NFL Draft

Word came Thursday about the NFL changing the schedule for the 2010 Draft.  It will now be a three-day event, with the first round being held Thursday night.  The second and third rounds will be Friday night, and the final four rounds on Saturday.

Having the Draft on a weeknight is a trip back in time to a day when it was held during a weekday.  Previous to 1988, when it wasn’t the event it is now, it was conducted on a Tuesday afternoon.  I remember this because it once caused a big fight between me and my Mom. Growing up a big Giants fan in New Jersey, I vividly recall one year when Big Blue had an early pick following another dismal season. (Joe Pisarcik anyone?)  They were poised to get a key player that would turn them around.  Based on this importance, I asked to skip school that Tuesday so I could watch the Draft on the early version of ESPN.  My Mom refused such a request, and I remember being very upset.  How could she deprive me of my rights as a Giants fan?  After all, it was the NFL Draft? 

Well, I went to school that day and the Giants made history.  They took Lawrence Taylor, soon to become the most dominant player in the NFL.  I forgive my Mom now, but this is a lesson to now be learned for all young football fans and parents.

Let your kids stay up to watch the first round Thursday, April 22, 2010.

Do your have any memories of watching the early NFL Draft?  What do you think of the changes?

The phrase “rain or shine” is on everyone’s lips during this summer of 2009.  So it was Tuesday night for the 27th Annual Canal Fest Parade that marched from the City of Tonawanda into the City of North Tonawanda.  This is a huge tradition in the Tonawandas and, as the News Four crew learned Tuesday night, a little rain – or even a LOT of rain will not keep Tonawandans from watching their parade.  As Parade Chairman Joe Boccolucci told me, he had only five units cancel and “if you look at the sidewalks, they’re full of people watching.”  Joe was right. For their resilience on a rainy July night, I salute the friendly folks in the Tonawandas.

A parade's-eye view of Main Street during the parade. That's Meteorologist Don Paul in the red car in front of me under the black and white umbrella.

Smiling through the rain. This parade is a big draw for families. Parents who watched the parade as children are now bringing their own little ones.

Canal Fest draws big crowds so the Marines are on hand for recruiting….

….and so is the Air Force.

It's become a News Four tradition. This gentleman from the Salem Church in the City of Tonawanda is always kind enough to deliver dessert to us on the parade route!

This is North Tonawanda resident Julie Klahn (with the tan purse) and her enthusiastic friends who formed a cheering section. Cheers to Julie, too!

With some good-natured ribbing along the way, Meteorologist Don Paul smiled during the rainy ride. And, note the top on this convertible (supplied by Don Davis Auto World) was DOWN for much of the parade.

A new technology is bringing relief and peace of mind to families caring for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s Disease.

ProjectLifesaver.org

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www.healthystrides.org

Visit Catholic Charities website, to find the Domestic Violence Program for Men.

Click here for more

http://regional-institute.buffalo.edu/research/series.cfm?ID=63

As milder conditions return for this week, along with gradually increasing humidity from Tue into the wknd, conditions will be unsettled at times. The axis of a mid level trough and the positioning of a ridge to our east will feed a generally southerly flow into our region, with some occasional convection developing from higher amounts of precipitable water from the SE Atlantic seaboard. This type of pattern favors heavier cells over the higher terrain of PA and the srn tier, with a little less left for the Niag Frontier. Still, there will be considerable rainfree time. The actual temperatures will be slow to nose up, but with the higher dewpoints it will definitely feel more summerlike.

It’s time to get out your pens and paper – brushing up on your creative writing skills could land you this piece of prime sea-side real-estate.

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