A long-advertised cooling trend is still shaping up for the middle and latter part of Thanksgiving week.  While there are no signs of true arctic air reaching us, temperatures will drop below normal as we get into Wednesday night and Thanksgiving Day.  Some Shwrs may mix with wet snow Wednesday night, and indications point to a Raw Thanksgiving holiday with some Rain & Snow Shwrs that could even turn to all snow before the day is out.  Temperatures look marginal for any significant lake effect snow at this point, but a slight shift in the orientation of the polar branch of the jetstream could makes things interesting.

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The news that the Bills are committed to hiring a football czar is welcome news.  They need one.  The news that they’ve already contacted Mike Shanahan–even better. He’s the type of man the Bills need to steer their football fortunes.

But whether or not they get Shanahan, the important thing is that they’re committed to an overhaul of their football fortunes. They need an experienced football man–whether he’s the general manager or director of football operations–the title doesnt matter. And here are a couple of realistic suggestions for the Bills new football czar.

How about Bruce Allen–George Allen’s son, who spent nine years with the Raiders and the last five years as general manager of the Tampa Bay Bucs. He would get the blessing of Marv Levy.   And Allen built winners in Oakland and Tampa Bay.

Another name–Buffalo native Greg Gabriel, the Bears director of College Scouting the last nine years.  He learned from the Giants great George Young, and he has a total of 28-years of service in the NFL.

Both Gabriel and Allen are solid, respected football men. They’d be affordable.  They’d most likely be interested in the job. And both would come with extensive football contacts and would be able to provide meaningful input into the selection of a coach.

If the Bills land Shanahan, that would be great. But Shanahan figures to attract a couple of other NFL offers. The future of the franchise hangs in the balance.  The Bills have to get to work now and find the right man to steer the ship.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Message Board

More on the Veterans Memorial Wednesday morning, on Wake Up.

If you prefer to shop online and stay out of the stores, here’s a website where you can type in your holiday shopping list, and it will track the sales for you.

You have to act fast at 1saleAday.com because the deals are only good for 24 hours.

For more on these money-saving websites, click here.

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Content_C&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1241245662967

The TRY Program of Buffalo has been in service for 9 years, nurturing young women who have been victimized and helping them prepare for healthy, independent futures. We provide transitional services in a loving, supportive and structured environment, emphasizing the common good and community.

The TRY Program opened its doors in December, 1997 after 7 long years of planning, fund raising and preparation. In the 9 years since TRY opened its doors, 135 young women have been in residence.

Check out the TRY Program’s website here.

El Nino has continued to strengthen over the last 4 weeks, and already attained Moderate intensity. Most computer models project additional strengthening and persistence through the coming winter. Moderate el ninos do correlate with higher probabilities of warmer than average temperatures much of the time during the cold weather season.  The correlation with snowfall amounts is weaker, and still leaves quite a bit of uncertainty. However, should el nino attain Strong intensity, the probabilities for warmer temperatures in our region become high confidence, and a tendency for lower snowfall amounts becomes more likely.  BOTTOM LINE: I am projecting a Warmer than Average Winter Season for our region, though this does not mean the pattern won’t break down and become wintry from time to time.  As for snowfall, the correlation between a Moderate el nino and reduced snowfall is weak, so snowfall potential remains very uncertain.  Further explanation follows below.

Here is a list of items needed for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition’s project in Buffalo.

Extreme Makeover is right on target, taking down the Powell family home and putting up a new one in 106 hours, a lot of pressure on the builder David Homes.

Sunday night on NBC’s pregame show, Tony Dungy said the Bills could be a darkhorse location for Michael Vick in 2010.  Dungy, who advised Vick before he signed with Philadelphia, said the Bills did have some conversations with Vick before he signed with the Eagles.  Dungy says Buffalo would be a “good spot” for Vick. 

Obviously, the Bills QB situation will need to be addressed in the offseason.  If Trent Edwards doesn’t make major improvements in the second half, the Bills will almost certainly be looking for a new starter.

What do you think about Vick potentially coming to Buffalo?