A sad note on the wire today, about the death of one of my favorites from the Buffalo Braves.

Howard “Butch” Komives died at his home in Toledo, Ohio on Sunday.  He was 67-years old.

Komives (left) was a second round pick of the New York Knicks in 1963.  He was a standout in college at Bowling Green, taking them to two MAC titles and leading the country in scoring as a senior,  averaging almost 37-points per game.

I remember him as a veteran presence on a young Braves team in the 1972-73 season.  This was Bob McAdoo’s rookie campaign, and the first season for the Braves great coach, Jack Ramsay.  Komives was brought to Buffalo to stabilize the backcourt, play tough defense, and provide some grit to a smallish, young Braves lineup.

I will always recall one night game at the Aud, when “Butch” took care of one of McAdoo’s tormentors with two quick, subtle punches.  It was the NBA equivalent of a hockey enforcer protecting the young star on the team, and no one did it better than Komives. 

As the Aud comes down, slowly, painfully, seemingly piece-by-piece, I find myself thinking back to some of the lesser-known characters that passed through its’ doors.  

Any other minor role playes that come to mind for you?  Braves or Sabres; even college hoops?  Let us know.

I guess we’re getting our first taste of the overheated Terrell Owens coverage that will come our way this year.  But despite what you hear nationally, rest assured, the Buffalo Bills are not surprised, nor are they disappointed that free agent signee Terrell Owens did not show up at Monday’s voluntary offseason workout.

Keep in mind what these workouts are–a chance for strength and conditioning coach John Allaire to put his nutrition and conditioning programs in place.  It’s a chance for players to work with each other in the weight room.  And starting next week, when the coaching staff returns after a week off, it’s a chance for the players to get in some extra time with their position coaches.

But these conditioning workouts are voluntary.  Would the Bills like Owens and some of his other teammates to attend every one?  Absolutely.  Do then expect them to attend?  Absolutely not.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Owens waited until the coaching staff was back so that he could get in some work with the receiving group, along with Offensive Coordinator Turk Schonert and the quarterbacks.  But the Bills know that Owens has not been a big participant in his team’s voluntary workouts in previous NFL stops.  They also know that conditioning is the last of the concerns they have when it comes to T.O.

So despite what the pundits on Jim Rome, NFL network, ESPN, etc. say, I don’t think it’s a big deal at all that Owens was not in Orchard Park today. 

What do you think?

Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy Job Postings

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy is hiring for the following seasonal park and golf course positions:

Zone gardeners

Rosarian

Turf crew

Golf course rangers

Golf course starters

Concessions workers

Lifeguards

Hours of operation are weekdays, weekends and evenings.

Experience and valid driver’s license required.

More info:  www.buffaloolmstedparks.org

Resumes to:

Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy

Parkside Lodge

84 Parkside Ave

Buffalo NY 14214

Email: info@buffaloolmstedparks.org

Deadline: 4/15/09

EOE. No calls please.

It still looks to me like the “really” warm air to our west is going to have trouble working its way east this weekend.  A weak SW flow on Saturday should boost temps to the mid 40s, but a colder ridge of high pressure to our NE is going to block more significant warming for several days.  The warming will make progress on Tue, though there may be a few shwrs due to the proximity of a warm front.  On Wed, the downslope breeze will strengthen and boost temps further, but showers may arrive late and become more numerous Wed night into Thursday.  An uneven trend toward colder conditions is still looking somewhat likely by Friday and moreso by the Mar 30-31 period.  By then, we’ll be into the season where blocking patterns and “cutoff” lows become more climatologically favored.  The operational GFS suggests a cutoff low over the lakes by the end of the month.  That would mean cold and unsettled conditions–and the potential for some flakes to reappear in the fcst.  Of course, that’s still WAY out in time.

We’ve been in a lull since the first analog shutdown deadline was modified. Calls and email were coming hot and heavy in the days leading up to February 17th but have tapered off dramatically since. It’s our hope that our viewers aren’t putting off needed preparation for the final analog shutdown.

The weather is certainly improving and if you find an outdoor antenna is required or you need to replace an existing one, you really want to get the job done before analog goes away. Aiming an antenna will be easiest using the analog signal that is already there.

Please don’t make the mistake of waiting until the deadline has passed to start this project. Now is the time to prepare.

It looks like most of the TV stations in the US are waiting for June 12th to drop their analog transmission. From Multichannel News:

According to the Federal Communications Commission, 927 stations have told the agency that they plan to pull the plug on analog June 12, while 158 stations want to make the switch to digital earlier than that.

See the entire story here:  http://tinyurl.com/cpe78o

News from New York State Department of Labor

For more information contact: The Sponsor at 716-484-8267.

Sheet Metal Workers Recruit Apprentices

JAMESTOWN, NY (03/18/2009; 1124)(readMedia)– The Sheet Metal Workers JATC Local # 112, will conduct a recruitment from March 18, 2009 through February 17, 2010 for three sheet metal worker apprentices, State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith announced today.

Applications can be obtained at Local #112, 827 East Second Street, Jamestown, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the third Wednesday of the month during the recruitment period.

The committee requires that applicants:

• Be 18 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED).
• Must have a New York State Driver’s License to operate company owned vehicles.
• Must have reliable transportation to all work sites and school.

For further information, applicants should contact the New York State Department of Labor office located nearest their home or Local #112 at 716-484-8267.

Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.

Applications are being taken for the 2009 Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program. Attached is a copy of the application that must be completed and returned to the Department of Community Services, 65 Niagara Square Room 1701, Buffalo, New York 14202. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Applications can be returned Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm. The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, May 29, 2009. Those who fail to meet the application deadline will be put on a waiting list and your chances of obtaining employment will be diminished.

To be eligible for this program you must be a City of Buffalo resident between the ages of 14 and 21 and you must turn age 14 by May 31, 2009.

In order to determine your eligibility for the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program, the following items must be documented and returned with your completed application:

1. Working Papers for all youth under age 18

o Ages 14-15 (Blue Card)

o Ages 16-17 (Green Card)

2. Birth Certificate
3. Proof of Buffalo Residency (Utility Bills, Lease Agreement)
4. Family Income
5. Social Security Card
6. Attending School (Most recent School Report Card or Transcript)
7. Tax Forms

If you have any questions regarding the application, please contact (716) 851-5627.

Some interesting rumblings coming from the Buffalo Bills these days.  Former All Pro guard Ruben Brown mentioned on his WECK Radio show Monday night that agent Bus Cook was at One Bills Drive, talking to the Bills.  Cook is the agent for disgruntled Denver Broncos QB Jay Cutler, who formally requested a trade on Monday.

But what makes more sense, is that Cook is talking to the Bills about another one of his clients–TE Tony Scheffler (above left).  Scheffler, like Cutler, is also ready to move on from the Broncos, and there were reports a few days ago that Denver was ready to give Cook authority to scout out the trade landscape.

Buffalo would be  a great fit for the talented pass-catching tight end.  At 6-5, Scheffler would be an outstanding downfield target for Trent Edwards, and he would fill a serious void in the Bills offensive attack.  The only viable tight ends on the Buffalo roster right now are the two Dereks, Schouman and Fine.  Scheffler would immediately become a starter and an important  cog in the Buffalo offense.

What would it take to get Scheffler from the Broncos?  Most likely a draft pick, maybe as high as a 3rd rounder.  I’d make the deal in a second.

What do you think?  Would Scheffler fit in with the Bills offensive plans?  Would you trade away draft picks to get him?