ClarenceGrad72

2 Books

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:04:00 +0000

Way back in October I started reading the highly acclaimed Last Call, which is about Prohibition. Admittedly I took a few side trips, but I lost total interest half way through. Still, I persevered, just because.

For as long as the book is (over 450 pages), it basically focuses on only 3 or 4 geographic areas: Detroit/Canada, Ohio/Temperance, and Washington DC/political. Sure, there were little jaunts here and there, but obviously Okrent found the political intrigue absolutely fascinating. Besides the original modern day lobbyist, Wayne Wheeler, the rest were a bunch of hypocritical lushes. What else is new...

Joseph Kennedy Sr. should have been mentioned in the middle with others so casually mentioned. Placing him at the end almost makes it looks like he was a reason to write the whole thing. Personally, I really don't care how he got his money or how delicately it's phrased or excused. Next!

What WAS interesting was the number of innovations that came about as a result of Prohibition:

- the word "Scofflaw" was coined as a result of a contest to name those who disregarded the ban on alcohol

- plea bargains were the outcome of the federal courts being totally overwhelmed by all the little people brought up on charges (affirmed constitutional in 1930)

- expanded laws and legal investigation techniques, including more lax search and seizure, wiretapping (declared telephones the same as public conversation, like cell phones today)

- cruise ships (designed to sit right outside the line for international ships and their patrons who wished to imbibe

- grape juice concentrate (the better to make wine with, my dear)

- NASCAR (rum running anyone?)

- more excise taxes, definitely geared towards having little people pay for tax breaks for the rich (hadn't seized on state run gambling yet)

- income tax (to make up for lost income from alcohol sales); rich quickly started research on legislating loopholes

On the other hand, Stephen King's 11/22/63 was almost twice as long, and I was sorry when it ended. Admittedly I was more interested in the main character's personal life apart from his mission, but it wove together very comfortably.

If somehow you missed it, the premise is time travel and the quest to prevent JFK from being assassinated on November 22, 1963. Also mentioned frequently are the connected "butterfly effect" (the gentle movement of wings can trigger a tornado elsewhere at another time) and "the past is obdurate" (resistant to change is too simply put, but that'll cover it).

If I have a complaint about anything, it's right near the end (but not the very end). I actually felt that King zipped over and simplified, when it could have been expanded a bit more...and probably added another 500 pages as a result. No, the length was just right, all things considered. Not boring at all.

And the end itself? Wonderful! Not wanting to give anything away, read it yourself to see what I mean!

Hit the Highway

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:40:00 +0000

Over on Goose's Roost I read an interesting analysis of the Sabres problems in a comment left on an equally interesting post. The part I most wanted to reply to (but was unable, since additional comments seem to be blocked) is this:

"Lindys quirks: the constant line changes, the hostility to new players that he doesnt know, and the inability to manage goaltenders not named Dominik Hasek, have made things worse instead of better, as a young team floundering for identity and chemistry is preventing from developing one. Lindys undoubtedly tried everything he can to right this ship, but he seems at a loss."

1. It isn't clear to me if the writer was referring to the constant remixing of lines, or the constant "Get off the ice NOW" rigidity thing that Ruff is noted for. The line could be on a breakway but "Oops...line change!" and the player with the puck spins to pass it to...no one. If any luck holds, he doesn't pass it into a space now occupied by the other team, but the Sabres haven't been too lucky with the passing lately anyway.

2. Ruff didn't manage Hasek. Hasek managed Hasek; that made it an area of no concern, at that period in time. Of course, Hasek then demanded a trade, so that didn't work out so well, or maybe it was a strong distaste for the system.

3. It doesn't appear to me that Ruff is only hostile to new players. At first I thought it was Russians he had a problem with, but perhaps the whole thing is his inflexibility regarding the precious "system". Nonadherents will be screamed at until they genuflect, or are driven out. Sometimes they seem to mentally tune out instead; either that or be a stressed out mess.

While at times he makes mouth noises about what players need to do, it doesn't seem to jive when you have players skating to assigned spots that are not, how shall I say, productive at that point in time. One need only look at the idiot passes (example: right to an opposing player that happens to be very visible inside a lane) to see that "thinking independent thoughts" is not part of the "system". Then again, at other times there will be 3 players behind the net, digging for the puck, and when they come up with it, they'll pass the puck to...who? No one there but the other team. Somehow I don't think that was the plan.

By the way, there's no need to point out that I'm not a hockey expert, and therefore don't understand. We'd certainly be on the same page with that one :)

Additional note: It has been reported that Pegula is traveling with two advisers...Exactly what are they experts in? Hockey? If so, wouldn't the news outlets be blasting their qualifications? Business/Accounting/Financial? Gad, I hope not...beancounters are so...dry...rigid...so...not into winning, "just"money people, which would be the opposite of the Goal of winning the Stanley Cup.

This is not a case of jumping off the proverbial bandwagon. Fans want things to straighten out, and aren't proceeding on some type of blind faith that things will work out if we only believe.

I believe it's time for a change.

I also believe that Ruff desperately wants the Sabres to succeed, but I also think there's a strong case to be made that it's his way or the highway, evidence to the contrary be damned, with Regier filling the role of enabler. The tandem is stale, very stale. They should both hit the highway, in my opinion.

Next up: tonight in St. Louis....

Devil's Cave in Harris Hill (Pt 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:01:00 +0000

The Niagara County historian had posted a link to an article in the Buffalo News regarding the underground caves in Lockport. That was the necessary boot to the posterior to scan the copies of a file on Devil's Cave in Harris Hill that that had been donated to the Clarence Historical Museum shortly after I had originally written about the cave here on the blog. Scanner issues were the original problem, then flat-out procrastination...

Even with a new scanner it can be hard to read some of the newspaper articles on this site (click on them to enlarge), so I loaded them on to Flickr also, which has a better "make bigger" feature.

The opening to Devil's Cave was located around the middle circle behind Nativity, and runs from approximately the old stagecoach stop (left) to a sinkhole behind Samuel's Grande Manor (I redrew google map as the one provided didn't scan well). It had been written about in scattered pieces throughout the years, and the articles, along with a personal observation/commentary, are presented here. Very intriguing!

Thanks for sharing!!!

Thinkin' It's Time

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 20:12:00 +0000

There is a mega list of Clarence Class '72 people that we have no contact info for, but somehow I thought getting some on fellow alum George Doran would be easy...I was mistaken (so far). Therefore, I'll post one of his latest videos (recorded at the Sportmans Tavern on Amherst Street) in the hopes of shaking loose an address! That, plus I like the song :)

I wish all of the missing classmates were writer/singers!

Clarence High School Class of 1972

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 01:57:00 +0000

Attention all ye members of the Clarence Central Senior High School (NY) Class '72:

Once upon a time the concept of 2012 seemed like something out of A Space Odyssey...far, far, away...

...40 years later, the time is now!

Save the Date!

Join us

Friday July 20th and Saturday July 21st, 2012

and see

friends from ago

enjoy

food drink and good times!

Reunion!! Reminisce, reconnect, or just reestablish that you still can't stand just about everyone, but be there!

If you're not on the email list, or if you think we might not have your mailing address, or you just want to check in, please contact clarencegrad72 (at) gmail (dot) com for more information.

A few tunes from '72:

Be there or be square :)

Kodachrome: 1950's Buffalo

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 01:41:00 +0000

Back a while I had posted about my grandfather's cousin, William Robert. I also mentioned that there were more slides than I had posted, and that they had gone to a good home. They are now online at Steve Cichon's Staff Announcer! He did a massive amount of scanning on tweaking, and I'm so glad that he gave them "life" again! Thanks Steve :)

I was so busy posting and reading the comments on Facebook that I almost forgot to post the link here...Here's a sample of Michigan and Genesee...Now go see the rest!

Buffalo Sabres Tonight - On the Radio

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:02:00 +0000

Tonight will be the first in probably a long string of listening to Sabres games on the radio...

Abbott and Costello doing their best Harry and RJ impression...or is it the other way around?

Go Sabres!

Happy FN New Year from MSG

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:24:00 +0000

Madison Square Gardens Network (MSG) sure knows how to kick start a new year...deliver a kick in the pants to sports fans is more like it. Okay, I get it that Time Warner customers could always switch to a different provider if say the Sabres in Buffalo and other like teams in their respective areas were life's only priority, but they're not. Funny how that works.

When the Bills games were a victim of a similar squabble we were able to tough it out using rabbit ears. This is not an option for cable only Sabresvision. Satellite is not an option for me, reception being iffy in the city; Dish Network also is on the receiving end of the scorn of MSG anyway, and Directv...eh...they both bundle with Verizon DSL, and I've been there, done that...no thanks.

FiOS is one I might have jumped to in a heartbeat IF it was available in the City of Buffalo, but it isn't. Not here, not many areas. Guess we're not good enough for them, or maybe they'd have to do extensive rewiring or whatever it is they do. Might have to hire massive amounts of people like back in the day when cable was first installed (Courier Cable, I think, mid 70's), and that would be like too much community investment, I guess..."I pout" is more like it.

Truthfully, I don't much care for the tactics of MSG. In the waning days of the contract they opted to actively advertise against the company that would do business with...tacky, at the very least. I wonder how much that cost them...

Looks like I'll be listening on WGR550, trying to watch online via a few links I've received, and perhaps taking in a viewing party or two down at the FN Center, if the Sabres decide to try that out. This is not because of any undying loyalty to Time Warner, but the unavailability of an attractive and prudent option.

Happy New Year! Absolutely wonderful that most of the games in January are being played away (sarcasm)...Go Sabres...try to win a few in a row now that we're not watching! (sigh)

This is test, this is only a test....In the event of an emergency you are advised to get over yourselves....this is a test...

Statler City

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:24:00 +0000

The Ice Ball is being held at Statler City tonight, and they're expecting 4000+ people! Plus, after 1am for various reduced cover charges (at different times) more people can get in. While I won't be in attendance tonight, I did manage to make it on 2 tours in the beginning of November and also in the middle of December.

It had been a while since I was inside the Statler, so I was glad to see recent renovations. Wow - a tremendous amount of work has been done, is still in the process of being done, and will remain to be done for a while...But "Wow" :)

The November tour started in the lobby outside of the Golden Ballroom with a short history lesson from our very knowledgeable guide, and then proceeded onward.. A rarity, a boxing match had been scheduled for that evening inside the ballroom...

In December, renovations were going full bore to be ready for New Years Eve. New flooring was being laid by hand...

From there were toured in some order or other (if I was getting paid, I would have taken notes): the Ballroom itself, the Terrace room...

...upstairs to the mezzanine level, where the Georgian Room and adjoining areas are...

...the Oriental Room...

...the main office - the heart of the Statler (where JFK was once, making notes before an appearance)...

...and various other rooms and wide hallways. Much improved from the abandoned offices and closed off, ripped up areas that were there before it was sold. It was pointed out that there are some phenomenal pieces of original wood work in hidey-holes throughout, largely because the rooms were just walled off or used for storage. It is doubted that preservation was the aim, but it worked.

Then we went to the Rendevous Room in the lower level, descending from the Delaware Avenue entrance. Pictures below from November, followed by December:

A special note: when it was mentioned that the bathrooms were to be unisex a bunch of misconceptions surfaced. Rest assured that its not a large room with urinals, stalls, and makeup mirrors competing for space! Rather there is a subtly lit hallway with 10 individual fully enclosed bathrooms complete with sink and mirror. The unisex thing is like home - everyone can use them, but one at a time (preferably).

All of the above (except probably the office) will be open New Years Eve! We also toured the former Jazz Club that had been behind wallboard on the main floor It's being used for other things right now (December tour noted that we can no longer take pictures due to nonrenovation status, so I'll be discreet)...

Plus the Artists for Preservation display for the National Conference were still up at the time:

In November we went up the the top floor in one of the prongs of the "E" where everyone was busy trying to take pictures in every direction....

I don't know if I ever knew that the reason there are 3 separate "wings" is because looking at it from an airplane the Statler appears as an "E", for Ellsworth Statler. Anyway, the top floors would sure make a nice penthouse apartment, restaurant, or office of some sort, even though the view from the middle wing would be limited.

Update from December: the top level is now out of bounds; seems asbestos could maybe be a problem...whatever.

There is a bar/restaurant being readied right next to the Delaware Avenue entrance that is going to be aimed at the white collar after work crowd (maybe during the day too?).

There is always something in the works...

...along with the tremendous amount of work already done in such a short time. The coordination of events and work going on somewhere in the building 24/7 on a stringent timetable is simply mind boggling! Mark Croce and staff, the various artisans, and multitude of other workers are to be heartily commended!

Now, if I could just get into the Lafayette....

Samuel Nappo RIP

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:20:00 +0000

Clarence alumnus ('64) Samuel Nappo passed away 12/23/2011. From the Buffalo News:

June 27, 1945—Dec. 26, 2011

Samuel F. Nappo of Clarence, the owner of a local advertising and printing company, died Monday while visiting family in Rock Hill, S. C. He was 66.

Born in Buffalo, he was raised in Clarence and was a 1964 graduate of Clarence High School. He served in the Army from 1965 to 1967 and was stationed in Korea.

Mr. Nappo was the owner, president and chief executive officer of Community Advantage, a Clarence based business that specializes in coupon mailings and place mat advertising. Prior to that, he owned a company called Bulletin of the Week, and he printed Catholic church bulletins.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Parish in Swormville and was an usher at the church.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, the former Karen S. Salzer; two daughters, Joelle Toner and Samantha; a son, James Anzalone; and a sister, Marie Mohring.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a. m. Saturday in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 6919 Transit Road, Swormville.

NAPPO - Samuel F. Suddenly on December 26, 2011, beloved husband of Karen (nee Salzer) Nappo; devoted father of Samantha Nappo, Joelle (Donald) Toner and James (Darcie) Anzalone; loving "Poppy" of Donny, Nicole and Madeline; dear brother of Marie (Geoffrey) Mohring; son of the late Samuel J. and Mary (nee Scimia) Nappo; brother-in-law of Karleen Salzer; also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. The family will be present on Thursday from 6-8 PM and Friday from 4-8 PM at the (Amherst Chapel) AMIGONE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 5200 Sheridan Drive (corner of Hopkins Rd). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:30 AM from St. Mary's Church, Swormville. Please assemble at Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or Roswell Park Alliance Foundation. Please share condolences online atwww.AMIGONE.com

Visit Guest Book

Everlast

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:54:00 +0000

If you read the Buffalo News lately, you might be aware that Clarence alumnus ('99) Chad Michael Murray has written a graphic novel (intense comic book) called Everlast. While he will be at the Barnes & Nobel on Niagara Falls Boulevard tonight at 7pm signing copies, you can pick one up now if standing in a long line potentially filled with giggling females isn't your thing. I got my copy last night.

Not having had the time to do more than glance at a few pages quickly, I have no in-depth review to offer, but that won't stop me from making a few quick comments:

- The idea for the story line came from a conversation with and/or literature left by a familiar door to door religious organization...He answered the door???

- That said, most ideas for stories come from random observations, and the subject matter lends itself to an excellent "What if..." scenario.

- I had read some conjecture online that Murray is merely expanding his public footprint, however that seems a bit cynical to me. In my opinion, he was able and is motivated to do something that really interests him, and that's always a good thing and worthy of support.

- In the picayune category, I would have preferred a soft cover instead of the hard cover style...more comic bookish...

Everlast is available in bookstores and online (where it's less expensive)...Who knew that B&N online was separate from the store and had different abilities to price things? Fewer real people to employ, more computerization...Support a brick n mortar bookstore and go pick up a copy of Everlast!

Happy Holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:31:00 +0000

As semi-copied from a fb friend: "Why do I say "Happy Holidays?" Because most folks don't wear a note pinned to their coat that tells us what their faith is, or is not. It's being inclusive, wishing others the best. And saying "Thanks! The same to you!". So, Season's Greetings, Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas, Happy Solstice, Hannukah, Ashura, St. Nicholas Day, Bodhi Day, Yuletide,and Kwanzaa (and any others that aren't listed)!

In other words - Happy Holidays, each and every one! Peace!

(picture location is the Commercial Wharf, City of Buffalo)

The Ongoing Saga of the 2011-12 Buffalo Sabres

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 15:02:00 +0000

A blog post started while commenting on WillfulCaboose regarding the Buffalo Sabres:

Elsewhere I had read the suggestion that Ruff be kicked upstairs to some sort of management position (and NOT GM as the same person put forth), which would keep him in the organization, but allow some serious shaking up to happen. Ruff quite possibly could use some time away from the bench to get some fresh perspective on both style and players (although I feel confident that he would not agree) and still be available for future consideration should the need arise.

"I’ve seen a lot of blind-ish passes that go to either no one or the other team, and it always just looks like the player is expecting someone to be there who isn’t."...this has been an ongoing problem, not unique to this season, in my opinion.

Pegula has a fan-affair with Sabres Past, not necessarily the current group...

I also firmly believe that Pegula has people in place to look at this team with coldhearted precision who will eventually make the necessary moves, whatever they may be.

Keep Vanek, Kassian (never thought I'd say that previous to actually watching him play)...probably Pominville (he got angry in public? things are bad...) and a few others (like most of the new acquisitions)...the rest...eh.

And speaking of the new hires, ever notice that most play with a slow precision rather than hacking away wildy at the puck?

Change is going to come...

Richard Wood RIP

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:55:00 +0000

After an accident at home, Clarence alumnus ('71) Richard Wood has passed away. Rest in Peace.

WOOD - Richard H. Suddenly December 19, 2011; dear father of Correy R.; beloved brother of Jayne Wood (Sue Stanislawski); stepfather of Cheryl (Matthew) Rejewski, Robin Suffoletta and Jayson O'Donnell (Rev. Paul Lillie); step-grandfather of Noah, Olivia Zachewicz, Darien, Braedon Suffoletta; uncle of David Magoss. Friends may call Thursday 3-8 PM at the DENGLER, ROBERTS, PERNA FUNERAL HOME, 8630 Transit Rd., East Amherst (one mile north of Maple Rd. just past Klein Rd.) where funeral will be held Friday at 11 AM. Flowers gratefully declined. Memorials may be made to Mercy Flight, 100 Amherst Villa Rd., Buffalo, NY 14225.

Online tributes may be sent to www.denglerrobertspernafuneral.com or Visit Guest Book

Discards: An Epilogue (Goodell & Mulberry Streets 1956)

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 02:01:00 +0000

As a wee lad William Robert came to America with his family in 1914 from the area of United Kingdom now known as North Ireland (which was not established until 1922). His father's birthplace was Drumfin, over in the Catholic part, and I'm not so much guessing that things were a bit unsettled there, what with a War of Independence to start in 1916.

Father Adam already had 3 brothers and 3 nephews here (and a sister in Oregon), so Buffalo was a natural destination for the family, which included 8 children. William Robert was the youngest.

Somewhere along the line William Robert bought a camera and started taking pictures. The slides that came into my possession were all dated 1955-1957. Most were scenery type shots, and I forwarded them on to folks who might appreciate them more, but I kept a few.

Even though these have family in them, they are distinctive also for the dense neighborhood that once existed in the area of Goodell and Mulberry Streets, stretching on down to Virginia and all points around. It's now known as the start of the Goodell ramp onto the Kensington Expressway. The rest has been leveled....Urban "Renewal"...been "shovel ready" for nigh on 50 years now...

Back in the 50's a service station was located at 223 Goodell at Mulberry. The family lived nearby and many members worked there at one time or other. May have even owned it for all I know, seeing as Father Adam's brother Arthur once owned a gas station at 179 Ellicott at the turn of the century. Gave jobs to his brothers and nephews when they first came to America...another story there.

Anyway, I had hoped the slides would turn into better pictures, but having chosen convenience over perfection, it is what it is....A blast from the past...

William Robert passed away in 1987, the last of his siblings. I wish I could say that I remembered them better, but since they were my grandfather's cousins, you can guess where that went...But at least these slides were someone's discards these past 24 years, so that they could become treasures again!

Discards - Part 3

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:13:00 +0000

My grandfather's cousin,William Robert, came to America with his family as a wee lad in 1914. He was the youngest of 8 children, and would be the last to pass on. Unmarried, he and his sister Lydia bought a home on Perry Street in the 1950's. After his passing in 1987, the house appears to have been left to a nephew, who in turn somewhat signed it over to someone else (possibly a family member).

I say "somewhat" because for some reason the deed may have had an error and the name never actually switched over for the purpose of tax rolls and other legal type matters such as housing inspections. Eventually the taxes were no longer paid and the house was sold at a City foreclosure sale to an acquaintance. Before it was sold again, same process, I was able to go in and take a few pictures, gather a few mementos. A lot of the original contents had remained.

Previously, a portion of an article in ArtVoice, "No Vacancy", seemed to be describing the home, so I saved the link, and now have added pictures. Although the damage was mostly in the middle, not front, of the house (as in the 3rd paragraph of the article), it just fits, even if not the same. The pertinent part:

"Tracy Krug and Kevin Coyne act as Comerford’s sheriffs. They spend their days cruising the streets of the city checking on problem properties, helping Comerford decide whether a building is in need of demolition. In Buffalo’s most blighted neighborhoods, they have become familiar faces.

“People get to know you,” Krug says. ”The first thing they ask when you get out is, ‘When are you knocking it down?’”

One afternoon this summer, Krug and Coyne pull up to a Perry Street residence... The yellow house has a locked gate blocking Krug and Coyne from getting to the side door, the only way that it is safe to enter. The floor in the living room, where the front entrance is, is so weak from water damage that it might not support their weight.

Coyne takes the fence off the post with a hammer and they proceed to the side door.
The weeds in the backyard grow as high as the roof of the garage.

Inside, the smell of mold is pervasive. Water has been leaking through the roof and the ceiling in the living room has been crumbling onto the floor.

In the basement, buckets, lawn chairs, and pieces of wood float on over four feet of standing water. Only four of the steps that lead into the basement are visible. The water almost reaches the bottom of the windows (drained at time of picture).

Coyne travels upstairs to check the condition of the attic. Cardboard boxes filled with collectibles, pictures, and old newspapers are scattered about.

“All this cardboard makes this a fire hazard,” Coyne says. That’s an important diagnosis: The danger posed by so many flammables in an unattended building may allow the Office of Inspections to expedite the house’s demolition.

Krug and Coyne exit the house, screw plywood over the side entrance, and put the fence back on its post. They return to the office to file paperwork on the Perry Street home and others that they had visited that day to be submitted to Comerford or housing court. Next week will be much the same."

Found amid the wreckage (most of it induced by kids and also the latest owner, while looking for salvageable items, some of which was given to me) was a tray, lovingly inscribed from one sister of William Robert to another...

At one time these bookshelves were filled with National Geographics and other books that ended up in a crawl space on the 2nd floor (seen on a slide labeled as a test for the flash)...

The top book by Horatio Algier flipped right out of my hand when I tried to look at it...William Robert must have wanted his childhood books to go down with the ship, as it were...

The remnants of lives well lived are now destined for a landfill, most likely. I went by there yesterday and windows were all completely smashed out, the gate removed, and even the top of the tree in front had broken off. Our treasures may become someone else's discards (hopefully a little more gracefully), but as long as they give us comfort and while here to enjoy them, that's what matters the most. And life goes on...

Occupy - An Updated Opinion

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:35:00 +0000

Random incoherent thoughts gathered after reading Naomi Wolf's recent article about the crackdowns on various Occupy movements:

I am not part of the 1%, therefore I am part of the 99%...

I fully understand the difference between camping out for a concert or at Best Buy and and hanging out for months "occupying"; the comparison is foolish....

If the genuinely homeless had taken over a public square, even for one night, there would be an uproars from all sides of the political arena (although for different reasons)...

Originally it was maintained that the demonstrators had jobs or went to school and had a place to call home; therefore, they should occupy in shifts and not sleep there, and the pop-up tents should go (keep media/supplies/food tents for organization)....

Which brings me to the point of asking (on Facebook) for sleeping bags, winter coats, gloves, socks, etc...I know that presence matters, but what's with these people showing up totally unprepared for weather or an extended visit? Would they go Allegany State Park and go from campsite to campsite asking for parts so that they could snuggle in under a tree somewhere? Well, maybe...never know with some people...

People who yell things like "get a job, take a bath" in fact have no idea if the people they are yelling at are employed, underemployed, or have taken a shower recently...it's just a intolerant "trendy" thing to say for those who choose distance...what's next? "Love it or leave it"? "Cut your hair you dirty hippies"? That's so retro...

In allowing all grievances, some radical or "out there" schools of thought have surfaced and have become both a distraction and a focus for those looking for reasons to trash the movement, or for the media, which is desperate for anything to sensationalize for readership; thoughtful articles tend to be boring...

Those mayors, governors, and whatever they call local leaders in other countries who have NOT over-reacted and caused a scene could be credited with keeping there collective cools and blowing up their already ballooning police overtime budgets, but there could be other reasons. Here in Buffalo, the group has situated themselves in McKinley Square (actually a circle) which is surrounded on all sides by buildings of the Federal, State, County, and City nature, with the balance just being very tall....very good for constant surveillance. As taken from the top of Statler City with a regular digital camera (not all that expensive, no interchangeable lenses):

It's good that banks and other "takers" are being placed under increasing scrutiny, but the Occupy "big tent" concept risks diluting its initial message...then again, perhaps that has already happened....Curious to see how this will all shake out.

Discards - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:15:00 +0000

When the elderly brothers across the street passed away (hours apart), their niece took responsibility for clearing their possessions and selling the house...After securing important documents and whatever else she may have wanted to keep, she threw open the doors with an invitation for all to take whatever they wanted for free. A few hours later the furniture was gone, along with assorted tools, food items, and other miscellany.

Most of what was left would be tossed into the big blue refuse bin out front. However, on the walls were many family pictures....2 handsome young men in their military uniforms...their older sister who had passed years before....their mother....and many other memories that were dear to the recently departed.

The niece was near tears as she looked at the photos. After having closed down a few other houses of relatives in recent years, her basement and attic were full of family memories. "My kids don't want this stuff...I don't know what to do". Eventually, she packed up the pictures and took them home, hoping that her own children would be as gentle when their time came to sort through the memories.

Down the street, a recent widower had moved into a senior apartment. The big double was too much, and maybe the memories made him feel even more lonely. No kids, so a company was called in to hold a sale and otherwise disperse of the accumulation of a long marriage As they were pricing items they came across the wedding album and quickly called to see if the gentleman had overlooked it. No...no room even for what he took with, no room for more. Sad.

An older gentleman with a young man's heart used to come into work every year, maybe twice if he was downtown. He always wanted a manila envelope to keep papers in. After being a jerk about it once, I came to realize that he was also a bit young in mind also...a slight mental disability, I guess...I gathered up my (occasionally missing) compassion, and always had an envelope or two ready for him when I saw him come in. He always rewarded with with a huge smile :D

The last time I saw him, there was time for more conversation, and he rewarded me even more by sharing memories of Vaudeville, of Allen Street, his uncle the magician, and how he used to help backstage when he was young. He had the programs from back then, photos...I haven't seen him since, and it's been a few years, after being a regular for over twenty. I wonder what happened to him...if he's living in a senior apartment somewhere, if he passed on....I also wonder what happened to his memories, his prized possessions, stored so carefully in his envelopes...

More later...

Discards - Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 13:49:00 +0000

Lately it has been stated via various sources that there are 12,000 vacant houses in the City of Buffalo. While not necessarily saying that the number is wrong, I'm somewhat curious as to how that figure was generated. Tax bills being returned as "undeliverable" may have an incorrect mailing address, as much due to an input error as unforwardable for whatever reason (those mechanical sorters are just soooo efficient *sarcasm*). There are many homes with unpaid taxes that have people living in them, and many vacant buildings that are paid in full (one way around massive attention from inspectors/housing court for "investors"). Was a hand count done? Does it include apartments buildings/former hotels/rooming houses? Business type buildings?

Whichever method was employed, whatever the number, there are undeniably many vacant houses, and many vacant lots that used to have a home on them. Back in the early 1900's there were houses crammed into every available green space except in the more well-to-do enclaves (and where Olmsted carved out territory).

There were those with a storefront where the proprietor and family lived upstairs. There were doubles that people built so family members could be close, not to rent to strangers. Cottages were stuck behind larger homes as a place to live while building the main house, later for family or income. There were houses slapped up by factory/business owners so that employees could live nearby, transportation not being what it is today. Either they were rented or sold to the workers, with payments coming out of paychecks. No one ever thought that they would still be standing more than 100 years later, but they are. That's not even getting into all hotels thrown up to house people during the Pan-Am Exposition that later turned into apartment/rooming houses, or those built expressly to rent to the masses.

Not everyone raced to the suburbs as a symbol of better financial circumstances, or to escape the "big, bad city" and its ever changing occupants (aka "those people" who could be a different race, ethnic group, religion, and just plain different). Many times it was like a rolling wave as city planners in their "wisdom" declared vibrant areas "slums" in a bid to clear away the less well off with funds garnered via Urban Renewal to create "shovel ready" sites. A still well-known mayor cleared out his entire childhood neighborhood, perhaps to erase the roots of his humble beginnings, perhaps to also show he wasn't being prejudiced when the black neighborhood was mowed down to...perhaps a little of both...near downtown don't ya know, and the powers that were wanted people downtown, just not those less fortunate people.

Housing projects were planned as a substitute (whoopee) and those that didn't like it could just leave, and so they did. Usually they just moved a bunch of blocks over to a different area, but in the process, people who were already there then also moved to a new neighborhood, and so it went, with spillover to the suburbs. The I190 threw areas into disarray and the Expressways Kensington and Scajaquada ripped the heart out of some more. And then there were the riots that cleared out some more. Many reasons, same results.

That's a lot of places that people called "home" and filled with their hopes, dreams, and later, their memories. Now many are abandoned or neglected, the discards.

More tomorrow....

SK in Reality

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 02:04:00 +0000

The story has so many surreal angles that it almost seems as if a Stephen King novel has been released in the news via the installment root, sort of like a modern day War of the Worlds. Jumping right past the initial sordid details of the news unfolding in Pennsylvania, we have:

A Board of Trustees that finally decides to act, however it's questionable whether it was an attempt at damage control or because it was the right thing to do...probably the former.
The long time coach being fired from his position, more than likely because he was unable to see that he is part of story, that he's been part of the story since at least the end of the 1990's, and you can't just go back to drawing up plays like it's someone else's world, not his. Did that at least once, after some minor in-house cleaning...didn't work out well in the long run, especially for the victimized kids.
The college students rioting, NOT because kids were abused, but because the coach was fired (and for good reason).
The now assistant coach (who was a grad student at the time) who actually witnessed the abuse and reported it in-house only (to be taken care of in-house only) is threatened many times because he TOLD, not because he didn't call the outside police. He has now been placed on leave.
The District Attorney that looked into the initial possibility of charges in 2002 turns up missing in 2005; his empty car was found, and his laptop was in a nearby creek with the hard-drive removed. He was declared legally dead in July 2011.

What would Stephen King do with this? Minus graphic details, of course. The perpetrator would be a black ominous shadow moving through the storyline, enveloping all he comes near...Then a giant light shines, however briefly, and all is exposed, leaving behind a huge blotch of scorched earth. No voice, no excuses...There is no excuse.

Still, the students who attend the college now maintain that cancellation of a game or the rest of the season would be unfairly punishing them. On one hand I understand their point of view, but big picture things seem to elude them. Waste of a college education.

In my opinion, football is NOT more important than the children, nor is the college and its alumni. For that matter, priests and other religious figures, along with the Church, are not more important than the victims either.

The word "scandal" treats the matter too lightly, like it's merely a gossip topic instead of a crime.

And the (marching) band plays on....

Plunking

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:07:00 +0000

Back on Primary Day I had a grand revelation of sorts when it comes to voting in races with multiple slots for multiple candidates, but always more candidates than openings. Conventional "wisdom" has it that given an opportunity to vote for "up to 4" people, one will pick 4....

But you don't have to! That's a big "Duh", I know, but I'm slow sometimes, or maybe I just really didn't care that much about any particular candidate getting elected.

The thing is, if your preferred candidate is an underdog in a multiple pick race, you actually vote against that person if you use up all your picks, by adding votes to people that could nudge your candidate out. There is a term for this type voting and it has been around as long as there have multiple votes allowed in elections. It's called "Plunking".

For example, in a local race there are 3 people running for 2 slots. Candidate W has upset some people with his bluntness and a railroad against him played out on Primary Day. Just maybe you think that there is nothing wrong with asking tough questions (however, asking politely would have been preferable) and expecting thorough answers...just maybe the signs bashing Candidate W really irked you, and the gentle murmurings promising congeniality and cooperation by the other two candidates have taken on the tenor of a rubber stamp...

What to do? Vote only for Candidate W. You don't have to vote for 2 people...your option is "up to" 2...voting for either Candidate X or Y in addition only adds to their totals and against Candidate W.

(just a side note here...I would expect that a cost/benefit analysis would have been conducted prior to any major purchases, and that there are many laws, rules, and insurance regulations that spell out exactly what actual needs are; no need to get defensive, even if it is felt the situation may call for it, or not)

My own ballot will include 6 candidates for 4 openings on City Court. In the primary I voted only for a particular candidate, and then at the last second I colored in a circle for another person...I then watched the early returns in horror when it at first appeared that the 2nd choice might nudge out my main choice for the 4th slot! Thankfully things righted themselves and my person actually came in 3rd, but it sharpened my focus on the fine art of plunking...sort of....Now I have 2 candidates that I preferably want in...what to do...

What to do? Vote! It's Election Day! Go color those circles (makes me feel like I'm taking a civil service test; I miss those levers)! May the best person win!

Vote!

Charles Orts RIP

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 12:21:00 +0000

Clarence alumnus Charles Orts ('72) passed away October 31, 2011. May he rest in peace.

From Childs Funeral Home:

Charles Orts
Date of Birth: February 24, 1953       Date of Passing: October 31, 2011

Age 58

Place of Birth: Buffalo, New York

Place of Passing: Erie County Home

Resided in:
  Akron, New York

History:
  Mr. Orts was a truck driver for Serafino Trucking in Depew, N.Y. Retiring after a brief illness.

Family:
  Dear father of Jennifer Orts of Clarence, NY, Kimberly (James) Fromwiller of Middleport, NY, Amy (Joseph) Newkirk of North Carolina and Jacob Orts of Akron, N.Y. Grandfather of Kathleen and James Fromwiller and Noah Newkirk, brother of Carl (Maria) Schory of Grand Island, N.Y. and Barbara Mayer of Alaska.

Viewing info:
  Family recieved friends on Friday from 2-4 PM in the Childs Funeral Home, LLC 10 Eckerson Ave. Akron, N.Y. Where services followed at 4 PM. Rev. Gregory Hall, pastor of the Clarence Presbyterian Church, officiated.

Burial:
  Evans, New York

Chill

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:35:00 +0000

Somewhere I read that the Sabres' fans were in a testy mood last night during the game; not in my corner of the FN Center. After all, when the score is 0-3 after a mere 6 minutes of play, the suspense sort of disappears as to the final outcome.

Everyone pretty much just chilled and settled in to enjoy being at a hockey game. Not very many people left early either, and those who would normally be drunken jerks seemed to mellow out with everyone else. Not to say there weren't a few boos, but it goes with territory.

Even though I don't think Miller has exhibited the razor sharp focus that he had in his Olympian year, I'm not ready to give up on him yet...although I have to admit that I've made some snide comments about love not benefiting his game :)

Truth be told, after vaulting 3 up, the Flyers pretty much seemed to quit trying to score, being content to play keep-away much of the night. Guess they figured they could score at will should the need arise for them to exert extraordinary effort. No knock on Enroth (never worry when he's in the game), just an observation.

We, the fans, reveled in the little things, like a fight, or a completed pass (that was low, I know).

On the bright side, a year ago we got stuck going to many weekday games that I had previously thought I could sell to reimburse part of the season ticket price...no one wanted the tickets unless maybe I gave them away. This year, still stinging from that memory, and having other things to potentially do with the time and money ("potential", not action, being the operative word here), opted not to renew...Yep, I'm part of the .001%...Anyway, now I can be a beneficiary of rock bottom StubHub prices...Sometimes things work out :)

Now, if the Sabres would just remember how to win at home again for more than 1 in a row...

Chill...just chill...

...and bring back the SabreTooth that rappelled from the rafters!

Joyce Krause Phelan Kuhns RIP

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:40:00 +0000

Clarence alumna ('73) Joyce Krause Phelan Kuhns passed away on October 14, 2011. May she rest in peace.

KUHNS - Joyce Elizabeth (nee Krause) Of New Hope, PA, died peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family on Friday, October 14, 2011 at Hahneman Hospital in Philadelphia. She was 56. Born in Clarence, NY on June 20, 1955, she was the daughter of the late Richard and Elizabeth Krause of Clarence, NY. After graduating from Clarence High School in 1973, Joyce earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees with honors in cell and molecular biology from the University of Buffalo in 1978 and 1980. She was employed as a senior research scientist with Bristol-Myers Squibb in the department of pre-clinical drug discovery since 1990. She was the loving wife of the late Stephen C. Kuhns of Austin, TX. She will be sadly missed by her two sons, John Phelan of New Hope, PA and Brian Phelan of State College, PA; her stepson Jesse Kuhns of Austin, TX and his wife Clarissa and their son Jesse. In addition, she is survived by her first husband Kevin Phelan of Clarence, NY, and her sister Barbara Krause and her partner Joe Pelino of Clarence, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to Fisherman's Mark, 89 North Main Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530.

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The 99.9%

noreply@blogger.com (Becky) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:53:00 +0000

As I was getting ready to write a post about how the Occupy people seem to be lowering the income level as to what constitutes the 99%, I thought maybe I'd look up the actual numbers. In my mind the top 1% were all billionaires who are ready, willing, and able to buy politicians, and thereby laws, that benefited them (and others by mere coincidence) and block legislation that was deemed inconvenient. What I found somewhat surprised me.

According to an article Wealth, Income,and Power (written in 2005, but updated in July 2011,well before Occupy Wall Street began) is that the cutoff for being in the 99% is only $372,650/year or thereabouts. Even though that amount would significantly raise my standard of living, even as a one-shot revenue type of thing, it was much lower than I had thought.

It's actually more like the top .1% with all the wealth, which may also translate into higher incomes (different category than wealth itself)....From a link An Investment Managers View of the Top 1% within the article:

"While an after-tax income of $175k to $250k and net worth in the $1.2M to $1.8M range may seem like a lot of money to most Americans, it doesn't really buy freedom from financial worry or access to the true corridors of power and money. That doesn't become frequent until we reach the top 0.1%...

Unlike those in the lower half of the top 1%, those in the top half and, particularly, top 0.1%, can often borrow for almost nothing, keep profits and production overseas, hold personal assets in tax havens, ride out down markets and economies, and influence legislation in the U.S. They have access to the very best in accounting firms, tax and other attorneys, numerous consultants, private wealth managers, a network of other wealthy and powerful friends, lucrative business opportunities, and many other benefits. Most of those in the bottom half of the top 1% lack power and global flexibility and are essentially well-compensated workhorses for the top 0.5%...

In my view, the American dream of striking it rich is merely a well-marketed fantasy that keeps the bottom 99.5% hoping for better and prevents social and political instability. The odds of getting into that top 0.5% are very slim and the door is kept firmly shut by those within it."

Read the articles yourself when you have time. Very interesting! Although I'm still firmly in the 99%, it has made me re-evaluate exactly where the cutoff point should be...not that anyone cares what I think, but just saying...