I admit that I'm in favor of a casino. I think that like a lot of things in Buffalo if it is done the right way it could be verry good. But if done incorrectly it could be a a big problem. I think Niagara Falls Ontario has done a good job. If entertainment starts to go there instead of going to Townballroom, Icon, Club Diablo and Sheas then that is a problem and the casino was done wrong. I think that a lot of people in this fine city of ours look at what to do as opposed to how to do it. The how you do something is often more important then the what you do. For example the Bisons. I know there was a big Push to get Buffalo a Major league team. But at the end of the day Buffalo could not have supported one, that is why Buffalo wasn't in the running when the MLB expandend again. I think that was a great decision. The Buffalo Destroyers left, What happendend to the Blizard (soccer team) are the raptors still around (roller Hockey). That was a cool game to watch. I think that if a Downtown Casino is bulit one key aspect of it has to be Lot of free and easy to access information about gambling addictions and how to get help. That would be one of things that they have to get right. My pint kinda ties in a little bit with the article below form the Buffalo News. It is kinda long for a blog but if you want to read it. Or you can go to the Buffalonews site wich also has some pictures a preaty good one of the judge mentioned in the article.


High rollers, big losers

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Area casinos have exacted a terrible toll from some local gamblers, and the state has done practically nothing to treat people who get hooked

By ANDREW Z. GALARNEAU
NEWS NIAGARA BUREAU
11/27/2005



Sharon Cantillon/Buffalo News
Video poker machines line a hall in Ontario's Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort. Anti-gambling activists note rise of gambling addiction as more casinos open.



Associated Press
"Ninety-six or 97 percent of the population can readily handle gaming as a pastime. It's those who can't that are beginning to proliferate."
Mark Farrell, Amherst town justice, on problem gamblers


NIAGARA FALLS - If you were being swept toward the brink of Niagara Falls and your feet suddenly caught on a crack in the limestone, would you call that lucky?
A 47-year-old Buffalo accountant gambled away several thousand dollars in the Seneca Niagara Casino on March 19, 2003. He wrote a goodbye note and stepped into the Niagara River.

Authorities never named the man, but investigators said he had lost more than $600,000 in Ontario's Casino Niagara, in addition to his Seneca losses.

Cameras recorded the accountant's rescue. Otherwise, he would have been just another invisible mark on the balance sheet of the region's plunge into casino gambling.

Politicians and casino owners boast about casino benefits. About 2,400 people have jobs at the Seneca Niagara Casino, 900 more at its Allegany cousin. A casino planned for Buffalo is expected to create another 1,000 jobs.

State and local governments are sharing a piece of the action. The Niagara Falls and Salamanca casinos generated $57 million for them in 2004, with one-fourth of that going to the cities.

But behind the casino glitz, there is a seamier side of gambling, one where costs are harder to measure, but no less real.

• Four out of 100 gamblers flooding through the casino doors will become addicted, recent research suggests, and those addictions often lead to bankruptcy or suicides, hurting families and businesses. Living within 10 miles of a casino nearly doubles your odds of developing a gambling problem, according to a recent study from the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions.

• Crime rates haven't risen locally, but opponents say casinos can change a community's moral climate. Problem gamblers are more likely to steal from friends or businesses, drive drunk or attempt suicide when they lose.

• Bankruptcy cases in Western New York skyrocketed in 2005. Although much of the increase was driven by filers determined to beat the introduction of a stricter federal law, bankruptcy lawyers also say more gamblers are coming into their offices as casinos open nearby.

"The industry would like you to think that there are no such costs because you can't meet the burden of proof, to tie it specifically to the casino," said Edward Morse, a Creighton University professor who wrote a book on the economic and social impacts of gambling.

"I think we're getting to the point where people are starting to ask these hard questions about what really are the costs."

Bankruptcy lawyer Jeffrey Freedman has seen the price people pay firsthand.

"As more ways to gamble open up," he said, "more and more people have gambling problems."





"I wanted to kill myself'

The accountant from Buffalo on the brink of Niagara Falls is but one example of gambling's dark side. Freedman has seen many more.

Gamblers forge a spouse's name, or a friend's, on a credit application.

Parents mortgage their paid-off home to cover a child's losses.

A wife gambles secretly until her husband has to cash out his pension to pay her debt.

"A husband and wife will come in here, and the wife will announce that she's got $50,000 in gambling debt - and the husband's ready to have a heart attack because he has no clue," Freedman said.

"Young adults will rob their own parents and sell stuff just for gambling," he said.

The debts of secret gamblers tear apart families with a ferocity "you just don't see in regular cases," he said.

Take the situation of Tony, who told his story on the condition of anonymity.

He was 12 when he started playing cards for money. He graduated to holding games in his parents' garage, then moved up to the Native American casinos.

He married at 21. By 22, he had a gambling addiction that drove him to the tables for 12-hour stretches, until he had blown through $10,000.

It also drove him to the brink of the Niagara River. He described hitting bottom - after losing $7,000.

"I wanted to kill myself," he said. "I was right by the Niagara River."

He called his wife instead, and she persuaded him to get help.

At 23, he said he is a recovering gambling addict - and will be for the rest of his life. He avoided bankruptcy, but is working 70 hours a week as a steelworker and in other jobs to pay his debts. He relapsed a few months ago as he counted out a cash drawer at the end of one work shift.

The stack of money in his hands made him feel like he did back then, with a 4-inch thick wad of bills, playing blackjack for $400 a hand, tipping the drink girls $25 chips.

"I loved being a big shot, people watching me," he said.





Judge tries a new way

Three years ago, Amherst Town Justice Mark Farrell tried something new with those accused of crimes linked to gambling.

If the evaluation of a defendant showed a serious gambling problem, the case could be transferred to Amherst's gambling court. There, in the first gambling court in the nation, Farrell used routine plea bargains to attack underlying gambling problems.

"Getting a pathological or compulsive gambler to admit their problem is tougher than getting them to admit they're a heroin addict," he said. "I can't run a blood test or a urine test for it."

Farrell can consider only defendants charged with a misdemeanor in Amherst, so the gambling court's caseload remains small, 12 to 15 cases at a time.

"We've had instances in our courthouse when kids were involved in criminal possession of stolen property, petty larceny, emanating from those safe little Texas Hold 'Em games that the parents sponsored for Saturday nights so they could keep all the young men at home," he said.

After the game, Farrell said, the teens were stealing to pay off their debts.

"I'm not a hypocrite. I'll go up to the casino once or twice a year and have dinner, and maybe go out and try my luck and lose," Farrell said. "Ninety-six or 97 percent of the population can readily handle gaming as a pastime. It's those who can't that are beginning to proliferate, and what are we doing to take care of them?"

Given the casino in Buffalo and other gambling expansions, he said, there's no chance a relatively new gambling court in the region will run out of customers.





Teens playing poker

There are other services to help problem or addicted gamblers.

Jewish Family Services of Buffalo, a gambling addiction treatment provider, accepts patients regardless of religion. And the director of that treatment said the sting of gambling addiction cuts across racial, ethnic and socio-economic divides.

"There's no one you can point at and say, "They won't be a problem gambler,' " said Renee Wert.

There is no typical bankrupt gambler either, Freedman said.

It may be a 75-year-old grandmother or a 20-year-old college student. Gambling addiction engenders secrecy, and when other family members discover the truth, it can have a devastating impact, he said.

Yet the state's entire anti-gambling budget is about $3 million, used for prevention programs and treatment.

In Ontario, a $30 million annual budget pays for prevention programs, treatment for gambling addicts, and more. Jewish Family Services has seen a growing number of first-time cases since gambling options expanded in Western New York. Wert remains wary of what the future will bring.

"We don't know what's going to happen, especially if a casino is built in Buffalo," she said.

Meanwhile, Tony and others who have seen the down side of gambling worry.

Now Tony works on getting his satisfaction from working hard and doing right by his son and wife.

"I messed up pretty big, and she's still there behind me supporting me 100 percent," he said. "Makes me realize every day how lucky I am to have her and my son."

He has heard the casino is coming to Buffalo. He knows already that he will feel its pull.

"I work in downtown Buffalo," he said. "I'm going to have to see it every day."


e-mail: agalarneau@buffnews.com


One of the pictures from the article on how to get help

First of all last night after I saw one movie and before I watched the other I picked up my pictures at walgreens. I saw two hotties one dressed up as some type of cow girl and one as a construction worker, or at least they looked hot from a far I'm sure they where. So as I'm leaving people start piling out of one of those S&S limo coach things. Two other nice looking chics asked me if I was going to the Disco I said no but that I would think about it for next year. Disco isn't really my thing But it might be a way to get some great pictures. Plus to view some fine ladies in the process. Also on my way home there was a lot of traffic for Kleinhans I really need to get a list of what is going on there. Ok back to my movies. I went to see Just Friends. It was good but was kinda more of a date movie then a romantic comedy. I thought it was funny but it wasn't as funny as I thought it would be. Not sure why they went PG-13 with it. If they had some real nudity maybe it would have made it a little bit better. Last night I finally saw Ladder 49. I thought it was verry good. With out giving away to much of the story it is told in a differant way. You have your normal story that movies along a stright timeline. Then when the fire fighter gets traped it goes into flashbacks. But then we leave the flashbacks and go back to present time and the present story of trying to get out alive. I thought it was a realistic view on firefighting. There are also a few people who you will recongize if you watch movies, all in all I thought it was verry good.

I went with my mother and my sister to See "A Christmas Story" at studio arena. One of her friends and her 19 year old If i rember correctly grandson went also. I really enjoyed it. I don't want to give to much away. But basicly it is the same story as the movie. It isn't the same as the movie because it is a play and that changes it a little bit. We all met for dinner at Towne first. the food was good as it allways is. I havn't been there in some time and was surprised to see Pasta so I got some. The Alfrado sauce was good, it was not a reall strong flavor but it was good. The brocli was good in it also. It was a huge serving. The chicken lemon rice soup was great like it always is. On our way there I saw a guy trying to light the flames at gaberials gate. I wish I could have gotton a picture of the flames going in the snow that would have been amazing. There sure was a lot of snow coming down. Back to the play where we sat there was a camara guy from Chanel 2 news. He did interview me. the words I was looking for wouldn't come out. I was trying to say I only Come out to plays when it snows. I don't know if they used any of the interview or not. Last night I got home and caught the last half of the channel 2 news so if they ran that story I may have missed it. I did catch a breif shot of the story on daybreak this morning but I wasn't on. One thing I liked about the play was that they still had a Narator and he played a slightly differant role then in the movie. I hope I didn't give anything away. It was the first night of preview week and somepeople filled out blue forms. To me everything ran great, I didn't notice any mess ups. They had what they call preflections about 50 minutes or so before the play starts. From what I understand it is a regular thing they do. It is a way to learn more about the play. I had a good time and I would recomend going to see it.


I decided to put up a couple of pictures of took of the snow. I wish how much it was snowing really translated onto my pictures but it didn't. It may when I get the prints back tonight.

A cat in the Snow

Studio Arena

For some people Thanksgiving winds up being a 3 day holiday. I was to tired and to go out wendsay night. But wendsday is one of the biggest drinking holidays of the year. Then there is thanksgiving. To some people it is about how we stole the land from the indains, had sex with the women and destroyed our friendship, all after they showed us how to live off this land. For some people it is about remembering our history and thinking we should all get along. For some it is truely about be thankfull for what they have. I'm thankfull for what I have everyday. When something is going wrong I try to think about what I have as opposed to what I don't, dosn't always work. So to me the thankfull part is a small part of it. To me it is day to eat good food, watch football and get a lot of sleep afterwords. Then today is "Black Friday". When I was in the bank to day I saw some footage of people running to get into wal-mart and some people got knocked over, how insane is that. I didn't go out super early to find great sales. If I would have had the adds to know what they are Maybe I would have. I did wind up buying some stuff at target but it was at a normal time of day. Tonight I'm going with a bunch of people to to see A christmas story. It should be interesting to see it as a play. I'm sure it will be good. Who knows maybe I will give it a review. I almost forgot I did enjoy thanksgiving from the food and the football. I think it is a lot of work and if I had to do all that work I think I would pass.

[size=xl]Happy Thanksgiving[/size]

I hope everry one has fun and enjoys there day no mater what they do. For those of you who party to night have fun also. I hope everyone enjoys there long weekend. This week we only worked 3 days so it made the work more intense. I can't wait to watch football and eat food. (e:ladycroft) good luck at the turkey trot Hope you enjoy your self. Sabres fans Hope they win tonight. I may make it to Off The Wall tonight to see (e:beast) but with my tiredness I most likely won't hope who ever makes it has a blast. I feal like I'm forgetting something but I can't think of what it is.

jFirst of all I wanted to thank everyone for comenting on how they sleep. I Myself don't sleep with any stuffed animals. However there are some that do look over me and protect me. Even though they are way above me on top of my CD's. I can't remember what they all are but one is a white tiger cub.

I like how some buildings in Buffalo look. I can't explain why. It is like a car or a cute chick. You look and just think that looks cool. Then with the building you see a porch to the side and go, I wonder if they ever use that. Then you think I wonder what it looks like inside. So I took a bunch of pics. I hope you like them, I'm sure a lot of them will be familar. I took them on Richmond, Summer, Linwood or is that norwood always confus those two, symphony circle and porter. I would consider all these buildings in my neighboorhood. I just wish some day I could afforid some of them.

Reading something Ladycroft wrote got me thinking. I have slept in a bed that was to big for just me, on couches, the floor, sleeping bags, recliners, a footon, sleeper sofas, the bus, cars, arm chairs, matress (no bed) and I tried a hammock but i didn't work for me. I was planning to post some pictures from around where I live but I'm short on time so that will be my next post. Then ladycrofts post got me thinking. So I decided to start a poll or survey. I used to sleep in a recliner. that was amazing comfortable belive it or not but now I sleep on a futon. The matress is super thick and soft I find it more comfortable then a bed. So for anyone who feals like responding go ahead. I'm not sure where my favorite place to sleep is I think a verry comfortable couch.

Where do you sleep and where is your favorite place to sleep?
a. couch
b. Recliner
c. Bed
d. soft rug
e. wood floor
f. Matress
g. Strangers bed
H. Popason
i. futon
J. Hammock
k. sleeping bag
L. Big Arm chair
M. or other

I'm not going to see the Juliet Dagger tonight. I wish I was I just don't have the energy. Plus I would have to walk down to the ATM and get money and walk back. I'll stay inside and watch Wrestling. We had a lot of work today. Next week we will have a lot of work since it is only a 3 day week. I'm hoping that when Beast comes back to Buffalo I will finaly get to meet her. Last night I missed The OC but watched Reunion verry good show. I went up to Cozumel to see someone I work with play, I forget the name of the band but mike played drums. I'm not really into the blues but they soundend really good and I really enjoyed my self. On my way home on wendsday I got snowed on, I couldn't belive it I found out people are coming over to my mothers for thanksgiving. I know my post is all over the place but I have a lot of thoughts. Ok take care all and have a great weekend. This is an interesting theme. I wonder if paul is going to bring back the snow on the site when it snows or is it back and I missed it.

I got this info On Pez on myspace thought it was interesting

PEZ COLLECTORS TAKE NOTICE

GC RECORDS IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF A NEW EP SOUNDTRACK FEATURING THE THEME SONG FROM A SOON TO BE RELEASED "PEZ CANDY" ANIMATED FEATURE...

PERFORMED BY GOOD CHARAMEL RECORDING ARTISTS "THE JULIET DAGGER"

"SATURDAY MORNING" (WRITTEN BY ROBBY TAKAC OF THE GOO GOO DOLLS) b/w "SOOPER"

THE THEME SONG AND END CREDIT THEMES TO THE FIRST EVER ANIMATED "PEZ" CARTOON FEATURING THE VOICE OF ROBBY TAKAC AS "PETER PEZ" SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE TO DVD 2006 GC SOUNDTRACK EP TO BE RELEASED EARLY 2006.
-FEATURING ADVANCE STILLS FROM THE CARTOON
-AS WELL AS SPECIAL COLLECTOR FEATURES

had a lot of work today so I'm a bit tired and forgot the point I was going to write about. But I do have a few pictures of Buffalo I forgot to post last time I posted pictures. I wish I could remember the topic I wanted to talk about. Go Sabres, hopefully they can win tonight.