I'm cranky. And here's why.

Instead of trying to convince the kids that the chocolate advent calendar is not a complete breakfast... I headed downtown this morning for Bob Miller's show on KPAM.

Bob's an old friend and once again he is doing a good thing for the community. Raising money for Operation: Santa Claus. A fund through the Salvation Army that helps Oregon military families struggling to make ends meet.

It always feels good to pitch in on something like that.

Or at least it did until I got to work and opened my email.
An angry listener accused me of voicing personal opinions against the war.It wrapped up with the traditional sentiment ...I'll never watch Channel Eight again.

Say what ?

I WAS complaining that it was ridiculous we had to raise money for our military families. I'm not ashamed of that.I don't think they should have to depend on charity to get by. They deserve so much more for their sacrifices . Clearly an opinion but not the one I was accused of.

We all have stories of these kinds of misunderstanding. Joe Donlon
tells of a scathing letter sent to management...claiming he smirked after a story about a Miss Universe having to lose weight. He reviewed the tape...saw nothing. Then invited the angry viewer to review the tape. The next letter was an apology from the viewer... admitting she never even saw the story...just heard about it.

So here's my point. ( I know you were hoping for one eventually. )
We make plenty of mistakes, and there are plenty of things for you to complain about. But most of the time they are just that. Mistakes or misunderstandings. No agenda. No soapbox.

So why not give us the benefit of the doubt? And if you can, give to Bob Millers Operation: Santa Claus on KPAM radio.

As Always.. Thanks for Watching,

Tracy Barry

Posted by at 2:32 PM | Permalink

If you missed tonight's 10pm newscast on Portland's WB, you missed my co-anchor, Joe Donlon juggling in the KGW Toy Box.

He impresses me every year with his additional talents you don't get to see when he's behind the anchor desk.

He does great impressions of Tigger, Kermit the Frog, Shrek, and Maxwell Smart and juggles, too.

Not only that, he can tell you all about the Toy Drive, while he juggles. I'm still in awe.

He tells me he'll juggle again when we get some more balls in the Toy Box,and he'll try it during the 5pm news on Newschannel 8. Stay tuned for that.

Most importantly, we hope you'll donate toys to our Newschannel 8 Great Toy Drive.

We especially need toys for "tweens" and teens, and children under age two. However, we can use toys for all ages.

We're collecting toys through December 15th.
I'll be out this Saturday, December 3rd at Cedar Hills Crossing from 7am until about 9:30 a.m, along with my son,Will.
Our KGW staffers will be there until 4pm.

We'll be on the back side of the shopping center by the theaters.
They tell me if it's raining, we'll be able to take your toys without you even having to get out of the car.
Now, that's service.

Thanks again for making this a community we are all so proud to live in, because of your generous spirit.

Happy Holidays,

Laural Porter

Posted by at 11:37 PM | Permalink