highs and lows: Some of the best, worst of the week
Here are some of the best — and worst — of the week:
BEST
FLIGHT DATA TRACKER — We can text and surf the Internet while on a plane, so why can’t we get data from “black boxes” on planes to be constantly backing up? That was the question SUNY Fredonia professor Junaid Zubairi raised years ago and began working on a solution. After research and presenting a plan, Zubairi was presented with a U.S. patent for his Flight Data Tracker. Not only could his invention make the traditional “black box” obsolete, it could potentially save lives. Information could be sent to ground-level servers includes engine data, such as oil pressure and airspeed, as well as altitude, roll, pitch, thrust, heading, and other parameters. Zubairi has been a member of the college’s Department of Computer and Information Sciences since 1999. “To have a patent here is significant. Our mission is to combine research and scholarship,” said Teresa Brown, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “This is a proud moment for Fredonia.” We agree.
GOING PRO — Good luck to Zed Williams and Frank Brown. The Silver Creek Central School alums were drafted by the Georgia Swarm in the National Lacrosse League draft Monday. Williams was the fourth player selected in the draft while Brown was selected in the third round. Williams made history as a lacrosse Black Knight scoring the nation’s most points ever with 729. At the time, the second-highest was 589. The Swarm’s season begins on Dec. 8 and the team will play in Buffalo against the Bandits on Feb. 10 at KeyBank Center.
CARLY’S CLUB FUNDRAISER — Do you have any free time this afternoon? If so, stop by Rookies on the Lake on Lake Shore Drive for Carly’s Club fundraiser today, which runs from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. Carly’s Club at Roswell Park Cancer Institute to offer support programs for children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer and their families as well as to offer hope for a cure. There will be many raffles, including autographed guitars from Sarah McLachlan, Lady Antebellum and Kelsea Ballerini, three autographed Sabres jerseys, overnight hotel stays and much more. Music for the event will be provided by The Freeze, Katie & Jack and Black Widow. Pizza and wings will be available all day with a $5 donation at the door. Children are free. Consider stopping by. It’s definitely a worthwhile cause.
WORST
ANOTHER HURRICANE — Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irene created havoc in parts of the Caribbean and United States. Now Hurricane Maria has struck Puerto Rico hard. The local community has a lot of connections there. Mayor Wilfred Rosas and his brother Hector have a lot of family members that live in Puerto Rico. Because of the hurricane, power has gone out, making it difficult to contact family and friends. If you would like to help, monetary donations are being accepted at the Development Office on the second floor of the Stearns Building, 338 Central Ave. Water donations are being collected at the warehouse at the corner of Lake Shore Drive and Washington Avenue, Dunkirk from 3-7 p.m. for the next two weeks. Those who would like to volunteer can show up at the warehouse or call the city clerk’s office at 366-0452.
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