Thumbs up: for finally bringing the sale of charitable raffle tickets into the modern age. The signing of the Charitable Gaming Act into law will now allow charities to accept cash, checks, debit and credit cards as payment for raffle sales. Previously, state law dictated that raffle tickets were only allowed to be sold in exchange for cash. The old law was problematic locally. Last year, the Stafford Fire Department in Genesee County, called off its annual vintage car raffle after it was discovered the 70-year-old raffle — which thrived on ticket sales from across the country — violated the state's longstanding raffle rules. And the old rule also put the popular Brockport Duck Derby, which had been running for two decades, in temporary legal limbo. With the new law, ticket sales will still be limited to being sold in the county where the fundraiser is being held and the contiguous counties surrounding it, as long as those municipalities allow charity raffles. This change will make it easier for charities to run raffles and that is a good thing.
Thumbs down: for the frustration felt by users of older iPhone that were moving at a glacial pace. Social media was abuzz with gripes about poor performance of older iPhones and some consumers filed lawsuits claiming that Apple deliberately slowed older phones in an effort to generate new sales. In an apology, Apple insisted it would never intentionally shorten the life of an Apple product. The smartphone maker went on to explain what may have contributed to slow downs and offered a large reduction in the price of replacement batteries -- from $79 to $29 for the next year. That should help iPhone users who were ready to pull their hair out because of their slow smartphone.
Thumbs up: for working to ensure a better coordinated response in Monroe County during big snow storms. The Snow and Ice Board, a component of the Monroe County’s existing WebEOC technology, will collect real-time data as highway superintendents input information including details on road conditions, the progress of snow removal and snowfall rates. The online tool is expected to offer a streamlined resource for highway superintendents and Public Works departments in Monroe County. Previously, data shared with the county was phoned in to the Office of Emergency Management and local municipalities also connected with each other by phone. Shared details should help municipalities in the storm’s anticipated path to prepare accordingly, bringing in additional staff as needed, said Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo. It will also guide the county's Office of Emergency Management regarding road closures, travel advisories and other travel restrictions.
Thumbs up: for cooking up a storm on Bravo’s Top Chef. Tanya Holland, a graduate of Pittsford Mendon High School, made it to season 15 of Top Chef, a cooking competition series. Holland was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and moved to Greece at the age of 2, when her father took a job at Kodak. When she was 14, the family moved to Pittsford. She is now executive chef and owner of Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland, California. Her restaurant draws crowds for her updated soul food, most notably her chicken and waffles. Top Chef airs at 10 p.m. Thursdays on Bravo. We don’t want to give away any spoilers, so, you’ll have to tune in or go to bravotv.com to see if Holland made it through the current episode.
Thumbs up: for remembering winter safety driving tips. Our region is in the midst of a cold stretch with plenty of snow and ice on roads. As you get ready to travel this holiday weekend (and all winter long), AAA reminds us to: drive slowly; keep the gas tank at least half full; avoid driving while tired; make sure tires are properly inflated; accelerate and decelerate slowly.