messy snow-covered streets, only to be told to go home after 40 minutes due to the city’s driving ban being put in place at 9 am that morning, well after most municipalities had already placed such a ban throughout the region. Thankfully, I made it home to my family safe, albeit taking side streets made my trip a little longer than usual, my drive from Riverside to the Lower West Side was without incident. Sadly, quite a few others weren’t as fortunate. In the year since the tragic events of December 2022, both the City and County invested in personnel and equipment to bolster their emergency response capabilities. The City of Buffalo hired an emergency manager and a fleet manager, while Erie County made equipment purchases geared toward improving its ability to handle severe weather events. While these measures signify progress, officials acknowledged that their effectiveness can only be truly gauged when the next generational storm hits the region. The tragic events of the Christmas Blizzard serve as a somber reminder of the importance of continuous improvement in emergency preparedness and response, with the hope that future tragedies can be mitigated through proactive measures and community resilience. Despite the initial challenges, it is crucial to acknowledge the commendable efforts of emergency responders, community volunteers, and neighboring agencies that swiftly mobilized to address the crisis. The collaborative response played a pivotal role in mitigating further casualties.  The Buffalo community demonstrated remarkable resilience during the aftermath of the blizzard. Neighbors helping neighbors, impromptu shelters, and resource-sharing initiatives emerged as powerful examples of the human spirit prevailing in the face of adversity. These acts of kindness and solidarity undoubtedly saved lives.  In the aftermath of the tragedy, city officials conducted a comprehensive analysis of the response efforts. Lessons learned from the Buffalo Christmas Blizzard of 2022 have paved the way for improvements in emergency preparedness, infrastructure upgrades, and enhanced communication strategies to prevent similar occurrences in the future. As we look back at the Buffalo Christmas Blizzard of 2022, it is essential to reflect on the unprecedented challenges faced by the city of Buffalo during this generational storm. However, it is equally important to recognize the strength and resilience displayed by the community.  Through shared efforts and lessons learned, Buffalo stands better prepared to face future challenges, ensuring that the memory of the 47 lives lost catalyzes positive change and a commitment to building a more resilient city. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Media Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports THE ONGOING STRUGGLE FOR LATINO REPRESENTATION IN LOCAL MEDIA December 18, 2023/No Comments About a month and a half ago, I had the opportunity to be a guest on the WBFO podcast, “Buffalo,… Read More THE SWEET AND BRAVE SOUNDS OF SON JAROCHO MUSIC November 10, 2023/1 Comment On the crisp evening of Friday, October 20th, I had the pleasure of experiencing the beautiful sounds of Son Jarocho… Read More ENTERTAINING, INSPIRING, AND INFORMING  THROUGH FILM October 1, 2023/2 Comments  On Monday, September 25th, I had the great pleasure of presenting my film, “Boricua Soy Yo” at a free public… Read More Load More End of Content.

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The Good Friend – El Buen Amigo: SANTIAGO MASFERRER

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For the final issue of the year, I wanted to spotlight an individual who has a business that we all can get behind and support for the holiday season, a business connected to an organization that helps the Latin American community – and we found the perfect one!  So as the title of the article might have clued some of you, I’m going to place the spotlight on Santiago F. Masferrer, founder and executive director of El Buen Amigo/Latin American Cultural Association (LACA), and a long-time community activist. Mr. & Mrs. Masferrer I met Santiago many years ago. I was living in Tonawanda at the time, but I believe I learned of his organization and had the pleasure of meeting him during Buffalo’s Elmwood Arts Festival. So if you’ve been lucky and been to the place, you already know it is much more than just an organization. It is a place to shop for Latin Arts and Culture.  AND YOU STILL CAN SHOP – while supporting this nonprofit organization (Latin American Cultural Association), involved in education and culture in the Buffalo community while supporting Latino artists from other countries.  I remember the first time I visited El Buen Amigo. I felt “The Good Friend Energy” as soon as I stepped in the doorway. It was like I had teleported to a time when I could still be with my Abuelo y abuela.  The place was arranged by regional area at the time. So you might have a section where traditional Mexican items occupy a space. You will also see an area where you can purchase Brazilian or other areas with items unique to the culture!   You could get a sense of the similarities of items based on the area it was acquired from. And you can see where some areas of Central and South America and The Caribbean have influence in other areas of the world!  Santiago has operated and managed El Buen Amigo for over 30 plus years. Prior to El Buen Amigo, Santiago was a member of PODER and PRCC, and he worked as a Correctional Officer at Attica where he went out of his way to be of help to the inmates, especially introducing them to their culture and education.   El Buen Amigo was established by LACA to help promote and market a fair-trade price for authentic items crafted in many Latin American and Caribbean countries. When you shop there for your Holiday Gifts and future gift-giving times – for your entire family – you’ll be assured that much of the proceeds go directly back to the artists and artisans who created them – many by hand! Many will not have an identical pair. Leaving you with the awesomeness of buying and gifting the most unique items to everyone you know!   Shopping at El Buen Amigo this season and beyond, helps to continue the effort of teaching Spanish to the non-Spanish speaker. As well as, availing Santiago, go and others that work/volunteer the ability to professionally translate for other people, organizations, and companies!   Santiago is a loving husband, adored father and Abuelo! He is one of the most beautiful people I know in Buffalo! He has dedicated many years to the Elmwood Village area. Any time you see him you can be sure your conversations will be eye-opening!  If you want to know more about Santiago Masferrer and El Buen Amigo, visit them at 144 Elmwood Avenue, right off Allan Street. You will walk out knowing that LACA gives a beautiful, cultural face to Buffalo’s city of good neighbors, including yours as you walk out the place with a satisfying smile.  Enjoy the season with family and friends and have a Prosperous 2024! Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Community Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports The Good Friend – El Buen Amigo: SANTIAGO MASFERRER December 18, 2023/No Comments Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Read More… Read More AGELESS NINJA November 1, 2023/No Comments Many of you may know, watched, or have heard of the show American Ninja Warrior. For those who have never… Read More LEADING WITH LOVE THROUGH DANCE October 4, 2023/4 Comments Thinking of the first time I met this fantastic human – my first thought was that she looked like she… Read More Load More End of Content.

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