Standing Tall...

Bills Fan - Injured Buffalo Bills player Kevin Everett will release a book on February 1st called Standing Tall. To promote the release he will appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show on Thursday, January 31st at 4PM on Channel 4. An amazing football story. You can purchase a copy by clicking on the cover shot below.

Windstorm...

Weather - A day of extremes from warm to snow, bitter wind chills, all brought in from a powerful January storm. Power restoration efforts are on the way as thousands of homes are without electricity. Pockets are affected and NYSEG and other crews are trying to get the lights back on. Emergency shelters are open for residents, call your town if needed. Peak gusts were as high as 80 mph. A lake effect and blowing snow advisory is in effect. Whiteouts caused sharply reduced visibility, wind chill is near zero. There was a 34 degree temperature drop today and Lake Erie rose by 10 feet, banging the shoreline with ice. This area hasn't seen a storm like this in almost 15 years. Cleanup from the debris will continue into Thursday, the forecast is cold but more tranquil. Time Warner services, schools, thruway, and the airport were all closed at times. It was a fantastic and incredible sight for any hardy WNYer.

Hippie Stuff...

Sabres Fan - The Buffalo Sabres went into and came out of the NHL All-Star game break with a win. They defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 on the road tonite. It was nationally broadcast on Versus. MacArthur, Pominville, Stafford and Roy (team leading 19th) scored the goals. Miller got his 20th win of the season in goal and said earlier today that winning "Is all positive energy". Meaning it is a team effort, not magic. The Sabres road trip, and hopefully growing breakout, continues Wednesday night at 7:30PM in Florida. It can be seen on MSG tv.


Photo by Mike Lynaugh Photography

Bush Speech...

Government - Congress, the nation and the world will hear President Bush speak his final State of the Union address on Monday night at 9PM. The speech will likely focus on national unity, past reflection and the hopes for our future. The political impact will surely be a hot topic for news coverage in the coming days and for the next election.

Super Skills...

NHL News - The NHL Super Skills Competition was tonite in Atlanta. The All-Star game is Sunday, January 27th and can be seen at 6PM on Versus. Sabres Fans watched Buffalo Sabres defenseman Brian Campbell compete as a fastest skater, one of seven events. The Young Stars game was a blowout. The target event, for shooting accuracy in the fastest time, was interesting. Alot of impressive hockey talent in the league.

Astronomy...

Penn Dixie - The Penn Dixie Paleontological and Outdoor Education Center, that is owned and operated by the Hamburg Natural History Society, Inc., will begin the 2008 Evening Astronomy Programs on Friday, January 25th at Woodlawn Beach State Park at 6PM. Telescopic viewing and a nature walk will run regardless of weather from the Nature Center building. It is a free and collaborative program. For more info and directions visit their web by clicking on the sign below.

King's Day...

Society - The National Observance to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is on Monday, January 21st. There is a list of local King events in the Buffalo News. For more information visit The King Center and Day of Service webs.

Super Hype...

Sports - Two weeks until the biggest NFL football game of the year. The AFC Champion New England Patriots will play the NFC Champion New York Giants for SuperBowl 42 on Sunday, February 3rd at 6:30PM. The time before the game is too long for this fan, but I guess not if your favorite team is playing. It is the fourth SuperBowl in seven years for the Pats and will be played in the warm Phoenix desert. Another Belicheck/Brady victory would be bitter for most Bills Fans to watch, seeing they are a division rival. They come off as cocky, arrogant, unfriendly, cheaters, and I don't care if they are unbeaten, record breakers. I am rooting for the NFC this time!

Spitzer Upstate...

Government - Governor Spitzer will be on Buffalo State campus to deliver a State of Upstate speech this morning. All New Yorkers will be listening to his plans. You can hear the speech live online at R News at 10AM. The historic event is the first for a NY governor.

Conference Championships...

Sports - Here is the NFL Playoffs schedule for football fans.

• Sunday, January 20th
  (AFC) San Diego at New England, 3PM.
  (NFC) NY Giants at Green Bay, 6:30 PM.

All-Star Rosters...

NHL News - The NHL announced the squads Thursday for this seasons All-Star game. Only one Buffalo Sabres player was selected as an alternate, defenseman Brian Campbell, his second appearance. The game can be seen on January 27th at 6PM on Versus. At the mid-season point the team has slumped to 11th in the Eastern Conference and has under achieved. Coach Ruff needs to get the veterans playing with youthful enthusiasm as seen by some of the current injury replacements. Sabres Fans know the chance of Regier making any moves is doubtful. Management needs to take more heat for the current situation. If the current 8 game winless streak continues after tonites home game with New Jersey, what happens next? I wish the team could have went to see the Stanley Cup display at The Knox the other day. A reminder of what they play for and view of their hockey fans passion might have helped.

Bandits Opener...

Sports - The NLL Champion Rochester Knighthawks visit the Buffalo Bandits tonite for the 2008 home opener. The game starts at 7:30PM in HSBC Arena. Coach Kilgour is ready to challenge with veterans like Tavares and added youth. A few tickets are left for $19 to $29.

Meltdown...

Weather - No, not the Buffalo Sabres 7th consecutive loss against New Jersey tuesday night. Record winter warmth came to Buffalo for consecutive days. Monday reached 61 degrees and was topped today with 66 degrees. There is no remaining snow in sight. Very spring like and unusual for this time of year when the average is in the 30s. No complaints here, sure beats shoveling and arctic air! Excellent for holiday decor removal, pre-spring yard cleanup or outdoor recreation. Light rain and cooler temps are forecast for the rest of the week.

Second Round...

Sports - Here is next weekends NFL Divisional Playoffs schedule for football fans.

• Saturday, January 12th
  (NFC) Seattle at Green Bay, 4:30PM on FOX.
  (AFC) Jacksonville at New England, Saturday, 8PM on CBS.
  
• Sunday, January 13th
  (AFC) San Diego at Indianapolis, 1PM on CBS.
  (NFC) NY Giants at Dallas, 4:30PM on FOX.

Winter Classic...

Sabres Fan - The New Year's Day NHL Winter Classic versus the Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburg Penguins made history. Over 74,000 hockey fans attended at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park. Many others watched on NBC or CBC at 1PM. The Pens won 2-1 in a shootout. Brian Campbell scored in regulation for the 1-1 tie to send it to overtime. Kotalik scored one in the shootout but Connolly and Afinegenov could not. That left superstar Crosby versus Miller, he shot between the goalies legs for the winning goal. The weather, crowd, atmosphere certainly made it an entertaining event. For Buffalo fans I sense a slight dissapointment in the result however, as we never seem to catch a break in the big games viewed on the national scene. The Sabres will take a point for the tie and play again friday at HSBC Arena when the rival Senators visit.


Click photo above to view our NHL Winter Classic 2008 tribute page.