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 

Yesterday was the first day that the media could access Ralph Wilson Stadium to observe the progress on transforming a football stadium into a hockey venue.

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.

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

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