3:09 PM Fri, Jul 31, 2009 | Permalink
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maggie O'Mara: July 2009 Archives
The St. Luke's Women's Fitness Celebration is coming up Saturday - September 26th, and I want you to join our KTVB team! You can even register online. Our team name is "7's Sisters". We want as many viewers to walk with us as possible. Women in the community are already signing up!
Go to www.celebrateall.org to register, just make sure you click on the 7's Sisters team. Do it BEFORE September 11. That's the deadline to be on a team. We'll be walking in the PURPLE wave! I have invited my sisters and my fabulous Mom to come join our team! It's a wild bunch, trust me. They're all flying in to Boise for this incredible event... you should invite your family members too - we'd love for you to join us!
PS: We're encouraging viewers to get creative (and a little wacky) and make your own circle 7 visor or hat to wear on race day. It's going to be a lot of fun!
Larry Gebert
Today on the morning news - we surprised our favorite meteorologist Larry Gebert, and it was so much fun! It's hard to keep a secret from Larry, but somehow we pulled it off... During one of his weather segments today - a crowd of Larry Gebert fans (you could call it Larry's own flash mob!) arrived with posters and signs... he had no idea what was going on.
Then he was presented a special plaque for all of the community service he does, and there was a proclamation too!
PROCLAMATION:
Rev. Rill Roscoe; Boise Rescue Mission
Congratulations Larry!
Yesterday, Ryan Stockdale finally got the Deep Brain Stimulation surgery that he's been waiting for... thanks to the Treasure Valley's generosity!
As you most likely know by now, the Middleton husband and father of four suffers from severe cluster headaches. The community rallied around this family and raised more than $80,000 needed to pay for this experimental surgery. The family talked about selling the home built just for them (and their four children who have a rare blood disorder) by "Extreme Home Makeover" to pay for the procedure, but thanks to the people of the Treasure Valley they didn't have to do that. The surgery took place in San Francisco - and got underway just before 5pm our time. It took several hours to complete, and last night during our 10pm news we got word that he was out of surgery. The doctors told Ryan's wife that he is doing "exceptionally well".
One of my "friends" on Facebook is Ryan's mother-in-law Kathi McKinnon Lee. Her update from last night is very hopeful: Kathi McKinnon Lee: Surgery has gone beautifully and the doctors feel confident it will work. We can not begin to express the joy and graditude we are feeling. The doctors are just finishing up the surgery - and after he is out of recovery we will be able to see him. Our hearts are overflowing. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! Deep Brain Stimulation is risky, and it has a 60% chance of curing Ryan's painful headaches. We'll certainly keep you posted on how Ryan is doing...
Disabled Veterans Raft Trip
Dick sent me this e-mail about the trip: "The Salmon River float trip took place earlier this month. It was sponsored by Post 119 along with Cascade Adventures, and Erekson Outfitters. The trip started at Carey Creek on the Main Salmon River and ended at Lucile outside the town of Riggins, Idaho. The five rafts, manned by certified river guides, accomodated 12 veterans in both oar and paddle boats. The veterans experienced two exciting river days of rapids. The whitewater, the camaraderie and the appreciation of the wilderness made this a truly memorable experience. The American Legion, raft guides, and other volunteers had originally decided to sponsor this trip as a means to show appreciation for the dedication and sacrifice of these disabled veterans. However, our experience in the company of these courageous men far surpassed our expectations. The resiliancy and courage of these veterans keenly illustrated their commitment to tackle adversity and prioritize the important things in life. A lesson we all can appreciate!" Dick Porter, Chairman
Dick also told me there was an experienced rafter for every veteran on the trip, and they used the "Buddy" system to make sure everyone was safe on the water. Volunteers and donations are what made this trip possible! The original idea was to do something amazing for these men who have given so much to our country, but the experience ended up being just as rewarding if not more so - for the volunteers!
As Super Edgar rises to his full potential so do his challenges! Evil reporter Lester Von Sneed raises the stakes!!!
So many people have stepped forward to help the Stockdale family of Middleton... if you are reading this you might be be one of them. After my BLOG post on their situation this week - and all the comments on it, I can tell you that people have VERY strong opinions about this family and their dilemma. Some of you support donating to help pay for Ryan Stockdale's experimental brain surgery, and some think all this attention on one family is unfair - and that the community should spread the wealth to help other families who are in desperate need too. No matter what your opinion is (and all opinions are respected on this BLOG) what I'm about to share with you is an incredible feat for any community! Yesterday at 2pm, Impact Radio Group set up camp at the Syringa Bank at Fairview and Eagle to collect donations from people who want to give to Ryan Stockdale's surgery fund. The radio stations are calling it "The Power of a Dollar" - and I heard through the grapevine that they made a lot of cash yesterday... so I called one of the radio stations over at the bank this morning and found out that since yesterday's 2pm start time - they have raised over $35,000 for the family.
If the people who live in Idaho can do this for just one family, imagine what we could do as a community for others in need too! UPDATE @ 6:21pm: This afternoon, IMPACT reached that goal and raised the 80,000 dollars needed for Ryan Stockdale's surgery...
Stockdale Insurance Appeal Denied:
Yesterday, we learned Omnipure Filter Company's insurance plan will not cover the experimental surgery that could help relieve Ryan Stockdale's cluster headaches. In the statement, the company says that after going over the insurance plan, there is no way to do it. It says doing so could jeopardize coverage for the company's other 180 employees. "The plan trustees have agonized over Ryan's situation and have gone to every length possible to figure out if there is a way for the plan to legally cover the procedure Ryan is seeking." - Omnipure President Roger Reid Under Omnipure's plan - experimental procedures are not covered. "All of us at Omnipure know that this is a very difficult situation for Ryan and his family and they have our profound sympathy. We wish it were different." - Roger Reid, Omnipure President If the Stockdale family decides to have the surgery using their own money - Reid indicated that he is prepared to make a personal contribution of his own money to a fund dedicated for paying for the surgery.
Family spokesperson Scott Turlington told me an account has been started at Syringa Bank here in Idaho. You can donate at any Syringa Bank branch. Just let them know it's for the Stockdale Family Benefit Account - you can also donate online throught PAY PAL at: www.ryanstockdale.org There is another way to donate and that's happening TODAY only. Impact Radio Group will be broadcasting at the Syringa Bank on Eagle and Fairview from 2pm to 6pm to collect donations. They are calling it the "Power of a Dollar" fundraiser...
Last week, I had the wonderful opportunity to take part in a special empowerment workshop for girls. It's called P.E.R.F.E.C.T. Here's a picture of me with the founders of the class, and a few students:
PERFECT is a course designed for middle school girls that includes coaching and techniques to sort out the confusion and pressure to try to be PERFECT. (The best part is, they learn they don't have to be!) The founders - Lorene Oates and Rebecca Evans - encourage girls to dream BIG and know that they are PERFECT just the way they are. The goal is to help girls feel happy with the body, mind and spirit they have - and to stop comparing themselves to (and competing with) other girls. Check out this website and see if it's for your daughter... you can register online too. www.perfectnow.org P.E.R.F.E.C.T. *This is a community program. That means no girl will be turned away. Scholarships are available!
The 23rd annual Wells Fargo Twilight Criterium is coming to Downtown Boise this Saturday - the bicycle racing action starts at 3 pm and goes until 10:30pm!
This weekend, you can meet Olympic GOLD Medalist Kristin Armstrong and get her autograph at the Criterium! The meet and greet takes place downtown Saturday from 2pm to 3pm.
BUT.... that's not all! Kids age 5 to 10 will get the chance to ride with Kristin Armstrong in the St. Luke's/EMI Kids Ride during the Criterium. The ride begins at 3pm downtown at the corner of 9th & Main. The best part is, it's FREE! You do need to register for this, and you can do that online. Parents can register at www.boisetwilightcriterium.com - and then be sure to check in with your kids at the event. (That website is also a great place for general information!) *All participants must wear a helmet*
11:00am 9th Street southbound from Bannock will be closed
Sometimes it's good to get a little advice... or maybe not? LOL. Enjoy!!
Those of us who tweet, facebook, and BLOG - have most likely heard of it. But if you don't know about it... don't fret! I'm here to help you out! It's a local event TONIGHT at the Egyptian Theater that brings together all kinds of people to share their incredible, amazing, fantastic ideas. It's a way to hear from and meet some of the most creative people in Boise's business community... it's a great place to network and get connected with some neat people here in the Treasure Valley.
The presenters get ONLY 5 minutes each (and just 20 slides) to talk about whatever they want. Lots of people want to be presenters, but only a handful are picked! This is actually Ignite Boise 2, the first event was so popular earlier this year - they decided to do it again. The best part is, it's FREE!
It's so popular in fact, I've learned most of the tickets are reserved as of now... so your best bet to get a seat is to show up at 6pm or so and wait for general admission seating.
TONIGHT - Thursday July 16th *Admission is FREE PS: I might just see you there!
It was from Heidi Critcher of Kuna... she wanted to tell us all about her baby girl - and how she just loves to watch KTVB Meteorologist Rick Lantz.
My 9-month-old baby absolutely loves Rick Lantz's weather report. For three months now, she has pulled herself up to the T.V. to watch everytime Rick Lantz is on. The first time she pulled herself up - it was to watch the weather report with Rick! We have told her many times it's a NO-NO, she only does it when Rick is on! If Rick Lantz could get the opportunity to see his "youngest fan" in action that would make our day. Thanks,
I e-mailed Heidi (the baby fan's mom) and found out her name is Chloe, and here's another picture of her so we can see her adorable face! What a cutie....
Ada County "Relay for Life"
1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer... We've all been impacted by cancer. We all know someone who has it, or someone who has lost the battle. My mother-in-law Barbara Waddel died of pancreatic cancer two years ago, and just yesterday I went to a funeral for my best friend's mom - Karla Young - who fought a courageous battle and passed away July 1. It's heartbreaking to watch someone you love fight something you can't do anything about, isn't it? But guess what? You can help... TONIGHT! The American Cancer Society's "Relay For Life" is an incredible event that celebrates the lives of people who have battled, or are battling cancer. It's also a way to fight back against a disease that seems to take too much from all of us. Tonight at 6pm - the Ada County Relay for Life kicks off at Borah High School's track! It will be an all night event! In fact, teams will camp out overnight. Team members will round the track, party, and raise money for cancer research. This year's theme is "Decades of Hope. Ada County Relay for Life *Tonight - July 10th This is a special place for survivors too. All survivors out there are invited to come to the relay tonight. You will be celebrated during the opening lap of the relay - and you can participate in a very special "Survivors Lap"... The Luminaria Ceremony of Hope is one of the most touching parts of the relay. When it gets dark tonight, you'll see the glow of illuminated bags called luminaria. Each bag has a special meaning. They represent someone who has been affected by cancer and the family and friends who continue to fight back in their honor. This week's Seven's Hero is a young girl who is leading a team tonight, and has raised a lot of money for cancer research. Her name is Morgan Metcalfe and she's just 10 years old! She is doing it for her Grandpa Pat who has pancreatic cancer. He'll be there too!
You can watch her story of hope and love this Sunday at 10pm right here on Newschannel 7.
This is yet another creation of our brilliant KTVB camera operator and artist, Nick McMullin. ENJOY!
The "Behind the Scenes" Scoop!
The chase came to an end on the connector (very close to our station, right behind it!) - we quickly realized we only had one LIVE truck available at the time, and Larry had it in Nampa - so we had quite the dilemma on our hands. Edgar came up with a brilliant plan! Why not put him and his photographer Theresa up on top of a KTVB van - and he can show us the connector/accident scene from there? Our crew worked hard to make it happen, and they did it:
"This morning we realized we were down one live truck because one of our trucks is getting serviced. Since the crash happened a few hundred yards away from our station, we needed some kind of live shot. We decided to park a van next to the fence along the connector and crawl on top. We did all of our live hits off the top of that van! It was a risky location to report from, one step to the left or right and I'd be on the ground!" - Edgar Linares, KTVB Morning Reporter
It worked out so well... we saw the accident scene perfectly and Edgar got down safe and sound. Around here, that's what we call getting creative!
The Stockdale Family Story
After we aired the Scott Evans story about 27-year-old Ryan Stockdale, and how he suffers from an extremely rare and painful condition called cluster headaches - we were slammed with e-mails and phone calls from people who want to help him and his family! The Stockdales were featured on the TV show "Extreme Home Makeover" back in 2007. Remember? They had a brand new home built just for their kids in Middleton, because the kids have a rare blood disorder. It was an incredible opportunity for the family, and they were thrilled to move in.
Sadly, after moving into their new dream home, Ryan was diagnosed with cluster headaches. This condition impacts less than .01% of the population. The pain of cluster headaches is so intense - his wife compares it to giving birth out of your eye. (I can't imagine that... it sounds just horrible) Ryan has experienced up to ten attacks a day. This leaves him unable to work, or go to school, or just be a Dad to his kids.
Ryan's tried everything he can, but nothing has worked. His last option is a very expensive procedure called Deep Brain Stimulation, where doctors implant a device that delivers electric stimulation to the brain. The Stockdales have tried to get his insurance company to cover the procedure, but so far, it has refused to do so. The family is now appealing to his former employer, Omnipure Filter Company in Caldwell. The company could help make the surgery happen. The very last option is to sell the dream home made just for them, to raise the money needed. *You can support Ryan and his family by signing a petition to get insurance coverage. To sign it, you can go to a Facebook page dedicated to the family and the cause. You can send the family messages there to see how you can help. Go to our HOTLINKS on our homepage (KTVB.com) to get more information on that. "Save Ryan Stockdale"
OR... Copy and paste this link into your browser: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/SaveRyanNow
Is it too much?
I'm home nursing the flu today, and I'm sitting here (on the couch) simply amazed by all the Jackson coverage on TV. It's on every cable channel - wall to wall. Normally, I'd be at work on a day like today, and not able to just sit here and flip channels all morning. I guess you could say I'm held captive by the flu! But it makes me wonder - is all this necessary? An even better question - are YOU watching too???
I like Michael Jackson's music as much as the next person - and I'm in the news business, so I love big, important, breaking news days. But, I have to wonder, are people THIS interested in him? Do we need this much coverage of a pop star's funeral? I recall it was like this for Princess Diana's car accident coverage and funeral, but was it like this for Elvis? No, because we didn't have the resources - the instant, all access world of 24 hour cable news outlets that we have now, back then. Right now - I'm looking at LIVE helicopter shots of the Jackson family's Encino, CA home, shots of the Staples Center where the big star-studded public memorial will take place later this morning:
LIVE shots of Forest Lawn Cemetery in LA... shots of the family motorcade, live footage of fans, people in tears, people commenting on the kind of person Michael Jackson was, if he was on drugs or not, where his kids should go, are they his biological kids, what should happen to Neverland, was he a child molester or was he innocent, how many plastic surgeries did he have, did he bleach his skin...etc. It all feels like a guilty pleasure to me. One man's life exposed for all of us to pick apart, and analyze.
I'm sitting here watching this coverage, because I can't seem to turn away yet. The mere spectacle of it all makes me want to watch. That makes me as guilty as the next person... doesn't it? I think so. Why is the world so fascinated with this man? Is he worthy of all this time and energy? So tell me: *Are YOU watching? If so, why?
Happy 4th of July!
No matter where you spend this weekend, there is fun and there are FIREWORKS all over the place!
We the People Liberty Day Parade Fireworks On Saturday, a celebration will be held at Storey Park in Meridian. CALDWELL: Parade at 10 am MELBA: A family fun celebration all day long in Melba *Kuna, Ketchum, McCall and Sun Valley also have fireworks displays. PS: Have a safe, happy 4th of July - I'll be off on vacation for a few days! But, I'll be back next week...
Camping Clean Sweep! This weekend, many of us will be spending the 4th of July camping in our great state of Idaho! By the way, our holiday weekend weather looks really good, that's according to our very own Larry Gebert...
Ahhh... the great outdoors! I got an e-mail today that I wanted to share with all of you. This local family really had a great idea, and it's something you may want to do with your kids while you're camping... if you have the chance, that is. Hi Maggie, My name is Chad and I wanted to tell you about my nieces and children. Last weekend we went camping in the Grimes Creek area past Lucky Peak. The kids wanted to go for a hike up a mountain, so we all made walking sticks and took off on our journey. Once we got out of sight of the road and campgrounds, we came to an opening that was an obvious party area. The are was loaded with trash, like beer cans, boxes, old tent pieces - you name it! The kids thought it would be a great idea to come back up in the morning and clean the area up. So the next day we headed there again loaded with trash bags. It took almost an hour to pick up everything, but it looked much better when we were finished. We took out two bags of trash and one bag of crushed beer cans. (The largest black trash bags you can buy!) I'm proud of my family and wanted to share it with Channel 7, and show everyone that with all of the bad things going on all over the world, we can still have a positive outlook on things. Sincerely, PS: I've included a picture of the "Crew" - Jordyn, Alyssa, Emma and Wyatt
What a great thing to do! If you happen to see a bunch of trash while you're camping this weekend, why not clean it up? These kids are a great example of what we can do to keep our recreational areas clean... Happy Camping!
|
