New Year's Eve...

Pipeline -  Western New Yorkers will be looking back on 2010 today with another year almost over.  Many memorable events and great times have gone by.  A popular celebration here in WNY is the annual Buffalo Ball Drop and fireworks display downtown at midnight.  Check the City of Buffalo web for street closings and the official press release.  The Convention Center will also host the First Night Buffalo celebration.  The Tonawandas will ring in New Year's Eve on the Canal at Gateway Harbor.  The forecast will be warm, for winter, with possible light rain and wind with temps in the 40s.  Happy New Year in 2011!

Buffalo World Juniors...

Sports - Downtown businesses are booming with activity for the start of the 2011 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship at HSBC Arena.  During the eleven day hockey tournament, countries will compete for a 100,000 fans who came to Buffalo to party.  The HockeyTown USA Fanfest has family fun for a great deal at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center. Team USA won its first game over Finland today 3-2.  Travel toward the bridges to Canada will be busy.  Retailers are packed with holiday shoppers for Boxers Day too.  The Bills (4-11) also played their last home game of the season, another loss.

Merry Christmas...

Pipeline - Enjoy the traditions and celebration at your family gathering during this time of giving! The holiday spirit is certainly here in WNY.  There is plenty of snow for a scenic landscape.  Have a Merry Christmas and Boxing Day.

Winter Begins...

Weather - If all you wanted was a white Christmas for the holiday, you'll get your wish this year.  The cold continues with 5 days until the holiday arrives and a forecast for light snow with temps in the 20s.  Shoppers won't have it too bad either dashing thru the snow.  So the official Winter season will begin this tuesday afternoon with little fanfare.  This WNYer is still dreaming though, how about a Stanley Cup or a SuperBowl?  How about an economic boom for Buffalo and jobs for all.  Okay, its still a nice dream but I'll settle now for a frozen Lake Erie an no more blizzards!

Blackout...

Bills Fan - The Buffalo Bills (2-10) play the Cleveland Browns (5-7) at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park at 1PM today.  The game will not be seen on local television for the third time this season due to poor ticket sales.  With the bad team record and cold, rainy weather forecast, I don't think many football fans would mind anyway.  The shopping season or other NFL games are more appealing.  Of course, if you can take it and are a diehard fan, you can listen in on the radio at 97Rock.

Lake Effect Express...

Weather - Well it's December, so what did you expect?  Heavy snow!  The official start to Winter is on the 21st, but it sure looks and feels like it today here in WNY.  Lake effect snow squalls have setup from Buffalo to the Southtowns and will accumulate over night to a foot or more possible in some areas.  The ski resorts are happy, travelers will not be.  Unless absolutely necessary, stay at home, be safe, warm and dig out when its over.  Check for local forecasts and closings online from the classicbuffalo.com weather page.