Amount for 88th drive nearly matches funds raised in '11 successful campaign.
Catholic Charities’ fund-raising goal is $10.6 million goal
on January 12th, 2012
2nd SABRES BLOGGER SUMMIT
on January 12th, 2012
By Kyle Gunn-Taylor:
On Wednesday, the Buffalo Sabres opened the doors of the First Niagara Center and extended their hospitality to some of the team's biggest fans.
Approximately 20 bloggers from across the city were invited down to the arena and allowed a one-on-one question-and-answer session with team President, Ted Black.
Despite being limited to a "live suggestion box" format, many bloggers came loaded with questions for all different aspects of the franchise.
From the Time Warner v. MSG dispute to the use of empty space in the arena for different amenities, the only topics off-limits were the organizational questions all Sabres fans really want answers to ask.
Unfortunately, this blogger didn't get that memo as I compiled a list of questions for Mr. Black about the contract statuses of Gaustad, Hecht and Boyes, the overseas scouting department and the security of the team's general manager and head coach. It was immediately clear, however, that none of these questions would be tolerated.
Instead, the Ted Black discussed why the Sabres don't have a regional sports network like most other cities with two major sports teams. Mr. Black explained first and foremost that the Sabres would have to support the network solely, because the NFL doesn't do local television contracts.
"Seventy is the round number of games each team can promise," said Black.
After the national networks pick over approximately 10-games from each team's schedule, the Sabres would have around 70-games to promise to a local network, which doesn't give them much to work with and without the Bills support, a regional network doesn't make much sense.
One of the most productive topics of the night was about introducing more wireless hot-spots in the arena. There are already three operating hot-spots throughout the arena that get very little use because they are not available in the lower bowl.
Another topic the bloggers brought to Mr. Black's attention was bringing some additional hockey events back to Buffalo like the World Junior Championships, NCAA Frozen Four, NHL Draft, NHL All-Star Game and possibly another shot at a Winter Classic.
Although he said they would like to bring any one of those events to Buffalo, there is a lot of work that goes along with each of them, and at this point there is nothing presently in the works.
The quote of the night from Ted Black came when one blogger asked about the progress of the franchise and why fans should continue their support of the franchise moving forward, if there won't be any changes to the on-ice product. "I feel like Pittsburgh won the Crosby lottery, but the Sabres won the owner lottery," said Black.
Black believes Terry Pegula should instill a sense of comfort in the fans that the status quo is unacceptable and, despite not being where they want to be on the ice, the organization is still 2-years ahead of schedule from when he took over as president 10-months ago. "I hear the frustration, I get it, I wish we were scoring more goals," said Black. "If Terry could lace up his skates, I wouldn't be surprised if he scored a hat-trick."
He also commented on how having Pegula as an owner eases fan concerns about losing players to free-agency. Gone are the days when players like Danny Briere, Chris Drury and Brian Campbell leave because of mismanagement and financial constraints.
"Winning is the best game entertainment going. When you win, no one complains about the music, the beer is colder and when you win, you look smarter than when you lose," he added.
In an effort to ramp up the excitement in the arena the Sabres also plan on doing more Student Surge Nights, looking to infuse a more energetic collegiate level of excitement in the arena.
To end the evening, the Sabres took the bloggers on a tour of the completely renovated locker room, along with some pizza, wings and beers for those of the appropriate age.
Although Mr. Black didn't have to field many taxing organizational questions, he and the Sabres media department were extremely hospitable and professional in every aspect of the evening.
2nd SABRES BLOGGER SUMMIT
on January 12th, 2012
By Kyle Gunn-Taylor:The Buffalo Sabres opened the doors of the First Niagara Center and extended their hospitality to some of the team's biggest fans, Wednesday.Approximately 20-bloggers from across the city were invited down to the arena and allowed a one-on-one question-and-answer session with team President, Ted Black.Despite being limited to a "live suggestion box" format, many bloggers came loaded with questions for all different aspects of the franchise.From the Time Warner v. MSG dispute, to the use of empty space in the arena for different amenities, the only topics truly off-limits were the organizational questions all Sabres fans really want...
Metro Rail rider arrested with sawed-off shotgun
on January 12th, 2012
NFTA police said the 18-year-old Genesee Street man also was charged with riding a train without paying and drug possession.
Time Warner and MSG Affecting Everyone
on January 12th, 2012
By Kyle Gunn-Taylor:
Pulling into an empty parking lot at a South Buffalo establishment during a Sabres game is like Maple Leafs goaltender Jonas Gustavsson giving up a goal to the slumping Buffalo attack, it just doesn't happen.
Actually it happened Tuesday, however, because of a dispute that has two wealthy companies putting Sabres broadcasts, and fans, in the dark.
The squabble between Time Warner Cable and MSG is a feud that mirrors the recent NBA and NFL lockouts, two entitled entities fighting over what should be pennies to them, but an insulting fortune to the general masses.
Time Warner posted profits of over $1-billion dollars in the first 9-months of 2011. MSG, a much smaller company, had profits of close to $50-million in the same period. The bickering is cutting into profits on both sides, as people switch from Time Warner to other providers and MSG loses eyes on their product.
Charlie O'Brien's (photo) is a neighborhood place where people gather for a bite and a drink and the chance to cheer for their teams in a collegial atmosphere. The city is littered with places like it, and the fans that typically pack the bar for the games they cannot attend. These establishments and their patrons are suffering most from the dispute over the percentage increase MSG wants Time Warner Cable to pay to carry the sports networks.
To places like Charlie O'Brien's, one of South Buffalo's most happening bars during Sabres contests, the impending fear has become reality, "Usually during games every barstool is occupied," said owner Dino Pinelli Jr.
While these two media gluttons argue over who is getting the biggest piece, some fans are left wanting, but hurting in a real way are small businesses like Charlie O's, "Zero bar crowd," Pinelli said of the post-dispute Sabres fans.
Although places that use Time Warner to provide entertainment to their patrons are free to change providers, some like Pinelli still hope to avoid the aggravation of switching.
"We made calls to Time Warner," said Pinelli, "But they aren't willing to do anything to keep me as a customer."
Although Pinelli said it was too soon to tell how the situation is affecting his business monetarily, he will surely be looking into making a change in the near future should the impasse not reach a timely conclusion.
When asked why he hasn't yet switched providers, Pinelli claimed they are in the process of searching for a different network, but it's hard to know exactly which provider can meet all of the establishments needs.
Buffalo is not alone in this squabble as MSG broadcasts the Knicks, Rangers, Devils and Sabres into homes across New York State, where Time Warner Cable is the second largest service provider, behind only Comcast Cable.
As many fans of these different teams scramble to find ways to watch their favorite teams, advertisers who have paid top-dollar for their names to be represented by the broadcast of these games suffer as well.
Should the games not be broadcast for the rest of the season, even with the ratings dropping from 8.3 to 3.2 that occurred in the first game after the network went black; the Sabres will still finish third in ratings for the season in all NHL markets, as Buffalo is typically the top-selling American hockey market.
The most obvious solution for the fans who want their Sabres can be found by simply switching to a different provider; Verizon or DIRECTTV.
Another way Sabres fans have taken to watching their team involves a recent internet sports-phenomenon called peer-to-peer sharing. Many websites have catered to the nationwide sports fans by providing every game on any given night and several links to the action.
Technically, peer-to-peer sharing is walking a thin legal line and can involve copyright infringement, but in practical terms, droves of fans have taken to watching their teams on the computer. Time Warner Cable and MSG are leaving fans with very few options.
What is the City of Buffalo doing to combat the problem? According to a press release on Thursday, January 5, 2012:
"The leadership of the City of Buffalo Common Council, Council Members Richard A. Fontana, Demone A. Smith, and Bonnie E. Russell, have sent a letter to New York State ("NYS") Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman asking his office to intervene in the impasse in negotiations between Time Warner Cable ("TWC") and the MSG Television Network.
It is the position of Council leadership that this dispute has the potential to cause significant fiscal harm to the City of Buffalo and its taxpayers.
Pursuant to a franchise agreement overseen by the NYS Public Service Commission, the City receives five percent of TWC's gross revenue dependent upon the number of City of Buffalo subscribers to its service.
In the past this agreement has contributed approximately 2.5 million dollars per year in revenue to the City. If the number of City subscribers to TWC decreases, the City will lose a significant amount of funds, consequently impacting the City's finances and budget."
Any way you slice it, this problem is negatively affecting all parties involved and it makes no sense, how these two media giants haven't yet found a solution to this problem.
Time Warner and MSG Effecting Everyone
on January 12th, 2012
By Kyle Gunn-Taylor:Pulling into an empty parking lot at a South Buffalo establishment during a Sabres game is like Maple Leafs goaltender Jonas Gustavsson giving up a goal to the slumping Buffalo attack, it just doesn't happen.Actually it happened Tuesday, however, because of a dispute that has two wealthy companies putting Sabres broadcasts, and fans, in the dark.The squabble between Time Warner Cable and MSG is a feud that mirrors the recent NBA and NFL lockouts, two entitled entities fighting over what should be pennies to them, but an insulting fortune to the general masses.Time Warner posted profits of over...
Staffing changes galore at City Hall as Council, comptroller reorganize
on January 12th, 2012
Staffing changes include new city accountant, comptroller aides, staffers in clerk's office and Common Council central office.
Fire leaves adult, child homeless
on January 12th, 2012
John McCain Blasts Citizens United Ruling
on January 12th, 2012
WASHINGTON -- Sen. John McCain says the Supreme Court ruling that led to formation of super PACs was "one of the worst decisions I have ever seen."McCain, whose name has been synonymous with the push for campaign finance reform, also says, q...
David Cameron Calls Katy Perry’s Music ‘Appalling’: British Prime Minister Dislikes Perry, Bruno Mars
on January 12th, 2012
Katy Perry is the clear choice of the American people, but she recently received a sharp rebuke from a head of state across the pond.Perry, who Wednesday earned five People's Choice Awards for her music and acting, was last week slammed by B...
Step Off The Scale: Are You Healthy, Really?
on January 12th, 2012
The majority of us have developed a love/hate relationship with our scales. Whether traditional or digital, they all seem to deliver rather disappointing news. This is evidenced through the infamous New Year's Resolution to "lose weight," th...
Syria: Growing Calls For Independent Investigation After Death Of French Journalist
on January 12th, 2012
BEIRUT (AP) — The death of a French TV cameraman during a government-sponsored trip to Syria has renewed calls for an independent assessment of the violent conflict in the country, as the government and the opposition traded blame Thursday...
Buffalo Shooting
on January 12th, 2012
Two people rushed to the hospital.
Tonawanda building bought by Texas company
on January 12th, 2012
A Texas firm that specializes in acquiring financially-troubled properties has purchased a vacant Town of Tonawanda building. But, don’t expect the company to hold on to the building for long. Acquired Capital I L.P. of Stafford, Texas acquired the...
Klein Steel receives top 10 distinction
on January 12th, 2012
Klein Steel Inc., which operates a facility in Buffalo, has been honored by IndustryWeek by being listed in the trade publication’s Top 10 manufacturing plants for 2011. Klein, a privately-owned steel distribution and processing company based in Roc...