Fracking and the Sabres

So the guy who wants to buy the Sabres made his fortune through hydro-fracking.  Although it can be Googled easily enough, before Sunday's article in the business section of the Buffalo News the local news outlets had not bothered to link the two together in a headline blasting manner (whatever happened to "the public's right to know"?)...

...and sticking it in the business section via an opinion column isn't exactly calling attention to it, especially when the word "fracking" isn't used...I wonder why (sarcasm)...

From the Sierra Club:

"Over the years, our company has drilled thousands of wells, and every one of them is fracked," said Terrence M. Pegula, the chief executive officer of East Resources. "I can't believe we have to sit now and try to explain it."

I wonder if the sale of his company has an escape clause in it too, like a similar acquisition? The Sabres could end up owned by a Dutch Petro Company, unless of course Golisano puts in some contract language regarding a possible glitch or two somewhere along the way.

Wonderful, just wonderful. Kind of puts a dimmer switch on things...

Imagining Buffalo's Waterfront

Please contact Sam Hoyt, Brian Higgins, and Jordan Levy to let them know if you believe that plans for pretend canals and a parking ramp (underground!) should be put on hold for at least 4 months while other, more natural plans are explored. Today's the day for the decision, so don't wait!


IMAGINING BUFFALO'S WATERFRONT: A Message from Mark Goldman. from nathan m peracciny on Vimeo.

Suzie Baker

When I was growing up in Clarence Center the Baker family always converted their large side yard into a skating rink every winter that all the neighborhood kids enjoyed. They had speakers set up for music, and daughter Suzie ran the turntable. A window was right near the rink and frequently she would take requests. We both liked the Beatles along with Alvin and the Chipmunks, but adults eventually intervened, insisting on more soothing notes. An hour later a Beatles tune would sneak through anyway!

Suzie is interwoven into the fabric of Clarence Center as are members of her family. May she rest in peace.

           Date of Birth: February 21, 1950       Date of Passing: November 6, 2010

Age	60
Place of Birth:	Lockport, New York
Place of Passing:	Erie County Home in Alden, New York
Resided in:	Clarence Center, New York
History:	Ms. Baker was a 1971 graduate of Cleveland High School special class. For 25 years she volunteered at Brothers of Mercy Nursing Home in Clarence, NY. She enjoyed meeting all the residents, staff and visitors with that unforgettable smile that radiated throughout her entire life. Suzy became a member of the Clarence United Methodist Church on July 28, 1985. For 9 years she was proudly involved in the Civil War reenactment. An avid bowler for 45 years Suzy also was a fan of the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills.
Family:	She was the loving daughter of the late Wilfred D. and Oneta (Milgate) Baker. Dear sister of Diane Baker of Clarence Center, NY and the late Norman E. Baker who died in 1968. Also surviving are several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Viewing info:	Family will receive friends on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-8 PM in the CHILDS FUNERAL HOME LLC, 10 Eckerson Ave., Akron. Funeral services will take place at 11 AM Thursday in the Clarence Center United Methodist Church, 9750 Clarence Center Rd., Clarence Center, NY. Rev. Chuck Smith and Rev. Dr. Richard McConnell will officiate.
Burial:	Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Belfast, NY
Memorials:	Clarence Center United Methodist Church, 9750 Clarence Center Rd., Clarence Center, New York 14032 or to Heritage Christian Services, 349 Commercial St., Suite 349, E. Rochester, NY 14445 ( www.heritagechristianservices.org )

Buffalo: This Place Matters

Kathleen Miller Peacock RIP

Clarence alumna Kathy Miller Peacock ('73) grew up in Clarence Center. She passed away after a long illness October 18, 2010.  May she rest in peace.

Born in Buffalo, New York on July 27,1955; Departed on Oct.18,2010; resided in Lockport, NY.

PEACOCK, KATHLEEN S. (nee Miller)
October 18, 2010 at age 55; beloved mother of Michael (Marie-Andree) Peacock, Wende (Brian) Maisch and Alicia Peacock; loving grandmother of Natalie, Caleb, Charles and Josiah; daughter of Shirley (nee Robins) and the late Charles Miller; dear sister of Gary Miller, Randy Miller, Deborah (Donald) Hahn and the late Richard Miller; also survived by nieces and nephews. The family will be present on Saturday from 12:00 to 1:00 PM at Faith Tabernacle Church, 5676 Beattie Ave., Lockport where a Memorial Service will immediately follow at 1:00 PM. Friends invited. Arrangements by (Amherst Chapel) AMIGONE FUNERAL HOME, INC. (716) 631-9000. Share condolences at amigone.com

Forest Lawn Tour - Part 2

Last Sunday Forest Lawn held their last bunch of historical tours, and I opted to check it out for the first time even though I've been there many times before.  Thought a different perspective would be nice along with the exercise involved in walking for 2 hours.

Different historical figures pop up at a few grave sites and give a small speech.  Among them "Irving Berlin's wife" sang, and "George Pierce" was excellent! Nice touch.

Early on I noticed that a few facts that the guide offered didn't line up with what I thought I knew, but I kept it to myself.  For one, the Franklin Square Cemetery was where old County Hall is, not the Rath Building, but they may have been scattered all over for all I really know.  However, this coincided with the guide indulging in a small rant regarding the latter building, which made me chuckle at first, but soon hit me as inappropriate on a tour.  Whatever.  I ceased listening as closely though.

Later on after another spotlighted sight she tossed off something to the effect of "Rick James is over there if you care; I don't even know why he's buried here unless it's because his mother is" and proceeded to go into rant regarding him, and still managed to mangle facts along with it.  Totally inappropriate.

I'm not trying to say he was a choirboy, wrongly convicted of various crimes and other failings.  Not at all.  The point, however, is that the man has family, friends, and fans of his music that visit his grave (in fact multiple fans were on the tour). Also, his family paid for a spot and as such are "customers" who do not deserve to be treated shoddily, especially by the cemetery itself via a volunteer guide.

At the end of the tour I pulled her aside to tell her that I found her remarks offensive and inappropriate, but got no further than one short sentence when she uttered a curt thank you, turned her back on me, and walked away.  How rude! I wasn't done yet!

All that needs to be said is that Rick James achieved international fame as a musician.  He was born and raised in Buffalo, which heavily influenced his songwriting, especially in the early days. The end. Personal opinions need not apply.

Other than that, it was a nice day for a walk.

Wordless Wednesday on Thursday: Forest Lawn Tour

The Wall

I could gush on and on about how great the Roger Waters / The Wall concert is, but instead I'll post a few pictures. However, it really needs to be experienced in person to fully appreciate it...So glad I went!

While the visuals mean all things, different things, depending on your knowledge and outlook, I read online that some people were offended by his politics...Maybe they should have just stayed home then, listened to the CD, and continued to pretend that it doesn't mean anything at all...but they would be wrong...

The pictures would have been better with my larger camera, but figuring there might be a problem with recording devices, I went through the trouble of smuggling my camera in only to hear Waters acknowledge that many had the devices and to just please not use a flash...doesn't mean the guys at the gate would have let them in though.

The best concert t-shirt, seen on the little kids dancing on one part, wasn't even on sale: "Fear Builds Walls"...think about it.

Wordless Wednesday: Behind the History Museum

Miller Mansion

Of course I had to go and gawk at the Miller Mansion given the chance, and I had plenty of company.  In the beginning they were handing out numbers for serious buyers, but by day 3 everything big was pretty much gone, and the collections weren't exactly cheap.  However I did manage to score a free plastic chip with a picture of the mansion on one side and the name on the other on the style of a token with a bar's name and "get 1 free drink" on it.

The last day was still drawing people who just wanted to look see. I was in line next to some very friendly women, so time flew by. There was even a hot dog vendor set up, enticing people who didn't start out hungry.

There are stone carvings everywhere - on the roof, around the doors (I'm wondering if that is/was a doorway to a chapel), under the windows, even hidden in nooks and crannies (detail pic is a closeup from under the window of pic above it)...I'm sure there is correct terminology for it, just don't know what it is :)

 

The fountain - can't forget the fountain...I definitely took advantage of being able to take some pix close up and not feel like I might resemble some kind of ne'er-do-well.

The inside was pretty nice.  Big. Only got a few pictures before I was told they weren't allowed.  Would have liked to have taken one of the staircase from the bottom, across the room, but it was not to be.  The staircase and window was my favorite anyway.

I was up on the sports room looking at a Kentucky Derby glass collection where a radio was playing, when the Bills scored one touchdown right before the half!  All of us got enthusiastic for a second until we remembered how much breakable stuff was around us.

I'm sure there's a detailed history of the mansion online somewhere, but for now that's it.  Glad I went!

Wordless Wednesday: A Snapshot in Time

Wordless Wednesday: On top of the hill near Mirror Lake in Forest Lawn

Clarence Alumni - Gene Hall and Gerald Hall RIP

Clarence alumnus ('64) Gene Hall passed away a few months back, while brother Gerald ('71) passed a few days ago. May they rest in peace. Much sympathy to the family.

HALL - Gerald Age 57, of Clarence Center, NY, entered into rest August 11, 2010. Son of the late George and Doris (Clark) Sr.; dear brother of Gordon (Charlotte), Gary (Mary Ellen) Hall, Darlene (Ronald) Schultz, Glenn Hall, Grant (Nancy) Hall and the late George Jr., Deanna, Gregory, Geoffrey and Gene Hall. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews; brother-in-law of Marion Hall and Cindy Hall, and his best friend, his canine companion King. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Expressions of sympathy in Gerald's memory at the family's request may be made to the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 7700 Goodrich Rd., Clarence Ctr, NY 14032. Arrangements by CHILDS FUNERAL HOME, LLC www.childsfuneralhome ofakron.com

Date of Birth: October 14, 1952       Date of Passing: August 11, 2010

Age	57
Place of Birth:	Buffalo, New York
Place of Passing:	Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, New York
Resided in:	Clarence Center, New York
History:	Mr. Hall was a graduate of Clarence High School. He worked for several years as a laborer for the G.D.H. Construction Company in Cherry Creek, NY until his illness. Gerald was a member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Clarence Center, NY. Mr. Hall was a Bee Keeper for many years and sold the honey that he collected from the hives a hobby in which he enjoyed immensely. He also enjoyed hunting in his spare time.
Family:	Son of the late George and Doris (Clark) Hall Sr. Survivors include four brothers and a sister, Gordon (Charlotte), of Ga., Gary (Mary Ellen) Hall of Maryland, Darlene (Ronald Schultz) of Fl., Glenn Hall of Clarence Center., NY, Grant (Nancy) Hall of Cherry Creek, NY and the late George Jr., Deanna, Gregory, Geoffrey and Gene Hall, brother in law of Marion Hall and Cindy Hall.
Viewing info:	No prior visitation
Burial:	St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery Clarence Center, New York at the convenience of the family.
Memorials:	St. Paul Lutheran Church, 7700 Goodrich Road, Clarence Center, New York 14032.

Gene "Trapper" HALL 

  |   Visit Guest Book

HALL - Gene "Trapper" Of Clarence Center, NY, entered into rest June 14, 2010, son of the late George and Doris (Clark) Hall; brother of Gordon (Charlotte) Hall, Gary (Mary Ellen) Hall, Darlene (Ronald) Schultz, Glenn Hall, Gerald Hall, Grant (Nancy) Hall and the late George Jr., Deanna, Gregory and Geoffrey Hall; brother-in-law of Marion Hall and Cindy Hall; also surviving are several nieces and nephews; dear companion of Lori. Family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4-8 PM in the CHILDS FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 10 Eckerson Ave., Akron, where services will be held on Thursday at 11 AM. Memorials may be made to Iroquois National Refuge, 1101 Casey Rd., Basom, NY 14013

From the site of Childs Funeral Home:

Date of Birth: September 8, 1946       Date of Passing: June 14, 2010

Age	63
Place of Birth:	Buffalo, New York
Place of Passing:	At his residence
Resided in:	Clarence Center, New York
History:	An avid hunter and trapper, trapped fox, muskrat, raccoons etc. and made it his life's work. He also loved riding his bike and fishing. Gene was a member of St. Pauls’ Lutheran Church of Clarence Center
Family:	Son of the late George and Doris (Clark) Hall Sr. Loving brother of Gordon (Charlotte) Hall, Gary (Mary Ellen) Hall, Darlene (Ronald) Schultz, Glenn Hall, Gerald Hall, Grant (Nancy) Hall and the late; George Jr, Deanna, Gregory and Geoffrey Hall; sister in law of Marion Hall and Cindy Hall Also surviving are several nieces and nephews and dear companion of Lori.
Viewing info:	Family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4-8 PM in the CHILDS FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 10 Eckerson Ave., Akron. Where services will be held on Thursday at 11 AM
Burial:	St. Paul's Cemetery Clarence Center, New York
Memorials:	Where services will be held on Thursday at 11 AM memorials may be made to Iroquois National Refuge 1101 Casey Rd,. Basom, NY 14013.

.

Thomas "Smitty" Smith Sr. - RIP

Clarence alumnus ('69) Thomas "Smitty" Smith Sr. passed away August 3, 2010.  May he rest in peace.

Born in Buffalo, New York on Apr. 7, 1951 Departed on Aug. 3, 2010 and resided in Clarence Center, NY.
Visitation:	Friday, Aug. 6, 2010
Service:	Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010
Funeral Home:	Harris Hill Chapel
Cemetery:	Pending
Click on the link(s) above for Maps & Directions

Age 59, Beloved son of Dorothy (nee Race) Hudecki and the late Albert C. Smith; father of Chelsea and Thomas R. Smith Jr.; grandfather of 1; brother of Suzanne (Rick) Zirnheld, James (Beverly) and Albert Smith; also survived by nieces, nephews and close Friend Karen Swierski. The family will be present on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the (Harris Hill Chapel) AMIGONE FUNERAL HOME INC, 8440 Main Street, Clarence, where prayers will be offered on Saturday at 9:15 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated from Our Lady of Peace Church, 10950 Main Street at 10 AM. Friends invited.

Guestbook / Amigone.com

Guestbook / Buffalo News

The Other BP

It seems to me that the main business of Bass Pro has evolved into marketing itself as a savior of sorts.  It's selling a version of a dollar and a dream, except we're talking mega bucks into their pockets. Forget the fishing equipment, it's all about name and image.  Substance? Maybe ten years ago.

Every few days in the newspaper we are treated to quotes stating that this project would revive Buffalo.  A fishy smelling wad of money is being offered to the Common Council to overlook the Community Benefit Agreement that would guarantee a living wage be paid, among other things...this under the guise of helping to revive neighborhoods.

Steady jobs that pay a respectable wage are what will revive Buffalo, yet BP and the Harbor people somehow won't see the connection. Go figure.  Then again, the bribe is a one shot wonder and probably can be written off somewhere.

In another article a planner mentioned a bigger need for a mass of people canalside via an office building and the rest, including businesses, will come. Then elsewhere in the same paper HSBC is clearing its corporate throat, making noises about needing another building...You know, maybe by the waterfront.  Hello? Eh, they would probably want money thrown at them too.

Brian Higgins was right to tell Bass Pro to fish or cut bait, although I would just as soon let them swim away.  The last few years they've more resembled the high-flying but ruinous to its surroundings Asian Carp rather than any food fish.

Wordless Wednesday: Garden Walk 2010