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| July 2007 »
A couple of years ago, I was invited to lunch by a Blazers official who wanted to know what I thought of the team. "In a word," I said --- "irrelavant." Realizing how harsh that sounded, I tried to expand. "Umm.. I mean that's not good, and it's not bad.. the team is just.. umm, irrelavant."
That changed Thursday night - at Madison Square Garden. With Adam attending a wedding, I was called in from the bullpen to cover the NBA draft, and it was an absolute blast. There were the Blazers, on the national stage, and everyone was talking about the team. But more than that, they were talking about the management, the turnaround, the promise, and the good fortune of getting the number one pick in one of the deepest drafts in years.
Despite all the debate about the pick, I never really thought it was anything but a 'no brainer'. Greg Oden was the obvious pick. It's the reason Blazer fans screamed at the top of their lungs - when the team hit the jackpot in the lottery. And now that I've met him, I feel even stronger about that. What a wonderful young man. It was refreshing to see someone -- facing such enormous expectations -- be so relaxed, comfortable, humble, polite, and accommodating.
After the draft, the NBA guides the players through a gauntlet of interview rooms. Some from national outlets, others for local stations. I literally watched him get ushered around for some two and a half hours - and even though he had a terrible head cold, he smiled the whole time, and answered every question with comfort and ease. Some two hours after he dropped by our location for a live interview during our 5 o'clock news - I was offered the chance to spend a bit more time with him - in a 'quiet' area of MSG. Even seasoned photographers who saw him, said they had never seen a player handle that whole scene so well. As one person told me, "They're either cocky, or shy. That guy is unreal."
For Blazer fans who've been looking for a player to wrap their arms around -- you have one now. This guy is going to be fun to watch, and more than that, he's going to be easy to cheer for. His warmth - and excitement about Portland, were pure and sincere. I asked him if he wished he'd gone to a bigger market, or maybe his hometown Pacers. He wrinkled his forehead, gave me a funny look - and said, "No way. I knew the minute I got off the plane in Portland, there was a lot of love. I can't wait to get together with the 'family' - and get down to business." The wrinkled face, gave way to a huge smile - as he added.. "There are a lot of good things to come."
In many ways, I think Portland is a perfect fit for him. It's not the 'white hot' media market he would face in other big cities. The fans will rally around him -- and they'll support him - through thick and thin - because he's such a likeable guy. And more than anything, Greg Oden has done something for the Blazers -- that we haven't seen in a while. In a word, all of a sudden -- they're relevant.
Dear Diary,
Not too many people other than you know I am a cowgirl at heart.
You were there when my broadcast career began in an unceremonious way, as the KSON Cowgirl in San Diego.
Remember when I had to dress up in Wranglers, a floral cowgirl shirt, cowgirl boots and hat, then drive around in the KSON cowboy cadillac, otherwise known as an extended cab pickup?
My job was to drive around San Diego and give out collector edition "Freedom belt buckles".
Then I'd race back to the country radio station to do a newscast, still dressed in my cowgirl outfit.
Good thing it was radio.
Anyway, you know that's when my heart turned country.
One of the highlights of my radio career was to introduce a then fairly unknown country band, "Alabama", when they debuted at the "Country Bumpkin" bar.
Dolly Parton called the station, when I was filling in as a receptionist at KSON (Yes, I wore many hats then, besides the cowgirl one), and I got to transfer Dolly to my boss's extension.
Wow! That's when I got to be a real "Dolly" fan.
Today, Dear Diary, I like the Dixie Chicks. I think they're my country favorite. But, I still like "Garth", "Tim Mcgraw", "Shania", Keith Urban, a lot of the new country artists.... and on and on.
But, what I really want to tell you is I get to dust off my cowgirl boots, and head back to the country this week.
I am helping judge the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival for a whole week, in the shadow of the Tetons.
Diary, you remember my years reporting in the Jackson Hole area? I did everything I could to find a story to report on... on the Wyoming side of the Tetons.
I'll be one of several preliminary judges reviewing dozens of films entered in this year's festival, so we'll be spending a lot of time indoors watching filmmakers' work.
But, I bet I'll find time to kick up my heels, maybe see the Jackson rodeo, watch the shoot-out in the square, maybe even have a drink at the Cowboy bar.
Yee Haw!!
See you next week, pardners!
Laural
Summer has arrived! My favorite time of the year. I grew up in the Northwest on the wet side of the mountains so I feel like we earn our few months of solar powered fun.
The last week of school rituals are wrapped up. The dance recitals are over. It's a slower pace in the mornings, at least until the "camps" and swimming lessons begin. I did reluctantly sign the girls up for a few at their insistence. I would rather just hang out with them, cooking, planning and planting, soaking them up like the sun. But their energy level demands more.
They do have jobs though, even at 4 and 9! I am paying them a quarter for every mile they encourage me to walk/jog this summer. Middle age is unforgiving and I need all the help I can get. They are very into it. Ali suggested she would run in front of me with a cookie! It might work but would somehow defeat the whole purpose don't you think?
Grace stood at the side of the track today yelling "Mommy, run faster!" All that did was make me laugh harder.
I'm not a runner like Laural (who is amazing.) I blew out my knees skiing years ago and have a hip issue from being hit by a car when I was in High School. I've been told that I over-pronate which is apparently bad. When I asked the sales person which shoes I should buy he suggested some for cycling. So it's not likely the kids will get rich. But I'll keep you posted.
Happy summer...soak it in!
And as always... Thanks for watching.
Tracy Barry
I've heard that question a couple of times in the last week... so
I thought I'd take a minute and make the proper introductions!
The "new guy" isn't really new. Jim Culp (also known as the culprit)
is a veteran Newschannel 8 photograher who started at
KGW in November of 1988. He'd always been behind the scenes until his
on camera debut as part of our Sunrise Traffic team.
So why the switch? "Something new, something different," he
told me recently as we chatted at my desk in the newsroom.
You'd think the most difficult part of his new job would be
deciphering the web of roads and wrecks while hovering at 1300 feet but
Jim says, "The hardest part is getting used to the fact that (viewers)
see my face." There's one thing you won't see, though, and that's Jim
wearing a tie. All the other guys on the show who have to "suit up" are still trying to
figure out how he got away with that one : - )
Here he is (on the right) with Sky 8 pilot Daron Larsen (also sans tie.)
Jim has lived in the Pacific Northwest all his life. He
graduated from Eastern Washington University and worked for three years
at KXLY-TV in Spokane before landing here in Portland.
When he's not flying in Sky 8.. Jim golfs, referees youth basketball
games, and gardens. His wife is an elementary school teacher in the North Clackamas School District and they have a 21 year old daughter and a
19 year old son.
So now you know! The "new guy" in Sky 8 isn't your usual suspect but this is one "culprit" we're glad to have around.
Welcome aboard, Jim!
I don't know much about allergies. I never thought I had them, but now I'm starting to wonder.
I've had a sore throat, and have been losing my voice, and that turned into a runny nose,coughing, and sneezing.
My doctor said it was probably a virus that would just run its course.
But, I've noticed lots of people are sneezing, and complaining of similar symptoms.
How about you?
Anyone have any favorite remedies?
It's no fun for anyone to suffer with allergies, or any of the symptoms I mentioned, but it's especially annoying in my line of work... and for you,dear viewers, to have to listen to my gravely, nasally voice.
So, let me know what you do for laryngitis, and a sore throat.
Allergy sufferers unite! Or is it just a June cold?
Here's to clearing things out soon.
Thanks for sticking with me,
Laural
by Joe Donlon,
So, what's it like talking to a man worth billions of dollars? In this case, it's just like talking with one of your friends.
Last week, I got a chance to spend some time with Phil Knight -- which I knew going in -- was pretty rare. He doesn't do media, really - but he agreed to talk with us about a new exhibit through August 26th at the Oregon Historical Society. It's a very impressive display -- sponsored by the Smithsonian, called 'Sports: Breaking Records - Breaking Barriers.' It features athletes -- who did just that.. like Mia Hamm, Althea Gibson, Roberto Clemente, and Muhammad Ali.
On it's stop in Portland, however, there is a bonus. Nike contributed never before seen artifacts - that fill up an adjoining room. It's a very thorough look back at the beginnings of Nike and includes some of the first shoes Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman made for his runners at the University of Oregon -- plus shoes worn by Steve Prefontaine, Michael Johnson, and others.
Knight walked in -- by himself -- in a pair of jeans, a T-shirt and sport coat (and of course, a pair of Nikes). It was the first time he had seen the display, and it had quite an impact on him. We spent the first part of our time with him - walking around the exhibit, and talking about what the athletes meant to him. He recalled his father taking him to the British Empire games in Vancouver, B.C. to watch what would later be called 'The Miracle Mile'. In that race, Roger Bannister and John Landy BOTH ran a sub four minute mile - which was a first. Knight - will never forget it. He was 15, and wanted to wear the same shoes Bannister wore -- which was a lesson he later used to build Nike.
The stories continued to flow, as we entered the Nike section -- which starts with a tunnel that leads the eye directly to an enormous poster of Bill Bowerman. Knight has often said, 'Without Bowerman - there would be no Nike." The legendary track coach left an enormous impression on Knight, and his respect and appreciation are obvious. "Bowerman didn't call himself a track coach," Knight told me. "He called himself a professor of competitive response. Mostly he was teaching you how to compete with yourself -- how to better yourself."
After our tour, we sat down for an extended interview. On the media - he said, "I like talking to people. I don't like being careful about what I'm saying." That's why he avoids interviews.
He talked at length about that, and how Nike went from being a media darling -- to an international target - and how he feels about Nike critics. We hit on numerous issues -- from endorsements, those famous Nike commercials, and even the tragic death of his oldest son in 2004. He started to break down before I finished the question, and I wasn't sure he would even address it. But he did, and his answer was very touching.
To be honest, we weren't sure what we were going to get from the interview. In the end, he spent almost two hours with us -- and we had to break up our report into three long segments. You can see them on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week on Newschannel 8 at 6. I think you'll learn a lot about the company, and even more about the man who built it.
Joe Donlon
MORE:
Breaking Records, Breaking Barriers - Smithsonian exhibit at the Oregon Historial Society
Watch Phil Knight interviews on kgw.com
I've been thinking a lot about my dad this week. Of course, Sunday is father's day--and my dad was a wonderful man who passed away last year from complications of Alzheimer's disease.
I hope you never have to experience it with your loved ones but a new health report suggests more people will.
A new forecast from Johns Hopkins University concludes the number of people affected by Alzheimer's disease worldwide will quadruple by 2050. We're talking more than 100 million people. One of the researchers said if we can make even modest advances in preventing Alzheimer's disease, or delay its progression, we could have a huge impact on public health.
To give patients a fighting chance-- now or in the future-- you have to recognize the symptoms, which can be difficult-- especially early on. Looking back, my dad showed signs of Alzheimer's years before his official diagnosis. Small things... things we mistakenly chalked up to normal aging and forgetfulness.
My definition of "normal" changed one December afternoon a few years back when my parents and I went Christmas shopping at the mall. My mom and I wanted to buy a few things for my dad, so we split up. We went one way and he went the other with the understanding that we'd meet up at noon for lunch. Noon came and went and my dad didn’t show-up. He was never particularly punctual but he was extremely gregarious with a great sense of humor so we figured he'd found someone to talk to and was having a laugh. However, after 30 minutes or so I set out to look for him but before I got too far, he came strolling by.
I hustled over to intercept him asking, "Where have you been? You were supposed to meet us at noon!" His response-- "You never told me to meet you at noon." And he was adamant. He genuinely had no idea what I was talking about. As I would discover later, forgetting recently learned information is one of the most common early signs of dementia.
Had Alzheimer's disease been on our radar, had we talked to a doctor right away, had my father started medication as soon as possible... maybe we could have postponed the inevitable—at least a little while longer. Maybe.
Please don't wait to get information about Alzheimer's disease. If you notice changes in someone you love, ask a doctor. Ask the Alzheimer’s Association. There are a myriad of resources to help you figure out what's normal and what's not. In the best scenario, Alzheimer's won’t be the diagnosis and you'll have peace of mind. If it is, knowledge is power—the power to be a proactive part of health care decisions that could improve the quality of your loved one's life.
My dad was blessed with a long life. My family and I celebrated his 90th birthday the month before he died. He didn't remember a lot of things--but he did remember us.
And we'll always remember him.
To contact the Alzheimer's Association-- Oregon chapter call
1-800-733-0402 or visit their website www.alz.org
WAR OF THE ROSES...
No, I don't mean the 1989 Michael Douglas/Kathleen Turner movie... but the botanical battle I wage each spring with the colorful, thorny blooms in my own backyard.
When I'm not anchoring a newscast for Northwest Newschannel 8-- you'll likely find me anchored in my flower garden-- weeding, planting or watering.
It's probably sacrilegious to admit at the height of Rose Festival, but I once banished roses from my yard-- too much black spot, powdery mildew, rust, or an infestation of aphids. You name it and it's plagued my roses at one time or another. Still, hope springs eternal and after a visit to the Rose Garden at Washington Park (and some prodding from my 8 year old daughter who wanted roses of her own) I gave in to the intoxicating fragrance of all the prize winning petals and reintroduced hybrid teas to my perennial plot. Make peace not war, right? So in that spirit, the "Peace" Rose was the first to return. It's common around here but a SPECTACULAR bloomer-- mellow yellow with blushes of pink.
I also planted Sun Sprite-- a rich, vibrant yellow that's mesmerizing in its intensity. My two Sun Sprites are in the standard form (trained as "trees") and are under planted with lavender catmint (Nepeta Walker's Low.) Unfortunately, at the moment, Sun Sprite has the look of February instead of June.
I gave it a hard pruning recently because of--- arrrggghhhh--- black spot. I was too lazy and/or busy to spray earlier in the season-- so I'm just starting over with a few snips of my shears! The leaf buds are already growing back and the show is definitely worth the wait.
Think of it this way. My roses are like my teenager-- they don't always do what I want, but I LOVE THEM DEARLY : )
Happy Centennial Rose Fest and be sure to tune in Friday, June 8th from 5-7am for a special Rose Festival edition of Newschannel 8 at Sunrise.
We'll have live crews all over town-- from the race to finish the floats for Saturday's
Grand Floral Parade to Drew Carney racing around PIR previewing the Rose Festival Grand Prix. You won't want to miss it.
See you soon,
Brenda
Hi everyone, I want to update you on a story we've followed here at KGW, and one that's close to my heart... Where's Molly?
On KGW, and on my blog, we've told you about Jeff Daly's search for his long-lost sister who was sent to Fairview Training Center in Salem more than 50-years ago.
After his parents died, Jeff yearned to find his sister. We chronicled his journey in finding Molly, and how he helped pass an Oregon law that cuts through the privacy law bureacracy, making it easier for others to find siblings institutionalized in Oregon, and then moved to group homes.
There is also now a national link to help families find loved ones who were institutionalized decades ago.
Here's the link:
https://www.thearclink.org/findfamily/
For decades, parents of children with disabilities were advised by professionals to institutionalize their children.
But times have changed, and thanks in large part to Jeff, Cindy,and Molly Daly, many states are following Oregon in cutting through red tape to make it easier for families to reunite.
The national organization ARC now has the "Family Find" link above.
Recently, I accepted an award on behalf of KGW from the ARC of Multnomah and Clackamas Counties for public service.
(ARC Executive Director Robert Shook presents Laural Porter and KGW its Community Service Award)
It was humbling to accept this award,because I feel it was my deep and sincere privilege to have been a part of this story, and the Dalys' incredible efforts.
Thank you to ARC, the Dalys,and to you for caring about people amongst us who have challenges,but make our lives so much richer.
Laural
May 2008
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