ADOPTION UPDATE: Claire Prevo is coming home!

Garrett and Heidi Prevo (along with their two sons Easton and Keaton) have added a new addition to their family...

A few months ago, I showed you pictures of Claire...

this was one of the first pictures the Prevo's had of her...

But now, she's on her way home!

And look how darling she is on the family blog!!

I think they said they were leaving Tuesday
(but they may have already left depending on the time difference.)
HOW COOL!!!
Congratulations!!!
You can send an email to the family at heidiprevo@yahoo.com!

Boy, it's been a busy, stressful and sad week

I have a lot to say, but no time to say it. But first, I want to share an experience that I had this week and am wondering if others can relate.

Jim had to put down his dog, Jasmine, on Saturday. It was one of the most difficult things I've ever done. She was such a beloved friend, and after 12 years, she had cancer in one of her bones. I'm sure she had it in other places as well, but the cancer attacked her leg and left her unable to walk.

I don't want to go into details, but being in the room with her was very hard. Thankfully, she went peacefully, but it was terribly sad. I think Jim's whole family is depressed by it--they had been taking care of her in St. Louis, and she really became a family dog!

Anyway, we all miss Jasmine, and I wanted to write about it since she was a big part of our lives...

I'm transferring to Alaska?

Schurz Communications (the company that owns KY3 and runs KSPR) bought a great station in Anchorage, Alaska. For those of you who follow industry news, KTUU is well-known for having phenomenal photographers. One to mention is Scott Jensen.

courtesy KTUU.com

He was once the National Press Photographers Association Photographer of the Year...and he used to work at KARE in Minneapolis. I met him when I went to NPPA a few years ago, but I had admired his work for a while because he worked with KU alum and reporter Greg Vandegrift.

courtesy kare11.com

These guys really put most of us to shame. I am the kind of reporter/photog groupie who would love to just breathe the same air that they breathe (kidding, sort of...) Maybe that's why I'm marrying a photographer! ha!

I miss working with my Jimbo.

Anyway, the information might not mean much to most people, but I thought it was worth a mention and a consideration for a future transfer to Alaska...except I hate cold weather!!

Reporter Attacked in South Carolina

This breaks my heart to see 1) violence but 2) racism. And how scary is this?!

Baby Mama Trailer

I love Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. My idols.

Desdinova tagged me with a book meme...

Here were my instructions:

Just grab the book nearest your computer, find page 123, then find the fifth sentence down. Type that sentence and the next three on you blog. Have fun.

I sound like a perv, but here goes:

"One who looks like an Eastern slave in her golden nudity, a fantasy-slave girl. It nauseates her and she bites herself, leaving tooth marks in her arm which are still visible when she gets dressed and goes home. Victoria Theatre is small, chanderliered and velvet-covered, but nothing can detract from the fact that it's a second-rate theatre set up in the colony to appease the expatriate community. The humidity breeds a mustard-smelling fungus on the heavy drapes and the padded seats and makes tuning the instruments a frustratingly daunting feat."


--The first line is funny, huh? The book is Breaking the Tongue, and it's about the fall of Singapore to the Japanese in WWII... so I'm really not reading porn.

By the way, what is a meme? What does that stand for? Blogger illiterate, here.

Thanks Desdinova! Good fun~

Bye Bye Melissa!!

Melissa, with curly hair

One of my great friends is leaving Sunshine Street for the Sunshine State!

Melissa Yeager is leaving KY3 and heading out to Fort Myers, Florida.

She's got a fabulous job as the investigative reporter and fill-in anchor.

She was a great leader in the KY3 newsroom...

and will be a great leader in her next!

Good luck, Melissa!!

Her last day at KY3 is just one week away.

Please send her an email to wish her well!

myeager@ky3.com

On a side note:

I followed Melissa at KJHK in Lawrence, then Topeka, and of course, we worked together in Springfield...maybe that's a sign as to where my next move will be, as well? ha!

How long does it take?

How long does it take for someone to recover after a small surgery? Anyone? I got my cast off my wrist a week ago, and my wrist still hurts. The doctor said it would be mobile after about 3 weeks, but I don't really see how that's possible. If I would have known that a little cyst removal would have caused so much pain...I may not have done it. But no offense to the guys who took it out.

A Day Late (or two)

The ice storm is nearly over, but I thought I'd post some of my pictures. If it's any consolation, I fell today and during a separate incident, I broke my phone.

Get out of my Chili!

Alright, I'm not one to really toot my own horn... but TOOOOOOOOOOT!

I talked smack for a week, but there was strategy and hard work behind the trash talk. Just like the world's champion hotdog eater...yours truly was one little Asian taking her chili cookoff seriously.

Takeru Kobayashi -- World Competitive Eater

First I tried to make the pork chili (scroll down for recipe). That was okay, but it wasn't going to cut the mustard...so there I was...starting from scratch. Oh, the agony!

Then it hit me. A theme: "Everything but the bun." It would be decadent, thick, fatty, meaty--enough to make your heart stop beating...or as Paula Dean might say, "enough to make your tongue jump out of your mouth and smack you around"...or something. I mean, I've been watching enough of Gordon Ramsay to know that you can't overcomplicate a recipe when people expect just good ole hearty chili. Yes...I decided to make a chili called everything but the bun--just as if you were eating a chili dog without the bun. Aha!

Anyway, at KSPR, there were six entries...some were healthy, others were spicy...but ALL were DELICIOUS!!

Are you still with me?

It came down to just two crock pots--my news director's and mine. My hands were sweating; my lips were trembling. My stomach was twitching. I was so nervous. Either that or I ate too much chili.

But then my General Manager called out my name, shook my hand, and said..."sorry". In a flash, the COMPETITION WAS OVER!!!! I mustered out a smile and a laugh, but on the inside I was looking around the room thinking... "oh the humiliation!" No one liked my idea! My life is over! How will I tell my mom?

But then...a second later...My GM (still shaking my hand) said, "Ha! Just kidding, because Michelle, you are the chili cookoff winner!" Actually, I don't know if he really said that because my head was spinning so much, and I just couldn't believe that I had won... I mean, just seconds before my boss' boss had ripped my heart in shreds! It went from complete humiliation to total elation! Egads!! I finally done right.

And here it is... the glory... the sweet taste of success...

I finally achieved my dreams of making KSPR history... Though there were some great competitors, it seems as if 2008 just might be my year.

Mrs. Louisiana 2007

An update for my former J-School buddies... here are some clips from Najahe Hall (Sherman)... She's doing really well in Louisiana, as you can see! She is the morning and noon anchor at KSLA in Shreveport.

Just Try It: Pork Chili Soup

I am gearing up for a chili cookoff-showdown at work on February 8th. Problem is, I don't really like chili...at least the beans.

Nonetheless, Jim and I are planning a strategy to overtake KY3 and KSPR with our awesome chili. We want the glory, man.

We've been testing out some of the most award-winningest chilis ever put on the Interweb...because that's the best place to go for something original and truly homemade, duh!

The following recipe is not a chili-cookoff-winner. However, it does taste good, almost like a tortilla soup. I took it to KSPR today because it went perfectly with the cold weather...and as you can see, the bowl was emp-tay! It looks gross because it's burnt inside the crockpot, but it promises to be delicious (especially on day two!)

The faces of future chili cookoff winners

Pork Chile Chili (or soup)

3 lbs. pork shoulder (or a lean cut of pork), cubed
2 cans stewed tomatoes
3 cups water
2 16 oz. cans of whole green chiles
1/2 t oregano
3 T bacon grease
1/3 c flour
3 onions, chopped
6 garlic gloves, minced

**Melt bacon grease** (you can opt for a light oil!). **Put flour in a gallon-size ziplock bag and add half the pork.** Shake well to coat and cook in skillet. Put aside in a dutch oven. Coat the other half of the pork and add to skillet. Remove meat and place in dutch oven. Add onions and garlic. Add to dutch oven. Stir in remaining ingredients, lower heat and simmer 45 minutes.

**Modifications**
1. You do not have to use bacon grease. Olive oil, canola oil, or no oil will do
2. You definitely do not have to bread and fry up your meat! I would, however, use just a little bit of flour to thicken the chili.
3. My thoughts: add lots of black pepper and garlic powder to your meat. I have a feeling chicken would do well if you don't like pork.

I was a ganglion

My cyst and I had become very close during the last 12 years...

I attempted to get rid of it by having it drained and getting cotisone shots,

but my cyst thought I was just kidding about our break-up.

Well, now my wrist-cyst and I are no longer one...

thanks to Dr. Grillot at the Orthopaedic Specialists of Springfield.

I miss you dear pal,

you were my excuse for not doing push-ups.

Lunar New Year Celebration

Thuy ("Twee"), from Bambu, will be celebrating the Lunar New Year on February 7-9. Every customer can pick a red envelope from their money tree (that has Bambu "lucky money" in it.)

They'll also be giving away food samples with your meal, and Thuy's little brother will be doing the dragon dance in the dining room throughout the day. Thuy will even give you a tarot card reading!

By the way, Bambu also has Wii Nites on Mondays...it's free!

Best of 417 Winners...

Whitaker Publishing is giving us a sneak peak of the Best of 417 Awards. The party is so much fun. I went to it last year and saw a lot of people...plus, ate at nearly every restaurant in Springfield! At least, it felt that way.

Anyway, here's a sneak peak at the list! Congratulations! You can see the full list in February's magazine which should be out next week. Also, you can go 417mag.com on Friday.

Thanks to Matt Lemmon (417 web editor/GO editor) for the inside scoop!

Top 5 Local Restaurants
1. Ocean Zen
“The It Restaurant of All 417-land.”
Audible oohs and aahs can be heard near its glass-and-metal wine cave near the restaurant’s entrance. As food goes, the Asian/ Western mix is consistently wonderful and inventive.

2. Flame Steakhouse & Wine Bar

3. Bijan’s Sea & Grille

4. Haruno

5. Metropolitan Grill

Best Personal Trainer
Mark Milsap, CoxHeath

Best Bartender
Jeff Busby, Icon Nightclub

Best Live Music Venue
Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre

Best Customer Service
Town & County
Did you know Town & County celebrated its 50th anniversary in October? That kind of staying power can be traced back to one source: customer service. Town & County is filled with long-term salespeople.

Best Steaks
Doe’s Eat Place
Home of the 4.5-pound sirloin. Yow.

Blunt Out of Public Office?

I went to Jeff City today for Blunt's press conference. First of all, it was long. We were in there for about an hour, and I really thought it would take 30 tops. I wonder if a consultant said, "Look, you've just dropped a bomb. You must speak as long as reporters ask questions."??

Anyway, no offense to my fellow journalists, but there are so many pretentious political reporters. Don't get me wrong. I'm glad that people are asking questions, but reporters kept asking the same questions over and over and over again... and Blunt kept saying the same things over and over and over again. I thought I was taking crazy pills. It was really annoying, especially when you have 3 tapes to log in the car on the way back.

I looked at my friend Dave and said, "I know these people (reporters) are smart enough to know that they're asking the same questions over again..." I understand that if you push someone, they might eventually say something that might be more of what you want to hear. However, the governor was just not going to say, "Yes! I'm getting a job with Mitt!! That's the reason I'm quitting!" or "Yes! I thought I was going to get creamed by Jay Nixon in the campaign--you're right, I really do believe that I failed at a lot of my policies, like Medicaid!"

C'mon.

Anyway, Blunt says as of now, he has no plans to seek a federal or state job. He says he also has no plans to endorse another Republican.

Blunt says that it's a sad commentary for American politics that people can't just accept the fact that he wants to quit. If he's really telling the truth about "just quitting", I think it will make him more endearing to people...but as the cliche goes--only time will tell!

Try Hazing: MSU's Tri Sigma Does

Courtesy News-Leader

As many people know, Sigma Sigma Sigma at MSU has been disbanded by its national council for hazing. What an amazing shock to the young women who pledged and were looking forward to spending four years of sisterly love under one roof, bleh.

The chapter got in trouble for apparently playing drinking games, leaving blindfolded women in a cemetery, and forcing a woman to get an application from a strip club, as the News-Leader reports.

It just so happens that I have my own Springfield Tri-Sigma story.

My best friend from kindergarten to high school pledged Sigma Sigma Sigma at Southwest Missouri State. She loved the sorority so much--it was like, the ultimate. I mean she bled purple, y'all! And P.S., I hope she never reads this.

Anyway, she told me so many stories about what she did as a new member of that house. She said that one time the older girls invited the new pledge class over to the house. When they arrived, the older girls came down the stairs in really skimpy lingerie (sounds like a movie, right?!) Then the older girls got in each of the pledge's faces and started yelling things like "whore!" "slut!" for a few minutes to get a reaction from them. WTF? I never got that since the girls who were yelling were the ones dressed like skanks, but oh well.

Other stories included lots of drinking. "Drink bi*&^!!!" and stuff like that...

And when I asked her, "Don't you think that's degrading?" She said "NO! I can't wait to do it to the little bi%^&es next year!" Seriously?

Whatever. To each their own, right? At least that's what I thought at 19, afterall, this was my BFF. So one weekend I drove from Lawrence to Springfield to visit. We went out, did things that stupid college kids do, and then went back to her dorm. The next morning, all of her sorority sisters met in the bathroom to talk about their previous night (they went to a cool Sig Ep party...while we were losers and hung out with some of our other high school friends.) Anyway, I remember one of her stupid friends saying, "God, I'm so hungover right now...I mean look at me! I have Chinese eyes!" (and she made that awesome squinty-face while saying it.) I was just walking out of the stall, and kept walking. I may not have even washed my hands, which, if you know me, means ALOT.

My best friend of, um, oh, 14 years, laughed it off and joked about it...said nothing in my defense...or ever mentioned it again.

I packed my bags and left. I'm usually pretty cool about stupid stuff like that, but I had just had it with all of her uber sorority-ness.

So, my personal feelings are that Tri-Sigma, in a sense, changed my dear friend. So much, that we stopped being friends. Believe it or not, for a few years I had dreams about us making up and being friends again. It sounds cheesy, but it's true.

Another thing that bothers me...is that this is still the perception that many people have of fraternities and sororities. There are good, no great, sororities out there with very intelligent women who would not subject their new members to this kind of treatment.

I don't publicize it, but I was in a sorority at KU, and it was a great experience. As new members, we would get gifts from the older girls who wanted to welcome us into the home. We were expected to get good grades, and we were expected to be involved on campus. We were told the rules and were expected to follow them. Did we break some of them? Sure, but nothing that bad. And man, no one would have ever called me stupid or slutty...I think most of my friends would've walked out of a house like that and turned them in to Panhellenic. Who calls other women names like that...just for fun? And better yet, who would allow themselves to be called that?

I could go on and on about women dumbing themselves down...it's a real shame. So even though I do feel bad for the women in that house who were abiding by the rules, I don't feel an ounce for the women who were mistreating their "sisters". I hope they have learned a lesson--and not just the one about getting caught.

Watch out World

My maid of honor just got a pretty cool job, and I wanted to wish her congratulations! Lucy McShane is now an Assistant Attorney General in Washington, D.C. Yep, she's prosecuting people. Watch out!! I'm very proud of her. Few women are like LGM. I miss her in MO!

Huck Takes Iowa Via Chuck

Pretty dang funny, regardless of you who like.

#1 Story on KY3.com for 2007: Strawberry Meth

Even though I no longer work at KY3, a story I wrote turned out to be the most clicked on story on KY3.com for 2007...and by a long shot. It's a story about strawberry meth, and so I think it's worth discussing.

Strawberry meth was #1 with 295,000 page views; the second most clicked on story was about a Christmas tree controversy at Missouri State with 97,000 page views.

The story was very interesting because I remember getting a lot of emails about it from across the country. I remember one teacher emailing me from North Dakota or Wyoming (can't remember), asking me if she could put the story in her school newsletter. I think I remember strawberry meth supposedly making its way quickly to the area, and that's why people were so interested.

Strawberry meth is apparently flavored to taste like strawberries... the Community Partnership of the Ozarks was concerned about it...so we did the story... but I can't help but wonder if strawberry meth is real or if it is an urban legend. I've heard both. The argument has been that some meth is colored, but rarely is it flavored. I wish I knew, but I haven't done meth for a few years now, so I don't know the latest trend.

Kidding...

but the sad thing is that a lot of kids do meth, with or without the so-called strawberry flavoring. When I was in high school, I remember people doing "crank"...and a lot of "good" kids who turned out to be good adults. I can honestly say I never did it. I remember our biology teacher's wife getting busted for crank at her accounting office, though. How crazy. But the funny thing is that I had no idea that "crank" or "crystal" was meth until I landed my first reporting job in North Carolina. It freaked me out to know that so many of my friends had done meth. And now that I think about it, that explains a lot of their actions... So, I believe if kids were doing it when I was in high school, I'm sure they're doing it now. Actually, I hear that cocaine is more popular these days, but that's only through stories I do at work...

Anyway, here's the story I did back in March at KY3--I can't tell you that it's true that strawberry meth exists, but it is true that our local officials, at one point in time, believed it existed:

WILLARD, Mo. -- A new twist to an old drug may make it more appealing to children. It's called strawberry quick -- strawberry flavoring added to methamphetamine to make it taste more like candy -- and it's already made its appearance in the Ozarks.

The first sighting of strawberry quick was in Willard, not too far from the town's debris dumpsite. It's strawberry flavored and it could be the first of a new trend. It's causing a major buzz with law officers and community groups.

It looks like rock candy, the kind someone might buy as a treat, but there's nothing sweet about these crystals.

"It has a more user-friendly appearance, if you will,” said Capt. Randy Gibson of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department.

Strawberry quick is basically meth with pink coloring and strawberry flavoring to remove the bitter taste of just plain meth. It showed up on the west coast in mid-February and, in almost no time, wound up here.

“It was almost overnight,” said Gibson.

Greene County officers recently pulled over a car for a traffic violation and found about two grams of it in a seat. So far, detectives think it’s the only case in this area but that doesn't stop community leaders from worrying about the drug's impact on kids.

"When it's put in that kind of format, people often think it's less hazardous,” said Melissa Haddow, executive director of Community Partnership of the Ozarks. "This may appeal to kids that meth or crystal would not appeal to.”

Haddow compares it to how kids think of alcohol. Many see hard liquor, like gin, as dangerous but, at the same time, see drinks like wine coolers as safe.

"I don't know if it's deliberately targeted to kids but certainly it's going to be more palatable for kids,” said Gibson.

"I don't think it is huge right now in the Ozarks at all,” said Haddow, “but we don't want to glamorize it, that's for sure."

The Community Partnership is sending out surveys to area schools to get an idea of how bad meth is among students and to see how much they know, if anything, about strawberry quick.

Loved it: Charlie Wilson's War

The real Charlie Wilson

Saw "Charlie Wilson's War" last night with a couple of friends...

It was great!! Philip Seymore Hoffman is the most awesome actor ever. Jim doesn't really care for Tom Hanks, but I think he likes him a lot more after seeing the movie. I've always like Tom Hanks, PS...

...but the movie makes you wonder if things would have been different had the US helped stabilize Afghanistan after pushing out the Russians.

Goodbye 2007

My 10 great memories of 2007--this year was a year of firsts, lasts and onlys...good times, though, for sure:


10. Gained 10 pounds. Not that that's good, but it was fun gaining it. Talk to me again in 2008 when I'm at the gym.

9. Moved into a house in the student ghetto. I get a kick out of watching my neighboring flag girls from Missouri State practice in the street.

8. Dyed my hair back to its natural color. It was a traumatic adjustment to get rid of my blonde roots.

7. Got nominated for an Emmy. We lost, but I got excited over it for a minute. Probably won't get nominated again... or excited for that matter. The event was pretty lackluster as the host sang an opening number and forgot the words, much like a mocumentary.

6. Hosted several Grey's Anatomy watch parties with my former roommate and good friend Megahn. Those were pretty sweet...though I miss the bierocks.

5. Briefly became a college instructor. It was pretty exciting until I realized that most of the students didn't want to be in my nightly-summer-introduction to journalism-class. Still, it was a good experience.

4. Ate sushi off a naked lady and then puked it up an hour later with my BFF Lucy. And then puked up some more the next morning in the car on the way to McDonald's. That was a really great way to say goodbye.

3. Got a new job. For the most part, it's been awesome...

2. Spending time with my family--Mom is much healthier, losing around 60 pounds... Dad is back to work after undergoing brain surgery from a quarter-sized tumor.

1. Got engaged to the fart monster...planning the wedding though is not as exciting. Destination weddings are not as easy as people might think...

Local Chocolate Maker is Smooth on iVillage

Former defense attorney Shawn Askinosie hits the iVillage scene recently to talk with former Apprentice winner Bill Rancic (who's also married to that girl on E! News...Giuliana DePandi)

Some Lovin' from My Oven

This year I've decided to bake bread for the holidays...it's been an interesting experience since I usually do not like to bake. I had this grand plan to send out bread to all the people I know...but I got lazy. And tired. So, I made some bread for my co-workers instead. Feel free to look at the bread and feel like I made it for you!

But to go along with my JUST TRY IT! recipes, here's how you can make a wonderful loaf of banana or pumpkin bread for yourself.

PUMPKIN:
3 1/4 cup flour

2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon nutmeg

2 cup packed pumpkin (1 can)

1 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 t salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3 cup sugar

2/3 water

4 eggs

Bake at 350 degrees for about 40-45 minutes, depending on the size of your loaves. I do mini-loaves, so it doesn't take that long. Also, make sure to grease your pans... I use PAM instead of butter. Add walnuts to your liking...I do about a handful.

BANANA:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas

Same instructions as above.

**If you freeze the bread, I wrapped it in a paper towel to absorb any moisture. Then one layer of saran wrap, then one layer of heavy duty foil...then put it in a freezer bag.**

Pleasant Hill Grad Dies

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A soldier raised in Missouri has died in Baghdad of injuries that weren't sustained in combat. The death of 31-year-old Army Specialist Randy Pickering is under investigation. His brother, Chris Pickering, says the family expects to get the autopsy results soon. The Michigan man says the family is skeptical of initial reports from the military that the death might have been a suicide. Randy Pickering grew up in Pleasant Hill in the Kansas City area and later lived with his grandparents for several years in Liberty. Chris Pickering says his brother didn't graduate from high school but earned his equivalency certificate and had a college degree in computer programming. He lived in Missouri until his mid20s, when he moved to Minnesota with his father and other family members. (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) AP-NY-12-14-07 0811EST

Freddy got Fingered...or Frozen...or F$#@!@!

Freddy, the majestical white deer

From the Lake Sun Leader:


CAMDEN COUNTY - Residents are calling foul against the possibility that a hunter shot an albino deer that was known to roam throughout the woods near the Camden and Morgan counties border. Lovingly named Freddy by those in the neighborhood, his snow-white fur had become a welcome sight. Residents had hoped hunters also would appreciate the rare sight of Freddy and let him be, rather than kill him.
At the start of firearms season, many weighed the consequences of a public campaign to protect the button buck from hunters or the possibility the attention would cause more hunters to head their way.In the end, it didn't make a difference, said resident Dawn Merrill.Rumors have been circulating through the neighborhood that Freddy was killed.
It's such a shame. I've never seen him and now I won't ever be able to, Merrill said. We used to slow the car down every day to and from work just so we could maybe catch sight of him and say we saw him. He (the hunter) took that away from us.Merrill said the neighborhood used to talk only of Freddy sightings; who and where he was last sighted. Now that talk has switched to who killed him and when.Merrill said the neighborhood has a good idea.
They have a business here, a vested interest in the neighborhood, but this shows that they just don't care, she said.She said after the last article published, she hoped hunters would have realized how important the deer was to the neighbors and how much everybody enjoyed seeing him.Albinism is a recessive trait found in everything from mammals and birds to reptiles, fish and even plants.
The complete absence of color, noted particularly by the white hooves and the red or pink eyes, causes the animal to stand out against its surroundings and makes concealment hard.Camden County conservation agent Sean Ernst said Freddy had a strike against him from the start.A deer's major defenses is blending in, with white fur he was easily spotted by predators such as coyotes and hunters, Ernst said.
He was able to confirm he's heard the same rumor, that Freddy was tagged.Merrill said Freddy's uniqueness wasn't a disability, but beautiful.Animals turn away from another animal with abnormal characteristics, she said. Freddy was seen and photographed with his own mother and other deer, proving he was accepted by his population.
Because albinism is a recessive trait, both parents must carry the gene before it can occur in their offspring. Even then, there's only a one-in-four chance they will produce an albino fawn. Based on hunter reports, about one deer in 30,000 in Missouri is albino, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation Web site.There are at least seven states that make it illegal to hunt albino deer. Missouri is not one of them.

Contact this reporter at
deannaw@lakesunleader.com

First Person Plural: My adoption thoughts from 2000

In 2000, the National Asian American Telecommunications Association and PBS paired up to tell the personal stories of adoptees.

It was centered around a documentary called "First Person Plural". The documentary was about a Korean adoptee, Deann Borshay, and her journey back to her birth country. She came over in the 60s and had thought her birth mother was dead--that was not the case. In the end, she brought her birth family and adoptive family together.



For whatever reason, I remember being wishy-washy about this documentary. I remember feeling like it left a negative impression about adoption. Maybe that was because I had a different experience...or maybe I have a bad memory.


Anyway, the most interesting thing I found was my First Person Plural on PBS. The funny thing is that I wrote it while I was in college...there are some spelling mistakes...and at first, I was a little embarassed to share. But, then I realized that it was how I felt during one time in my life, so I thought I would share for any adoptee...this would've been right after my second trip to Korea. It was clearly an email I had written because I ask questions at the end of mine and no one responded...did PBS even read my FPP?

A Once in a Lifetime Storm, huh?

Courtesy KSPR.com

Whoever said January's ice storm was a once-in-a-lifetime storm deserves to get punched in the kidneys...because I believe that person jinxed it for us.

If I lose power and have to sleep at the station again, I'm going to freak out. Last year I was out for nearly two weeks. Two weeks of sleeping in strange places, next to even stranger people. If I have to hear one more co-worker accidentally fart in his sleep, it might kill me.

On a more serious note, people have been injured in this weather, so I hope everyone stays safe.

The Dress

So, today, I made an unexpected purchase. I haven't even been thinking about getting my wedding dress yet because frankly, I wanted to figure out everything else first. Like the church, the reception, the accomodations, the colors...oh yea, and I wanted to hit the gym at least twice.

Anyway, I got a sale email from Ella Weiss, the boutique in downtown Springfield...so I went to check it out.

I hadn't planned on staying long because I was going to work at 2pm. It was 1pm when I arrived. Long story short, I went in, tried on a few dresses and came out with a winner (55 minutes later.)

My friend Larissa will appreciate this--Stephanie, the owner, said that Larissa was so low-maintenance when she came in. Apparently, she picked out her dress and that was that. Today, Stephanie said I gave Larissa a run for her money!

My friend Laurie told me not to go shopping alone, to have my friends and my mom go and take pictures...to look around...but I guess I just wasn't feeling it today. One thing to scratch off my list.

Good times...and by the way, the above is not my dress. Jim won't see it until Sept. 2008...but for anyone else, the girls at EW said I could come by and visit it anytime...

To and From

Brandon Goodwin is a local guy who makes great personal wedding videos and movies!

He has a Christmas movie showing at the Moxie on December 16th, 17th, and 18th...

Here's the synopsis and trailer! Check it out and support our local artists~

Before moving to Antarctical to study Astrophysics at the South Pole, Harry (Mystery Jeff Houghton) returns home for the holidays to stay with this eccentric grandfather (Robert E. Smith) who believes he is Santa Clause. Harry develops a crush on his family physician (Sarah Jenkins) and finds himself in a feud with his grandfather's girlfriend's grandson (Jeff Jenkins). This week proves to be filled with unrequited love, childish rivalries, and misguided holiday adventure. Written and directed by local filmmakers Nate Black and Brandon Goodwin.

BCS Lovin' for the Jayhawks

As many of you know by now, MU lost to Oklahoma...
Sunday, the Tigers learned that their loss to Oklahoma was a bit more costly than they thought.

The Tigers will not receive a BCS bid and will instead face the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Cotton Bowl on January 1st in Dallas, Texas.

Hmmm....

So, who took the BCS bid away from the tigers?

Perhaps, it was:

ROCKCHALK JAYHAWK!!

KU will play Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl at Miami on January 3rd. Should be a good match up: Jayhawks finished the year at 11-1; Virginia Tech finished 11-2.

**NOTE** For the record, I rooted on the Tigers Saturday, but I love me some Jayhawks...I don't get all crazy about them like a lot of my friends, but I still have school pride, duh. Now, if Dustin would stop leaving me dirty MU messages on my desk at work, things would be just fine.

Will Ferrell's New Movie Trailer: Semi-Pro

KU played like crap

Boo.

OUCH!

I'm wearing 3 bandaids on my arms because I had to get three shots today. Three!! And I'm taking the typhoid vaccine orally...which also isn't that fun either. The side effects are awesome.

YOU ARE A MANDATED REPORTER

Even though there has been no evidence that Rowan Ford endured abuse, now is as good a time as any to remind people that they are mandated reporters.

We know that teachers, doctors, daycare workers, etc. are mandated reporters. Duh. But, when I went to the Department of Social Services in Jefferson City for a child abuse case a couple of years ago, workers there wanted to emphasize that ANYONE WHO HAS A CHILD IN THEIR PRESENCE is a mandated reporter.

That means if you are driving a minivan full of children, and you notice something odd, you're supposed to report it. Babysitters, carpoolers, room mothers are ALL mandated reporters. The same goes for Sunday school teachers.

Now, I suppose that's really hard to enforce, but it's probably DSS's way of covering themselves and driving the point home. Nonetheless, I think it could be an extra nudge someone might need to "get involved".

KSPR found out there's a decent chance Rowan Ford has a file at the Department of Social Services. Her school confirmed someone from there had hotlined her. I'm very surprised that no one else has reported this yet because (honestly) there are enough signs that might lead one to ask questions concerning abuse. Notice I didn't say there were signs of abuse, though. Anyway, I made the request, and hopefully we'll hear something before 3 days...I'll keep you posted.

But remember, get involved. Don't be afraid to get in someone's business. When it comes to kids, it only hurts when people don't.

Child Abuse and Neglect Hotlines:
The toll-free number is 1-800-392-3738. (ONLY WORKS IF CALLING FROM MISSOURI)
Persons calling from outside Missouri should dial 573-751-3448.
Text telephone number: 1-800-669-8689.

Update on Former Springfield Anchor

From NewsBlues and Collective Talent: Rachel Aram, a morning reporter at CBS-owned WFOR-4, was injured in a car accident in a station vehicle yesterday and had to be cut free by rescuers. Aram, who is pregnant, was in a Ford Explorer with photographer Brian Shannahan when they were sideswiped by another car on Sunrise Blvd in Fort Lauderdale. The WFOR vehicle then hit a cement pole. Aram was briefly trapped in the passenger side, and rescuers used the jaws of life to extricate her. Both were taken to Broward General Medical Center. Shannahan had minor injuries and was released. Aram underwent surgery on her ankle, was kept in ICU overnight, and has now moved to a private room. Her unborn baby was uninjured. The WFOR website made no mention of the crash or injuries. Ironically, Aram is scheduled to leave the station at the end of the November book and move to San Francisco, home to her fiance.

(Rachel used to work at KOLR/FOX. I ran into her just a few times out in the field, but I thought I'd post it if anyone was interested.)

Rowan Ford is Dead, Charges are Filed

Rowan Ford, dead at 9 years old

Please keep Rowan Ford's family in your thoughts and prayers.

As many people in the Ozarks already know, she was a 9-year-old girl who was raped and murdered by her stepfather and his friend last Saturday.

This is the most horrible crime against a child I can imagine.

It terrifies me to think that there are people out there who could carry out such a brutal act.

Even though it's nothing compared to those who knew and loved Rowan,

I have to say that it's pretty disturbing to cover...

I did not have to go out to any of the crime scenes, but it is pretty difficult and disturbing to read the things that allegedly happened to her...

It has been weighing heavily on my mind.

At the same time, it's exhausting.

We've all been working endless hours trying to get the latest information on the case, and work through our station's challenges. Believe it or not, KSPR was the first to go online with the arrest Friday night and we cut in on air earlier than anyone else. We were also the first to put the charges online... I know this because I did it from home Saturday morning, and I looked... (Thanks to Randy at The Turner Report for appearing to notice...I couldn't upload the PC statement, so I typed it out.)

However, being a new station has its challenges of growing an audience, and I understand that people have their own viewing habits.

Plus, I can truly say that there was some outstanding coverage by several media outlets.

Anyway, that's not the point.

I'm just saying this because it's horrible to cover, and at the same time we have a job to do that requires us to de-sensitize ourselves and work to be as fast and indepth as possible.

My personal thought is that news organizations should be required to bring in counselors for their staff when things like this happen. Law enforcement agencies do it for their officers because they see so much. Journalists are in many ways in the thick of it, too.

Anway, please do not forget Rowan.

She trusted someone, and he violated it in the worst way.

Her story cannot be something that's covered one week and forgotten the next.

And remember these men:

Christopher Collings (DOB: 02-04-1975)

David Spears (DOB: 11-04-1982)

Remember that they admitted to the crimes...

If they are telling the truth, remember these men in hopes that Rowan and her family will get justice. Right now they face first degree murder charges, forcible rape, and first degree statutory rape charges.

Authorities are also looking for other people of interest--basically David's friends.

Rowan's funeral will be on Wednesday in Neosho.

No time to blog!

God, are the days getting shorter?

If you really want a good read, you should check out some of the blogs from my coworkers. I just realized we are like the blogger station. Watch out interweb!!

First of all, there's Ron Davis and his Chatter blog. Need I say more? Ron is a pioneer in so many ways, and he always manages to find the most obscure facts about things. Plus, it doesn't hurt that he makes me laugh.

Next, there's Doc Larry. Larry will laugh at me when I say this, but it actually took me a couple of weeks to figure out who he was. I mean, I had read his blog, but I didn't know it was him...and here he was, the 1o pm producer. Ha! Good stuff...

Then there's Emily Rittman...she is a reporter and a person, too! That's the premise of her blog...she's so funny, and I really enjoy sitting by her. Most days she's chasing down criminals in the Ozarks, and I think you'll really see great things from her!

OMG! "It's Sweeps Week!"

If you've seen the movie Bruce Almighty, then you've heard "sweeps week" before!!! Of course, it's really like a month, and we won't be sending people to Niagara Falls...

But, it is the beginning of the rating period. November is a big month...I am working on sweeps stories, too, and hopefully, they won't go something like this:

Here are some sweeps-type news slugs--
"Teen Prostitutes"
"Dirty Doctors"
"Prison Sex"

And, hey, you've probably heard these lines before--
"It's 10 o'clock, do you know where your kids are?"
"Did you know your cereal can kill you?
"A KXYZ exclusive investigation tonight, take a look at this "shocking" video"

But here's something out of the box...look at how KCTV 5 in Kansas City is promoting its sweeps story...http://thedoctorisready.com/ (I really like it...)

So, here's your challenge...come up with more exciting sweeps headlines or story slugs...

A Naked Lady and Sushi

My friend Leah took this picture!

I just got back from a heck of a trip--from SGF to KC to Wichita to STL to SGF. Today was really the first day I had a breather...

But let me tell you what I did the other night!! I ate sushi off a naked lady.

What, you ask?

Jim semed very interested when I told him this.

I went to this place called Nara (in Kansas City) with Lucy since it was her last weekend before moving to D.C. Apparently, it was the restaurant's one year anniversary, and they were celebrating. The place kind of reminded me of Kai in downtown, only with a bigger bar feel.

Anyway, I was seated when I turned around and saw a boob. It was a lady getting undressed to lay on a table. She had a robe on, but it just popped out. Then this guy put some banana leaves all over her to cover her up...

Long story short, I ate the sushi. What can I say? It was there...but does anyone else see this as kind of weird? I mean, the last thing I want to do is go to a place to eat raw fish and see a naked boob. Brings a whole new outlook to ordering tuna. Yes, I said it.

Another Livin' 'Neath the Law with Jack McBrayer!!

Another webisode...I love this guy!

Another Hanguk Shikdong!!!

Springfield has another Korean Restaurant...I am so excited!! Unfortunately, I can't remember the name..."Golden - something"...it's sort of on the corner of Fort and Sunshine.

Another unfortunate thing...the location. Honestly, it's a little skanky on the outside...but you should never judge a book by its cover, right? Forget that it's right by an adult shop. Whatever.

I dragged Jim to it, and he had some reservations about it's outward appearance...however, when you walk inside, it's clean and spacious...and most importantly, the food is good.

We had bulgoki and japchae...I always get popular Korean dishes to gauge how good it is. I was very pleased. I will definitely go back. The prices were more than reasonable...and I want to go back for lunch--they have great specials, and they also have a couple of Chinese dishes for those less interested in eating Korean food. (Cashew chicken and rice $3.99)

And another good sign, there were quite a few customers inside...and Korean ones at that. That sounds silly, but my thoughts are always this: if you go to a Korean restaurant and find Korean people eating the food, it's usually worthy. Yes, that was a deep thought.

My Dash

I just bought a new phone and have no idea how to use it. I feel much like my mother in this way, since I had to have a one-on-one with her about how to text people...and she still won't do it.

But anyway, this is the T-Mobile Dash. It is very cool, and it is Windows based. When I figure it out, I bet it will be very awesome. The saleswoman told me that I could essentially write my stories on a word document with my phone and then email it back to myself by the time I get to the station. Kick ace. I doubt I ever need to do that, but if I did, it would be totally cool.

Here's my one complaint--why can't phones just be phones anymore? Am I that outdated? The only reason I bought a new phone was because my stupid Razr crapped out on me. I only wanted to spend like $50...and all the phones cost much more than that since my contract wasn't up...When did this start happening? BS.

NO NEWS