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So, this morning on NBC Action News Today, Brett talked about his Quiktrip coffee concoction. 25% French Vanilla, 60% regular coffee, and 15% hot chocolate to top it off. A suicide coffee, if you will (like the soda pop mixes we all used to make when we were kids).
I was impressed with Brett's creativity at Quiktrip, and am apparently way behind the times.
A little research this morning and I now realize drink mixes at Quiktrip are all the rage.
Check out the QT website. All sorts of customer-submitted drink recipes.
Here are some samples:
Dream Cream Vanilla Creme Mixer
2/3 Juicy Orange Smoothie
1/3 Frozen Vanilla Creme Mixer
6 Shots Amaretto Syrup from Flavor Center
Stir well
Dr. Detail
45% Diet Dr. Pepper Fountain
27.5% Rooster Booster
Lite Fountain
27.5% Frozen Vanilla Creme Mixer
Stir well
Zip Code
1/2 White Cherry Freezoni
1/4 Code Red Fountain
1/4 Pepsi
Stir well
Annette Frappacello
Frozen Cappuccino
5 Shots Amaretto Creamer
from Flavor Center
3 Shots Chocolate Syrup
from Flavor Center
Stir well
I'm calling Brett's drink Brett's Action News Alarm Clock. I've submitting it to the QT website.
25% French Vanilla (although, Brett admits he usually prefers the Vanilla creamer)
60% coffee
15% hot chocolate
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Have you seen the Preview insert in today's KC Star? Lauren Chapin recently filled her belly with pounds and pounds of KC hamburgers so we could know what we're missing. In search of KC's best burger, she visited:
GrandStand Burger
Hayes Hamburgers
Westport Flea Market
LC Hamburgers Etc. (both locations)
Jerry's Original Woodswether Cafe
ChefBurger
Michael Smith
She gives mouth-watering descriptions, with the occasional questionable verb choice - like an 'onion ring squatted in the middle of the patty'.
I understand when you're talking about that many burgers - that are, by definition, extremely similar - there's a need to hit the thesaurus to switch up the descriptions. But "squatted"?
I read this article start to finish. Every word. I kept it for later reference, too. I want to try all the burgers. And that, I suppose, is the reason Chapin never gives us her best burger pick (unless, of course, you interpret her choice of order with best - which I'm tempted to do). But I craved it. I wanted to know which one she thought was best ....so I wouldn't have to try them all. That-a-way, I'd have a starting point. I'd start with the best, and perhaps, down the road, try the others. But alas, there is no burger left sitting atop the heap.
For that, you'll have to see how the Star's online poll turns out. Here's the link. After you vote, it will give you the results. As of this moment, 9:35 a.m. Thursday, May 8, with 683 precincts reporting, Westport Flea Markets' taking the cake...er...the burger.
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I recently worked on a story that literally left me sleepless. It was about homeless teens in Kansas City. Kids with no place to go. No family to look after them. Nobody to fret when they miss curfew.
That story aired Tuesday night on NBC Action News.
I went out on the streets with a group tasked with finding homeless teens and offering them help in the form of bus passes, fastfood gift cards, phone cards and/or shelter.
We rode around downtown KC in a maroon van with the letters S.O.S. on the side. Street Outreach Services. It's just one of the services Synergy Services offers.
I rode around with two fabulous workers, Chas Marks and Emily Miller. They are the bridge between federal funds and the kids those funds were set up to serve.
One of the places we visited, on one of the days I joined them, was a "drop-in" downtown. A drop-in is a place where homeless people can go during daytime hours to sit, talk, wash up, do laundry, iron their clothes, etc. Drop-ins typically don't serve food, and they don't have beds. It's a place to drop in during the day.
At this particular drop-in, I stood there...intimidated. Not sure how to have a conversation with anyone in the room. I stuck out. And that bothered me, because I'm supposed to be okay with being in the trenches, reporting the news.
The drop-in had a large gathering room in the center (approx.15 feet by 25 feet), with doors leading to about a dozen small rooms off the big one. Doors to a laundry room, a couple of very small half-baths, a couple of offices, and several more I couldn't see into. Emily disappeared through one of the office doors to talk with a young girl who'd stopped in for help. I was asked to wait in the gathering room while Emily learned more.
I observed, though, while I waited.
There were 20 men sitting at tables - talking, playing cards. Both white and black. None of them were clean-shaven, and few had clean clothes. They were all, I guessed, between the ages of 30-something and 60.
I watched as a tall, skinny, middle-aged black man washed his face in a half-bath right off the main gathering room. He was wearing black pants and a black shirt, and was washing his black apron out in the bathroom sink. He looked in the mirror and splashed water on his face, completely unaware I was watching. It seemed obvious to me he probably worked at a local restaurant and I couldn't help but wonder which one.
Soon, he was gone. Off to do whatever it is he does. I guessed he'd be back tomorrow, to wash his face and apron again. I still think about that man.
About that time, a woman walked in with a bag of fastfood. She was dressed in 3 or 4 layers of men's clothing; It was a cold day that day. She proceeded to sit down and peel off layers until she was down to a sweater that wasn't quite long enough to cover all of her torso and a pair of carhartt-like pants. She opened her bag of food to eat, seemingly ignoring all the men looking her way. I couldn't tell if they were looking at her or her food.
Emily walked out of the tiny office with a short, teenage girl - couldn't have been more than 15 or 16. The look on the girl's face is still burned into my mind. She was petrified. She didn't look at anyone in the room. Not the men, not the woman eating, not me. I smiled anyway. She seemed, to me, to have wet eyes...like maybe she'd been crying. She walked out of the building hurriedly, with Emily following.
I followed.
They went to the van and Emily gave the girl a couple of free bus passes, a couple of gift cards for Popeyes Chicken, and a phone card. Then, the girl simply walked off. It wasn't until she cleared the building and walked out of sight that I asked, a bit bewildered, "Where's she going?"
Emily shrugged with concern, and shook her head "She doesn't want to go to the shelter."
I spent the next 20 minutes learning more about 'the shelter'. When there, teens have to abide by rules. They have to be in by a certain time, they have to go through certain training to try and help them straighten their lives out, their phone time is restricted. They also have to live in an area suburb, where the shelter is located. Most teens, who are familiar with the streets of Kansas City, are sometimes more afraid of quiet, restricted suburban life than they are of being alone on the streets.
We climbed back in our van and drove.
We visited parks where teens are known to hang out. One kid admitted being homeless but said he had a job, so was fine.
Another said he knew someone.
I was still thinking about the young woman at the drop-in.
I still am.
It is common for people unfamiliar with the homeless population to judge. "Well, they probably ran away because they didn't want to follow their parents rules." Or, "they were probably hellyuns and got booted for good reason".
The fact is, the majority of teens on the streets today came from abusive or neglectful homes. A good number of them report physical, emotional and sexual abuse as their reason for leaving. Many of these teens flee because they're fearful or fed up. They flee because an uncertain life on the streets is a better option than staying home.
There are approximately 2000 homeless teens on any given night in Kansas City.
Two thousand too many.
And you can help. Here's how:
Contact Synergy Services to see how you can help. They are always in need of money, bus passes, fastfood gift cards, phone cards, etc. Here's a list of the services they provide.
Visit the S.O.S. myspace page to show your support.
More Information:
Teens for Jeans was a recent drive to collect used jeans for teens, and Synergy received a major shipment. They are handing them out as they come across teens who need clothing.
Do Something
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Why is it so many of us run for cover the second sprinkles start to splat?
I'm guilty of the parking-lot-circling to find the closer stall...and the head-ducked rush for the door when the clouds dump droplets.
But a birthday gift my 3-year-old opened over the weekend has me rethinking things a bit.
He got a cute little pirate raincoat, with a built-in patch for over one eye. It came with a pirate umbrella and boots to boot.
With showers in the forecast today, I think we'll get out and enjoy a little wet nature. We'll stomp through puddles and not worry about wetting our pantlegs. We'll lower the umbrella and not worry about our hair matting.
Thing is...I'll need boots.
Thankfully, rainboots are SOOO in fashion right now; I shouldn't have a problem finding a pair on the way home.
Happy Parenting!
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NBC Action News gets bombarded daily with news releases, phone calls and emails, from law enforcement, citizens, PR firms, etc. These are just a few ways we gather our news.
We aren't able to cover everything, but I thought it might be interesting if there were a way to give you blog readers access to some of the info we receive.
With that said, here's a sampling of the information for today, April 30, that may or may not end up on our air today:
A motorist was killed early this morning in a one-car accident on Missouri 33 in Clay County.
Gregory M. Pigago, 27, of Excelsior Springs, was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident was reported at 1:55 a.m. on Missouri 33 north of Northeast 132nd Street.
According to the Missouri Highway Patrol, the 1996 Ford that Pigago was driving left the roadway and struck a fence, which then went through the windshield and struck Pigago
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- City of Riverside combats novelty lighters
The City of Riverside is taking a stand against lighters disguised as things that appeal to a child such as a camera, toy tractor, a smiley face, travel sign with flashing LED lights, a miniature flashlight and a firecracker. The City will participate in the United States Fire Administration’s Arson Awareness Week May 4 through May 11. This year’s theme is “Toy-like
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- KCMO Parks and Rec Celebrates Arbor Day by planting trees
Wed. April 30
10 am Blue Valley Parks - 3 trees
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- Chief Justice John Roberts Delivers 2008 Vickers Lecture
Today at 6 pm at the Lied Center in Lawrence (open to public)
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- Temptations Strip Club offering Free Family Portraits? Not exactly.
"Fine art portrait photographer from KC, MO, Michael Van De Carr, will be in front of Temptations Strip Club at 1517 Grand Blvd...on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 12:30 pm. He will be offering any man who regularly frequents Temptations, FREE family portraits in front of Temptations Strip Club, if they show up with their wife and kids.
Van De Carr says, 'If any man believes, a strip club is not harmful to families, then why not bring your wfie and kids down and get you Free family portrait made here?'
"Everyone made a big deal on Earth day because people want a clean environment, right? Well, we want a clean environment for our families too, not a perverted , filthy environment. Family is very important to me and that is why I specialize specificallly in family photography,' says Michael.
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We aired a story this morning about how the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is reporting 28% of children between the ages of 18 months and 3 years are out of sync with the government immunization guidelines.
They say many parents are postponing or missing doses all together.
With that said, here are links to the American Academy of Pediatrics immunizations schedules.
Immunization schedule for kids ages 0 - 6
Immunization schedule for kids ages 7 - 18
Catch-up schedule
Happy Parenting!!
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Grand Theft Auto IV (or GTA-4 for short) was released today, and critics are irate.
The Parents Television Council says, among other things, this:
“This brutally violent video game must be kept out of the hands of children, and we are calling on all major retailers to reconsider any decisions to sell this game..."
The Chicago Transit Authority has pulled ads for GTA-4 from it's buses in response to renewed criticism.
And apparently people are being stabbed or beaten up for a copy of the game.
Now, I have not played this particular game...yet. (I say yet because I feel I ought to understand the hooplah and the reason for criticism - so I will play a bit for research). I did, however, play an earlier version a couple of times a few years back and actually thought it to be entertaining. It's probably worth mentioning, though, that I was not your typical player - in that I didn't spend any time beating anyone up...just attempting to drive fast, outrun the cops, get the paint changed on my car to avoid the cops, and meet up with a helicopter (or something like - I can't really remember).
It would seem to me that the critics, mostly parents (of which I am - a parent, that is), are all arguing these games shouldn't end up in the hands of children. And I don't think anyone would argue they should. The critics, again mostly parents, are arguing...even if the kids aren't allowed to buy the game, kids will find a way to play it and therefor the game shouldn't be sold in stores (see hyperlink for Parents Television Council above).
Drugs. Lying. Cheating. Bullying. Alcohol. Cigarettes. Sex. Violent behavior. Disrespect.
I could go on, but I'll make my point now.
The things listed above are all things as parents we hope to teach our children about at the appropriate time. These are things, in the early years, we might shelter our children from...and in the later years, teach our children how to make educated decisions about.
With that said, it seems to me there are a lot of us parents that would rather spend our time pointing fingers. "My kid is overweight, it's the fast-food restaurant's fault." "My kid is violent, it's the TV's fault." "My kid has no social skills, it's the computer's fault."
If we don't want our children drinking alcohol, being disrepectful, or doing drugs...we know, as parents, it's up to us to teach them about these things. If we don't want our children watching R rated movies, then we know, as parents we need to restrict them from doing so. Does the occasional kid sneak into an occasional R-rated movie sometimes? Yes. Is it the end of the world? Probably not.
If we don't want our children playing Grand Theft Auto IV, then isn't it our responsibility to put restrictions in place? Will the occasional kid sneak in a game or two? Probably. Will it be the end of the world? Probably not.
Bottom line is, the responsibility for many of the things we, as parents, like to point fingers about...probably deserves to fall on our shoulders.
Thoughts?
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Inspired by an email from my mom with cartoon after cartoon poking fun at absurd gas prices, I went in search of some online to direct you, the loyal NBC Action News Blog Reader, to.
MSNBC has a nice compilation.
Suburban House Hunters Team has the exact list of cartoons my mom forwarded to me through email.
Small World Cartoons has these.
As for me, I feel like I ought to top off the gas tank every day since gas will probably be more expensive tomorrow. Problem is, I hate getting gas. I miss the old days of FULL SERVICE!!!
Anyone out there no of any local filling stations still offering to fill up the tank, check the oil and the air? And if so, anyone know what they're charging these days? Let me know and I'll compile a list.
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Voting is underway for the 2010 personalized license plate for Kansas. There are five options, and one special write-in option (heh, heh). Vote deadline is April 30. Below are your options.
Here's the link to vote.
Option 1:
Option 2:
Option 3:
Option 4:
Option 5:
Write-in:
"A vote for Brett is Best!" is our campaign slogan.
(Okay, okay...you can't actually vote for Brett, but this sure was fun. Thanks to Toni in our graphics department for creating the plate for me.)
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The Rock Chalk Chant. Do you know it's origin?
My in-laws spent the last 5 days in San Antonio, sporting all of their KU and Kansas clothing, making them recipients of a question over and over again from visiting, NON-Kansas residents.
North Carolina fans asked the question. Local San Antonian's asked the question.
What the heck IS the Rock Chalk Chant? Where did it come from? What does it mean?
Even some Kansas fans don't know.
So, here you go, straight from KU's student handbook:
World's Greatest College Cheer
The University Science Club officially adopted the famous "Rock Chalk" chant in 1886. A chemistry professor, E.H.S. Bailey, and some of his associates were returning from a conference by train to Lawrence. As they traveled, they talked of the need for a good, rousing yell. The click-clack of the train wheels passing over the rail joints suggested a rhythm and a cadence to them. At first, their version was "Rah, Rah, Jayhawk, KU" repeated three times. Later, in place of the rahs, an English professor suggested "Rock Chalk," a transposition of chalk rock, the name for the limestone outcropping found on Mount Oread, site of the Lawrence campus. The cheer became known worldwide. Teddy Roosevelt pronounced it the greatest college chant he'd ever heard. It was used by Kansas troops fighting in the Philippines in 1899, in the Boxer Rebellion in China, and World War II. At the Olympic games in 1920, the King of Belgium asked for a typical American college yell. The assembled athletes agreed on KU's Rock Chalk and rendered it for His Majesty.
What a game, huh?!?! What a year!!!
Click here to hear the chant.
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That's what a text message to my phone, at 8:34 Saturday night, read:
"OMG!!!!"
It was from my sister, and that's all it said. But I knew what it meant.
Unfortunately, that's really all I can say about it, for fear of somehow personally jinxing the outcome of something else.
I feel a little silly about how I'm feeling today. I mean, seriously?
Will it really matter if I don't do exactly what I did Saturday night, again tonight? I got a 10 minute hair trim Saturday night around 5:30 at Par Exsalonce (took my son); will it really matter if I don't bribe him again with a new matchbox car and sit in a stylist's chair again tonight? I'm not willing to find out. I'm calling this morning to make my appointment.
Will it really matter if I don't pick up two medium Minsky's pizzas for tip-off, and head to my brother-in-law's house for the game? Probably not, but I'm not willing to find out. I'll call later today and place my carry-out order for a medium pepperoni pizza, and a medium hamburger pizza.
Will it really matter if my son doesn't wear the same blue, Kansas sweatshirt he wore Saturday (unwashed, exactly as it came off his tired little head Saturday night)? Probably not, but I am not ABOUT to find out.
OMG!!!!
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The chance to eat, and perhaps even pick, locally-grown, fresh produce is a new concept for many. But, it's very simple - and tasty - if you know how and where to look.
Jasper Mirabile is a local chef featured often on NBC Action News Midday, and he's helped me compile a list of FRESH information.
To start, it's important to know what's in season, and when, so you're eating the right stuff* when it's in season. Here's a list of what's fresh and when:
Spinach - now
Rhubarb - May
Local lettuce - May to July
Blackberries - June
Green Beans - mid-June to July
Corn - late-June and all of July
Fresh melon - July
Tomatoes - late July
Cauliflower - July, Aug, Sept
Broccoli - July Aug, Sept
Jasper also says local eggs and milk are BIG this time of year.
A side note about something fun to do with the family, Pendleton's Country Market in Lawrence, where you can pick your own veggies (pyo), will have asparagus ready for you to pick on April 15. They have two varieties of asparagus crowns, too, which you can purchase and plant in your own yard/garden.
From their newsletter:
"We have two varieties yet available. 'Atlas' is a regular "green" asparagus, that produces very well, and can take the crazy heat that we can sometimes get in May. 'Purple Passion' is an excellent producing asparagus variety that has a burgundy colored spear. This variety is also about 20% sweeter than green varieities, thus it tastes more like fresh peas, and is usually eaten raw.
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A certain team caused my heart to stop yesterday. Over and over and over again.
A certain game, squeaked out on the hardwood, caused me labored breathing - so much so I was almost convinced I needed an ambulance.
An awkward, emotion-laden story about a certain former coach...
and his beloved replacement...
has my stomach in knots!!!!
But, I can't talk about it. I can't mention names. I can't chant the chant.
I can't even talk about it on the air (anymore than absolutely necessary to do my job). So, if you notice Jeff reading most of the tournament stories, that's on purpose. I can't do it.
Since I can remember, I've picked my alma mater to go the distance. They've sat, center stage for years, on the pieces of paper I pin up at my desk. But I can not tell you anymore than that.
It's 20 years in the making, and I....can....not....jinx....it!!!!
Not a word!
Not until Tuesday.
Until then, I'm loading some of 1988 Billboard's Greatest Hits into my iPod: Sweet Child O' Mine, Guns N Roses; Love Bites, Deaf Leopard; Push It, Salt-N-Pepa; Welcome to the Jungle, Guns N Roses; Never Gonna Give You Up, Rick Astley; Got My Mind Set on You, George Harrison; (have to throw a little of this next one in for my little sister) Please Don't Go Girl, New Kids On the Block; Hungry Eyes, Eric Carmen; Could've Been, Tiffany; (One of my all-time favs) Parents Just Don't Understand, DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince; Get Out of My Dreams, Get Into My Car, Billy Ocean.
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...and mothers and kids, for that matter.
Have you heard of Championship Fathers.
The National Center for Fathering was on NBC Action News Midday yesterday to talk about their Championship Father initiative.
The idea is, fathers can be involved. They don't have to be intimidated. They don't have to be shy.
They can play basketball on the driveway and paint their daughter's toe nails. They can read with their son and cook a family meal in the kitchen.
"Fathers leave an indelible mark on their children and society. We must encourage, equip, and support dads as they become the true heroes of the coming generation."
Ken Canfield, Ph.D. ~ Founder, National Center for Fathering
The mission of the National Center for Fathering is to improve the well-being of children by inspiring and equipping men to be more effectively involved in the lives of children. In response to a dramatic trend towards fatherlessness in America, the Center was founded in 1990 by Dr. Ken Canfield to conduct research on fathers and fathering, and to develop practical resources to prepare dads for nearly every fathering situation.
The group is trying to get 40,000 local fathers to sign up to be Championship Fathers (that would be10% of the total number of fathers in the KC Metro).
Click here to sign up to become a Championship Father.
Here's the website to learn more.
And here's info on their Father of the Year essay contest, if you're interested.They have a Watch D.O.G.S. program, too. Dads of Great Students. Pretty Cool.
Happy Parenting!!!
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When you read the title of this blog, what do you think?
Adult Entertainment.
What about an Adult Entertainment Business? What does that mean to you?
During our morning newscast this morning, we had a story about an adult entertainment business and I couldn't help but ponder the use of that title.
A typical adult could do any number of things for entertainment: basketball, knitting, cooking, reading, kayaking, thumb wrestling competitions...
So why does a business allowing strippers, selling unmentionables, upsetting neighbors and city leaders alike, become what we describe as "adult entertainment"?
Next question. If we won't call them that (and it will probably never change), what would we call them?
Just food for thought.
And on a related note, I typically look for an image to post when I have a blog entry. I'm choosing not to do that for this entry. :-)
UPDATE:
A guy emailed me with a response to this post that I felt raised some valid points. Here's an excerpt:
It just seems strange to me that the words we use for looking at naked women always equate maturity with prurient desires. In fact, it's the exact opposite. Think about it - movies targeted to "mature" audiences. Going to a "gentlemans' club." What is so mature or gentlemanly about stuffing dollar bills into a naked woman's garter?
In fact, I think it makes a lot more sense to consider those things "immature." I understand a teenage boy looking at pictures of naked women a lot more than I can understand a grown man doing the same. Then, it just gets a little...creepy.
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