Kevin O'Connell's Blog

Firstly, I want to thank all of you who sent me ways to get rid of my "bunny" problem in my yard..I tried a few of your ideas, and they seemed to work....and the bunnies are still roaming, just in someone else's yard. We're now in May and this seems to be one busy month when it comes to saying "congratulations!!!!" May is the time of graduation for our college community, also when many young people make their first communion and receive confirmation in their church. We celebrate outstanding teachers at Channel 2's annual Educator of the Week Luncheon (love that event). It seems that May is a month we pause for a multitude of positive and joyous events..sure would be nice if we could have May all year long. May is also the first time I let my grandaughter Madeline swim without holding on to her in the pool....wow has she grown in the past year. Now, at a little over 2 years old, she is showing her independence and skills in the water..what a treat. She still has her saftey vest on of course, but she is motoring around like a mini battery powered tub toy....and there's no stopping her now. So horray it's May....a time to be thankful for what we have achieved and welcome the new challenges. See you at the pool...stay well. Kevin

I love Spring..warmer temperatures, sunny skies and yes, being able to go outside dressed in just enough warm clothes to enjoy the day and not dressed like you're a middle linebacker in the NFL. Ah yes Spring when all is new again and after a "Spring cleanup" in your yard, you rake, cultivate, mulch, plant and enjoy right? Well, in my yard working in the garden is really "setting" the table for the bunnies. The hippity-hoppity little creatures that sit back during the day, watch the table (garden) being readied, and then the sun goes down and the "bunny buffet" is open!!! Now I love animals, but these guys are killing me. My beautiful plants, which I sprayed with a "anti bunny" mixture have been cleaned to the stem like something you see on the Discovery Channel when they feature wild animals and their prey. So I don't want to spend a lot more $$$, yet I want a colorful yard. In past years it seemed as though I had a few episodes with the hares, but now it's much more frequent. Do you have a method that will give me the best of all worlds...color in the yard, plants that don't get skinned alive, bunnies that are happy and most of all more time to enjoy the fruits of my labors? Drop me a line and give me some advice that's worked for you...in the meantime...stay well. Kevin

When you stop and think about it for a moment, what's with all of these surveys on what we need in our community or how we rate when compared to other areas; speeches on how our area will grow and improve by those who seek to represent us in government or suggestions by those that visit our region and then share their opinions on what we can do to make our area a better or more productive with national or regional publications? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. It's time that those of us who love and more importantly care about this area to take matters into our own hands...and we can and we will be successful in things that matter. The future of WNY doesn't lie in a waterfront plan, although it's long overdue and we haven't seen anything done yet, or in a championship by the Bills or Sabres, although that would be nice, or in more retail for Downtown to bring it back to a time we went down there to shop and spend the day. I could go on, but my point is that the future of this area will be people, namely our children or grandchildren. It's to that group we must start to "focus" on here in WNY. Test scores reflect it, the graduation rate reflects it and most importantly the brain drain reflects it. Our education system is on life support, and we must fix it now. Those that are lucky enough to get their degree are quick to take their talents elsewhere, and once again WNY loses. We need to find a little time in our busy life for community action...and this action will be a force for change in this community. Supporting our schools means involvement...the Book Drive, that Channel 2 is a co-sponsor, is a great idea. Kids need the basics, let's get it done. After school activities can be fun and educational, get involved with a group where your talents and experience can come into play. As a community action member, organize your neighborhood to identify a school or organization in your geographic area that you will support with people & activities that will make the kids focus on values and growing up with a strong sense of community. You may say that my blog is "pie in the sky" ideas or something that can never get off the gound, but if you don't look into getting our "future" off to a good start, you can forget about the rest...it won't be able to support growth because there won't be any. When adults select what neighborhood to live in..schools are the #1 reason they move there...so let's make it our #1 priority too. We can do a lot of things ourself...and we must stop the talking and get about the business of rebuilding. This, I think, would make a great project for your neighborhood. Get a group together and be a leader...you can do it and with others to help it will make a better school system, producing better educated students and thus making our community's future more probable than any waterfront or downtown business district ever could. Identify the problem and then work to solve it...it's something that we can do ourself...and it starts with the attitude I'll try...I'd like your thoughts. Stay well. Kevin

When you say "March Madness" I'm sure your first thoughts are of a basketball tourney and picking your favorites on the bracket sheet. Well, my idea of March Madness, happened this past weekend....and I'm talking about "marching" in the St.Pat's Parades. It started years ago for me in the grand event downtown with my Dad and other family members.Then few years ago an active group in South Buffalo started the "old neighborhood" parade through the streets of the 1st ward....the "valley" if you will. Well any solid Irishman couldn't miss a good parade, and thus my weekend became complete...the "valley" on Saturday and "downtown" on Sunday...my March Madness. I must confess I love the 1st ward event for its intimacy and "one on one" flavor..very nice and very appealing. It also has become a much larger event every year, and that might change its charm unless organizers are careful. When it comes to downtown...its a no nonsense event in every way...lots of music, green everything, many familiar faces, great crowds that are loud and that's a good thing...and oh yes, tradition. It's the time to wear the banner across your chest proclaiming I'm a member of UIAA...United Irish American Assoc....I get out the trusty black thorn walking stick and away I go up Delaware to North. I know my dad is looking down with pride as the tradition continues...and I will introduce my granddaughter Madeline to the tradition (and South Buffalo too) next year, God willing.....so that's my March Madness.....now I'm going to watch a basketball game....Stay well...Kevin

If you have been or lived in Buffalo for more than an hour you know that our "national" image is very much linked to our weather. Yes, there are those that feel we are all buried in feet of snow year round and haven't seen the sun for decades...bunk!! We know we are far more than a forecast, but looking at the forecast will also tell you a lot about us and our area. We are closing in on the start of Spring and our Winter, thanks in part to the La Nina Effect (cooler surface temperatures of the oceans), can best be described as a breeze. We are BELOW average for snowfall...Toronto has had more than Buffalo. Our temperatures are running ABOVE average for this season. Snow on the ground..minimal. Ice in the streams & creeks....minimal. Threat of flooding...minimal. Winds have been stronger than normal this season and the storm content, when we get them, have included more rain, freezing rain and sleet than snow...unusual to say the least. This season, when you compare it to past Winters is not living up to our image..or is it? The lake (Erie) is about 90% ice covered, yet "lake effect" snow is still possible, it always has been that way,we just don't think of it. We've had record flood levels at the end of January on Lake Erie, yet it's been an isolated event and one that can be directly tied to the strong winds I spoke about earlier. We've had days with no school/work and yes we have frozen our faces off on a few days too....but on the whole our Winter has been easier to deal with than NYC, Boston, Toronto or dozens of other cities in the East. We might need an image adjustment (on the national scale) to restate that Buffalo is a Winter wonderland..we "wonder" what Winter will be like....come here and check it out. The only thing left to conquer this Winter...St.Patrick's Day...once we get by that date...the rest should be gravy.....Stay well Kevin

Remember the great Jackie Gleason and the memorable phrase "how sweet it is!!" Well, I thought of that phrase when I was writing this blog....how sweet it is, we are all in a historic position...namely, electing our next president from a group that is not an incumbent. You have to go back to 1928 to find the last time we had primaries without incumbents in them. The unique nature of this is more special when you consider that of the people who will vote in the primaries and the general election....99.9% of them weren't alive when this situation last happened. So what does this tell us...from my view a couple of things. This is the ultimate civics lesson for our children and even for us. In order for the union to continue, we must fully understand and appreciate how it works, and yes we must participate as well. No matter your political affiliation or belief. No matter what your philosophy of the political process or the candidate of your choice. No matter the weather or your busy schedule....YOU CAN BE PART OF HISTORY....but you must participate. Maybe you'll just go vote...fine. Possibly you'll be active in a candidate's campaign...fine. Possibly you'll send a contribution to your favorite party...fine....BUT DO SOMETHING...THIS IS HISTORY and there's a very good chance you'll NEVER experience this again in your lifetime. There are lots of issues, lots of ideas floating around and most certainly lots of analysis by those who are no smarter than you...so do your homework and be part of history...go vote..and as the Christmas song says..."you'll go down in history...". Stay well...Kevin

Well, with 2008 now here,there are some new looks around our area as well as a New Year. We have some new faces in various government positions. We started the year with a national success, the "Ice Bowl" game at the "Ralph" a new look for a football stadium...uhhh hockey rink. We add to these "new" things some new resolutions, new goals, new directions and new enthusiasm for a better WNY in the coming months. It's also a great time to look at the past, and relish in the thought that we had great success and harmony as a community in years gone bye and we can have the best of then again. Our focus for a rebirth of our region is underway with an expanding university system. The waterfront and the downtown district continues to take on a new look with great promise for the future. So it's time to define!!!! We are not only about weather when it comes to our image...we are not only about great people and quality of life...WE ARE A MIX OF IT ALL. I think our "new look" should start with the expression on our face...it should reflect a positive and upbeat feeling about WNY. We surely will have problems going forward in 2008, but staying positive and making contributions at every level will also assure us of progress and that's the "look" I'm talking about. Happy New Year one and all, and let's make 2008 a year where challenges are met with answers and progress can be seen on all of our faces.