Ponds doing their job

Link to March 31 Warren Times Observer article.

Excerpt: Jackson Run has a history of flooding out its neighbors, and Conewango Creek has been known to do the same.

So anything that might increase the amount of water pouring into those waterways is a cause for local concern.

For example, a 69-acre development with huge areas of rooftop and parking lot that would keep rain from soaking into the ground would raise some caution flags.

Warren Commons was built in that flood-sensitive area, but it had to go through serious anti-flood planning before construction even began.

Symphony Hall in Springfield due for $1 million renovation

Link to March 30 Springfield Republican article.

Excerpt: The city is seeking bids for two renovation projects at Symphony Hall with a total cost estimated at $1 million - to refurbish windows, and to replace a lighting control system installed 30 years ago.

Bids will be opened on Thursday for a new "theatrical dimming and controls" system, and on April 10 for window renovations that include replacement of perimeter caulk, painting and repairs.

The 97-year-old building at Court Square, is city-owned.

A hollow feeling at the Aud

Link to March 29 Buffalo News article.

Excerpt: For nearly six decades, millions of fans flocked to Memorial Auditorium to see hockey and basketball games, hear rock bands and listen to presidential candidates.
And still they come.

Fan traffic is just a trickle now, and the crowds are no longer boisterous. They’re silent, almost reverential, as they come to watch the Aud slowly disappear.

100 years on the road from Rood’s Woods

Link to March 27 Rockford Register Star article.

Excerpt: One day it would have a water park, a pair of sports complexes, five golf courses, two ice rinks and a petting zoo. But during the turn of the last century, what would become the Rockford Park District was known better as Rood’s Woods.

That was the name of the stand of trees near downtown Rockford — now called Sinnissippi Park — where the Park District began.

Obituary

David S. Shafer, 60, of 23 Pospect Street, Warren, PA, died on Monday, March 23, 2009 at Golden LivingKinzua Valley, following a four year illness.

Mr. Shafer was born November 19, 1948, in Warren, the son of the late Lyle and Donna (Camp) Shafer. He was a 1966 graduate of Warren Area High School and worked for the P.I.B.H. (Pennsylvania Industries for the Blind and Handicapped of Harrisburg). Prior to that he was employed for twentyfive years as the President of Warren Components.

He was an avid fly tier for the Platte River Flies, a company in which he owned. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Kalbfus Gun Club, Ducks Unlimited and Trout Unlimited. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, umpiring for local leagues, refereeing volleyball at the YMCA and church leagues, and played bass guitar for the band "The Fugitives".

He is survived by his wife, Susie A. (Hickey) Shafer, whom he married on November 2, 1968 in Frewsburg, NY; a son, Scott Shafer and his wife, Ayreal Foust Shafer, Warren; a daughter, Jennifer Shafer Cameron and her husband, Mike, Warren; three brothers, Bill Shafer and his wife, Peg, Sylva, NC, Jim Shafer and his wife, Janie, Raceland, LA, and Tom Shafer and his wife, Lee, TN; four grandchildren, Erick and Emilee Shafer and Jordan and Colby Cameron; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Evan Shafer; and a mother in law, Joanne Hickey.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 300 Market Street, Warren, PA 16365, with, Rev. William King, pastor, officiating.

Buffalo's Central Terminal promoted as high-speed rail hub

Link to March 24 Buffalo News article.

Excerpt: Transforming the massive Art Deco landmark into a mixed-use complex that would accommodate fast-speed trains makes sense on several levels, they insisted Monday during a City Hall strategy session.

They said the terminal’s location only two miles from the downtown core, its abundant parking and its existing rail infrastructure make it an ideal site as officials eye plans for spending federal stimulus money on high-speed rail corridors. There’s talk of linking the Buffalo region with Albany and New York City via trains that travel at 110 mph.

It’s an exciting vision that could help revitalize the East Side while preserving an architectural icon, said Central Terminal Restoration Corp. President Michael Miller.

City’s housing in rapid decline

Link to March 22 Buffalo News article.

Excerpt: One in five homes in Niagara Falls is now vacant, and those empty buildings have frayed neighborhoods and strained city resources.

Vacant and derelict houses also have put firefighters at risk and pulled them away from other emergencies.

Can urban supermarket avoid early expiration date?

Link to March 23 Buffalo News article.

Excerpt: The pork spareribs for 99 cents a pound helped draw a few thousand shoppers to the PriceRite grand opening today, with customers sometimes waiting in line to get in.

But supermarkets have come and gone in Elmwood Avenue's Stuyvesant Plaza.

So after the sale ends, will they come back?

The president of the no-frills discount food retailer predicts they will return.

"We have a model that's proven extremely successful," said Neil Duffy, president of the Wethersfield, Conn., company.

The new store at 250 Elmwood Ave. is PriceRite's first in Buffalo and 39th overall. PriceRite has opened 20 stores in the past four years.

Obituary

Jonathan S. Torrance, 59, of 8 Whitehall Rd., Rochester, N.H. died Saturday, February 28, 2009 at Frisbie Memorial Hospital after a long illness.

Born June 30, 1949 in Warren, Pa. he was the son of James C. and Audrey C. (Cobb) Torrance.
Jon worked as a banker and was Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Frisbie Memorial Hospital for the past two years. He was a recent recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship Award from Rotary International. He had past involvement on the boards of Community Partners, YMCA, Rochester Chamber of Commerce and many others.

Jon is survived by his wife, Cathleen Torrance; son Benjamin; daughter Elizabeth; daughterinlaw Stephanie; grandchildren Angel Barrett, Hector and Nadia Guzman, and Kelyn Torrance; father James Torrance, of Warren; brothers Jim, Jeff, Mark and Alan; sistersinlaw Carol Torrance, Sue Magnuson, Toni Torrance, Cindy Munzlinger; nieces Ashley and Amanda; nephews Christopher, Alan, Dustin and Curtis; uncle Gail and aunt Ruth Cobb; cousins and many, many dear friends and coworkers.

He was predeceased by his mother, Audrey Torrance and grandparents.

Obituary

John L. Edling, 55, of 255 Dutch Hill Rd, Warren, Pa., died on Friday, February 27, 2009 at home after a courageous battle against cancer, surrounded by his family and friends.

John was born November 29, 1953 in Warren, the son of the late Jakob and Marga (Hache) Edling. He and his wife resided in the Warren area for the past 35 years.

He was employed at Crossett, Inc. for 20 years as a dispatcher. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and hiking throughout the Warren woods with his sons. He also enjoyed playing softball and was always part of a team during the Betts Industrial Tournament.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie (Fields) Edling, whom he married on December 7, 1974, in Warren; three sons, John, Bryon and Derek Edling, all of Warren; a brother, Fred Edling and his wife, Judy, Stow, Mass.; his father and motherinlaw, Bob and Pat Fields, Warren; two brothersinlaw, Tim Fields and Skip Frederoski and his wife, Vickie, all of Warren; six nephews, Christopher Edling, Jeffrey Edling and his wife, Meghan, Peter Edling, Josh Frederoski, Justin Frederoski and Jeff Fields; and three nieces, Katie Edling, Nikki Fields and Jessica Fields.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a nephew, Andrew Edling.