Home Finale...

Sabres Fan - The Buffalo Sabres play its final home game of the season tonite at 6pm versus the Boston Bruins. The players chances of reaching the playoffs are slim. The team has been average all year, at times looking like the former President Trophy winning team of last season and at others looking like the youth paniced loser of many what if games. The race for the eighth playoff spot in the NHL Eastern Conference is six points ahead. Even if Buffalo won its final four games it would need alot of help. Golisano, Quinn, Regier and Ruff should share in the blame, after two somewhat successful seasons they have fallen a long way. The fans certainly miss the good old times, and watching the Rangers with Drury and Flyers with Briere is a constant reminder of the biggest blunder in team management history.

Maple Weekend...

Outdoor Activities - It is Maple Weekend in New York State for producers of the finest syrups in the country. The public gets a chance to see the production process from the trees to the table. The great tasting products, from makers, will also be available at various locations. Visit their website for more info and places to visit.

Smingus Dyngus...

WNY Polonia - Easter Monday is the Dyngus Day capitol of the world here in Buffalo. The post Lent celebration is a spring tradition in the Polish community. There will be parades, polka dancing, beer, food, pussy willows and more all over the Historic Polonia District. The Central Terminal parade starts at 5pm. Visit the Dyngus Day Buffalo guide for more holiday info.

Easter Sunday...

Society - Happy Easter holiday weekend to all. Sunday is the most important religious feast of the year for Christians. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and other non-religious cultural elements. Here are some of my favorite links for the holiday:

Broadway Market
Dyngus Day Buffalo
St. Stanislaus Church
Swieconka
WIVB TV

"Pisanki" or colored eggs at Broadway Market.

Fish Fry...

Food - A beer battered haddock fish fry is one of the trademark local cuisines of Buffalo. The Catholic community will enjoy the meal today for Good Friday, during Lent, before Easter on Sunday. Many of our local restaurants do a good job serving this favorite. Everyone has their special place to go for the best in Buffalo. WGRZ News has even added a map of locations where you can go, check it out.

Spring Begins...

Weather - The calendar tells us that today is the First Day of Spring. However, the last day of winter is lingering over with a few leftover snow showers for WNY. It will probably be considered an average winter here this season as snowfall totals are near the 100" mark. A couple nasty storms and prolonged cold spells have made most of us glad to welcome in the new season. I thought I heard some thunder tonite, but it was actually the Sabres exploding for six goals in the third period of a comeback 7-4 victory at HSBC Arena tonite versus the Lightning. The holiday weekend forecast calls for temps in the 30s with some sun and less precipitation.

Broadway Market...

Foods - With Easter approaching it is always a great idea to visit the Broadway Market in downtown Buffalo. For many in WNY Polonia, it is not only an annual tradition but the place to get those holiday needs like kielbasa, hams, pisanki, pussy willows, horseradish and more. Shoppers below look at "Pisanki", or painted Easter eggs on display. Take a trip to visit the market, it is always alot of fun and the products available are excellent. On Easter Monday many will celebrate Dyngus Day in the Buffalo-Niagara region which has become known as the Dyngus Capitol of the World.

Games Remaining...

Sabres Fan - The Buffalo Sabres still have a chance to make the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Whether they can go anywhere, I think, is a possibility given the parity in the Eastern Conference. After recent losses, the team bounced back with big victories over the Hurricane and Leafs. Who knows if this recent chemistry will continue, I only know, do not count them out yet. Captain Pominville, the leading scorer, is probably the only player who has played consistently well all season. If other players have their game peak now, it would be good timing for the stretch run. They now trail the Flyers for the last playoff spot by only a point. Here are the nine games remaining on the schedule:

Photo by Mike Lynaugh Photography

Mar 19 Tampa Bay 7PM
Mar 21 Toronto 7:30PM
Mar 25 Ottawa 7PM
Mar 27 @ Ottawa 7:30PM
Mar 28 Montreal 7:30PM
Mar 30 Boston 12:30PM
Apr 01 @ Toronto 7:30PM
Apr 03 @ Montreal 7:30PM
Apr 05 @ Boston 7PM

Green Weekend...

News - Many Buffalo Irish will begin celebrations at noon today with a St. Patrick's Day Parade in Buffalo's Old Neighborhood. St. Patrick's Day is on Monday, March 17th. Several will likely gather at the Buffalo Irish Center and other locations in WNY. Enjoy the great food, music, parades and people!

No Bike Path...

Penn Dixie - The Town of Hamburg has apparently given up on building a bike bath connecting the HNHS Penn Dixie to Hoover Beach. It was part of a vision to add to the Lake Erie bike path connecting various parks and trails. Woodlawn Beach State Park currently has a path to a Trail Head Lot near the Dock at the Bay. Lack of support from residents and high costs have ditched the plan. A nice idea for business and recreation, too bad the politicians again could not find a solution.


The Trail Head Lot on Bay View Road near Route 5.

Spitzer Scandal...

Government - Today allegations of Governor Eliot Spitzer involvement in an illegal prostitution ring has shocked New Yorkers and the country. Many are already calling for his immediate resignation. The Lieutenant Governor would take over his place if this occurs. It is yet unknown how this disgrace will shake down. Apparently he was caught on a federal wire tap discussing at a Washington hotel. The same type of investigation he once led as an Attorney General has now doomed his political career.

Spring Ahead...

Weather - Well, a little bit anyway. Eventhough their is a winter storm warning for this weekend in WNY, there is some good news. Daylight Savings Time begins on Sunday the 9th. So, remember to set your clocks forward one hour on Saturday night before you go to sleep. Yes, we lose an hour of snooze time but gain an hour of daylight as sunset will be at 7:10 PM now. In the meantime, we will ride the storm out and hope the last two weeks of winter fade fast.

Pulaski Day...

WNY Polonia - New York State, by Executive Law, designates March 4th as a day of commemoration for General Kazimierz Pulaski. The Father of American Cavalry in 1777 was a Revolutionary War hero of two countries, the USA and Poland. In honor of his memory, there will be a Wreath Laying Ceremony from the General Pulaski Association on March 7th at 5PM. The Pulaski Monument is located adjacent to the Ellicott Square Building in downtown Buffalo (at South Division and Main Streets). The Pulaski Statue was presented to the city, by the people of Poland, in 1976 as a gift during the bicentennial of the USA.

An Installation Dinner of the General Pulaski Association will follow at 6PM at the Creekside Banquet Facility on 2669 Union Road in Cheektowaga. Tickets are $35. For more details call (716) 634-6856.

Defense...

Bills Fan - The Buffalo Bills improve their team via free agency this week by filling some critical spots. They made the biggest trade in years by acquiring Marcus Stroud from Jacksonville for some draft picks. The 3 time Pro Bowler had ankle inuries and a suspension with the Jaguars but will add power to the Bills defense and can make big plays. The team added another defensive tackle, Spencer Johnson from the Vikings. Yesterday, they picked up Super Bowl linebacker Kawika Mitchell from the NY Giants. Some impressive signings with veteran experience will make the 2008-09 season alot more interesting.

Home Ideas...

Society - With Spring only 3 weeks away, many are beginning to think outdoors. The Buffalo Home and Garden Show will be at the Convention Center from Saturday, March 1st thru the 9th. There will be over 500 exhibits to view what is new in building, remodeling, home decor, and gardening. Tickets are $9, for more info click the logo below.