livingforge, I think I'll wait just a little bit longer until I lecture my kids about the injustices of society, I'll think it can wait until they find out what a cruel, fucked up, and unforgiving world this really is. It doesn't sound like you have children but when/if you do I'm sure they'll appreciate field trips to the psych ctr, soup kitchen, & meth clinics & your diatribes on the evils of capitalism & disenfranchisement.

It's nice to see children in the city... growing up in a city environment certainly fosters the city-living attitude in these children, and it is the start of keeping a strong population living within the city limits. It's far less likely for kids to grow up in the suburbs to understand the benefits of city living and move in when they are old enough to (though it does happen, myself included). Young families in the city is the key to our revitalization!

Let's keep the ball rolling on the slow climb towards a strong, central city population once again

I love Allentown, but until the police actually start arresting...and the judges actually prosecute...our vast number of crackheads, then it will never be a neighborhood where kids can really enjoy what it means to be a kid in the city; exploring on your own. I have actually had the same crackhead tell me that her child is stuck in a car around the corner, at least monthly, for as long as I have lived here...eight years. I don't give her any money, as that kid should be quite dead by now, if I know my biology.

Also, good point about the AVS...you all know how they feel about anyone under the age of 70. Sadly, I doubt that any of them actually read this blog, as their powers that be live out in the 'burbs, and they could really care less about Buffalo's well being, save for their one out-of-town-carneycentric day per year!

your point is? Ever been to another city? Toronto, San Fran, etc all have panhandlers with signs asking every one that walks buy for spare change. Unless you are getting mugged, I don't see why people are acting like this is some Buffalo-centric thing.

I would though, make sure to ask the Allentown Arts Festival commitee if it is ok to piggy back on their festival. Other Allentown festivals one the same day have been chased away.

" yesterday a panhandler asked my 6 year old daughter for change. rim shot"

I see less of a problem in the existence of a person in poverty asking for money than I do in the persistence of parents who cower away or tell a joke instead of teaching their children something about poverty, generosity, and humanity.

Hey I'll post it again or maybe it was too much for the censors.

This is so true, yesterday a panhandler asked my 6 year old daughter for change. rim shot

I went to Futures Academy, in the Fruit Belt, IN THE 80's. Allentown is a walk in the park for these little ones. Instead of organic markets and susi bars we had corner stores (bodegas) and freezie pops. I remember walking to Mollie-Olga and the Science Museum. I'm not even sure both are still utilized by school children. When was the last time you saw a group of kids en-route to a park in the Fruit Belt. We used to get on the bus one at a time because of drive-by shootings. Someone from Buffalo Rising see a group of kids in Allentown and now it's good to see kids in an urban setting? And I'm sure the idiots at the Arts Festival Committee will welcome this with open arms. The Metro Polis Realty Kid Festival should be held on the front lawn and side streets around Futures. I remember every year having a kick ass block party with African Drummers, Drill Squads, cool Police and Fire Vehicles, Games, etc. What is Metro Polis Realty going to have at the Festival a Clown, some cotton candy, and enough mortgage brokers to go around?

I do always like to watch the snake of children weave around the corners there. You can tell they are all excited to be out and about for ice cream or a play. It is great to see.

JeSUS, nothing of mine is posting the first time. OK, so MJ, no I've never been out of Buffalo, they have panhandlers in Toronto & SF? Please don't tell me they're in NYC too. The point is that of all the spots in Bflo I'd hardly consider Allentown a "kidcentric" place. There's still ppl pissing in public, drinking Colt 45 out of paper bags (at least the prim & proper stil use bags), and these pandhandlers that you say exist outside of the the city. Do I shelter my kids away? Hell no, they're exposed to a lot, but they don't need the other junk.

JeSUS, nothing of mine is posting the first time. OK, so MJ, no I've never been out of Buffalo, they have panhandlers in Toronto & SF? Please don't tell me they're in NYC too. The point is that of all the spots in Bflo I'd hardly consider Allentown a "kidcentric" place. There's still ppl pissing in public, drinking Colt 45 out of paper bags (at least the prim & proper stil use bags), and these pandhandlers that you say exist outside of the the city. Do I shelter my kids away? Hell no, they're exposed to a lot, but they don't need the other junk.

The Allen West Festival is the art's festival that takes place on Allen St., west of Elmwood and on Wadsworth. Allen West is probuced by the Allentown Association, check out thier website allentown.org. The festival has a childrens area in the Holly Farms parking lot at Allen and College not in Day's Park. Allen West has about 135 exhibitors this year and has a great working relationship with the Allentown Village Society, the producers of The Allentown Art Festival. The festival is being underwritten by Metro Polis Realty this year.