Saving Children's Lives - One Little Heart at a Time

Submitted by Marian Hetherly on Sunday, May 26th, 3:29 pm

The Gift of Life 15th Annual Golf & Tennis Tournament will be held June 17 at the Lancaster Country Club (6061 Broadway, Lancaster) and the Village Glen Tennis Club (162 Mill Street, Williamsville). A humanitarian project of Rotary International District 7090 with Rotary Clubs in Western New York and Southern Ontario, the Gift of Life provides life-saving open-heart surgery to children from the United States, Canada and other countries who have congenital heart defects. All funds raised go directly to the life-saving care of children who otherwise could not afford it.

Since the project began in 1993, Rotary District 7090 has saved 37 children suffering with congenital heart defects who would not have lived beyond their teen years. The 67 Gift of Life projects around the world have saved over 15,000 children since 1975.

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WNY Native in Boston Marathon Returns Home to Run Buffalo Marathon

Submitted by WGRZ Web Staff

Saturday, May 25th, 2013, 12:11am

BUFFALO, NY - The terror that took place in Boston a month ago, prevented a runner from finishing that city's legendary marathon.

But resolve is a strong thing.

And it's bringing a Buffalo native back home this weekend for the big race here.

"It's taken on a lot of significance for me, the idea to come here to Buffalo came to me pretty quickly after what happened," said Dan Finkel, a native of Grand Island who attended SUNY Fredonia to get an undergraduate degree in mathematics.

Finkel, now lives in the Boston, Mass. metro area with his wife and three kids. He was running in this year's Boston Marathon and wasn't able to finish because of the attack that took place at the finish line.

Now he's ready to run again. This time - all 26.2 miles in Sunday's Buffalo Marathon.

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Tomasik Optical Celebrating 55 Years of Service in WNY

Submitted by Joe Kirchmyer

Friday, May 24th, 2013, 3:28pm

Tomasik Optical Celebrating 55 Years of Service in WNY

This year marks the 55th anniversary of Tomasik Optical, founded in 1958 by Ed “Tommy” Tomasik. And through five-and-a-half decades, there’s been one corporate vision that has always remained in focus, according to second-generation owner Michael Tomasik. “We want people to see better, feel better and look better when they pick up their new glasses!”

Both the local business and the optical industry have seen plenty of changes during those 55 years, according to Tomasik, who still operates the store originally opened by his father at 1258 Electric Ave. in Lackawanna. The business expanded to a second location at 3800 N. Buffalo Road in Orchard Park in 2007.

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3rd Annual Ed Krieger Memorial Golf Tournament Tees Off On Saturday, June 1st at Cardinal Hills

Submitted by Queen City Blogger on Friday, May 24th, 9:26 am

More than 85 local golfers set to raise money for New Directions Youth and Family Services and to create a the Ed Krieger Memorial Scholarship

WHO: Friends and family of Ed Krieger

New Directions Youth and Family Services

More than 85 local golfers

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The Fair is Coming...The Fair is Coming!!!

Submitted by Barb Brader, Barb the WILD Fairgoer

Friday, May 24th, 2013, 9:00am

The Fair is Coming….The Fair is Coming!!!!

Well fair friends, here we go. We can safely begin our “Countdown to the Fair”. Yes, that is the 174th Erie County Fair that we are beginning to look forward to and countdown the days til it starts! We are justt 70 some days away. Yes, only 70 some more days and we will all be at our favorite summertime event!!! Check out the countdown clock on the fair's website to know EXACTLY how many days it is til opening day!!!

I just wanted to share some information with you that just might start getting you into “fair” mood!! Basically right now I just want to give you some of the basics….some of the information that is available right now that you might be interested in. Later in the season we will go into more details.

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Drivers Could Plea Bargain Traffic Tickets in Buffalo

Submitted by WGRZ Web Staff

Thursday, May 23rd, 2013, 11:50pm

BUFFALO, NY - An effort to save drivers money on their traffic tickets, while boosting Buffalo city revenue is underway in Albany.

Ever had a traffic ticket that you wanted to get out of or knock down the fine?

Drivers in Buffalo don't have the right to plea bargain these tickets. But, under a bill being debated in Albany, drivers would be able to do this if they're stopped in the city. Under the proposal, every violation from running a stop sign or illegally changing lanes, running a stop light, U-turn violations and speeding tickets, drivers would be able to fight to get lower penalties on by pleading guilty to the infraction. Then, they could bargain the cost of the violations to lower dollar amounts if they're stopped on Buffalo streets.

"Those are the same opportunities that other municipalities smaller than Buffalo, why shouldn't we have that same opportunity," said David Rivera, council member for Buffalo Common Council.

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