Five Things to Do in December 2014

Like it or not, the holidays are here – celebrate them outdoors or indoors, both of which are acceptable in Buffalo no matter what the season! Here are a few things to check out during the month of December in the Western New York area – Happy Holidays!

Go skating at Rotary Rink – Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza offers free ice skating in downtown Buffalo. The rink is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (special hours for selected dates). Skate rental is $2 for children and $3 for adults. The official opening of the rink is December 6^th, coinciding with the annual tree lighting. Find out more here.

Visit Forest Lawn Cemetery – on weekends through December, visit Forest Lawn, 1411 Delaware Ave. in Buffalo, for “It WAS a Wonderful Life!” Narrator John Lay – the first person to take up permanent residence in Forest Lawn in 1850 – will introduce visitors to friends from the last 165 years through music, comedy and a look at Christmases past. Directed by Joe Demerly, tickets for the show are $30 per person – find exact times here.

Catch up with Clint Malarchuk – former Buffalo Sabres goalie Clint Malarchuk has had quite a life on the ice and off. Now he’s out promoting his new book, A Matter of Inches, and he’ll be visiting Buffalo for a few book signings. He’ll be at the Sabres-Flames game on Thursday, December 11^th beginning at 6 p.m., the Barnes & Noble at 1565 Niagara Falls Blvd. in Amherst at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 12^th and the Barnes & Noble at 4401 Transit Rd. in Clarence at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 13^th.

2013 Poinsettia Show
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

View unique poinsettias at the Botanical Gardens – “expect the unexpected” at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, 2655 South Park Ave. in Buffalo. The Botanical Gardens suffered some damage in the recent snow storm, but the poinsettia show is open – vibrant colors and patterns await visitors, and there’ll be a few guests too. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (see website for special holiday hours); admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, $5 for kids 3 to 12, and free for members and kids under 3.

Celebrate a new year – your New Year’s Eve choices in Buffalo include the Buffalo Sabres v. Tampa Bay Lightning game at the First Niagara Center (6 p.m. face-off), First Night Buffalo at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, the IceBall at Statler City, the Mighty Mighty Boss Tones at the Town Ballroom, the Willie Nile Band and Ron Hawkins & the Do Good Assassins at the Tralf, the Buffalo Ball Drop at the Electric Tower downtown and the Hard Rock Café Guitar Drop featuring Theory of a Deadman at the Hard Rock Café in Niagara Falls, NY.

Holiday happenings in the Buffalo area: Lockport Tour of Homes and Take Another Look at Buffalo

Tour late 19^th and early 20^th century homes in a former Erie Canal boomtown, and get a different look at the work going on downtown with these two tours happening this weekend.

The Lockport Tour of Homes on Saturday, November 29^th from 2 to 6 p.m. begins at the Kenan Center, located at 433 Locust St. in Lockport. View some of the beautiful mansions built in the 1800s as part of the Light Up Lockport activities; among the homes on the self-guided tour: the Kenan Center, the Nelson House, the Holley House and the Palace Theatre. The tour ends at the Palace Theatre with a tour and hot chocolate and cookies from 4 to 6 p.m., and a free showing of the movie Polar Express at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 – find out more about the event at explorebuffalo.org.

The view from City Hall
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

Take Another Look at Buffalo on Saturday, November 29^th from 4 to 6 p.m. at City Hall in downtown Buffalo – you may be surprised at what you see! This sunset reception will feature light refreshments and art by public school students in the Lobby; the 25^th and 28^th floor observation decks will both be open, and docent-led aerial tours from both decks will be available. Visitors can also take free tours of City Hall compliments of Preservation Buffalo Niagara. Find more information at the event’s Facebook page.

Holiday happenings in the Buffalo area: Darwin Martin House and RiverWorks Hard Hat Tours

If shopping isn’t your forte, you might think the whole Black Friday thing is kind of boring. But you’re in Buffalo – we don’t do boring. Check out these tours this weekend for some of the area’s finest architecture and see where the waterfront is heading in the future.

Darwin Martin House - 2014
credit: paulathompsonfreelance.com

The Darwin Martin House will be open for tours Friday and Saturday, November 28^th and 29^th. Located at 125 Jewett Pkwy. in Buffalo, visitors will see the improvements made to the estate during additional tours for the holiday weekend. The Martin House tour is offered both days at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. – tour cost is $17 for adults, $15 for seniors, $12 for students and free for members. The Martin House Plus tour is offered both days at 1 and 2 p.m. – tour cost is $35 for adults, $33 for seniors and $27 for students and members. Find out more at www.darwinmartinhouse.org.

One of the cooler tours in the area is bound to be the Buffalo RiverWorks Hard Hat Tour on Saturday, November 29^th and Saturday, December 13^th from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The tour meets at 359 Ganson St. off Michigan in downtown Buffalo, near the home of the former GLF grain elevators and the new home of the Labatt Blue Pond Hockey Tournament. Tour the multi-use development known as “the Ruins” and learn about the vision for the area, including a restaurant, roller derby track, two rinks for curling and hockey and more. Tickets are $25 for the tour or $40 for the tour and lunch at Pearl Street Grill and Brewery. Purchase tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com. 

Vintage Race Cars are Cool

One of the cool things I got to do in the fall was cover the U.S. Open at Lancaster Speedway. In addition to the more popular forms of asphalt short-track racing – Modifieds, Late Models, Sportsman Mods, Street Stocks – there was one really cool race that stuck in my head as the coolest event of the weekend – well, both weekends thanks to Mother Nature: the Vintage car race.

These were old-time race cars – modifieds, stocks and even an old Brett Hearn dirt mod – that were refurbished beautifully and set up to race again.

Dutch Hoag was there –

"Dutch Hoag"

and so was Buzzie Reutimann –

"Buzzie Reutimann"

and Geoff Bodine –

"Geoff Bodine"

and the previously mentioned “Jet” –

"Brett 'The Jet' Hearn" races "Buzzie"

It was just really cool to see cars from many different eras on the track at the same time – it had a “Field of Dreams” quality to it. Paul McCarthy won the race in the No. 14 modified.

McCarthy's cool mod

Here are a few more photos from the U.S.Open:

all photos: paulathompsonfreelance.com. 

Eight area restaurants offering Thanksgiving dinners in 2014

credit: freedigitalphotos.net/Watiporn

**These types of pieces used to be among my most popular posts of the year when I published on Associated Content/Yahoo Voices for five years. That platform is gone, but I still hope I can help out a few people by letting them know where to go for holiday dinners in the Buffalo area.**

Getting the family together for a sit-down meal can be difficult these days, even at the holidays, and preparing the meal itself can be time consuming. Having your Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant is becoming more and more popular in many places, including here in Buffalo, New York. These are a few of the Buffalo area restaurants that are serving meals on Thanksgiving Day, November 27^th, 2014.

Samuel’s Grand Manor, 8750 Main St. in Clarence, will be serving a Thanksgiving buffet for $21.95 for adults, $11.95 for children 5 to 10 and free for children 4 and under. The buffet will include more than one dozen hot dishes including turkey, carved roast beef, pork tenderloin and Seafood Newberg. Seatings are available from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; reservations are required (716-634-8425).

La Galleria, Southwestern Blvd. near Abbott Rd. in Orchard Park, will feature a Thanksgiving buffet from 1 to 6 p.m. with turkey, ham, chicken supreme, stuffing, squash, potatoes, and more. The cost is $22.95 for adults, $10.95 for children 5 to 10 and children under 5 are free. Call 716-648-4880 for more information.

31 Club, located at 31 North Johnson Park in Buffalo, is accepting reservations for its Thanksgiving Day three-course sit-down dinner from 1 to 8 p.m. The costs $35.95 per person – call 716-332-3131 for reservations.

Embers Grill, at the Ramada Hotel Amherst, 2402 North Forest Rd. in Getzville, will serve Thanksgiving dinner from 2 to 8 p.m.; cost is $21.95 for adults and $10.95 for children under 12. For reservations call 716-636-7500.

Della Terra, located at 200 Delaware Ave, in Buffalo, will offer a select menu for Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. featuring “small plates” like Braised Pork Belly and November Salad and “harvest features” including Honey-Glazed Ham. Reservations can be made at the Della Terra website or by calling 716-842-6100.

Red Mill Inn, 8326 Main St. in Williamsville, is serving a traditional Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 7 p.m., featuring roast turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and soup or salad for $17.95. They are also taking orders for “Thanksgiving to Go,” starting at $75 for dinner for four. For more information, call 716-633-7878.

Templeton Landing, at 2 Templeton Terr. in downtown Buffalo, is serving a Thanksgiving buffet from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Buffet includes turkey, ham, made-to-order pasta and seafood stations, traditional Thanksgiving sides, desserts and more. Cost is $29.95 for adults and $15.95 for children – call 716-852-7337 for reservations.

Root Five Waterfront, located at 4914 Lake Shore Rd. in Hamburg, is offering a Thanksgiving Buffet from noon to 8 p.m. for $24 per person. Buffet includes carved turkey, prime rib, crab-stuffed sole, vegetables, desserts and much more. Call 716-627-5551 for reservations.

Holiday happenings in the Buffalo area: Fairgrounds Festival of Lights and Victorian Christmas

A few more upcoming holiday-themed events – whether you like showy lights or a touch of Victorian elegance.

The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights takes place Friday, November 28^th through Sunday, December 28^th (selected dates) at the Hamburg Fairgrounds (enter from South Park Ave.) – assuming they ever get dug out of all the snow they’re getting! (Of course they will – what’s a few feet of snow in the Southtowns?!) The 10^th annual festival will feature light displays, the Snowzilla snow tubing adventure, the Holiday Marketplace and more. Gates will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., but the buildings and grounds are open until 10 p.m. Admission to the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights is $20 per carload, $25 for 15-passenger van or limo, and $50 per bus – pre-sale tickets are available for just $10 per carload at the Fairgrounds Event Center, the Fairgrounds Main Office or participating Tops Friendly Markets. For exact dates of operation click here, and for more information on the Festival, visit its website.

The Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, located at 641 Delaware Ave. in Buffalo, offers up its annual Victorian Christmas, taking place Friday, December 5^th through Saturday, December 13^th. The holiday display is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The event will also feature fashion show luncheons, a traditional Irish Christmas dinner, wine and food pairings, musical performances and more.  Get more information on the events at www.trsite.org. 

Buffalo Girl World is on Facebook!

The Facebook page for Buffalo Girl World is up and running! You’ll find links to my latest pieces, links to other stuff I like on the web and little tidbits about Buffalo – like “lake effect” and its insane effect on the area!

2014-15 St. Bonaventure Bonnies Men’s Basketball schedule

The St. Bonaventure Bonnies Men’s Basketball team kicks off their regular season schedule at home in the Reilly Center on Saturday, November 15^th.

• Saturday, November 15^th – at home against Dartmouth (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, November 19^th – at home against Siena (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, November 22^nd – at home against Canisius (4 p.m. tip-off)
• Tuesday, November 25^th – at home against Jackson State (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, November 29^th – at the First Niagara Center against Niagara (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, December 3^rd – at home against UB (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, December 6^th – on the road against Ohio (TBD)
• Saturday, December 13^th – on the road against Pittsburgh (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, December 20^th – on the road against Binghamton (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Monday, December 22^nd – at home against Maryland – East Shore (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Tuesday, December 30^th – on the road against Delaware (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, January 3^rd – on the road against UMass (4 p.m. tip-off)
• Thursday, January 8^th – at home against Dayton (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, January 11^th – on the road against Richmond (3 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, January 14^th – at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester hosting George Mason (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, January 18^th – at home against Saint Peter’s (2:30 p.m. tip-off)
• Thursday, January 22^nd – on the road against Duquesne (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, January 25^th – on the road against Rhode Island (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, January 28^th – at home against Duquesne (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, January 31^st – at home at LaSalle (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, February 4^th – on the road against Davidson (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, February 7^th – at home against Virginia Commonwealth (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, February 11^th – at home against UMass (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, February 14^th – on the road against Dayton (12:30 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, February 18^th – at home against Richmond (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, February 21^st – on the road against Saint Joseph’s (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, February 25^th – on the road against George Washington (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, February 28^th – at home against Duquesne (4 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, March 4^th – on the road against Saint Louis (8 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, March 7^th – at home against Fordham (4 p.m. tip-off)

Learn more about St. Bonaventure athletics at gobonnies.sbu.edu. 

2014-15 Canisius College Golden Griffins Men’s Basketball schedule

The Canisius Golden Griffs Men’s Basketball team kicks off their regular season at home in the Koessler Athletic Center on Saturday, November 15^th.

• Saturday, November 15^th – at home against Vermont (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Tuesday, November 18^th – on the road against Lehigh (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, November 22^nd – on the road against St. Bonaventure (4 p.m. tip-off)               
• Wednesday, November 26^th – on the road against Cornell (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, November 29^th – at the First Niagara Center hosting UB (4:15 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, December 3^rd – on the road against Saint Peter’s (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, December 6^th – on the road against Niagara at the Gallagher Center (3 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, December 13^th – on the road against UMass (4 p.m. tip-off)
• Thursday, December 18^th – at home against Stony Brook (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, December 21^st – at home against Holy Cross (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Tuesday, December 30^th – at home against UMKC (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, January 2^nd – at home against Monmouth (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, January 4^th –at home against Manhattan (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Thursday, January 8^th – on the road against Marist (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, January 10^th – on the road against Iona (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, January 16^th – at home against Siena (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, January 18^th – at home against Iona (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Thursday, January 22^nd – on the road against Fairfield (8 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, January 24^th – on the road against Rider (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, January 30^th – at home against Quinnipiac (TBD)
• Sunday, February 1^st – at home against Marist (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, February 6^th – on the road against Manhattan (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, February 8^th – on the road against Monmouth (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, February 13^th – at home against Rider (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, February 15^th – at home against Saint Peter’s (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Thursday, February 19^th – on the road against Siena (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, February 21^st – on the road against Quinnipiac (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Tuesday, February 24^th – at home against Niagara (8 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, February 27^th – at home against Fairfield (TBD)

Get more information on the team and a complete Canisius sports schedule at www.gogriffs.com.

2014-15 Niagara University Purple Eagles Women’s Basketball schedule

Like the men’s team, the Lady Purple Eagles play at the Gallagher Center on campus in Lewiston – their season kicks off on Saturday, November 15^th.

• Saturday, November 15^th – on the road against Youngstown State University (11 a.m. tip-off)
• Monday, November 17^th – on the road against the University of Pittsburgh (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, November 22^nd – on the road against UB at Alumni Arena (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, November 26^th – on the road against Binghamton University (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, November 29^th – at home against Detroit (6 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, December 5^th – at home against Saint Peter’s University (6 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, December 7^th – at home against Manhattan College (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Thursday, December 18^th – on the road against Cleveland State University (11 a.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, December 20^th – at home against St. Bonaventure (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, December 28^th – at home against Dartmouth College (4 p.m. tip-off)
• Tuesday, December 30^th – at home against Mount St. Mary’s (5 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, January 2^nd – on the road against Quinnipiac (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, January 4^th – on the road against Fairfield (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, January 9^th – at home against Siena (11 a.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, January 11^th – at home against Quinnipiac (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, January 16^th – on the road against Rider (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, January 18^th – on the road against Monmouth (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, January 21^st – at home against Canisius (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, January 23^rd – at home against Iona (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Thursday, January 29^th – on the road against Saint Peter’s (5 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, January 31^st – on the road against Manhattan (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Thursday, February 5^th – at home against Marist (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, February 7^th – at home against Fairfield (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Thursday, February 12^th – on the road against Siena (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, February 14^th – on the road against Marist (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, February 20^th – at home against Monmouth (6 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, February 22^nd – at home against Rider (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Tuesday, February 24^th – on the road against Canisius at the Koessler Athletic Center in Buffalo (5 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, February 28^th – on the road against Iona (2 p.m. tip-off)

Get more information about the Purple Eagles at www.purpleeagles.com.

Holiday happenings in the Buffalo area: Festival of Trees and Buffalo-Niagara Heritage Village

freedigitalphotos.net: feelart

No, it’s not even the middle of November, but if malls can make their stores open on Thanksgiving, we can talk about a couple of holiday events. One of these events, the Festival of Trees benefitting the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital, kicks off on November 22^nd!

The Festival of Trees is headquartered at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Buffalo, and runs from the 22^nd through December 3^rd. General admission to see all of the beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, mantles and window displays, as well as shop the Boutique, is free. There are also a number of events, including the Black Tie Gala and the Designer Showcase and Reception that are ticketed. Find the full schedule of events at www.festivaloftreesbuffalo.com.

Buffalo-Niagara Heritage Village, located at 3755 Tonawanda Creek Rd in Amherst (formerly the Amherst Museum), will host a holiday weekend full of events from Friday through Sunday, December 5^th through 7^th. On Friday night, the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony from 7 to 9 p.m. opens Home for the Holidays weekend at the Village. Get some gifts checked off your holiday list during the Christkindlmarkt on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days in the Steffen Building, and also check out the Countryside Christmas Tours, giving visitors a glimpse of 19^th century Christmases (tours are $20 and run from noon to 5 p.m. in one-hour intervals).

Another event at the Village that weekend is the 41^st annual Holiday Celebration on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. ($75 per person – reservations needed by November 26^th). The Celebration features a cocktail reception, dinner, silent auctions, live entertainment and dancing. On Sunday morning, Santa visits the Village for breakfast, with seatings at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. The museum fundraiser includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and refreshments and costs $7 per person (reservations are recommended, but tickets can be purchased at the door). Learn more about Home for the Holidays weekend and make reservations at bnhv.org. 

2014-15 St. Bonaventure Bonnies Women’s Basketball schedule

The St. Bonaventure Bonnies Women’s Basketball team kicks off their regular season schedule at home in the Reilly Center against Canisius on Friday, November 14^th, but you can catch them in exhibition action at home against Edinboro on Saturday, November 8^th at 2 p.m.

• Friday, November 14^th – at home against Canisius (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, November 16^th – on the road against James Madison (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Thursday, November 20^th – on the road against Toledo (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, November 22^nd – on the road against Detroit (12:30 p.m. tip-off)
• Tuesday, November 25^th – on the road against Penn State (6:30 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, November 30^th – at home against Binghamton (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Tuesday, December 2^nd – at home against Colgate (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday and Sunday, December 6^th and 7^th – at Brown University for the Brown University Classic (Saturday against Drexel – 2 p.m. tip-off, Sunday – team and time TBA)
• Monday, December 15^th – on the road against UB (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, December 17^th – at home against UNC Greensboro (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, December 20^th – on the road against Niagara (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Monday, December 22^nd – on the road against Georgetown (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, January 3^rd – at home against UMass (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, January 7^th – on the road against Richmond (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, January 11^th – at home against Fordham (4 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, January 14^th – on the road against George Mason (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, January 18^th – at home against Dayton (5 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, January 21^st – at home against Virginia Commonwealth (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, January 24^th – on the road against Saint Joseph’s (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, January 28^th – at home against Duquesne (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, January 31^st – on the road at UMass (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Thursday, February 5^th – on the road against Fordham (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, February 8^th – at home against Rhode Island (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, February 15^th – on the road against George Washington (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, February 18^th – on the road against Saint Louis (8 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, February 21^st – at home against Davidson (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, February 25^th – at home against LaSalle (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, March 1^st – on the road against Duquesne (2 p.m. tip-off)

Learn more about St. Bonaventure athletics at gobonnies.sbu.edu.

2014-15 Canisius College Golden Griffins Women’s Basketball schedule

The Canisius Golden Griffs Women’s Basketball team kicks off their regular season on the road on Friday, November 14^th, with their first home game on Wednesday, November 19^th.

• Friday, November 14^th – on the road against St. Bonaventure (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, November 19^th – at home against Binghamton (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, November 21^st – on the road against Bryant (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, November 26^th – at home against Albany (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, November 30^th – on the road against St. Francis (PA) (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, December 5^th – at home against Manhattan (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, December 7^th – at home against Saint Peter’s (2 p.m. tip off)
• Saturday, December 13^th – at home against Youngstown State (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Tuesday, December 16^th – on the road against Syracuse (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, December 19^th – on the road against Michigan (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Monday, December 29^th – at home against UB (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, January 2^nd – on the road against Manhattan (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, January 4^th – on the road against Iona (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, January 9^th – at home against Quinnipiac (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, January 11^th – at home against Siena (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, January 16^th – on the road against Marist (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, January 18^th – on the road against Saint Peter’s (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, January 21^st – on the road against Niagara (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, January 25^th – at home against Iona (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, January 30^th – on the road against Monmouth (noon tip-off)
• Sunday, February 1^st – on the road against Rider (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Thursday, February 5^th – at home against Fairfield (11 a.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, February 7^th – at home against Marist (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, February 13^th – on the road against Fairfield (5 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, February 15^th – on the road against Quinnipiac (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, February 20^th – at home against Rider (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, February 22^nd – at home against Monmouth (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Tuesday, February 24^th – at home against Niagara (5 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, February 27^th – on the road against Siena (7 p.m. tip-off)

Get more information on the team and a complete Canisius sports schedule at www.gogriffs.com.

2014-15 UB Bulls Women’s Basketball schedule

The UB Bulls Women’s Basketball team kicks off their regular season schedule at home in Alumni Arena on UB’s North Campus against Siena on Friday, November 14^th, but you can catch them in exhibition action at Alumni Arena against Buffalo State on Saturday, November 8^th at 2 p.m.

• Friday, November 14^th – at home against Siena (5 p.m. tip-off)
• Tuesday, November 18^th – on the road against St. Francis (PA) (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, November 22^nd – at home against Niagara (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Tuesday, November 25^th – on the road against Duke (6:30 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday and Saturday, November 28^th and 29^th – in Coral Gables, Florida for the Miami University Thanksgiving Tournament (Friday against Tulsa – 3 p.m. tip-off, Saturday – team and time TBA)
• Thursday, December 4^th – on the road against Cornell (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Monday, December 15^th – at home against St. Bonaventure (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Friday, December 19^th – on the road against Manhattan (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Sunday, December 21^st – on the road against Long Island (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Monday, December 29^th – on the road against Canisius (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, January 3^rd – at home against Ohio (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, January 7^th – on the road against Central Michigan (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, January 10^th – on the road against Miami (Ohio) (3 p.m. tip-off)
• Tuesday, January 13^th – at home against Western Michigan (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, January 17^th – at home against Ball State (1 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, January 21^st – on the road against Toledo (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, January 24^th – at home against Northern Illinois (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, January 31^st – on the road agaisnt Eastern Michigan (2:30 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, February 4^th – at home against Toledo (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, February 7^th – at home against Bowling Green (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, February 11^th – on the road against Akron (time TBA)
• Saturday, February 14^th – on the road against Western Michigan (time TBA)
• Wednesday, February 18^th – at home against Kent State (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, February 21^st – at home against Miami (Ohio) (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, February 25^th – on the road against Ohio (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, February 28^th – at home against Akron (2 p.m. tip-off)
• Wednesday, March 4^th – on the road against Bowling Green (7 p.m. tip-off)
• Saturday, March 7^th – on the road against Kent State (2 p.m. tip-off)

Get more information about the UB Bulls and schedules for other sports at www.ubbulls.com. 

October 2014 in review

Summer, sadly, is officially over – last weekend, we saw snow in Buffalo…not a lot, but enough to prove the inevitable is around the corner. October meant the local racing season was finally going to be over, and I had a front row seat for the action – Rolling Wheels, Syracuse and the completion – finally! – of the US Open at Lancaster Raceway Park.

• October 11^th – a visit to the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame and Classic Car Museum in Weedsport, NY
• October 11^th – World of Outlaws STP Sprint Car Series coverage for Red Dirt Clay at Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in Elbridge, NY
• October 12^th – Super DIRT Week 2014 Syracuse 200 Big-Block race coverage for Red Dirt Clay at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY
• October 19^th – the completion of the US Open at Lancaster Raceway Park – coverage at Examiner.com, plus photos at Flickr and on my Facebook page

Oops! Race of Champions Asphalt Modified action at the US Open
paulathompsonfreelance.com

• October 25^th – the Mum Show at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

paulathompsonfreelance.com