Buffalo Style

“Howcome it can’t happen?”

That’s a quote from UB Bulls Head Coach, Turner Gill…. clear evidence of his “can do attitude” that has brought the Bulls to the precipice of a post season bowl bid and the spectre of a national MAC Conference Championship.

What makes the story even sweeter is that only once before in their history has a Bulls team receive a bowl bid…to the Tangerine Bowl in 1958. Yet the rest of the story is that segregation reared its ugly head as the Bulls were informed that the two African Americans on their team would not be allowed to play on that field. To their credit, the Bulls, as a team, made a choice to decline the post season invite.

Now the team is coached by an African American…a man who was also told that he didn’t belong because of his heritage.

In the early 1980’s Turner Gill was a member of the University of Nebraska Football Team. His position was quarterback…the team leader. Gil was told that because of his color, he would never become the starting quarterback for the big time Nebraska “Husker” team.

Fast forward to his senior year….Gill led Nebraska to a 28-2 record during his three years as the starting QB and was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.

Exactly why it can happen…..

I always find Veteran’s Day to be an emotionally charged holiday. Thoughts of the men and women who served, and are serving, in defense of our country alway stirs my soul.

My father served in the Army during the Korean War. He never talked about it. I never asked. In fact it’s only been the last decade or so that I truly understood the meaning of holidays like Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. The tragedy of 9/11 dramatically delivering the spectre of bravery and dedication that is required of the men and women who serve their country in time of need. So, in that time I have made an effort to more actively acknowledge and honor veterans in community services and through my newspaper columns and radio work.

I cannot imagine what the life experience of war means to those who have served and are serving.. and how it changes not only their lives, but the true essence of their being. And I am haunted by the words of a soldier who served our country with great distinction, Dwight David Eisenhower.

“I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.”

It’s hard to imagine three people who have honored WNY Veteran’s in more meaningful ways that my guests on Saturday’s show.

The story of Judge Robert Russell’s dedication to implementing a Veteran’s Court, complete with a mentor program was, in and of itself, inspriational.
But the story became even more meaningful when the coordinator of his mentor program, Jack O’Connor, added his perspective on the many ways that Judge Russell’s Veteran’s Court is turning around the lives of the men and women who face the judge.

These two men, and the growing collective of WNY volunteers working with them, are helping veterans salvage and improve their lives. Recognition and thanks are due to all of them for their tireless efforts in caring for and about WNY Veterans.

And speaking of WNY Veterans, there’s not a more devoted veteran in this community than the inimitable Helen Jacob. This 90 year young lady has lived a life worthy of a best selling book. Listening to Helen recant memories of her service life and her achievements since, was definitely a treat!

Wrapping up our Veteran’s Day salute—-the inspiring sounds of the nationally acclaimed American Legion Band of the Tonawandas.

Thanks to all my guests for helping to honor the men and women who so selflessly dedicate their lives to the safety and security of our nation.

On May 13, 1938, The United States Congress passed legislation establishing November 11th as a day to honor living veterans who have served honorably in the military, during either war or peacetime.

In observance of the upcoming Veteran’s Day Holiday, Buffalostyle will welcome “The Veteran’s Judge” Robert Russell.

Russell is the Erie County Court Judge recently featured in USA Today and on The Today Show for his unique Veteran’s Court. This one of a kind judicial format offers former service members accused of nonviolent crimes the opportunity to work in a mentor setting with mental health and Veterans Administration volunteers, who are themselves veterans.

Russell began the court in January as a way to offer former service men and women a mentor program of reform, rather than punishment, as they struggle to live with post traumatic stress syndrome and depression that statistically leads to drug dependency and crime. It’s a idea that is making a difference in the lives of WNY Veterans and sending a message across the nation about positive ways to approach veteran’s problems and needs.

Adding to the mix will be WWII Veteran and Veteran’s Rights Activist Helen Jacob. Helen is a 90 year old spitfire whose lifelong dedication to veteran’s rights has earned her an entire treatment center at the WNY VA Medical Center.

The Helen G. Jacob Women’s Wellness Center was created to meets the needs of women in the military, offering gender-specific health care such as gynecology, mammography, transitional/respite care and bone densitometry. You will not want to miss the wit and wisdom of this spunky lady who has spent her adult life telling it like it is for the advancement of veteran’s rights.

Music for this week’s Buffalostyle comes compliments of the American Legion Band of the Tonawandas. This natonally award winning band will definitely get your Saturday morning off to a bright start with music ranging from big band to patriotic.

That’s Buffalostyle this Saturday on Hometown 1230 WECK beginning at 9am. Call in and join the conversation at 783-9325. Check out the website at www.buffalostylewny.com

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That loud, whooshing sound you hear around town these days isn’t a bird or a plane. It’s our collective sigh of relief as this year’s political campaign season draws to a close.
Yet for all the rhetoric and informational overkill in this year’s election, there are voters still unaware of their voting district, their local, state and national representatives, the opponents running in each race and details on the pertinent issues.
This week’s Buffalostyle takes aim at bridging that information gap by consulting with Buffalo News Political Columnist, Bob McCarthy .
Bob will be in studio to review each race and discuss the local issues so that we’re ready to get out and vote this Tuesday.

Tunes for this week’s Buffalostyle will be delivered compliments of Jason Jurewicz, a twenty something singer, songwriter and performer. Jason is a Buffalo Bred and born musician who produces music under the name of The Highway Beautiful and under the description of “intelligent pop.”

Join me Saturday at 9am for Buffalostyle at 1230AM or streaming live at www.weck1230.com . And join in the conversation by calling 783-9325 or email at comments@weck1230.com

Saturday’s show was the ultimate example of Buffalostyle in action as we talked with Matt Wittmeyer of 1832
Tees (www.1832tees.com), Nicholas Barone of Buffalo Sports Tees (www.buffalosportstees.com) and Dave Courtney of Bflo Tees (www.bflotees.com)

They are young, they have made a conscious choice to live in Buffalo and they are making their Buffalo dreams come true by working as urban professionals by day and tee shirt designers, producers by night, weekends and any spare time they can find.

(NOTE: a podcast of the show is available on www.weck1230.com—click on the podcast button on the left side and scroll down to Buffalostyle)

As you can see from the images, these tee shirts are designed to promote and inspire the wearers… and those reading their chests …to believe in, enjoy, celebrate and promote the Queen City.

The equally exciting news is that all three of these entrepreneurs (and their partners) are suceeding in their tee shirt businesses and are now expanding their products to new designs, colors, and products….all produced right here in Western New York!

Music for the day was delivered compliments of Noa Bursie, a soulful and sassy songwriter, musician, singer and ….drum roll please….a City of Buffalo school teacher! (www.noabursie.com)

photo by mark dellas

Coming up on this week’s show, Buffalo News Political Columnist and Analyst Bob McCarthy.

Join us as we talk about the upcoming election…the candidates, the issues and the individual district information that will help you at the polls on Nov. 4.

That’s Buffalostyle on Hometown 1230 WECK ….call in 783-9325 or email studio@weck1230.com.

Remember…..

It’s WHO we are…….

Recently I broke my cell phone and, believe it or not, I waited over a month before having it repaired. The main reason for my procrastination was simple. I was too embarrassed to admit that I had destroyed the phone by dropping it in the toilet.

Ultimately, however, I swallowed my pride and dragged myself into the cell phone store. There I strategically wandered around and feigned interest in the shiny new telephones on display. All the while I kept scoping out the service line, waiting for the moment when no one would be close enough to overhear my toilet tale of woe. Finally, when the coast was clear, I stepped forward and introduced myself to Joe, the cell phone technician.

Now Joe was of fresh face and trendy dress, He also appeared to be only slightly older than my favorite pair of well worn jeans. The idea of explaining my toilet tale to such an obviously hip young man only added to the pressure of the moment. Yet Joe was my only path to cell phone salvation, and so I began.

“Good Morning.”

“Hi, I’m Joe how can I help you today?”

“Hi, Joe. My name is Christina and I have a broken cell phone.” It was my hope that this simple admittance would be all that Joe would need to provide me with a new phone and send me on my way.

“No problem…how did it happen?”

Damn.

“Uh, well, you see, I was really busy working outside in the garden and it was really hot and I’d been drinking a lot of water to stay hydrated and I really wasn’t paying much attention to anything other than weeds and before I knew it half the day was gone and as I realized how much time had elapsed I also suddenly realized that I had to …I mean I needed to ah….well I went into the house and my cell phone was in my back pocket and …and ..well, um …”

With compassion in his voice and a certain pity in his eyes, Joe mercifully completed my unending sentence. “Let me guess. You dropped your phone in the toilet.”

Unsure if I was more relieved or embarrassed, I quickly and quietly replied, “Yeah…pretty dumb, huh?”

At which point Joe became my candidate for Good Guy of the Year as he laughed, shook his head and said, “Actually, no big deal. I’ve heard that, and a lot worse.” And soon Joe was regaling me with the varied and unique ways that people have destroyed their cell phones.

He talked about the guy who accidentally put his phone through both the washer and the dryer, the woman who sat on her phone and cracked it in half, the teenage girl who put her cell phone on top of the car, forgot about it and ended up driving over it when it fell off the roof.

As Joe continued, he encouraged my chuckles into open laughter by detailing the senior citizen who dropped her phone down a sewer, the young boy who, while break dancing, busted both a move and his cell, and, my personal favorite, the successful business executive whose dog actually ate his Blackberry.

And finally when our exchange was complete, I left the store with a shiny new cell phone in hand, grateful to Joe, the hip young technician, for once again connecting me to the world…..in more ways than one.

Show number 1 is now officially a podcast and from all indications, Buffalostyle was well received by listeners.
(To give a listen you can go to www.weck1230.com beginning Monday, October 20 and click on the podcast link)

The topic for the day was simple… Buffalostyle….what it is and what it means to the people who live in this community.

My in-studio guests were three WNY Women who individually have undertaken projects and community initiatives that have made a real difference. They are also the women who helped me to create the ideal of Buffalostyle some seven years ago.

Vicki Haas is a community activist who has served on a number of not for profit boards and works tirelessly for needed change and improvements. Her latest project was the establishment of an NFTA Bus Route running from Hamburg to Gowanda, in effect providing public transportation for the residents of the communities lining Route 62 for the first time in the history of this area.

Lisa Pieters is the former Chair of the English Department at a Williamsville High School where, along with fellow teacher Lisa Zolnowski, she created a City of Buffalo Curriculum that is now a part of the district curriculum. Included in the course are walking tours, food classes, and history lessons about the Queen City, all tailored to educate and encourage the future citizens of our communities toward positive mindsets relative to life in the Buffalo Niagara Region.

Gretchen White is a graphic designer who created and sells a line of Buffalostyle hats and tee shirts to help promote the positive mindset objective of the initiative. She has also served as the creative design force for the Olmstead Park’s Hoyt Lake fundraisers and the Downs Syndrome Wheels Around the Park Fundraiser. Gretchen also uses her graphic design talents to help produce Design WNY, a yearly publication highlighting local homebuilders and associated trade associations.

We also enjoyed chatting with a number of callers including the Mayor, Byron Brown, Drew Cerza-organizer of the wildly successful Chicken Wing Festival, Mary Travers Murphy-Supervisor of Orchard Park, and Reed Rankin-Buffalo entrepreneur/businessman and nationally enjoyed stand-up comic. I am grateful for their time and interest….and look forward to hearing from more WNY’ers as the show continues.

Buffalostyle music came compliments of One and One….a group of two talented young men from Grand Island NY.

All in all, a good start….many thanks to WECK and Culver Communications for the time and the airspace….to Dr. Shirley Anain for sponsosring Buffalostyle…to Joe Major for producing the show….and to all the family, friends and community supporters of Buffalostyle.

Next week Buffalostyle is all about tee shirts….and the soulful music of Buffalo school teacher Noa Bursie

I’m excited to let everyone know that the WNYMedia radio show that Marc and Jay and I produced last year is coming back to life…..’

Buffalostyle will debut on radio airwaves Saturday, October18 from 9 to 10 am on Hometown Radio WECK 1230 AM radio.

The show will bring the same positive approach to the stories about the wonderful WNY people, places and events happening in our community…and of course, local music and musicians will be featured every week.

So mark the date and be sure to tune in, call in, email or IM….and join in the Buffalostyle fun.

After serious thought and consideration I have made up my mind. I am heading in a new direction and taking a step that will undoubtedly change my life forever.

I’ve decided to join the Army.

My reason behind this significant life choice is simple: I want to make a difference in the world. And I am writing about my decision for the sole purpose of recruiting other women to do the same—join me in this bold venture to change the world as we know it.

To be clear, my army of choice is the Army of One Million Women and my Commander-in-Chief is the world renown breast cancer researcher, Dr. Susan Love. Together we are going to help researchers identify the reason or reasons that breast cancer occurs, and then eradicate this invasively punishing enemy.

I was inspired to join the Army of Women upon hearing Dr. Love’s recent call to arms. Her message was delivered through a well-coordinated national media outreach, and also on her associated website www.armyofwomen.org. It was through the website that I found a wealth of recruitment information and where I actually signed up to join Dr. Love’s army. It was also where I learned how the Army of Women cancer initiative differs from other breast cancer research projects.

According to Dr. Love, breast cancer research has been greatly hampered by scientists’ inability to access large groups of women for research data. And it’s not just women suffering from breast cancer who have been needed, but women of all ages, ethnicities, physical shapes and states of well being. Dr. Love believes that when researchers have the ability to partner with large numbers of diverse women, the resultant information base will clearly define the causes of breast cancer, and ultimately point the way to a cure.

What’s required of those willing to serve may be as basic as filling out a questionnaire. Other duties may include submission of blood, urine, saliva, breast fluid, or breast tissue, or taking part in clinical trials testing a new detection marker or drug. The impressive part is that each recruit can choose the studies in which she would like to participate. When asked, every woman always has the option to say yes, or no.

To date, more than one hundred and thirty five thousand women have enlisted to join in Dr. Love’s breast cancer battle—-an impressive number no doubt, Yet more enlistees are needed in order for the Army of Women to one day claim victory.

And so, for those in need of sign-up motivation, I would ask that you spend a few minutes thinking about the women you have known and loved….the mothers, daughters, grandmothers, sisters, aunts and girlfriends who breast cancer has taken from your world. Then think about women you know currently engaged in the battle of their lives against this relentless invader. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be part of the reason that they live and, further, know that no woman will ever again have to engage in such a cancerous war?

For me personally, my grandmother and two of my aunts died of breast cancer. That genetic information indicates that I may also fall victim to this relentless predator. Equally as frightening is the thought that my daughter and her daughter could one day be attacked. That is the reality that inspired me to enlist—to join Dr. Love’s legion of one million women fighting together to stop breast cancer by helping to finding out how it starts….

….and making it stop.