Tonight was different…this was a game where the Sabres were the better team outright and going away, yet still the letter “W” remained an elusive target once again. On this night the Sabres failed to convert on several glorious scoring opportunities, couldn’t hold onto a two goal lead in regulation, and for the fifth time during the streak lost a shootout.

As a Buffalo sports observer I left the arena with much the same feeling that I had after the Cowboys stole one from the Bills in October, that kick-to-the stomach feeling though really not as strong. It was that type of game tonight…woulda, coulda…how the ….did they not…..ugh.

It was a night for which Daniel Paille should have been THE star of the game, as he was responsible for both Sabre goals in the first period. While not the prettiest of goals it was no matter. The team had the quick early lead that they needed.

Returning fan favorites include Mark Steenhuis with his trademark orange shoes, Rich Kilgour, one of the last of the original players on the team, and the ageless John Tavares, who entered this game needing just five goals to become the all time leading goal scorer in indoor lacrosse, cementing his legacy as the best player in the game.

Gone is goaltender Steve “Chugger” Dietrich, who departed for Calgary, with last year’s backup netminder Mike Thompson taking over the starting role.

Rusted Root Front-Man Michael Glabicki to Perform at Hilbert College

Southwest has been the domestic standard-bearer for how to properly run a profitable, customer-friendly low-cost carrier. Where so many others have failed, Southwest continues to not only thrive, but influence the whole industry.

In Europe, the business model is somewhat different. Carriers like Ryanair and easyJet whisk travelers across Europe for fares as low as £5.00 (plus tax and fees). The catch is that your seat may not recline, you have to pay to actually speak with someone in customer service (email is free), it may cost as much as £8.00 to check a bag, and on-board services cost extra.

But if you’re interested in getting from London (Stanstead) to Milano (Bergamo) for ten bucks, you might be willing to put up with all that. Note that London’s airport isn’t Gatwick or Heathrow, and Milano’s isn’t Linate or Malpensa. To get from London’s Victoria Station to Stanstead airport is a 75 minute bus ride. To get from Milano’s central station to Bergamo airport takes 60 minutes.

Today, Eliot Spitzer will give his “State of New York State” address in Albany at 1230PM. Hopefully, the finger gesture Spitzer makes in the above photo does not represent the amount of progress he intends to report.

Click here to watch the live web stream of the speech.

Supposedly, Spitzer will touch on major issues like a property tax rate cap, increased funding for universities, privatizing the NY Lottery, and a $1BN Upstate Revitalization Fund that will be used to fund development projects throughout upstate.

In any event, how would you describe the state of affairs right now in New York State? Do you approve of the job Eliot is doing? What are your expectations of Spitzer/Bruno/Silver in 2008?

The Concrete Central, Agway, The Great Northern, The Marine A, The Lake and Rail, Kellogg, Pillsbury, H&O Oats, Exchange American, Electric Annex — these are just a few of the “Grand Ladies of the Lake” whose fascinating biographies and arresting photos are the subject of a new book on Buffalo’s grain elevators edited by landscape architect Lynda Schneekloth.

“Reconsidering Concrete Atlantis: Buffalo’s Grain Elevators” (2007, Urban Design Project and Landmark Society of the Niagara Frontier) tells a colorful and deeply researched historic, economic and cultural story of the elevators through essays and articles by Schneekloth, professor of architecture at the University at Buffalo, and several notable preservationists, urban planners and historians.

The book, rich with scores of photos, drawings, maps, floor plans, charts, history and anecdotes, also presents proposed projects for adaptive reuse of the 13 abandoned elevators that still stand on the Buffalo waterfront. The proposals are by 12 authors from the UB School of Architecture and Planning, Cornell University and Columbia University.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Comedian, satirist, actor and writer Stephen Colbert has been added to the spring lineup of the University at Buffalo’s Distinguished Speakers Series.

Colbert will speak at 8 p.m. April 4 in Alumni Arena on the UB North (Amherst) Campus.

Award-winning actor James Earl Jones, who originally was scheduled to speak on that date, has cancelled his appearance to star in a new Broadway production of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” UB hopes to invite Jones to participate in a future season of the series.

Congressman Brian Higgins and Senator Hillary Clinton announced $3.1 million in federal funding dedicated to a project that would create 20 acres of new parkland on land now occupied by the Buffalo station for the United States Coast Guard. The funding, championed by Higgins and Clinton, was included in the appropriations bill approved by the House of Representatives and Senate and signed by the President in late December.

Erie County Comptroller Mark C. Poloncarz today issued his office’s audit of the Sale, Purchase and Operation Agreement (”SPOA”) by and between Erie County (”County”) and Erie County Medical Center Corporation (”ECMCC”). The SPOA and subsequent legal actions (resulting in two (2) consent decrees) govern the County’s sale of the hospital to the then created public benefit corporation in 2004 and the mutual obligations of both parties including ongoing subsidies, reporting, and other financial issues.

Last week, Deloitte & Touche LLP issued a favorable FY 2006-07 audit for the City, which reported a $21,695,000 surplus, the largest in the history of the City of Buffalo and the fifth consecutive surplus the City has reported since the fiscal crisis began in 2001-02. This latest double-digit surplus brings the City’s total fund balance to just over $117 million, with $76 million free from any financial commitments or restrictions.

The Erie County Legislature has approved the purchase of new coolers and X-Ray equipment to continue the vital operation and service of the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office, according to Erie County Legislator Betty Jean Grant (D-Buffalo) and Erie County Legislature Chair Lynn M. Marinelli (D-Buffalo, Tonawanda)

“I am proud that my colleagues in the Erie County Legislature joined Chair Marinelli and me in approving new equipment that is necessary to allow the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office to continue its everyday operations in efficient and high quality manners,” Legislator Grant, whose district includes ECMC, said.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVlwH7-05Fk

This is the first time I remember Hillary Clinton showing any emotion in public beyond “happy” and “angry”. I don’t think there’s very much wrong with it. Surely, being on the trail for so long, and getting trounced by some young upstart at (and in) the polls, is taxing. It’s a hiccup in a long, otherwise completely normal national campaign.

It’s amazing that this choking up by Clinton, which didn’t amount to more than what, say, a pro ballplayer experiences when announcing his resignation, is engendering as much discussion as it is.

NYS Thruway Authority just went ans pissed off Rus Thompson again . We should all be pissed really.

Rus Thompson says:

When we were told that tolls were being raised this year we all were under the impression that it was for 10% at least that is what the Thruway Authority told us. Well lo and behold the Grand Island bridge tolls went from 75 cents to a dollar. That is a far cry from 10%, that is a 33.3% increase in tolls. Two years ago the tolls at the bridges were raised from .50 cents to .75 cents. That is a 100% toll increase in two years.

Click through to read more

The Sabres event crew showed videos and photo montages from the Winter Classic; a full house was on hand primed for a big night for the Sabres.Unfortunately the end result was another Sabres loss, their fifth in a row, and the team is quickly dropping in the standings, with a tough tough three game road trip now staring them in the face.

The team played a lackluster and uninspiring first period, with Ottawa scoring on their first shot on goaltender Ryan Miller. Andrew Peters and Brian McGrattan dropped the gloves early and had at it, with Peters getting the worst of it. The Sabres managed to kill off a penalty in the first, but Ottawa made it 2-0 on their second man advantage early in the second period.

Ottawa made it 3-0 midway through the second period on a goal by Jason Spezza, and that was enough to chase Ryan Miller out of the net in favor of Jocelyn Thibault. Ales Kotalik answered with Buffalo’s first tally just seconds later, and the second period ended 3-1 in favor the Senators.

Back in September, I was fresh off an incredibly unpleasant purchase of a Jeep from Joe Cecconi’s Chrysler Complex on Military Road in Niagara Falls. This is what I had to say then:

The customer service at Joe Cecconi’s Five Star Chrysler Complex is no better than One Star. We traded in the old Jeep for a new one and my beloved Kane Doyle Jeep has recently closed its doors, thus forcing us into the arms of Mr. Cecconi. Not a pleasant experience. If you need to buy a Jeep/Dodge/Chrysler, I’d recommend you go somewhere else. The salesman was disorganized, the sales manager couldn’t find my car for three days, and the entire experience was just a mess.

What follows is a lengthy dissertation on awful customer service and is written for the sole purpose of my personal venting. Read at your own risk of being bored.

At the time, it was just another in a long series of mildly unpleasant sales transactions that have littered my life over the past ten years. Customer service is in a general state of disarray in America, so I stopped really getting worked up about the minor slights and rudeness years ago. However, the purchase process was a mere prelude to the incredible rudeness, arrogance, and outright lying that I have had to deal with over the past couple of days. Absolutely incredible.

Auction to benefit the Sabres Foundation. Afinogenov’s jersey is at $500. Connolly’s is at $325. Miller’s mask (with knit hat) is at $10,000. Check it out here.

Here is the statement from the CACGEC regarding the County Executives decision:

In his first bold move as County Executive, Chris Collins announced today that he is removing Erie County as a party to the two ongoing lawsuits attempting to block consrtuctuon of a permanent Seneca Buffalo Creek casino in downtown Buffalo.

“Casino gaming already exists in Downtown Buffalo,” said Collins. In its current form, however, the casino is only attracting local visitors. The Seneca’s plans for a permanent casino will be a destination, helping to improve local tourism efforts. In addition, the casino plan also calls for a three acre public park. This green space will beautify the cobblestone district and improve quality of life for families living in that neighborhood.”

Five High Schools in Erie County, including three City of Buffalo Public Schools were recognized by US News and World report in their “Best High Schools “rankings.

Erie County Executive Chris Collins made the following appointments on his first official day in office:

• Commissioner of Environment & Planning – Holly A. Sinnott
• Commissioner of Public Works – Gerard J. Sentz

“As my first official announcement as County Executive, it gives me great pleasure to appoint Holly Sinnott as Commissioner of Environment & Planning and Jerry Sentz as Commissioner of Public Works,” said Collins. 

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3046011199161897049

While Andrew had the actual game covered, and Kevin over at Bfloblog had the tailgate party under control, It was my job, along with Jay, Sherry and WNYM contributor John Splett to travel the parking lots looking for the most interesting tailgate parties and capture the scene the best we could.

Check out all of Sherry’s photos here 

5:30 PM EST… Orchard Park, NY… The National Hockey League has announced that a VERY limited number of tickets, the majority of them obstructed view, have been released and are available on ticketmaster.com RIGHT NOW.

An extremely limited number of all inclusive food and beverage tickets to the One Choice Communications Club are also available.

The tickets to the One Communications Club are priced at $290. The obstructed view seats are priced at $10.

Orders will be limited to four per customer.

With the holiday season nearing it’s closure and a new year upon us, I thought it was time to cobble together a random musings post which details where my mind is at right now as both a blogger and Citizen of Buffalo. It’s one part recap of 2007 and one part resolutions for 2008…

• I thought 2007 would be the year in which Buffalo made some tremendous strides both politically and economically. Unfortunately, it was a lot like 2006, 2005, and 2004; Iterative progress which doesn’t amount to much of a “revolution”. Positive developments can be found if you look hard enough. However, when I look back on 2007, I don’t see much progress made on addressing the massive problems of poverty, urban blight, racism, vacant properties, and failing public education system that engulf vast swaths of our urban environment. I also see little progress being made on the statewide level to address our overbearing business costs, over regulation, excessive personal tax rates, corruption, abuse of taxpayer monies, unaccountable authorities, and unresponsive elected officials. It doesn’t inspire much hope for 2008. Hey, way to kick things off with a tidal wave of optimism, eh?
• I can’t decide which politician has been a bigger disappointment to the people of Buffalo, Byron Brown or Eliot Spitzer. Frankly, I voted for neither, so I can’t say I’m surprised they have been massive disappointments. It seems as if Mayor Brown is looking to create as little ruckus as possible while he waits for Rep. Louise Slaughter to retire. Congress is calling, don’t want to rock the boat too much and piss off any potential constituencies! Spitzer seems to lack the ability to lead or build consensus. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who was an observer of his behavior as Attorney General. State Senator Joe Bruno has effectively neutered Spitzer and without a massive Mea Culpa, I don’t see a way for Spitzer to rebuild political capital to fight back or accomplish any of his ambitious agenda.
• The proxy war for the Democratic Party in the City of Buffalo continues unabated between Sam Hoyt and Byron Brown. Shifting allegiances in party politics, control of the Common Council, control of district committeemen, control of patronage power, control of party messaging and candidates…all of it up for grabs as Hoyt and the Party square off against Byron and Grassroots. What does any of this matter in the grand scheme of things? Absolutely nothing and is a total distraction from the business of the people. See my first point about why 2007 was like any other year…
• Tell Bashar Issa to give me a call when he gets something significant done over at the Statler. Until then, I’d like it if he’d stop with the grand proclamations about his massive design plans to reinvigorate the entirety of Buffalo proper. He is a walking silver bullet plan to the denizens of “New Buffalo” and it is growing execeedingly tedious. To belabor his efforts and support him vociferously every time he farts in our general direction makes us look small and insignificant.
• Piggybacking on that, I’d like to define the difference between “efforts” and “results” for people in this town as it seems as if we are so disconnected from someone actually getting something done that we often confuse the two…
  • Results - Something tangible that comes from the conscious application of effort. Something to be celebrated.
  • Efforts - The work done to achieve a particular end. Not worth celebrating.

12:15 PM… I am at the stadium; the Sabres will take the ice at 1:30 for practice. I will be posting photos and updates throughout the day.

Looks like things are in place for the tailgate party on Tuesday.

Where: Lot 5B. Pull into Drive 5 and take it to the road that separates lot 5B (Tundra) from Lot E (Camry). Hang a right and we’ll try to park as close to Abbott Road as possible. Twoeightnine whipped up a little BfloBlog / WNYMedia sign so keep your eyes open.

When: Whenever. But we’re going to shoot for 9:00.

Who: It’s the D-List of local bloggers and BfloBlog commenters. And you.

What: Definitely BYOB. If you want in on our grub, drop me a line. If you want my cell number, shoot me an e-mail.

Why: Do you really need to ask?

If you’re coming, feel free to leave a comment.

Checking out the progress of work at Ralph Wilson Stadium this afternoon, there on the ice was Dan Craig, NHL Facilities Operations Manager and the guy in charge of this entire affair. But he wasn’t just on the ice - he laced up a pair of skates and was giving the surface he had built a whirl. “It felt good. We’re almost at the point we were in Edmonton four years ago at this time.”The place is really taking shape. Walking into the stadium today, I was absolutely amazed at how they got this place tidied up, a far contrast from the dreck and mess in the concourses, ramps and seating bowl the other day. Crews are still dashing around the building getting ready for the big event. Down on the field, the ice has been painted, the glass is up, the zamboni is applying water and smoothing the ice. And now they’re actually trucking IN snow to give the field a neat cosmetic appearance.

Today’s 2PM daily briefing was a more crowded affair - media from national outlets and from other cities were in attendance, and joining Craig and Don Renzulli was NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, who was piped in to the briefing via teleconference from New York City.

If your interested in seeing the entire event including the performances and blessings, click through to see it.

Things are really starting to take shape at Ralph Wilson Stadium as the Winter Classic is just four days away, and the excitement is being felt all around town.

This afternoon, Outdoor Rink Wizard Dan Craig and Senior Veep Don Renzulli gave their daily update, which was also broadcast via NHL.com to media across the continent. Things are running smoothly, the men reported, and they are within 6 hours of their timetable to have everything up and running and completed, time which they should easily make up.

Craig stated that 42 tractor trailer loads of equipment had been brought in thusfar, and there is now a half inch coating of ice, and the playing surface has been painted white. While all the boards and benches are now in place, Craig indicated that the painting of the lines and logos won;t take place until Sunday, and the glass should be installed by Sunday night. Another interesting thing - they might actually “make snow” on Monday night to cover over some of the tarped areas on the field and give the entire floor a clean look.

I asked where they plan to place the cameras and platforms, and they replied that the main camera towers will be placed at center ice, while broadcast platforms for NBC and CBC will be erected in the corners in the tunnel end zone. Just for the record, about 2000 “obstructed view” seats were not sold and will be tarped over, in the areas which would have been blocked by the platforms.

Outgoing Erie County executive Joel Giambra announced today that he is leaving Erie County in the black.

His administrations 2007 Forecast results:

• Certain operating surplus of $12.2 million
• Potential surplus of $15 to $20 Millio: Depending on December sales tax results

What with this being the end of the year, and given that it’s going to be a pretty slow news cycle (i.e., your friendly neighborhood Buffalopundit is hard up for crap about which to write), let’s review what we talked about in 2007.

Ah, remember Shorter Buzz? We all wish Mary well on her hiatus. I hope it’s packed with Catholicism, beer, Wagner / Bach, and all things German.

Spitzer was on Day 4, and made a rousing speech calling for statewide unity, growth, and prosperity. We’re approaching day 365 and I don’t know that we’re any closer to that at all. The speech was light on “war with Bruno” and “licenses for illegals”.

I posted very lightly about “Troopergate”, because I didn’t find it interesting. What I do, however, find interesting is that anybody working for the piece of crap that passes for New York State government has access to a helicopter or a private jet. All in all, I was unimpressed by Governor Spitzer’s first year.

Hevesi and Holt found themselves in a world of trouble.

In January, people were still talking about the WNYMedia.net bloggers being blacklisted from WBEN. Good times.

The last scenes we saw were on television Sunday night, dramatic images of workers struggling to lay a tarp on the field in the teeth of horrific winds and precipitation which followed the Bills/Giants game that afternoon. But considering the crummy conditions that night and through Christmas, things are actually moving along quite well.

The National Hockey League has set up its operations in a trailer adjacent to the Bills Fieldhouse, and they are conducting daily briefings at 2PM in the press box, open to the media. This afternoon Dan Craig, NHL Facilities Operations Manager, and Don Renzulli, Senior VP for Events and Entertainment, made a presentation to outline the work that has been performed so far.

“We’ve compressed about 72 hours work into 48 hours” said Craig, who admitted that the weather was an impediment on Sunday night but the work that needed to get done got done. Craig bears a great deal of experience in managing and orchestrating an event of this magnitude, with the experience of running the outdoor games at Michigan State and at Edmonton.

I read an article in November 2005 in the Buffalo News about how 2007 would be the year that signified where Buffalo was going. Forward? Or the same as it has always been?

And now that 2007 has come and gone there are mixed signals all around. Clearly this was not the make or break year that the article made it out to be-positive signs are starting to accumulate while many of the root problems still exist.

The Erie County Legislature unanimously passed a resolution that urges the New York State Assembly and Senate to pass bills that would end the practice of “File and Use” when increasing rates for Heath Insurance Providers.

Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst (D-Lancaster, Elma), sponsor of the resolution, said, “Health insurance costs have far outpaced increases in income in New York State resulting in health insurance coverage becoming a heavy burden for many Western New York families.”

From everyone at WNYMedia.net: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Click here for your Christmas Greeting 

WNYmedia.net’s Alan Bedenko and Chris Smith recently sat down with County Executive elect Chris Collins to conduct a wide-ranging interview.

The more than 40 minute discussion covered a host of topics including his relationship with the legislature and control board, budget monitoring, the waterfront, six sigma, and union negotiations.

Over the weekend and into next week, we’ll be sharing the entire interview with you in segments.   Tell us what you think, Collins is reading and listening to your feedback

Here are the First two segments:

So said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff tonight at HSBC Arena, as the Philadelphia Flyers came to town. The hype meter was off the wall, as former Sabres Martin Biron and Daniel Briere were making their first return to Buffalo since their departures last season.
Both received warm applause during the warmups and intros, but the adulation quickly turned to boos once the game started, especially when Briere touched the puck during play.

For the pregame, the game night staff pitched the “Say Hey Say Yeah” flick, and instead showed a pretty good video montage titled “The Rivalry Continues”, rolling out highlight reel moments between these two teams. While the memorable playoff goals and OT triumphs were fun to watch, goalies Garth Snow and Steve Shields going at it in the ’97 playoffs is the signature memory seared in my mind. Good stuff!

The game took on a physical tone early on, with both teams throwing punishing hits and checks, and while Philadelphia seemed to have the early edge in that department, Buffalo then took control of the play. At 11:41, Marty Biron made an incredible save on a rebound shot by Paul Gaustad, stopping the puck literally in midair on the goal line. Even Drew Stafford’s goal at 17:51 required a video review, as the puck crossed the goal line before Derek Roy tapped it with his stick while in the net. At the end of the first Buffalo led 1-0.

County Executive Joel Giambra and the Erie County Legislature have agreed to forgive the 2006 and 2007 County taxes on property located at 300 Manhattan Street. The property is being conveyed to the City of Buffalo as a result of a Federal Bankruptcy and will be used for the expansion of the area around Bennett High School, All-High Stadium, a City grammar school and McCarthy Park.

City officials plan on demolishing the former Nursing home with a grant from the New York State Dormitory Authority.

Click here to listen to Press Conference

Erie County Executive-Elect Chris Collins has announced five key appointments to his administration:

• Deputy County Executive – Mark Davis
• Director of Six Sigma – Alfred Hammonds, Jr
• Director of Budget & Management – Beth Kornbrekke
• Commissioner of Parks & Recreation – James Hornung, Sr.
• Commissioner of Health – Dr. Anthony Billittier

“I promised Erie County taxpayers I would hire only the best and brightest for jobs within my administration,” said Collins. “The appointments I am making today honor that promise and my goal to bring true professionalism and high quality to Erie County government. In filling these key roles, I have appointed five professionals with an incredible amount of skill, energy and talent to work on behalf of Erie County taxpayers.”

“This first round of appointments reflects my approach to hiring,” said Collins. “I am committed to bringing people with private sector experience into government. My administration will also continue to look to promote strong candidates from within, and retain commissioners and department heads with a strong record of success and accomplishment.”

CLICK THROUGH FOR BIOS OF EACH APPOINTEE AND VIDEO OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE

Winter sucks up here in Buffalo, and Toronto gets even chillier. While we bundle up in layers or furry coats, the homeless are left to huddle in alleyways with absolutely nothing. Whatever they have, they stuff with newspaper to keep as warm as they can. You can only stuff so many tabloids into a ratty sweater, though.

Enter 15 Below, an innovative marketing ploy charity operation created by Toronto ad firm Taxi. They’ve developed a lightweight jacket that is waterproof, windproof, and has multiple bubble pockets all over that can be stuffed with newspaper to provide an effective shield against the cold. 3000 of these jackets will be distributed around Toronto. I wonder if Buffalo can get a few for Sly and the other unfortunates that will end up sleeping in my apartment foyer this winter.

So how well does this work? Continue reading to catch a video and specs on the coat.

The big debate on the radio this morning seemed to be if Danny Briere and Marty Biron will hear boos from the hometown crowd tomorrow night.

Please.

Talk about making something out of nothing. First of all, nobody is going to boo Martin Biron. While he never became the dominant goaltender many thought he would, he still was a solid goalie, and one of the most popular players on the team. He spanned multiple generations of great Sabres teams, and gave us fans great quotes every time he got near a microphone. Plus, he gave us the classic miked-up quote of “Yo-Yo’s mad; go Yo-Yo”, when Yochen Hecht got in a fight.

As for Briere, I realize he left to go elsewhere. But the Sabres never made a serious, market value offer for him, and Philly did. He was a hell of a Sabre, and people forget that he almost beat the Hurricanes all by himself two years ago in the Conference Finals. I found this paraphrased quote from the Captain Milquetoast show this morning on why Danny didn’t sign with Montreal very interesting: After playing them eight times a year, it just didn’t feel right. Daniel Briere, a French-Canadien, is hated in Montreal because he didn’t sign with his hometown team. Good for him. Screw those Frenchies.

WNYmedia.net’s Alan Bedenko and Chris Smith recently sat down with County Executive elect Chris Collins to conduct a wide-ranging interview.

The more than 40 minute discussion covered a host of topics including his relationship with the legislature and control board, budget monitoring, the waterfront, six sigma, and union negotiations.

Over the weekend and into next week, we’ll be sharing the entire interview with you in segments.   Tell us what you think, Collins is reading and listening to your feedback.

http://www.vimeo.com/445619

The Anti-Flipping Task Force (AFTF) released their second year report today:

“In its second year, the AFTF has experienced significant successes, including participation in the first major area civil prosecution involving a fraudulent flipping scheme, changing the way property is purchased at the City auction. The Mayor’s Anti-Flipping Task Force worked hard this year to educate and inform the public ensure that fraudulent flippers stayed away from the In-Rem auction, ,” said Mayor Brown. “We have seen the devastation of flipping, especially in Buffalo’s poorer neighborhoods. Through the collaboration of the groups that make up the Mayor’s Anti-Flipping Task Force, I am confident that we are on the right track to not only prevent fraudulent flippers from coming into the City, but to eliminate the practice completely.”

Click through to see more including audio clips of the full press conference and the full 2 year report

I received this VIA email from Jim Tedisco, what a thrill this is. We are making headway in Albany, well with the Republicans anyway in the Senate and Assembly. Now will be the time to hold them all accountable and see who will be the obstructionists. Democrats sponsor or co-sponsor legislation or be labeled as obstructionists. We are tired of hearing you say “we can’t do anything about it” You can by legislation, now do it and stand up for the people of this state for once.

EDITORS NOTE: WE WILL HAVE A PODCAST LATER TODAY WITH RUS, AS HE UPDATES US ON HIS NOGITOLLS.COM CAMPAIGN

Then check out White Christmas, the stage version of the 1954 musical film featuring Bing Crosby and Rosmary Clooney at Shea’s Performing Arts center through Sunday. It features Irvin Berlin classics like Happy Holidays”, “Blue Skies” and of course “White Christmas” as first recorded by Bing Crosby.

Since im not much of a theater review guy, i’ll spare you my critique and just tell you to go check it. All Ill say is that the chick that plays Betty is pretty hot! Seriously though, it was a really good show.

More interesting than my review of the play was the playbill, which had an interesting pop culture history lesson in it.

Seems that there is a little brouhaha over at Pundit’s place.

Let’s face it. we have had plans, coalitions, more plans, public forums, ad nauseum. What we haven’t had is a whole lot of progress. Some people are opposed to a project, some aren’t. If some folks at WNYMedia choose to use a little parody to voice their opinion, fine by me. But to insinuate that these people are any less interested in the betterment of Western New York simply because they don’t engage in dialogue in the manner that you prefer, is pretty freaking arrogant.

11:47pm: Just seconds ago, the New York State Thruway Authority voted yes to move forward with a 10% increase in the 2008 budget that will increase NYS tolls as soon as January.

The Authority is planning another hike in 2009 and 2010 that will be voted on in April. The State Comptroller is in the process of auditing the Authority.

Our Local representative on that board, Jeff Williams, voted no.

There was an article in the Buffalo News late last week about Thursday at the Square:

The Buffalo Place board Wednesday learned revenues for the 21-year-old concert series missed budget targets by $200,722, up from earlier projections that it would fall flat by a maximum of $140,000. In presenting the updated revenue figures, Buffalo Place Treasurer John R. Koelmel said the free summer shows, which rely on sales of beer and food to cover costs, have probably hit their peak.

This is a ridiculous response:

We had a bit of a monopoly for a while, but now we’re facing competition from other venues, especially the casinos,” Koelmel said. “I think [that] in terms of upside, we have hit the wall.”

Secondly, the acts that made up the 2007 concert series were “part” of the problem but not the biggest one. I actually thought it was a good lineup. But bringing acts that an over 21 crowd might actually enjoy will definitely ensure more beer sales. Wh,en you cater the music to people under the age of 21, guess what? No beer sales, duh…

The biggest problem though is simple, yet one Buffalo Place refuses to address. Location. Depending on where you wind up in that mass of humanity every week, you can’t hear. Half of the concert grounds are covered by trees.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=260-nFiVAD0

It is one of the most common refrains at the end of every year during the Erie County budget process.

“Fully fund the Buffalo Convention and Visitor’s Bureau with their full share of the bed tax”

Since I don’t like to hear a problem restated over and over again without the proposition of a creative solution, I’m going to offer one…because that’s how I roll.

Why should the CVB be funded out of a tax that is collected by Erie County? The revenue stream sources from the hotels themselves and the County simply acts as a pass through, while taking a piece of the revenue as a vig.

Why not abolish the bed tax altogether?

Poking around the CVB’s website, I came across a series of videos that were recently completed which help tell the story of Buffalo-Niagara. By the way, if you want people to actually watch these videos, shorten up the vignettes and post them on sites around the web, not just on your own.  The only people who will find these videos will be people who were looking for them in the first place, viral marketing 101.   I digress…

Recent news from our local delegation…

VH1 is counting down the 100 Greatest Songs of the ’90s. It’s all the Clinton-era hits you know and maybe even love, from the artists who defined Generation X.

I caught the first 20 songs last night.  Its pretty well done but the most interesting part is it gives you an update as to what some of these long lost one hit wonders are up to these days.

Hour 1 replays tonight at 9pm with hour 2 starting at 10pm.

If you don’t want to watch all the episodes, here is the wholetop 100 list. One word. Disappointed.

Make no mistake, Torey is a great guy, and covering the team in the media becomes so much easier because this man always welcomes you into his office as on old friend, readily makes himself available for interviews and comments, and his love for the game and his role in it rubs off on anyone who gets the chance to get close to him. If there is one annoying thing about him, it is that he too joyous and positive. He never rebukes or calls out one of his players publicly after a subpar performance. He will always put a positive spin on the worst scenarios. I can only guess that he’s got be the world’s greatest dad, greatest husband and someone’s greatest best friend.

The United Steelworkers (USW) union has produced a video (featuring singing Steelworker kids) that symbolizes what the Stop Toxic Imports campaign is all about–protecting our children from dangerous imported products and fighting unfair trade laws that allow global corporations to cheat us out of good jobs.

NBC Sports today announced that Bob Costas will host NBC’s broadcast coverage of the NHL Winter Classic between the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins, the first U.S. outdoor game in NHL history. The game will be held New Year’s Day beginning at 1 p.m. ET from Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, N.Y.

Costas has a history broadcasting hockey, serving as the play-by-play commentator for the Syracuse Blazers of the old Eastern Hockey League in 1973-74 and also occasionally filling in for the late, great Dan Kelly on KMOX’s St. Louis Blues radiocasts in the last 70s and early 80s.

The NHL Winter Classic features several of the game’s greatest young stars, including Penguins center Sidney Crosby and Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller. Attendance at the contest is expected to surpass the NHL single-game record, set Nov. 22, 2003 when the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers drew 57,167 to The Heritage Classic at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, the only outdoor game in NHL history. Ralph Wilson Stadium capacity exceeds 73,000 and tickets to the game sold out within several hours of going on sale.

Upon arrival, players were decorated with war paint by the lovely Caesandra from Buffalo ReUse.

Once we were painted up, the teams were set up and we went into gridiron battle. In an effort to not get anyone killed nor look like sissies playing two handed touch, we chose to play “wrap up” football. A “wrap up” tackle supposedly halts the forward progress of the individual driving towards the end zone. In practice, it looked a lot more like this:

Construction officially began on the final component of the block of industrial buildings which interrupts the flow of surface parking lots in the cobblestone district. Originally just lofts, now its mostly offices, with retail on the 1st floor and residential on the second.

And the 1-story building between the two warehouses should be adding a “European Bistro” this summer. I’m predicting a cafe/restaurant/bar coming into this final rehab too…the block should become a modest post-game attraction for Sabres fans when completed.

The Buffalo Bills lost their most important game of the year today to Cleveland by the ridiculous score of 8 - 0. The game was entertaining in a train-wreck sort of way, but overall I was extremely disappointed in much of the Bills’ performance.

-If I was running the Buffalo Bills, I would have told Steve Fairchild to call Colorado for a ride back to Buffalo after that fiasco. The Bills were extraordinarily predictable on offense, and completely ineffective. I don’t have all of the good stats available at my fingertips, but I think Marshawn Lynch or Fred Jackson ran the same play on about 12 consecutive first downs - for an average of about an inch per run. Besides that, there were a ton of very questionable calls and strategies.

A couple of weeks ago, Colin Dabkowski of The Buffalo News wrote about the ongoing financial troubles of Studio Arena Theater.

Two weeks ago, in the face of an unthinkable closure, an emergency fundraising effort managed to pull in about $225,000 from a combination of foundations, theater board members and local banks, according to Studio Arena board President Daniel A. Dintino.

That money, according to Dintino and CEO and artistic director Kathleen Gaffney, will ensure that the theater produces at least its next two shows: the family-friendly Christmas play “Indian Blood,” which is scheduled to begin in previews Tuesday, and January’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“This kind of operation, even with the cuts that I made throughout last year, having [only] one set designer and so forth, it’s still too expensive,” she said. “And the audience is just not, they’re not coming.”

Of course, this begs the question; Why aren’t the audiences coming? After sitting through a tedious and mediocre performance of A.R. Gurney’s “Indian Blood”, a play designed to appeal to the “Old Buffalo” set, I had my own ideas. I had intended to write about them last week, but time got away from me…

The Sabres were better in a 3-1 win over the Blackhawks.

In recent years a visit to Buffalo by the Blackhawks would be an event that would draw little interest and plenty of empty seats. Yet thanks to the presence of Patrick Kane rolling into town tonight was going to be a bit different.

From the time the PA system pumped out the strands of Chicago’s “Saturday in the Park” to the nice applause to hearing Kane’s name in the starting lineups to the wonderful pregame ceremony involving Kane, Brian Campbell and their respective fathers to the great ovation they received. It was quite obvious that the fans of Buffalo, Sabres and bandwagon Blackhawk alike gave Kane a warm welcome home to Buffalo.

“OK kid, now just disappear into the background for the night, will ya.” I thought to myself as the puck dropped.

Except Kane wasn’t finished on center stage just yet, because just two and a half minutes in he took in a nice feed from Patrick Sharp and fired it past Ryan Miller from the slot for a 1-0 lead. About five minutes later in the period he would get on the stats sheet again with a penalty for hooking.