Rocky Roads...

Travel - All WNYers have heard this before, there really is only two seasons in Buffalo: Winter and Construction. Well, with all the potholes, orange cones and road restrictions everywhere there might be a little truth to it. This is the time of year for repairs and improvements, coming soon near you, if not already, the Highway Department.

Here are some cool and helpful sites to visit before hitting the road. You can view a list of the latest projects by region at the NYS DOT or TravelInfoNY. Traveler information and real time traffic incidents are available from the NYS Thruway Authority. A Traffic Map and Cameras can be seen on the NITTEC bi-national transportation system. Hopefully a little research can help with expected traffic delays and avoid some road rage.

Football Rookies...

Bills Fan - With the 11th overall pick in the NFL Draft today the Buffalo Bills chose defense with Leodis McKelvin from Troy. He likely was the best cornerback available and was the first defensive back selection of the draft. Hopefuly Modrak and the scouts got it right. He can also be used as a returner with his speed. We'll see what the rookie can do. The Bills then go offensive in the 2nd Round with Wide Receiver James Hardy from Indiana, 41st overall, a big target for QB Trent Edwards. The team has eight more picks in the next four rounds. Day two of the NFL Draft is Sunday morning. You can watch it on ESPN.

Hockey Time...

Sabres Fan - Yes, the Buffalo Sabres did not make the 2008 NHL Playoffs. For die hard hockey fans though, we just like to watch great games. So, as Round 2 starts tonite for the race to win the Stanley Cup, I could not help but think of how many ex-Sabres are on other teams and still competing. Hasek, Barnes, Brown, Grier, Campbell, Drury, Briere, Biron, Conklin etc...and there are probably more! The Sabres have become the farm club of the NHL. It seems whenever the team gets close, it follows with unloading the roster. Recent comments from the current owner do not make it feel like anything will change in the future either.

Here are the Semi-final series, which start tonite:
Flyers @ Habs
Rangers @ Penguins
Stars @ Sharks
Avalanche @ Wings

Games can be seen on Versus, CBC and NBC.

Span Rejected...

Questions - The Peace Bridge Expansion Project has once again been dealt a setback. It was not from the opposing neighbors but from the environment. The FHA advised the PBA that a two tower companion design was not approved. Due to risks caused to birds (common tern) and fish from the height of the bridge, in what is considered a national fly by area, the impact was deemed too great by the NEPA. Options are running out, whats up next Congressman Higgins?

Earth Day...

News - With the price of everything skyrocketing, everyone is likely a little more spending conscious nowadays. As many celebrate Earth Day in WNY, there are many ways that can help our environment and also probably save us money as well. Save energy, use less water, recycle, commute smarter and think green are just a few ideas. We all need to protect the air, land and water quality in our communities. Visit Green News for more info.

More Spring Cleanup...

Steelton - Like many communities in Erie County, the Town of Hamburg has given Notice for their Town Wide Rubbish Schdule, which excludes Villages. There is a monthly limit of 100 pounds or one large item. Pickups will run from April through October, with the Weeks beginning on:

April 21st
May 19th
June 16th
July 21st
August 18th
September 22nd
October 20th

The Town has also begun its monthly Brush pickup on the first week of the Month. Call the Town Highway Department for more info at 649-7700.

Feels Like Summer...

Weather - A new record high temperature of 87 was recorded today. You can get the latest news online at the Buffalo Weather Blog. It will cool off later tonight though, and highs are forecast in the 60s for the week ahead. Alot of sun and a downslope breeze made it a great day to be outside in WNY. The previous record in 1977 was 80 degrees. Many golf courses and other seasonal places have now opened. Enjoy!

Earth Day Cleanup...

WNY Outdoors - The Annual Earth Day cleanup and planting of trees and shrubs will be held at Penn Dixie on Saturday, April 19, 2008 beginning at 9 AM. Bring gloves, a change of shoes, and dress for the weather. The weather forecast is excellent. Garbage bags and rubber gloves will be provided. A dumpster will be available for all debris collected. This is a good opportunity for scout service hours. No admission charge for those who participate in the Earth Day cleanup and plantings. If you have a shrub or tree you would like to donate please bring it along. For information, call (716) 627-4560.

Bills Go Fishing in Toronto...

Bills Fan - Rub salt in the wound. Buffalo Bills fans were already angry over games in Toronto. Now, the NFL decision to play the first game of the series in Toronto with the traditional rival Miami Dolphins on December 7th at 4PM makes it worse. The team will lack home field advantage for that game and takes away probably the 12th Man's favorite team to play against. Watching the Fish freeze in the ice cold here was worth admission alone! The team said the series is about regionalization and securing the long term here. I guess winning is the only cure for all ailments. Well, here is the 2008 Schedule. The Seahawks visit for the home opener on September 7th and a home Monday night game against the Browns on November 17th is certainly a highlight. Hopefully, Ralph Wilson Stadium will return to the glory days of a winning season and the playoffs.

Pope Visits USA...

Society - Pope Benedict XVI is leader to over a billion Roman Catholics worldwide (64 million in the US). He will make his first visit to the United States on Tuesday, visiting Washington and New York City over 6 days. President Bush will greet him at Andrews Air Force Base and host a ceremony at the White House on Wednesday morning. The day is also the pontiff's 81st birthday and will feature a German-Bavarian dinner menu. The Buffalo Diocese will send a few hundred pilgrims to the Papal Mass at Yankee Stadium on Sunday the 20th. Buffalo's Bishop Kmiec will attend a private prayer service at St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC on the 19th.

Play Ball...

Bisons Fan - The Buffalo Bisons home opener is today with the Toledo Mud Hens. The baseball team returns to WNY for a 6:05PM start after a 3-5 record on the road. A pre-game plaza party starts at 4:30pm and their will be post game fireworks. The weather at Dunn Tire Park will be cloudy, possible rain and in the 50s. This is also the final year of the Bisons-Indians pact, Cleveland could move the triple A farm team in the future.

Hockey Playoffs...

Sports - The Buffalo Sabres were unfortunately eliminated from the NHL playoffs this season. However, local hockey fans can still follow the post-season NHL Quarterfinal series beginning tonight. National tv broadcasts can be seen on CBC Hockey Night in Canada or Versus. Here are the East and West Conference matchups.

Rangers @ Devils
Senators @ Penguins
Bruins @ Canadiens
Flyers @ Capitals
Avalanche @ Wild
Flames @ Sharks
Predators @ Red Wings
Stars @ Ducks

Pump Shock...

Travel - If you have filled up your gas tank recently, you know what I mean. Western New York has set a new record for the highest price ever for a gallon of gas, $3.44. This is about a dime higher than the average across the country. A little more than a dollar per gallon goes for county, state and federal taxes. Drivers are changing habits. As summer nears it will likely get worse, bad news! To find the cheapest local gas station, check out Buffalo Gas Prices.

Rock Chalk Jayhawks...

Sports - The University of Kansas Men's Basketball team will play against the Memphis Tigers tonite for the National Championship. You can watch the NCAA Final Four college game played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas at 9PM on CBS Channel 4. The Kansas Jayhawks (36-3) are appearing in its eighth national championship game in school history and first since 2003. They last won 20 years ago, Memphis (38-1) has never won it.

The Ice Pack...

WNY Outdoors - Spring has arrived. You know it for sure when the celebration for the removal of the Niagara River Ice Boom on Lake Erie happens at Boom Days. The annual event signifies the arrival of better weather after the long winter season. You can take a look of Lake Erie from the New York Power Authority Ice Boom Camera. There are currently about 600 square miles of ice pack still on the lake, when it is less than 250 square miles it will be removed. It looks like the taxes will get done before this years removal, but it is a good time for a festival anyway! The bigger problem is will it remain at its present storage location next to the Coast Guard station on the outer harbor? The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation can hopefully figure that one out.

Sabres Season Over...

Sabres Fan - The Buffalo Sabres longshot playoff hopes were dashed by the Habs last night with a 3-1 loss in Montreal. After having the best record in the regular season last year, the team does not qualify as one of the top eight in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres final game of 2008 is at Boston on Saturday night at 7PM. Coach Ruff will play defenseman Teppo Numminen, who returns for his first game of the year after heart surgery. TBone will be in net (Miller is burned out), Ryan and Peters will also likely play. Missing the playoffs is a bummer for the fans, players, coaches and owner. GM Regier was right earlier this year when he said, the team will be less competitive. It's gonna be a long spring and summer here in Buffalo. Will Golisano spend the bucks for a winner?

Gone Fishing...

WNY Outdoors - The NYS Trout fishing season opener began tuesday morning for anglers. WNY is one of the best fisheries in the country, no fooling. Check out the NYS DEC website for information about places to fish and public fishing rights. Conditions are warm and breezy for opening day. It is a great time to experience the outdoors.