This handout illustration provided by San Diego State University, shows a newly discovered planet, called Kepler 35, that circles not one but two stars.

The known universe just got a little bigger.

Scientists at NASA’s planet-hunting Kepler mission announced the discovery of 26 planets in 11 differet solar systems on Thursday, Reuters reports.

The announcement brings the number of confirmed planets to 729, with another 2,300 possible planets floating around out there.
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Back in 2008 Mitt Romney gave 23 (that’s twenty-three) years of his returns to Sen. John McCain when he was trying to be picked as McCain’s running mate. (Unclear if McCain picked Sarah Palin because of, or in spite of, that information.)  So why is he only willing to make public his two most recent returns?

Detractors will sniff that it’s not readily apparent why McCain and his staff should be privy to that information but the American people have no right to see it. Romney is “running for office, for Pete’s sake,” as he told a lawn company manager.

The problem is, if Romney releases the returns he gave McCain, the pressure will only intensify for the two remaining years, 2008 and 2009, when the economy went into a tailspin and millions lost their homes and jobs. They’ll be called “the lost years,” likened to the Nixon Tapes’ 18¹ / ₂-minute gap and such.
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The U.S. economy grew at a modest 2.8 percent rate in the final three months of last year, the fastest growth in 2011.

Americans spent more on cars and trucks, and companies built up their stockpiles. But growth in the October-December quarter — and all of 2011 — was held back by the biggest annual government spending cuts in four decades.

The Commerce Department says the economy grew just 1.7 percent last year, roughly half of the growth in 2010 and the worst since the recession.
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Popular Winter Event Will Feature Free Family Activities With or Without Snow

ERIE COUNTY, NY— Today, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz joined Legislature Minority Leader John Mills, Parks Commissioner Troy Schinzel, Orchard Park Town Councilmember Eugene Majchrzak and others at Chestnut Ridge Park to announce the return of Winterfest this coming weekend.  Winterfest will be held on Sunday, January 29^th, from 10:00am to 4:00pm outside the Casino at Chestnut Ridge Park. 

Winterfest will be held this weekend with or without snow and will feature free family activities including:  sledding, snowshoe hikes, marshmallow roasting, arts & crafts, snow sculpturing, hay rides, wood branding and much more.  Additional activities have been added in the event there no snow including:  karaoke, family scavenger hunts, Harry Potter Quidditch, USTA Quick Start Tennis and a wacky kids obstacle course. 

“Winterfest is a perfect opportunity to highlight one of our community’s true treasures, Chestnut Ridge Park,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz.  “Whether or not Mother Nature decides to cooperate with us this weekend, Winterfest will have a host of free activities for families across Erie County to enjoy.  I would like to thank Legislator Mills, Councilmember Majchrzak, the event sponsors and everyone from Orchard Park for being such great hosts and I look forward to this weekend being a success regardless of the weather.”

“Winterfest is one of the county’s premier events, attracting residents and visitors from around the region to enjoy Chestnut Ridge Park. Last year the park was crowded with children and adults taking part in a variety of activities. It was a tremendous success,” said Minority Leader John Mills. “I hope this year, despite less than perfect weather conditions, is just as enjoyable to all who attend.”

“This event would not be possible without the incredible amount of work Ed Leak and the entire Orchard Park Recreation Department has done to make this event happen again this year,” said Parks Commissioner Troy Schinzel.  “Additionally, I would like to thank our volunteers from the Orchard Park Teachers Association, Orchard Park Youth Rugby Club, Hillcrest Fire Company and the Erie County Sheriffs Mounted Unit for their help this Sunday.”

“On behalf of the Town of Orchard Park, I would like to welcome all the residents across Erie County to the Chestnut Ridge Winterfest,” said Orchard Park Councilmember Eugene Majchrzak.  “As you know, it takes a tremendous amount of time, communication, and cooperation to set up an event like this.  I want to thank everyone at the county level that was involved and our own Orchard Park Recreation Director – Ed Leak.  Please have fun and be safe this weekend.”

Many of Erie County’s Parks offer free activities on a daily basis throughout the winter season.  More information is available by calling the Parks Department at (716) 858-8513 or visiting their website at www.erie.gov/parks.  Winterfest was made possible by the generous support received from Towne Auto Group, Volkswagen of Orchard Park, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Southtowns Radiology and Wegmans Supermarkets.

A friend found some interesting posts on SpeakUpWNY.com

From FMD:  The amherst boards are a joke. Thenresidents no longer have a say at any of these so called ‘public’ meetings. I have been to a few, and always speak my mind even if it pisses off the board. **** them!

Their a bunch of sell outs and treasonous pigs who get little perks for supporting developers. Sad part is, the general populace still thinks they have some sort of input in how the town is ran. Ha! What a joke. Having meetings, in my opinion is a waste of time and money, why even bother? You submit facts,and opinions in opposition to various items and they dont even bother to take you or your fellow residents objections/facts into consideration. Whatever the developers want. From now on, any accidents i see in the town i am going to advise the parties to include board members as well as the town in their suits. Traffic is horrendous and the town doesnt care. So maybe when they get sued for their carelessness and their blatant refusal to address the real problems theyll get their collective heads out of their asses and do thenjob they were elected to do

Also:  the palidino project passed 5-1. Some gentleman was there that researched palidinos own traffic study and guess he found some irregularities in it. Makes ya wonder, does anyone actually read this crap? Also, iskalo is putting a bank on the north west corner of n forest and main, and a 3 story medical office where niagara mowhawk used to be… Plus palidinos 6 story hotel… All with in 600 ft of eachother, all in the same intersection. You may want to avoid that area for the next 2 years as construction is supposed to start in March.

NEW YORK’S 26^TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT – Congresswoman Kathy Hochul today sent a letter to fire stations throughout New York’s 26^th Congressional District urging them to apply for funding opportunities under the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program (SAFER) through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  

“I urge all our local fire departments to apply for this critical federal funding to help them meet their staffing needs,” said Congresswoman Hochul.  “As a Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I am committed to making sure our communities are safe through proper staffing and appropriate resources.

FEMA will award approximately $380 million in SAFER grants to support the efforts of fire departments to hire new firefighters and recruit and retain volunteer firefighters.

The application period opens this Monday, January 30, 2012 at 8:00 AM EST and will close on February 24, 2012 at 5:00 PM EST.  Application materials and Get Ready Guides are available at www.fema.gov/firegrants.

Text of the letter Congressman Hochul sent to local fire departments throughout New York’s 26^th District can be found below:

Our firefighters and emergency response personnel are critical to the safety and security of our communities, and I am committed to ensuring they have the resources necessary to do their job and do it well.  

 That is why I wanted to inform you of a funding opportunity that was recently announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  

On Monday, January 30, 2012, at 8:00 a.m EST., the application period for the Fiscal Year 2011 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program will begin, and will be open and through February 24, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. EST.  

SAFER grants provide funding to local fire departments to assist with staffing and deployment capabilities, improving departments’ ability to respond to emergencies and assuring communities a quick response to fire and fire-related hazards.

While the application period begins on January 30^th, the grant announcement, application materials, and “Get Ready Guides” are already available at www.fema.gov/firegrants. You may also contact the Department of Homeland Security’s Chris Rizzuto at (202) 786-9450, Andrew White at (202) 646-3183, Laura Cirillo at (202) 447-5380, or Jay Harper at (202) 447-4058 for further information.

Again, I am committed to fighting on behalf of our firefighters and the communities they protect. Please do not hesitate to contact my Project Director, Peter Snodgrass, at (716) 634-2324 or A.Peter.Snodgrass@mail.house.gov if you would like my assistance with your grant application, or if you have any further questions.

Sincerely                               

Kathleen C. Hochul
Member of Congress

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – Representatives Kathy Hochul (NY-26) and Louise Slaughter (NY-28) today said they will continue to fight on behalf of the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station after Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta made an announcement detailing defense budget cuts.

Hochul and Slaughter represent the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station and have been actively engaged in the process to protect the base.

“The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station is an important part of the military, our nation’s national security, and the Western New York community,” said Congresswoman Hochul.  “As a new Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have already held personal meetings with senior military officials, and have communicated with the Administration about the importance of this installation.”

“We know how difficult these BRAC Commissions are because of all the work it took in 2005 to save it,” said Congresswoman Slaughter.  “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Niagara Falls Air Base deserves to be the crown jewel of the Air Force. I’ve been proud to join my colleagues in conversations about the importance of the Air Base for Western New York and the United States military.”

The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Center is home to the 914th and 107th Airlift Wings and is the largest employer in Niagara County.

Ranking Member on Postal Subcommittee Latest Voice Asking Postmaster to Keep William Street Center Open

Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (MA-9) is joining Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) in asking the U.S. Postmaster General to remove the Buffalo Mail Processing facility from the list of those slated for closure. Congressman Lynch is a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where he serves as Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, U.S. Postal Service and Labor Policy.

“Congressman Lynch understands the struggles of hard-working communities and the devastating economic impact closing the Buffalo facility would have on families and businesses in Western New York,” said Higgins.  “We are thankful to add the Congressman’s name to the hundreds of others locally who are fighting to keep the William Street plant open.”

“The Buffalo Processing and Distribution Center plays a key role in western New York’s economy and its closure could have serious economic ramifications for the entire region,” Congressman Stephen F. Lynch said.  “Based on the U.S. Postal Service’s own criteria for closing facilities, it makes no sense that the Buffalo facility should be closed.  I join with my colleague, Congressman Brian Higgins, in asking that it be removed from consideration for closure.”

Prior to serving in Congress, Lynch worked as an ironworker for 18 years at sites across the country and was eventually elected president of his local union.  Congressman Lynch is the son of a postal clerk.

Read the letter sent jointly by Congress members Higgins and Lynch HERE.

Where do Apples come from?  No, not the fruit, the computer company products.  Two-thirds of Americans want domestic companies to shoulder a lot of responsibility to keep manufacturing jobs in the United States.  That is not as true for Apple owners.

Over all, 52 percent of the public said it was very important that the products they buy were made in the United States; only 42 percent of owners of Apple products agreed.

Outsourcing, they say, is clearly a cause of fewer jobs domestically. And two-thirds of the public wants American companies to shoulder a lot of responsibility to keep manufacturing jobs in the United States.

Owners of Apple products were largely aware that Apple products had a large foreign manufacturing component. Most, 54 percent, said they were made partly in the United States and partly overseas, 18 percent said entirely overseas, 8 percent said entirely in the United States and 20 percent said they did not know.
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Open letter from Governor Cuomo: