Sabres Rule the Rink

Mon., Nov. 26, 2007

I went to the Sabres / Caps game at the Verizon Center in D.C. with my dad and little bro. Our seats were in section 416, row G. The crowd was very sparse, which wasn’t surprising considering it was a Monday evening. The game started at 7 p.m. but due to lovely traffic we arrived at 7:25 p.m. right in the middle of a good old-fashioned hockey fight.

During the first intermission my brother and I walked around scoping out all the fans. Sabres fans waaaaaaay outnumber Caps fans. There were an array of Sabres jerseys everywhere you looked -- from the classic blue circle logo, to the fierce black/red Buffalo, to the current gold/blue swoosh Buffalo. One big guy had on an original jersey, a large Sabres flag that he wore like a cape and a buffalo horns cap. There was an entire family dressed in matching jerseys who I dubbed the Von Sabres.

I wasn’t able to take any pictures of the action because my cell phone had died. It was a great game overall … the Sabres beat the Caps 3 to 1!!! The next time these two teams face-off will be on Fri., Dec. 14. I’ll make sure my cell phone is fully charged to capture highlights.

Cooking in D.C. Y'all

Sun., Nov. 4, 2007

I heard on the local news that the Food Network's popular host, Ms. Paula Deen, would be making a personal appearance at the Washington Convention Center as part of the 2007 Metropolitan Cooking & Entertainment Show. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to see her in action. I bought a ticket to her noon food preparation demo.

Since her segment was one of many events planned for the cooking expo, I expected to be sitting in a modest reserved section on the convention floor that would hold about 50 - 100 people. I was wrong. One of her sponsors, Land O'Lakes, had set up a huge makeshift theatre that accommodated a crowd of approximately 500 fans!

Paula's husband Michael Groover, a character himself, introduced her and was her sidekick on stage. Paula was even more lively and entertaining in person than she is on TV. Throughout the show she'd get sidetracked by things audience members were shouting. She shared some personal stories and asked the sign language interpreter to show her how to sign the words spit and poop. After she would taste a completed dish, she would spit food out while trying to talk and apologized for doing so.

The dean of the culinary school at Stratford University cooked all the meals while Paula explained which ingredients to use and how to prepare the tasty dishes. The first Paula Deen recipe he made was gumbo, followed by southern cornbread and then pumpkin gooey butter cake with fresh whipped cream. I can't tell you how they tasted (I wish I could), but I can tell you they looked deeeeelicious!

The show lasted a little more than an hour. When it ended I had hoped to get her to sign her latest book "It Ain't All About the Cookin," but unfortunately that didn't happen. Apparently, very early that morning her sponsors had given out a limited number of bracelets to people, granting them access to get their books signed. Denied autograph aside, it was still a fun afternoon.

Classic Rock

Fri., Nov. 1, 2007

Van Halen at the Verizon Center ... the sold out event included an evening of guitar solos (Eddie), a drum solo (Alex), a flamboyant lead singer (Dave) and a young bass guitar player (Wolf). The lighting and stage design -- a ramp, several speakers and a giant projection screen in the background were simple, yet visually appealing. Right before the band took the stage, Valerie Bertinelli made her way through the audience to her seat with what appeared to be bodyguards and her boyfriend. The crowd went nuts shouting her name. She smiled and waved. I heard through the grapevine that she tries to make it to every performance and gets emotional at the sight of her son Wolfgang on stage.

OK, back to the show ... it was my first time seeing Van Halen in concert, so I can't make a past comparison. They sounded great musically and vocally and seemed to get along well considering their history together. They played a little more than three hours with mini breaks where one of them would do a solo while the others disappeared and then would subtly return. At various points Dave waved a huge red flag in a choreographed manner. It made me wonder if he was trying out for color guard!? Later he proudly twirled a large silver baton. I don't know about you, but when I think rock star, I don't think baton twirler. He did some of his signature kick spins which was cool at first, but after the twentieth one it was annoying. We get it Dave, you can still kick, enough already. Eddie owned the stage during his lengthy guitar solo and looked very fit. He must take the same fountain of youth pills as Dick Clark, because he looked younger than he did years ago. Eddie's 16-year-old son Wolf did a great job on bass keeping up the pace with his seasoned bandmates. Throughout the show him and Eddie would pair up and jam together. Eddie’s pride in his son was very evident. Overall, it was an entertaining night.

Pump Up the Volume

Thurs., Oct. 25 - Sun., Oct. 28, 2007

The radio station I worked at during college, 91.3 fm, WBNY, Buffalo's original alternative turned 25!!! To commemorate this special occasion we held a new media, anniversary celebration over the weekend.

Fellow WBNY alumni gathered at Buffalo State College from as far away as New Mexico. Current and past WBNYers networked, exchanged ideas, expertise and stories. The weekend was packed with activities including panels covering the past, present and future of media; a reunion dinner; a special performance featuring The English Beat (the first concert the station sponsored back in April 1983) and a farewell brunch. The visionary behind the station, Tom Calderone (currently the GM of VH1), flew into town to moderate a panel. He graciously offered industry advice to the enthusiastic college students.

I met some incredible new people whom I’m proud to be associated with and I hope to keep in touch. The radio station was a great starting point for me to learn how to entertain an audience during a three-hour shift and write news scripts. I apply those methods to this day when I produce podcasts. Even though technology used at the station is constantly evolving – from records to carts to cassettes to CDs, I hope that the station will continue to thrive for another 25 years. See you in 2032!

To view highlights and read press coverage from the event go to www.wbnyalumni.com.

Special Day

Sat., Oct. 6, 2007

Today my dad turned the big 60!!! I remember I used to think that was really old, but observing my dad I thought ... he looks great. That's one genetic plus I have on my side!

He started his day early by going to play golf with some friends. He called my mom in the afternoon to say he was doing well and would be home around 7 p.m. She replied ummm no, you're going to be home earlier. I think he sensed something was up, but he wasn't exactly sure. He found out soon when he returned home to a surprise party.

Relatives, close family friends, his coworkers and golf buddies were all in attendance. The cuisine included a huge Italian spread. We even special ordered 50 cannoli from Wegman's and 5 lbs. of assorted Italian cookies shipped from a great bakery in Buffalo, N.Y., called Muscoreil's. Attendees brought joke gifts such as plastic dentures hanging off bifocals. Everyone seemed to have a fun time.

As the night winded down and the guests left, he told us it was the best day he ever had! If you knew how hard it is to please my dad, to hear him say that was a pleasant surprise.

Happy Birthday Dad, Love Ya!

A Taste of Home

Wed., Sept. 26, 2007

I heard from many Buffalonians over the years who now live in the Northern Virginia area that I HAD to attend Buffalo Nite. This year I finally bought a ticket. Coincidentally, I was later asked by my alma mater, Buffalo State, to help work their table while I was there. I was happy to oblige.

One of the perks of working the college table was seeing everyone as they arrived. The event drew a huge crowd. The line appeared endless – wrapping around the corner and down the hall, but it moved fast. Congressman Brian Higgins, (representing New York’s 27th District) graciously came up to me and said hello.

The New York State Society hosts this annual event, now in its 29th year. Festivities kicked off at 6 p.m. at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. Inside the event room was an endless spread of specialty foods flown in from Buffalo including: Beef on Weck, Battistoni Pepperoni, Bison Chip Dip, Wardynski Polish Sausage, Rosina Meatballs, Sahlen's Hot Dogs, Rich's Products, Genesee Beer and much much more. Maneuvering through the standing room only crowd was tricky, but I was able to get a piece of Bocce Club Pizza … a little slice of heaven if you will.

Lots of door prizes were raffled off throughout the evening and everyone who attended was given a baseball hat with a Buffalo on the front. Overall, I had a nice time.

Attention Drivers!!!

Sat., Sept. 1, 2007

It’s time to get back to basics. Next time you’re in your car putting on makeup, shaving your face, reading the paper, texting or immersed in a cell phone call ask yourself – is it really worth hurting, paralyzing or killing someone? It’s truly careless and quite frankly selfish.

Wake up earlier to put on your makeup at home or wait until you get to work. Listen to the news on the radio or a book on CD. If the phone call isn't an emergency, pull into a parking lot to gab away on your cell or better yet, talk to the person once you're at work or at home. People have lost sight of the fact that when they’re in their car, their number one priority should actually be surprise … driving!

I write to you from first-hand experience. Over the last eight months my car has been hit in the rear four times at various stop lights in Northern Virginia by drivers who were focused on activities other than driving. Vehicles are powerful mobile weapons. I’m truly lucky to be alive, thanks to what I attribute to be a guardian angle working his butt off. Each of these accidents has caused me stress, health issues from being a human bobble head, loss of time at work and loss of personal time by having to deal with insurance damage estimates, doctors visits, car rental and auto body shop visits.

I’m frustrated and disgusted at this point. If I could legally cover my car in bubble wrap I would. But since I can’t, I'm begging drivers, PLEASE focus your attention back on the roads!


Hit from behind four times by careless drivers $12,400
Living another day … priceless.