Author: Mark Lazzara

I have a passion for helping my fellow Western New Yorkers and advance the great things that are going on in this region. Buffalo Rising is a great booster and it’s a blast writing and contributing to BR about positive happenings in our neck of the woods. I appreciate the help I’ve received over the years from organizations and people who share my passion and supported me in efforts that put thousands of people to work and resulted in a community give back of more than $115M to Buffalo’s neediest during my days at the helm of AmeriCorps. I’m especially grateful for the opportunities that enabled me to help cities devastated by Hurricane Katrina and rebuild more than 700 family homes that were destroyed. Back at home, I was able to enjoy a once in a lifetime experience as a coordinator for ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition where we were able to repair, beautify and upgrade homes for an entire neighborhood on Buffalo’s Westside. Other projects close to my heart include a collaboration with Sail Buffalo to build the Cazenovia Boating Center at Buffalo’s Outer Harbor, and my annual Christmas season time is spent at Buffalo’s treasure, the Broadway Market, playing Santa Clause. In my other life, I am a workforce development, business, marketing, public relations and fundraising professional. Earned a M.S. Human Service Management from Buffalo State, and enjoy my family life that includes four amazing grandchildren!

Devon Allman and Duane Betts, sons of superstars Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts of the famed Allman Brothers Band, have forged their own partnership as The Allman Betts Band. On August 31st they will perform in Ellicottville Village Park in Ellicottville, NY as the main attractions for the Rock Autism Music Festival and Autism Awareness Fair. Gates open at 4pm. This year the Rock Autism Music Festival will bring attention to its music and film training initiative, the Rock Autism Multimedia Vocational Program, that assists individuals diagnosed with autism to cultivate enough skills to be employable and become part of…

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Rock Autism has announced a benefit concert to raise autism awareness and funds for its technology programs. Rock Autism Multimedia Vocational programs provide employability skills in computer science and the creative arts, including music, film, and design. Through the programs, youth on the spectrum are introduced to an apprentice level craft that will lead to a career in their given field of interest, keeping them on track for a productive, healthy life. Rock Autism creates a future where individuals living with autism have access to programs necessary to gain employment and integrate into society. “When kids on the spectrum turn…

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You know what they say – music heals. For a musician, being signed to an exclusive Record Label can be more than life-changing. When a musician happens to be at a disadvantage from the start, achieving signing success can be even that more magical. To that end, Sonny Muscato, brother of Max Muscato (founder of Rock Autism), has just been signed as an official recording artist of Castle Music. While Sonny has had his struggles, being on the autism spectrum, Max has set out to meet the dire needs of all youth facing those same struggles. According to Max, that’s…

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (Buffalo Rising) | Since 1888 the Broadway Market has been a dynamic cultural force in our community. Ripe with a rich cultural heritage, visiting the Broadway Market is its own experience that ensures families will have a wonderful Christmas, as they celebrate many time-honored traditions. For 130 years immigrant vendors shared their unique brand of cultural pride with handmade crafts and culinary delights that often led to new traditions being established in modern day homes. This holiday season, Our Lady of Hope ‘Home School Children Singers’ visited the market to welcome Santa Clause and the 2018 Christmas season at…

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Watching “The Homeless Pastor”, Eric Johns, 47, and almost the entire Johns family sitting at Spot Coffee early in the morning before Thanksgiving was inspiring. It was a different atmosphere from the past, as his two granddaughters were underfoot. Ethne, one year-old, was smiling at everyone with her joyful greeting “hi.” Spot Coffee on Delaware is a traditional place for respite for Pastor Eric, who lives on the streets with the homeless for one week, to raise money for the Buffalo Dream Center’s Boxes of Love program. On this 20th year, Pastor Johns, his sons, Nate Johns, 14, Alex Johns,…

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Rock Autism and Squeaky Wheel have joined forces to unleash Rock Autism’s Character Animation Program in Squeaky Wheel’s Main Street studio space. This newly created Character Animation Program works to help autistic youth gain the knowledge and technical ability to develop functional skills in the creative arts. Rock Autism is a non-profit organization empowering autistic youth and young adults with the skills to establish a career in the creative arts. “We at Squeaky Wheel were thrilled for the opportunity to work with Rock Autism and Kaleida to bring this program to life. We believe in providing access to expression through…

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Saturday, October 13th, “FestiFall” a fun-filled Fall event for families who live in Western New York’s south towns, is taking place from 11am-4pm at 4928 Seneca Street in West Seneca, NY, 14224. Admission is only $1.00 or a donation of canned goods that will all be given to the Buffalo City Mission. The Life Church Buffalo community is guided and led by young Pastor Pete Jankowski. He is making this event possible for families to enjoy each other and make memories. The event features attractions that are fun for the whole family. There will be events and activities including a…

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Larry Szrama, President of Landies Candies in Buffalo, New York, has been called Buffalo’s own Willy Wonka in response to his 33 years of building a brand of gourmet chocolate and award-winning stuffed pretzels in the Queen City. For Landies Candies, 2018 is turning out to be a year of recognition for his many years of tireless work and commitment to excellent customer service – from the Community Award given by the Sister Johnice, Response to Love Center, being named among the Business First of Buffalo’s fastest growing companies for five years including 2018; as well as, Landies now securing…

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Back by popular demand, Richard “Ricky” Angelo Runfola’s Manifest Exploration – Collection Reveal will be on display September 7 -30, 2018. The opening reception is Friday, September 7 from 6pm-9pm, at Buffalo Big Print. Ricky’s vivid and deeply moving work is Buffalo Big Print’s studio season opener for ‘Allentown’s First Friday’s Gallery Walk.’ Ricky’s inaugural solo exhibit last year at Buffalo Big Print was a monumental success. Attendees were so taken by his artistic expression that his work sold at a near unprecedented pace for a first show, leaving less than half the exhibit unsold at the close of the…

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3,000 children and their families are struggling on the autism spectrum, right here in Western NY. Erie County’s children rank second in the state with the largest amount of diagnoses. As it stands now, 90% of young adults on the spectrum are unemployed. Rock Autism is shining the spotlight on autism and raising funds to develop, support and grow local music, film and arts programs that serve people on the spectrum. Rock Autism’s, Millennial volunteers announce a benefit concert to raise autism awareness and funds for music and art therapy programs. The event will take place September 1st, 2018 at…

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