Some Celebrities Need Adult Supervision (The Kathy Griffin Story)

Remember when that tsunami hit Japan in 2011 and Gilbert Gottfried thought that would be a great time to make a joke about Japan and tsunamis? How about when Ashton Kutcher went to Twitter to blast Penn State for firing Joe Paterno in the wake of Paterno's involvement in the Penn State sex scandal? To that list, you can now add another person clamoring to hold fast to any sort of celebrity she can muster - Kathy Griffin.

And Then It Is Tomorrow

My columns are posted on Wednesdays, but on a very inconsistent basis. Why is that? To be honest, it is all my fault. I could blame work getting in the way, or I could blame my addiction to Facebook for taking up my time, but it is really all of my fault. Have you ever noticed that you have all of this stuff you want to do today, and then it is tomorrow? Is that a bad thing? Is that a good thing? Is that even a thing? It is probably a little of all of them, and the end result means that there truly are not enough hours in the day.

My Imperfect Plot: The Planting

My dad always said “You want to have your plant in by Memorial Day.”

When we were kids, Dad took advantage of whatever good weather we had throughout the month of May to get the ground worked up, trying not to get the tractor stuck.  He even occasionally got his plants a week or so ahead of time.  But for the most part, Memorial Day Weekend was Planting Weekend.   And so, it continues.

Old Fort Niagara Presents Rebels and Redcoats

Re-enactors representing the American colonists and British loyalists during the American Revolution will converge on Old Fort Niagara on June 3 and 4 for a large living-history event that involves camps, mock battles and interactive demonstrations for visitors.

Scott Leffler: Explains Freedom of Speech

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Genealogical Society to Host Ancestor Program May 31st

The Niagara County Genealogical Society will be hosting the free program “Timelining our Ancestors" on Wednesday, May 31st at 7pm at 215 Niagara St., Lockport. NCGS board member, Carol DiPirro-Stipkovits, will show us the benefits of using timelines as a genealogical research tool and how they can assist with organizing.

Thinking Out Loud: What the Heck is Going On?

If my grandfather were alive today, he would have recently celebrated his 96th birthday. This is the same grandfather I have a picture of in my home office. In it, I'm just a few weeks old, and he's just a few weeks from leaving us. It's truly a touching shot.

EDITORIAL: USSS Wrong in Protest

It is Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day is a federal holiday set aside to honor those who have fallen in service of our country. It has its origins in the aftermath of the Civil War, in 1868 in Decatur, Illinois by Union Army veterans who wanted to decorate the graves of their fallen brothers in arms. Initially known as Decoration Day, it became Memorial Day officially in 1967. It is typically a time to reflect on those lives lost.

Star Wars Looks at 40

As soon as you hear it, you know what you’re watching, and you know it’s going to be epic. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen it, it just fills you with excitement and anticipation. Yes, Star Wars is forty years old today. I know there are some people who would disagree, but in my opinion, it changed cinema forever.

Old Fort Niagara: Soldiers Through the Ages Event

Old Fort Niagara’s interpretive staff and volunteers and re-enacting units throughout the region will come together over Memorial Day weekend, May 27 and 28, to present “Soldiers through the Ages” at the historic landmark in Youngstown. This military timeline event traces the history of Fort Niagara from the early explorers of the 17th century through the mid-20th century. The event features special exhibits, camps, weapons and battle-tactic demonstrations.

These Old Walkin' Shoes: Keep on Growing

As you probably all know, we are a gardening family. With all the rain over the last month, we’ve had a hard time getting out to the garden to get it cleaned out and planted for the year. Finally, last night, we were able to get outside to work in the garden. We got all the weeds pulled, ready for the rototiller. It’s a start.

Stop Believing Clickbait And Fake News

My Facebook feed, like yours I am sure, is filled with articles about Donald Trump, Congress, and the Russians. To be honest, I have stopped reading most of it and I try to avoid getting involved in political conversations anymore. My tipping point came when that picture of Trump insulting a disabled person started floating around again and Trump supporters denied it happened. There's the picture, there is video if you want it, but I guess the truth is not your forte.

I have said before that I agree with Trump when he says that there is a lot of fake news out there. He was proven right again when rumors of a shooter positioned outside the hospital where the Manchester Arena victims were taken were shown to be absolutely false. In the meantime, several news outlets tried to cash in on the terror with fake news. But I am noticing that some of the fake news going around is actually the fault of the people who are not reading the content. I want to show you how to stop falling for clickbait and stop believing fake news stories.

Literally the Best Reviews: Wicked

Wicked - Gregory Maguire

William Morrow

432 Pages

You’ve probably seen the award-winning Broadway musical, or at least heard of it. How many of you knew there was a book that began the whole adventure? If you’ve been to see “Wicked” and then decided to read Gregory Maguire’s book, Wicked, you may be in for quite a surprise. There are huge differences between the two versions of the story. Some will like one over the other. Me? I’m glad I saw the musical first. For me it made the book that much fuller.

Living With Kids (Episode 7) - Smarter Than You Think

Kids are a lot smarter than adults give them credit for, and that can lead to a lot of situations where little ones get their way simply by being little ones. A lot of parents will say, "He's just four, he doesn't know what he is doing." Oh really? I wholeheartedly beg to differ. Kids are a lot smarter than you think, and if you don't pay attention they will wrap you around their tiny little fingers and never let go.

Looking At Movies - Alien: Covenant (2017)

Ridley Scott is a much better storyteller than Michael Boom! 'Splosions! Bay. While that does not sound like much of a compliment, the fascination the two share with grandiose productions shows that not every movie needs to blow up everything to be interesting. In Scott's case, he prefers to disembowel all of his characters as opposed to blowing them up. But Scott knows how to tell a story, and he is really just getting going with Alien: Covenant. When you review an Alien movie, you have to talk about the movie itself, and its contribution to the story line. So let's get to it.

Reminiscing: Take Me Out to the Ballgame

I did something Saturday that I haven't done in probably at least thirty years. I bought a pack of baseball cards. When I was a kid, I used to save money in order to get a pack of baseball, football, or hockey cards. I have a whole box of them in the attic. I haven't looked at them in years.

The Cooler Rises: The Vision Quest

Every moment of greatness has an epic tale that can be told of its birth. In order to reach that pinnacle of greatness, there are oftentimes labors that must be completed to continue the journey. This is the tale of the Founding of the Cooler, as translated from ancient scrolls found in a sealed cave, blessed by Dog Almighty. This is an abridged translation of the Second Scroll of the Sacred Cooler.

The Cooler Rises, The First Telling

Gather 'round my children and I will tell you the tale of the rise of the Cooler. You have been reading the words of the prophets for almost two years now, and it is time that you learned where those words came from. For the Cooler is more than just a place where entertainment and mystery abounds. It is a place foretold of for centuries by some of the most pious men in history. The genesis of the Cooler may look to be a series of random events, but they were actually well-calculated movements choreographed by the very gods that would speak through the prophets.

And now, the Cooler rises. The first telling . . .

Literally the Best Reviews: The Domino Effect

The Domino Effect -- Davis Bunn

Bethany House Publishers

336 Pages

When a book can take its plot from the headlines and mix in suspense and life-threatening drama, it can be just the book for me. The Domino Effect by Davis Bunn is exactly one of those books. The basic story is something we hear on the news or read in the papers daily. That by itself is scary enough. Add backroom dealings and you have a sneak peek into a world that is truly frightening.

Looking At Movies (SPECIAL EDITION) - Sausage Party (2016)

Animated movies do not always need to be kids' movies. As evidence, I present to you both versions of the movie Heavy Metal. But if you are not going to make an animated movie for kids, then you need to be really clever. The truth is that animated movies are written for adults and animated for children, but when the writing goes strongly to the adult side, there better be something there for people to enjoy. In Sausage Party, Seth Rogen proves that he can take even the most clever comedy premise and ruin it with his inability to write quality scripts.

Looking At Movies - King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)

Director Guy Ritchie is known as a director who is never afraid to take chances and bend the story line to get impressive special effects. In King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Ritchie takes a lot of chances to get a movie that looks incredible. Some of those risks work out very well for the movie and the viewer, but some of the chances he takes cross lines that make the movie look like a psychedelic remake of Excalibur. The story of King Arthur repeatedly inspires directors to create movies that look like recreational drugs played a big role in the final production. With this telling of the story, there is just enough substance in the psychedelia to make the movie entertaining.

Old Fort Niagara Announces Free Community Night May 17th

Old Fort Niagara invites residents from the greater Buffalo Niagara region to explore the historic landmark for free on Community Night, May 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. Visitors can tour the site and visit information stations where staff and volunteers will welcome them to learn about the fort’s programming, special events, membership and volunteering opportunities. Visitors will also be entered to win door prizes.

REMINISCING: The Teenagers Are Coming! The Teenagers Are Coming!

Mother’s Day in 2004 was a warm day. Wendy was thirty-five weeks pregnant with the twins. Two days later, we welcomed IdaLena and Patience to the world. This year, their birthday was the Thursday before Mother’s Day. For any of you mathletes out there, that means the twins are now thirteen years old. That’s right, I am the parents of not just one teenager; I am the parent of two. Let the games begin.

On the Homefront: Taking a Chance & Living to Tell

About a week ago the main living area in our house was relatively clean. It was presentable. I mean, there was a blanket or two out, and a few toys that belong to our youngest kid were on the floor.

As of this writing, her toys have overtaken the room. But I have a legitimate excuse. I do. Honestly.

I was painting.

Even the Weather People?

I was just like all of you for the past week or so. I was on pins and needles just waiting for it to snow on Sunday and Monday. I canceled plans, changed my work schedule a little, and hunkered down in anticipation of more snow. I even went to the camping department at Walmart and bought some logs for the fire place. I was ready for the snow, but it never showed up.

Literally the Best Reviews: The Day The World Came To Town

The Day the World Came to Town -- Jim DeFede

Regan Books

244 Pages

It seems like a lifetime ago, not just sixteen years, that the world changed for us on September 11, 2001. I clearly remember exactly where I was when I heard that a plane had hit one of the buildings at the World Trade Center in New York City. A coworker’s wife called to tell him about it. We didn’t think much of it. Then she called back and said a second plane had hit. From that point, it was almost non-stop watching of every news source we could find.

Lockport Palace Theater Announces 2017-2018 Season

It’s that time of year again when Lockport’s historic Palace Theater unveils their shows for another new season. As season ticket holders, Wendy and I, along with several hundred of our closest friends, are among the first to learn what masterpieces will be displayed across our local stage. There’s always something for everyone.

Looking At Movies - Power Rangers (2017)

I know I am a little tardy to the party on this one, but this was a movie I wanted to see and review, for reasons I cannot explain. I hate reviewing movies when I already know how they did at the box office only because if I like a movie that bombed, then I lose a little more faith in people. So far, Power Rangers has bombed at the box office and I am not sure why. It could be because this movie is not what its target audience remembers as kids. My son used to watch the Power Rangers television show all of the time and even he said that the movie is almost nothing like the show. But in my mind, that should have been a good thing.

REMINISCING: Memories of Gas Stations

In the very last half of my senior year in high school, I got a job working at the Kwik Fill at the corner of Willow and Transit. It ended up being a job I held for over three years, and I worked at several locations before I finally moved on to another job. In the time I worked there, a lot of changes took place.

Mike Robitaille Stresses Importance of Making a Difference

By Howard Balaban

The Lockport Wolves may be long gone, but they made a lasting impact on their coach and owner, Mike Robitaille.

"It was fun for me and helped me make a difference," the former NHLer said Saturday night before taking the podium. "It was good to get out and help fine tune the kids' talent so they could play college hockey. I had them at the age when they could get real good real quick."

Howell Motors Hockey Hall of Fame Inducts 13

By Howard Balaban

A group of 13 more people with strong Lockport hockey backgrounds joined the Howell Motors Ford Hockey Hall of Fame Saturday night. The induction ceremony took place inside Cornerstone Arena, on the floor of one of the ice rinks.

"How appropriate is it that this ceremony is taking place in a rink named 'Kenan?'" asked Mike Landers as he opened up the formal festivities for the night. Landers, president of Howell Motors Ford, is the chairman of the Hall of Fame and spearheaded its creation. Indeed, many people in Lockport who have a love of hockey developed it while playing at the Kenan Center.

Living With Kids (Episode 6) - Wha' Happened?

There is no handbook you are given when it comes to raising little ones, and it can be difficult to remember that they are often seeing things for the first time. So when they see something you have seen a thousand times but it is a first for them, they ask questions. When it comes to asking questions, nothing beats a four-year-old.

My four-year-old and I were watching Looney Tunes this morning and when Wile E. Coyote fell over the cliff and disappeared into a cloud of dust, my little guy laughed and then asked "Wha' happened?" I started to tell him that he just saw what happened, when I stopped myself. It occurred to me that he really never pays attention to the television shows I like (he would rather play with his Kindle) and this is the first time he is actually seeing Wile E. Coyote fall off a cliff. He saw it, but he has no idea what happened.

Quick Thoughts of Bacon Vol. 8

I have suffered from migraines for years. I think I got my first one when I was twelve or thirteen. Since then, I’ve had them on and off, at least twice a month. A doctor once told me that they start to subside after forty. I’m over three years into that decade, and there hasn’t been much of easement on the headaches.

Migraines are a different kind of headache. People who have never gotten a migraine cannot possibly understand the intensity. Sinus infections are bad. Hangovers are too. But a full-blown migraine will knock you straight on your ass. Any ray of light is excruciatingly painful. Any sound above a whisper seems like it's going to burst your eardrums and pound into your brain. Speaking of the pounding of the brain, there are some points that you just want to pull the top of your head off just to relieve some of the pressure that builds and builds.

These Old Walkin' Shoes: Call Me Maybe

We took the plunge last weekend and bought the twins phones. I hated to do it, and I wished that we could have waited just a bit longer. They’ll be thirteen next week, and I thought they were still just a bit young. I was hoping for another year or two before we had to get them phones. However, with them going away for a band trip, they needed to be able to stay in contact with us.

Why Disney Wants Your Favorite Movie Theater To Close

My wife, my grandsons, and I all love Disney stuff. My grandsons watch Mickey Mouse all of the time, and they have the usual number of toys related to Disney that one would expect. When it comes to your kids, you swallow your pride sometimes and go with the flow. But that Disney flow is starting to be stained with a putrid stench that is causing me to rethink my lifelong devotion to the mouse. Disney is trying to close down the drive-in movie theaters I love and grew up with. It is my theory that Disney wants my favorite drive-ins closed, and I also believe that the mouse is coming after your favorite theater as well.

Literally the Best Reviews: George Lucas-A Life

George Lucas: A Life -- Brian Jay Jones

Little, Brown and Company

480 Pages

Hold onto your seats. This week makes it two nonfiction books in a row. First it was Bruce Springsteen’s memoir. Now it’s a biography of George Lucas. Full disclosure: I love Star Wars. I love American Graffiti. I love Indiana Jones. So, a biography of the man who came up with all those stories is a definite read for me. I went in with my rose-colored glasses, ready to read about some fantastic, behind the scenes stories about the man and the legends he created.

Looking At Movies - The Circle (2017)

The last movie role Bill Paxton ever played was Vinnie, the heroine's father in the 2017 release The Circle. Paxton's performance as a man with multiple sclerosis who is just trying to live his life was extremely convincing and added depth to the movie. The problem is that, in a cast filled with names everyone knows from Emma Watson to Tom Hanks, Paxton was the only person who actually delivered a deep and convincing performance. The rest of the movie takes a wonderful premise and turns it into a snoozefest.

On the Historical Trail: When Newspapers Competed

With the recent announcement by the Niagara County Historian’s Office about the digitization of nearly 30,000 newspaper pages, there have been questions about how there can be so many pages and so many newspapers. I figured this would be a great time to look at the reason why there used to be more than one paper in a town, even a town as small as Lockport. There is a very interesting historical reason for it. That reason continues today, albeit more so on television than in print.