New Years Eve...

Ball Drop...

Media - There will be a special New Years Eve celebration in Roosevelt Square in downtown Buffalo on Wednesday night. Radio station 97 Rock (WGRF-FM) will present the 21st annual Buffalo Ball Drop and Fireworks Display at the Electric Tower. The Ball will be in synch with the drop in New York Citys Times Square. The event will also honor the UB Bulls football team who will play in Toronto on January 3rd for the International Bowl. DJ Larry Norton will host the countdown starting at 10:30PM.

Blown Away...

Bills Fan - It was the final game of the season for the Buffalo Bills (7-9) and another loss, 13-0 to the New England Patriots (11-5). Wind was a factor for both teams, however the Pats are a winner and showed why. The Pats pass/run the ball, they make field goals with tilted posts and plays when needed, the coach makes the right calls and manages the game/clock. Jauron is no Belicheck, curious calls is his hallmark and after three consecutive losing seasons (7-9) as coach of the Bills, it is amazing owner Ralph Wilson would extend his contract. I guess an average team and fear of a Lions like disaster might be a reason. So again football fans in WNY will watch the post season with little hope for the glory days to return. This team will be a tough sell to the football die hards next year. The Patriots stay alive in the playoff race, with a big win under these tough conditions, but need some help from other teams to get in now.

Boxing Day...

Shopping - Some retailers refer to the day after Christmas as Black Friday 2. A chance to get caught up on slow sales due to the economic downturn. For consumers seeking bargains that could mean some great deals with massive discounts. The last week of the year could boost slumping markets and the weather forecast in WNY looks good for shoppers. Kwanzaa also begins today.

Seasons Greetings...

WNY Polonia - Polish Americans in Western New York celebrated the traditional meatless supper called Wigilia on Christmas Eve. You can read more about the annual traditions and all the latest holiday news online at the Am-Pol Eagle. To all my Polski friends and readers "Wesolych Swiat i Szczesliwego Nowego Roku".

Merry Christmas...

News - The winter weather has made it a little harder for travelers and shoppers in WNY this past week. A warmup is forecast for Christmas eve and day with temperatures above freezing. The meltdown will get rid of some of the white snow. Wherever you celebrate with Santa, enjoy the event.

Digging Out...

Weather - The waves are crashing onshore from Lake Erie onto Route 5 in Hamburg. Stormy conditions continue all over WNY. For now it is likely better to be safe and hunker down until its over as the snow showers will not end for a couple more days. Heavy bands will push southward and continue to shift to the east of the city of Buffalo. The lake effect Snow Warning will continue until midnight. Whiteouts and near blizzard conditions make travel conditions hazardous. Wind chills will be 15 below zero overnight. The airport got 8" of snow today, a new daily snowfall record, and the winds are blowing it all around. It will absolutely be a white Christmas.

Another Storm...

Weather - The third storm this week will bring lake effect snow and winds into WNY on Sunday for the first official day of Winter. Whiteout conditions will hinder travelers, shoppers and snowplow crews trying to clear the roadways. For the latest wintry updates visit Storm Team 2, Weather Watch 4 or WKBW Weather.

Snow Storm...

Weather - Calling all snowplows! The storm predicted to move into WNY this morning has arrived as forecast. The area is expected to get a foot of snow and it will be widespread in the region. The storm warning will last until 10PM tonite, and the dig out will begin. Blowing and drifting snow will make for difficult travel conditions, so take it slow. There were numerous closings of schools, a good move by officials. Check out Storm Team 2 Closing Central for a complete list.

The New Herd...

Bisons Fan - The MiLB 2009 season for the Buffalo Bisons begins on April 10th at home against the Pawtucket Red Sox at 3:05PM. However, the new era has already begun as the team is now the triple AAA affiliate of the New York Mets. Today they introduced the teams new logo, a charging bison from the city skyline with blue and orange colors. New merchandise will be on sale online, as of today, at Bisons.com. The team also named Ken Oberkfell the new Bisons Manager this weekend. He is a 16 year major league veteran and World Series Champion. Click the logo below for more news on the official team site.

Testing DTV...

Media - Buffalo television stations will do a soft analog shutdown test today at 6:28PM. It will be a trial run for the upcoming February 2009 conversion from analog to digital for all US televisions. When the old signal goes down, viewers can see if they are ready for the switch. Those who have cable, satellite or FiOs should have no problem. Rabbit ear tvs without the converter box will go black. If needed, you can go online and apply for the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. If you are an over the air household, you still have a few weeks to get ready for the high defintion signal.

Another Losman...

Bills Fan - Buffalo Bills (6-8) football has looked very average the last three seasons. Todays 31-27 loss to the NY Jets (9-5) was another classic loss for QB Losman. Sack, fumble, interception, bad throw, like a bad script that keeps repeating itself. Most football fans didn't expect much different from the team, we seen it all before, over and over again. This typical road game has put the Bills out of playoff contention, not that they could have gone anywhere, anyway, had they made it. As owner Ralph Wilson said, not enough talent. Lynch backed up his talk, the rushing game shows promise. Special teams can be a difference maker at times. However, the passing game has been too erratic, inconsistent, and without the continued development of Trent Edwards looks like the weakest spot of the team. The chances of winning the remaining two games, at Denver and home to the Patriots, seem highly unlikely. Does it really matter at this point? Bahhh humbug....

Vaneks on Fire...

Sabres Fan - Let me put to rest the rumor of ex-president Bill Clinton having interest in buying the Buffalo Sabres team! He was in the city tonite to watch a hockey game as a fan and guest of owner Tom Golisano.

NHL leading goal scorer (Thomas Vanek with 22) got two goals in the second period for a Sabres 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning at HSBC Arena. Miller held his ground in goal. Special teams got 2 power play goals and 1 shorthanded. The Sabres now have a three game winning streak going into friday nights home game with the rival Toronto Maple Leafs.


Photo by Mike Lynaugh Photography

Open Year Round...

Food - Whatever your holiday traditions are, great food is likely a part of the celebration. The Broadway Market will feature WNY Polonia customs at its 3rd annual Wigilia held on Saturday, December 13th at 1PM. The event will showcase the traditional Polish meal served on Christmas Eve. Visit Buffalo's favorite public market in the historic Broadway Fillmore neighborhood or BroadwayMarket.org online for more information.

Attack on Pearl Harbor...

Veterans - Today is the 67th anniversary of a day of infamy in American history. Read the Proclamation issued by President Bush for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. We owe much to the Greatest Generation for the liberty we have today. The White House also established the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.

Lower the Boom...

WNY Outdoors - The Niagara River Ice Boom, on Lake Erie, has begun to be installed by the NYPA. The annual event signifies the arrival of the long winter season. You can take a look at Lake Erie from the New York Power Authority Ice Boom Camera. The water is currently at 40 degrees. The span protects power intakes from Lake Erie ice into the Niagara River. Established by the International Joint Commision for the common good of both America and Canada. Twenty days til Christmas!

No Bull...

Education - Tonite the UB football team will play the biggest game in school history. The UB Bulls will play Ball State for the Mid-American Conference championship at Ford Field in Detroit. Fans can watch the nationally televised game on ESPN2 at 8PM.

Coming to Town...

Outdoor Activities - The annual SantaLand event will be held at Chestnut Ridge Park the next two weekends. Take the kids to visit Santa on Saturday and Sunday December 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th, from 10AM to 4PM. There will be crafts, toys, sledding, music, raffles and more. Visit the Erie County Parks online for the latest news.