We had some outstanding prime rib at Salvatore’s original restaurant prior to the concert. The meal was fantastic and prepared perfectly. We also had a really nice bottle of Conn Cabernet Sauvignon from 2005. It is a Napa Valley Cabernet. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a full bodied Cabernet. This wine was really much better than we expected.

This year at the holiday concert we got seats close to the front. We sat closer than ever which was really cool. It is neat to see the violinists up close. JoAnn Falletta put together a great show that ended with a standing ovation. We got to see a special appearance by John Stevens who is the kid from East Amherst that made it quite far on American Idol. The guy has a great voice. I wish he would embrace the classic crooner style of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby a little more. I think he would sell a lot more Christmas compact disks if he would just sing the songs the same way that those predecessors did. Nonetheless, his singing is top notch. He is just a bit too Jazzy for me.

There was also a gorgeous female singer there named Michele Ragusa. She is an absolutely lovely performer. We enjoyed her appearances very much. It is amazing how many high quality singers we get to see at these Holiday pops concerts.

If you have never been to one of these Holiday Pops concerts by the BPO, I strongly suggest you attend one. They are a terrific way to spend a classy night out with good friends. You won’t regret it. Whether or not Marvin Hamlisch is conducting, the show is always great. It has become a regular family tradition for us. We will continue attending the show every year so long as they keep giving this kind of outstanding performance.

The radio stations, more specifically WJYE and Star102, are playing Christmas music already. It’s not even Thanksgiving yet. Every year when this happens you start to hear a few people grumble and mumble about it being too early to start with all of this.

I for one applaud the early Christmas mood. Christmas is by far my favorite holiday. When I hear a good classic Christmas song from Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Andy Williams or Johnny Mathis it just causes a little stir in my stomach that reminds me to be nice to people and be happy. For Christmas is coming and all is right with the world at least for a few days.

I can’t help but think back to my childhood when I would be out building an igloo with my brothers in the snow. We used to dig tunnels in the snow in the sides of snowbanks. Then we would take buckets of crabapples and throw them at each other like it was some kind of war zone. If only it was possible to return to a time when our biggest concern was whether or not school was going to be closed for the day so we could go play in the snow. What a great childhood it was.

When you look at the happy little kids around you have to envy them. There is bliss in ignorance. They haven’t the slightest care in the world about the economy, the war in the middle east or terrorists. Nope. They worry about things like how bad it is going to hurt when they have to go to the doctor tomorrow and get their swine flu vaccination. They worry about when it is time to leave their grandpa’s house on Sunday because they are having too much fun playing with cousins and their uncles. Ahh, to be that young and care free again. Then they get to look forward to Santa Claus.

I just love the holidays. I can’t imagine them being the same if we were to move out of western NY. This is home and holidays remind us of that. With all of its baggage, this is still the place that we were born and raised. In the words of the great Marv Levy “Where would you rather be than right here right now?”