The UB Alumni Association’s newest chapter in Houston gathered approximately 55 people for its inaugural event, watching the Buffalo Bills vs. the Houston Texans on November 16.

Charlotte, NC

A crowd of 40 alumni, family members and friends gathered November 9 at Tavern on the Tracks, a meeting spot for Buffalo Bills fans, to watch the Bills meet the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium. The collegial atmosphere helped take the sting out of the Bills’ performance that afternoon.

Dallas/Fort Worth, TX

A week before the Buffalo Bills played the Dallas Cowboys, some 20 Dallas-based alumni and friends got together at the Stadium Café in Addison on October 26 to watch the Bills take on the unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs. Folks also enjoyed the Buffalo fare offered by the café.

Houston, TX

Mike Jankowski, assistant director of alumni relations, hosted a dinner meeting November 15 for alumni interested in the new Houston chapter and serving on its board. Ray Poltorak, M.B.A. ’68 & B.A. ’65, who provided the impetus for the group’s creation, was elected president. Also attending were his wife, Beverley Poltorak, B.A. ’66; Andy Sarantapoulas, M.S. ’02 & B.S. ’98; Barry Kaplan, Ph.D. ’75, M.A. ’73 & B.A. ’71, and his wife, Cathryn; Jim Glattly, M.S. ’76 & B.S. ’73; and Roger Krueger, B.S. ’51, and his wife, Joyce. The following afternoon, when the Buffalo Bills hosted the Houston Texans, 55 individuals registered to watch on every television at Sansone’s Restaurant, home to the Bills Backers in Houston. Among the alumni in attendance were Benjamin Patel, B.S. ’50; Robert Schwartz, Ph.D. ’51 and Robert Sobocinski, M.D. ’53.

New York, NY

	From left: Megan Ball, B.A. ’03; Mike Sciortino, B.A. ’03; Andrei Rado, B.A. ’96, and Mike Ma, M.S. ’87 & M.S. ’86, enjoy the moment at the GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Wings Night at the Sporting Club in the Tribeca section of Manhattan.

On November 18, approximately 50 alumni and their guests gathered at the Sporting Club, Tribeca’s popular establishment owned by Larry Furtzaig, B.A. ’80, for the annual GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Wings Night. All-you-can-eat wings, good company and a pint or two highlighted the evening. Chapter President Helene Blieberg, B.A. ’77, was on hand to greet and mingle with the guests; prize drawings for UB items capped off the evening.

Phoenix, AZ

Alumni and Bills fans gathered October 12 at Champps Sports Bar and watched on a large-screen TV as the Buffalo Bills met the New York Jets at the Meadowlands. Though the Jets routed the Bills, the atmosphere was warm and the memories of UB were abundant.

Rochester, NY

W. David Penniman, dean of the UB School of Informatics, discussed “Informatics: What It Is and Why We Need It” with 20 alumni during a UB at Sunrise breakfast presentation on October 22 at the Center at High Falls in downtown Rochester.

San Francisco/Bay Area, CA

	Christ Kamages, M.Arch. ’72 (left), and Don Steiger, B.A. ’83 & B.A. ’72 (right), both alumni of the School of Architecture and Planning, were among those who greeted Brian Carter (center), dean of the school, during a reception in San Francisco on November 6.

Brian Carter, dean of the School of Architecture and Planning, made two separate presentations on the Frank Lloyd Wright influence at UB, and the architecture at UB and in Buffalo. On November 5, he spoke in San Jose at Bella Mia Restaurant, and on November 6 at the E & O Brewing Company in downtown San Francisco. Attending the reception were more than 50 alumni and family members, many architecture and planning alumni, along with San Jose chapter board members. Following the dean’s presentations, there were lots of architectural questions. Carter also provided insights into the architecture program as it has developed since his arrival at UB in January 2003.

Washington, DC

	Enthusiastic Washington, DC, chapter members tailgate at Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern before watching the Washington Redskins and the Buffalo Bills play at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 19. Former Western New Yorker and Old Town owner Jimmy Cirrito is kneeling at right foreground and former Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood stands, center.

Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern in Herndon, VA, was the setting for the third annual Washington, DC, chapter’s tailgate party on October 19.

Forty people attended the event, hosted by Old Town owner Jimmy Cirrito, a native Western New Yorker whose late father taught at UB. Former Bills kicker Scott Norwood greeted alumni in attendance and helped raise money for the Hunter’s Hope Foundation.