Buffalo.com's Super Bowl predictions

Buffalo.com photo by Ben Kirst.

In an effort to have a little Friday-afternoon fun, Deanna and I went around and asked our co-workers who they thought was going to win the Super Bowl. We took photos and posted them at Spotted and put up a short story on YourHub, too.

Check it out if/when you have a chance...at the very least, it's an opportunity to see some of the handsome devils we work with.

Some good links for us

This has to be quick because I was an hour late for work today courtesy of the awful, awful traffic on the 219, but I wanted to share a couple nice notes about recognition our interns have recently received.

• Rachelle Roberts had her article from the Steve Winwood concert posted on Mr. Winwood's MySpace page. You have to be a "friend" of Mr. Winwood to view it, but if you have a MySpace account, I don't think he is real picky about who wants to "friend" him. The article has received 15 Kudos from other MySpace users. Nice work, Rachelle!
  
  
• Bill Parker had some nice words posted about his work at the Star 102.5-FM 80s party posted by DJ John Anthony at Mr. Anthony's blog. Way to go, Bill!

If you ever see you work linked on the Web, or if you get some recognition for your work...let me know.

Coke Zero is good

I try to live a healthy life. I smoked for about 13 years, but quit three years ago. I used to enjoy more than my fair share of adult beverages, but I have become far more moderate. I exercise regularly, and try to avoid junk food - or, at least, I don't kid myself that the junk I do eat is anything but junk.

I do have an out-of-control vice: Coke Zero. I drink this stuff constantly. I only allow myself to drink two 20-oz bottles a day at work because I know I could easy drink four or five. I drink it straight from the 2-L bottle at home (luckily, my wife doesn't drink soda. Lucky for her, that is). I drink it in the morning, I drink at lunch, I drink it before I go to bed.

I think Diet Coke tastes like medicine. Coke Classic actually hurts my teeth. But Coke Zero...I'm hooked. The only substitutes I accept are Pepsi Max or Diet Pepsi.

I have read some awful things lately about the health effects of diet soda, and I'll probably have to quit this stuff pretty soon, too. It seems like growing older is a steady process of quitting the things you enjoy.

Buffalo.com Intern Tour: Feb. 16

Buffalo.com photo by Matt Brown.

On Monday, Feb. 16, we are going to host a tour of The Buffalo News for all of the Buffalo.com writers and photographers.

The tour will begin at 10 AM and we will provide refreshments. You will have an opportunity to see the inner workings of The Buffalo News, and talk to a Buffalo News staff reporter and a staff photographer. If you have any questions about "the business," this would be a great time to ask.

We need to keep this tour to a manageable level, so we can only accept 30 or so signees...so if you are interested, please email Deanna or me ASAP.

Thanks!

Still looking for photographers/writers for some of these events

Buffalo.com photo by Bonecrusher

If you have some free time and want to get out on the town over the next four days, just let me know...I'd love to see these events get covered:

(PS - Remember to get your pets photos into the "Puppy Love" community gallery when you have a chance!)

Thursday

• Psychobilly Record Hop. A “dance” with tons of 50s, honkey tonk, rockabilly, and punk music. 9 PM, Club Diablo, 517 Washington St., Buffalo.

Friday

• Bunkers in Baghdad benefit party. A happy hour event for Bunkers in Baghdad, Inc, a Buffalo-based not-for-profit that collects and sends new and used golf balls, clubs and equipment to our troops currently serving in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan for recreational purposes. 5:30 PM to 8 PM, Club W, 199 Delaware Ave., Buffalo.

• Canisius hockey: v. Sacred Heart. 7 PM, Buffalo State Ice Arena, Buffalo State College, Buffalo.

Saturday

• Live recording session with Gruvology. Buffalo-based jazz-funk favorites offer a live recording session. 7 PM, Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave., Buffalo.

• Canisius hockey: v. Sacred Heart. 7 PM, Buffalo State Ice Arena, Buffalo State College, Buffalo.

• Rooftops. An up-and-coming Buffalo band performs live. 8 PM, Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St., Buffalo.

• Melissa Lussier. The local singer/songwriter performs live and celebrates the release of her new CD. 9 PM, Cabernet Wine Café, 9 PM, 9 N. Ellicott St., Buffalo.

Sunday

• Hunt Real Estate Art of Jazz Series at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery: Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio. From his roots in the legendary jazz clubs of Buffalo’s East Side through recordings and tours with such luminaries as George Benson, Lou Donaldson, and David “Fathead” Newman, Dr. Lonnie Smith is an authentic master of the Hammond B-3 organ. 3 PM, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo.

Get your pet's pics in The Buffalo News with Puppy Love contest

Buffalo.com photo by Ben Kirst

Get your pet's pic in The Buffalo News...how you ask? Just read on:

"We all love our pets, and in February, the Pets Place banner in The Buffalo News Classifieds is getting Puppy Love.

Post your pet photos to our special Puppy Love community gallery, and your furry friend may end up in The Buffalo News! We'll be picking pets to show off in the photo banner in The Buffalo News classified section.

Visit the Puppy Love gallery to post your pet photos, or to check out the area pets we love so much.

Want a new friend? head to The Pets Place at Buffalo.com to get a new pet for your home.

The Puppy Love contest begins on Tuesday, Jan. 27 and will run through Saturday, Feb. 28."

Ah, winter in WNY

Buffalo.com photo by Deanna Russo.

I am not a fan of winter. I do not like the cold, or the snow, or inching along in traffic at 10 MPH, as I did this morning. I live in Orchard Park and take the 219 to the 90-West to the 1-90 North to get to work in the morning, and the fastest I went today was probably 20 MPH. And that was for about 20 yards...and I almost got drilled by a tractor-trailer on the 1-90 merge because this guy almost missed his exit, so he decided to drive across two lanes of barely-moving traffic to make the turn. Good times, people.

Anyhow...my Buffalo.com "Good Soldier of the Day" award goes to Galina Tolmacheva, who braved the weather this morning to go to the Albright-Knox to take photos of an art installation that was canceled due to the weather. Sorry, Galina!

It's been rescheduled for tomorrow, so we'll see what happens...in the meantime, if you see me, I will probably be shaking my fist at the sky.

Sweet 16 at The Hard Rock Cafe

Buffalo.com photo by Ben Kirst.

Got an invitation for the event below from Sue Swiatkowski, our contact out at the Hard Rock Cafe...looks pretty interesting. It would be great to get a photographer and writer for this event - could create a lot of goodwill. Plus, HRC events are generally a lot of fun, and our photographers and writers are always treated extremely well.

Let me know if you are interested...

Ben:

I was wondering if Buffalo.com would be interested in covering this story.

The Hard Rock Cafe is teaming up with Status Limousine Corp. to host their first ever “Super Sweet 16” party on Jan. 31, from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. The event was conceived by Status Limo owner, Mike Secchiaroli, for his daughter’s 16^th Birthday Party, similar to those that have aired on MTV and are large business opportunities in both New York City and on the West Coast. Mike is in the process of preparing a web site to sell these packages at www.WNYsweet16.com

Other business vendors which are teaming up for this particular party are:

Muscoreil’s Fine Desserts & Gourmet Cakes

TEC Entertainment

Calling Cards Unlimited

Birzon Jewlers

Balloons Galore

Dyed to Match

TT New York

Buffalo Photo Booth

Wozniak’s Photography

We’d love for Buffalo.com to cover this event, which will serve as a catalyst for following birthdays/bar & bat mitzvahs of this nature.

Please let me know your thoughts and if someone from your staff would be able to cover the event on Jan. 31. If you’d like to get in touch with any of the vendors (Mike in particular), please let me know and I’ll forward you his contact information.

Thanks for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

--Sue

Lots of events left to choose from!

Buffalo.com photo by Mary Mahoney.

I know it is wicked cold outside...but please consider attending an event this week! Sign-ups have been slow in recent weeks, and, after sending out the latest list, they are down to a trickle. So please...consider taking an event (or two?) this weekend.

Is there a reason for the slowness? Let me know in the comments section below what you think.

Oh, and I noticed that I accidentally added a couple exta days to the events list. Thank you to Marc Wierzbowski for pointing that out...what can I say, I was in a hurry. Monday was Meetings Day here at Buffalo.com, and I was in a bit of a rush to get the list out...a situation made more urgent when my wife got home yesterday and realized she didn't have her apartment key. But all of the events are on the day listed, the days are just a little...superfluous. I apologize for any confusion.

Here are some events that would be great to have covered...if we could get a photographer and/or writer at each of these, I would be a happy man. Please let me know if you are interested.

Wednesday

• Psychobilly Record Hop. A “dance” with tons of 50s, honkey tonk, rockabilly, and punk music. 9 PM, Club Diablo, 517 Washington St., Buffalo.

Thursday

• World’s Largest Office Party. A benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation with live music from the Boys of Summer, guest and trick bartenders, and a lot more. 5 PM to 9 PM, Hyatt Regency Buffalo, Two Fountain Plaza, Buffalo.

• Psychobilly Record Hop. A “dance” with tons of 50s, honkey tonk, rockabilly, and punk music. 9 PM, Club Diablo, 517 Washington St., Buffalo.

Friday

• Bunkers in Baghdad benefit party. A happy hour event for Bunkers in Baghdad, Inc, a Buffalo-based not-for-profit that collects and sends new and used golf balls, clubs and equipment to our troops currently serving in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan for recreational purposes. 5:30 PM to 8 PM, Club W, 199 Delaware Ave., Buffalo.

• Canisius hockey: v. Sacred Heart. 7 PM, Buffalo State Ice Arena, Buffalo State College, Buffalo.

Saturday

• Live recording session with Gruvology. Buffalo-based jazz-funk favorites offer a live recording session. 7 PM, Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave., Buffalo.

• Canisius hockey: v. Sacred Heart. 7 PM, Buffalo State Ice Arena, Buffalo State College, Buffalo.

• Rooftops. An up-and-coming Buffalo band performs live. 8 PM, Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St., Buffalo.

• Melissa Lussier. The local singer/songwriter performs live and celebrates the release of her new CD. 9 PM, Cabernet Wine Café, 9 PM, 9 N. Ellicott St., Buffalo.

Sunday

• Hunt Real Estate Art of Jazz Series at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery: Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio. From his roots in the legendary jazz clubs of Buffalo’s East Side through recordings and tours with such luminaries as George Benson, Lou Donaldson, and David “Fathead” Newman, Dr. Lonnie Smith is an authentic master of the Hammond B-3 organ. 3 PM, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo.

Video section is looking good, and a few other notes

Buffalo.com/Spotted photo by Darleen Stry.


Hey, I wanted to thank everyone who's been posting videos lately - Dan Ruggiero, Kathi Ross, Bill Parker, Darleen Stry, Eric Malinowski, and others - you are making the site look great, and I thank you.

I've been going back and forth with the people at Morris DigitalWorks - for those of you who don't know, Spotted is actually a vendor-provided product (we didn't invent it at The Buffalo News/Buffalo.com), and Morris is the company that provides it - about some video issues we've had. Those issues have included videos that appear to upload correctly and then disappear, video info that gets jumbled in the text boxes when it uploads, and things of that nature. supposedly, all of these issues have been resolved - if you have trouble uploading video, or upload a video that gets jumbled in the process, let me know because they are ironing out the kinks.

Also - you may or may not have noticed this with Spotted - but the site was upgraded recently and there are some new tools at my disposal. Once again, I can rotate photos and choose thumbnails - so if you notice that some of your photos have changed orientation or your thumbnail is changing, that's me working behind the scenes...of course, I would be very pleased if you rotated your photos and changed your thumbnail regularly...hint hint...but I understand that everyone is busy, and you are probably not a Spotted nerd on the same level as me.

Anyhow, keep those videos coming! We're featuring them on the Buffalo.com home page, and they have been getting a lot more traffic in the actual Spotted section (we also have a video tab on the Buffalo.com home page, but videos viewed at Buffalo.com don't count towards Spotted page views, if that makes any sense). And if you have any questions, let me know.

Make sure you're posting to the right place

Buffalo.com photo by Dan Ruggiero.

Spotted photographers: make sure you're posting your photos to We Spotted when you go to events...it makes it easier to find. We had a couple very nice event galleries posted to You Spotted this weekend, which is too bad, because the traffic would be a lot stronger if they are in the more-accessible We Spotted section. We want your work to be seen!

Just something to look out for. If you can't find your event, odds are good that it's an error on my end - just give me a call on my cell (390 2715) and I can usually fix it for you in about five minutes.

Events List: Jan. 27 to Feb. 1

Buffalo.com photo by Dawn Mongold


Tuesday


• Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas Annual Pizza Fest. A most delicious celebration. 5 PM to 8 PM, Classics V Banquet and Conference Room, 2425 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst.
• D’Youville basketball doubleheader: vs. Buffalo State. A local rivalry! Women, 6 PM; Men, 8 PM. D’Youville College, Buffalo.


Thursday


• Beakers ‘n Beer 2009. A happy hour party for Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus employees at one of Buffalo’s oldest taverns. 5 PM to 7 PM, Ulrich’s Tavern, 674 Ellicott St., Buffalo.
• World’s Largest Office Party. A benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation with live music from the Boys of Summer, guest and trick bartenders, and a lot more. 5 PM to 9 PM, Hyatt Regency Buffalo, Two Fountain Plaza, Buffalo.
• Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra concert. A special performance outside of city limits. 7:30 PM, Niagara Falls High School Performing Arts Center, 4455 Porter Road, Niagara Falls.
• Psychobilly Record Hop. A “dance” with tons of 50s, honkey tonk, rockabilly, and punk music. 9 PM, Club Diablo, 517 Washington St., Buffalo.


Wednesday


• High School Hockey: Canisius vs. St. Francis. Catholic school rivalry game! 3:30 PM, Holiday Rinks, 3465 Broadway, Cheektowaga.


Thursday


• Barton Hill Barrel Society – “Napa v. Sonoma: Can you tell the difference?” A special wine-tasting event that will test the palates of local oenophiles. 7 PM, Barton Hill Hotel and Spa, 100 Center St., Lewiston.


Friday


• Bunkers in Baghdad benefit party. A happy hour event for Bunkers in Baghdad, Inc, a Buffalo-based not-for-profit that collects and sends new and used golf balls, clubs and equipment to our troops currently serving in combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan for recreational purposes. 5:30 PM to 8 PM, Club W, 199 Delaware Ave., Buffalo.
• Buckin’ Buffalo Happy Hour. Prepping for the weekend at the city’s top “country” club. 6 PM to 8 PM, Buckin’ Buffalo, 294 Franklin St., Buffalo.
• UB Swimming: v. St. Bonaventure. A swimming showdown between two local rivals. 6 PM, Alumni Arena, UB North Campus, Amherst.
• Crucial Tone, Midnight Lightning. A rock show that the young folks enjoy at a well-known skating center. 6 PM, Xtreme Wheels, 356 Hertel Ave., Buffalo.
• Creek Bend. Bluegrass music from talented performers. 7 PM, Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster.
• Niagara women’s basketball: v. Rider. 7 PM, Gallagher Center, Niagara University, Lewiston.
• Canisius hockey: v. Sacred Heart. 7 PM, Buffalo State Ice Arena, Buffalo State College, Buffalo.
• Canisius women’s basketball: v. St. Peter’s. 7 PM, Koessler Athletic Center, Canisius College, Buffalo.
• Ann Arbor Film Festival. Join Squeaky Wheel, Buffalo's Media Arts Center for the 47th Ann Arbor Film Festival Tour. The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest-running showcase of independent, experimental and artistically inspired film in North America. 8 PM, Squeaky Wheel Cinema, 712 Main St., Buffalo
• Hawaiian Luau Party. Including limbo and hula hoop contests – good times. 9 PM to 2 AM, Legends Bar and Grill, 240 1st St., Niagara Falls.


Saturday


• USASA Snowboarding BoarderCross event. Head-to-head snowboarding competition. 10 AM to 2 PM, Holiday Valley, 6557 Holiday Valley Road, Ellicottville.
• Meet Corduroy Bear. Hang out with Corduroy, the lovable bear from the classic books by Don Freeman. 10 AM to 2 PM, B is for Books, 6562 E. Quaker St., Orchard Park.
• UB men’s basketball: v. Toledo. Noon, Alumni Arena, UB North Campus, Amherst.
• UB women’s basketball: v. Western Michigan. 2 PM, Alumni Arena, UB North Campus, Amherst.
• Red Bull 1976 Games qualifier. Funky big-air and ski-cross events – lots of snow fun. 1:30 PM, Kissing Bridge, Kissing Bridge Lane, Boston.
• Chili Cook-Off. A spicy showdown in the Northtowns. 5:30 PM, Church of the Advent, 54 Delaware Rd., Kenmore.
• Molly R. Fleischman Benefit. A special party for a local woman in need of help covering medical expenses. 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM, St. Benedict’s School Hall, 3980 Main St., Williamsville.
• Live recording session with Gruvology. Buffalo-based jazz-funk favorites offer a live recording session. 7 PM, Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave., Buffalo.
• Canisius hockey: v. Sacred Heart. 7 PM, Buffalo State Ice Arena, Buffalo State College, Buffalo.
• Rooftops. An up-and-coming Buffalo band performs live. 8 PM, Mohawk Place, 47 E. Mohawk St., Buffalo.
• Melissa Lussier. The local singer/songwriter performs live and celebrates the release of her new CD. 9 PM, Cabernet Wine Café, 9 PM, 9 N. Ellicott St., Buffalo.


Sunday


• Snow Buster Indoor Automotive Swap Meet. Sponsored by The Niagara Frontier Region Model "A" Restorer's Club. 9 AM to 3 PM, Hamburg Agri-Center, Hamburg Fairgrounds, Hamburg.
• Opening reception for TopSpin Exhibition, Amy Greenan: Nothing was About to Happen. The Castellani Art Museum's TopSpin series presents Western New York artist Amy Greenan, who has exhibited her paintings, drawings, prints, books, and zines locally and nationally. 2 PM to 4 PM, Castellani Art Museum, Niagara University, Lewiston.
• Niagara women’s basketball: v. St. Peter’s. 2 PM, Gallagher Center, Niagara University, Lewiston.
• Canisius women’s basketball: v. Rider. 2 PM, Koessler Athletic Center, Canisius College, Buffalo.
• Hunt Real Estate Art of Jazz Series at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery: Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio. From his roots in the legendary jazz clubs of Buffalo’s East Side through recordings and tours with such luminaries as George Benson, Lou Donaldson, and David “Fathead” Newman, Dr. Lonnie Smith is an authentic master of the Hammond B-3 organ. 3 PM, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo.
• Fr. Schwab/Bishop Turner Alumni “Big Game” Party. A special party for “the big game.” 5 PM, Am-Vets Post 49, 3758 Sheridan Drive, Amherst.

Back Again

Buffalo.com/Spotted photo by Bill Parker.

OK, as promised, here it is - the new Buffalo.com intern blog. For those of you who remember the old blog, this will be much the same - daily news, tips, kudos, and more regarding our Spotted photographers and - this is new - our YourHub writers, too.

I have two requests for you:

1.) Please check this blog at least once every day (or at least try to). I'm not promising the most interesting blog in the history of the world, but it will be a quick way to keep up with the internship program. Even if you're not going out to any events, it's a way to see what's new.

2.) Please comment! I hate having a one-way conversation. I want your opinions, ideas, criticisms, critiques, and other thoughts about our internship program, the events you attend, things you see at the site, etc. Don't be shy - please reply!

If you have your own blog, please let me know, and I will link directly to your blog from this site.

Anyhow...I look forward to the improved communication.