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At least that's what the researcher is suggesting. Okay, you saw the story.. you know this was work done in the lab. And you know that he's not exactly saying the preservative is dangerous.. just not safe (that distinction really is sublte but important).
Here is everything you ever wanted to know. Or at least everything I could dig up given my time constraints.
Original article that has been picked up all over the place:
http://news.independent.co.uk/health/article2586652.ece
Info on the researcher: http://www.shef.ac.uk/mbb/staff/piper
Industry paper from UK: http://www.barkeeper.co.uk/News_Item.asp?News_ID=782
Not domestic either, but it did get me thinking about everything in our food:
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/health/article2591702.ece
Info on a story I did back in April of 2006 on a similar issue: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2006/506_benzene.html
By the way, my local interview for this story didn't happen until 3:30. 3:30!! We go on at 5pm!! Let's just say I have a few new gray hairs, but it was worth it.
And since I solicited your opinions, I have to tell you-- you totally shared your opinions (THANKS)... it's a 100%, unanimous, not-even-close, in favor of the hair down look for me. I've stuck it behind the ear to keep it from looking stringy on the "two-shots" ((those shots when you see me looking lovingly at my various co-anchors when I fill in)).
Elaine writes: Hey Steph.........just had to say you look GORGEOUS!!!!
Love your hair down!!!!
Michael writes: So, you changed it again? Was was your motive? Just tired of the old one? I like it. It is nice. I'm not a hair expert so it looks fine to me. lol.
Nice story btw.
Yeah, you sooo get brownie points for mentioning the story, too. I love that!! Yup- just bored. Trust me, John is happy I didn't hack it all off like I did last time I got the urge to make a change!
Amy writes: Hey. So I think your hair looks really good down. Just my opinion.
John (NOT my husband John) writes: Steph, I think your hair looks great!
Audrey writes: I noticed last evening that your hair was different, and I really like it on you that way. It looks soft and natural, but not all bristly like some of the styles are lately that look like a bad haircut. You look younger with it down. I like it the way you wore it before too, was it a French braid? Now I can’t remember.
I just kind of wound it up and stuffed it into this little bun. Not the most glamorous look, but easy, fast, and rock solid no matter what the weather. I like this, too. The change is fun. But it does take more primping.
Elizabeth writes: ...we saw you on the news last night (Memorial day) and you did great! (And you’re right humidity does SUCK! That was pretty funny, I know my husband did not catch that but I did and it made me laugh out loud). We both thought your hair looks really nice down like you had it.
Amy writes: Sorry I missed Friday's newscast and your hair down! :) It looks good! And I actually do like your "unprimped" version just as well....very casual which I totally understand and love. For the most part I'm a jeans and t-shirt kind of gal but then again being at home with kids, that tends to be my uniform!
Oh yeah, the tea and sun protection thing....fascinating! That said, I will probably at this point never put down my sunscreen as I am fair skinned and I actually tend to break out (my arms, face, hands) tend to get all bumpy after about 20 minutes in the sun. Walking my child home from school requires lots of sunscreen, a floppy hat, and often a long sleeved shirt!
Oh yeah, sunscreen is my best friend, too. I miss those days when I could spend 8 hours outside slathered up in baby oil slowly roasting myself to a dark brown at the local water park. I'm going to have the skin of an 80 year old when I'm 40, but hey-- I was just a kid at the time! I had no idea!!
:-)
I'm checking out "Chicago" tonite.. I'll have to let you know what I think. I saw it in town before when it starred Tom Wopat (HELLO, favorite childhood show!!!). I plan to ogle Lisa Rinna's pout.
CLICK HERE: Stephanie Stricklen still wants to hear about her hair, which is interesting because normally that's the last thing she wants to hear about.
No, no.. don't drink the goopy white stuff. We're talking about tea.. green, black and otherwise.
It seems these teas may offer some protective benefits against two common skin cancers. But, as you saw in the story there are a bunch of reasons why you shouldn't just give up on sunscreen and smart sun-exposure.
Here is the study abstract!! http://www.eblue.org/article/PIIS019096220604103X/abstract
Also one doctor (not related to the story or in my story) says the sample size is a little small for his liking. And he's a huge fan of tea, so for him to say that tells me this is interesting, but doesn't mean you can put away the Banana Boat just yet. :-)
And an FYI (but if you oversteep green tea it gets that nasty bitter taste, so keep that in mind): http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/8162/Why+it's+healthier+to+brew+tea+in+a+pot
Man, I am hopped up on caffeine (at least I think it's caffeine). I purchased some tea while shooting at the TeaZone (http://www.teazone.com/) today and they had me try this wonderful, wonderful powdered ceremonial Japanese green tea called matcha. Here is a wikipedia entry about it with all the usual disclaimers (that anyone can edit wikipedia etc etc):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matcha
Other sites I checked out say the matcha doesn't have a lot of caffeine but I have to tell you something has kicked in with me. It's not that jittery rush that I get from strong coffee, though (which is why I now pretty much just do decaf or half-caf). LOVE it!
Yes.. some of you caught this on Friday.
I'm toying with the idea of having the hair down for a while. I've roped in a few trusted folks here at the staion to tell me what they honestly think since I am a horrible judge of what "works" for TV. The whole appearance aspect is really hard for me, because when I'm not working I am a very casual person and would truly wear sweats if I thought I could get away with it. Here's what it looks like unbrushed and unstyled as I'm sitting here typing away..
Okay, off to primp. Actually, off to read scripts since I am anchoring tonite ((with Amy Troy)), THEN primp.
Click here to tell Stephanie Stricklen what you think of her hair, which she may or may not take to heart since she can be a little stubborn when it comes to that kind of stuff.
Little Robert Palmer reference there... I've had a song theme thing working for me all week!!
I hope you liked tonite's story (5pm Friday) on Dr. Starr and Randy Jelen.
Randy had too many wonderful people to thank in one short TV news story.. like the doctors who diagnosed him way back when he was about 2 years old.. and he also wanted to thank Dr. Riley and the staff at the Corvallis Clinic and other folks.
((Here's Randy as a teen.. right before his surgery))
He told me he was up at the old Doernbecher when they put in the skybridge which he thought was pretty cool at the time.
Check out this on the American Heart Association website about Dr. Starr (look uner 1960): http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4696
A great (and pretty recent) article on Dr. Starr: http://www.beavertonvalleytimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=117882735482841400
And check out this SWEET old film of the first open heart surgery done in the 50s!!
Click here to watch it..
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!! :-)
Email me: Stephanie Stricklen
This China tainted toothpaste scare goes to show how much of a global market economy we really live in. I promised you more articles to check out and here they are:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/24/business/24toothpaste.html?ref=health
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/24/AR2007052400899.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18841928/
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/22/business/paste.php
And man oh man did everyone have lots to say about the Doritos story!! Here are just some of the snippets!
Barb writes:
IT’S ON THE LABEL! I’m sure even the most strict vegetarians can read, and don’t require ‘special treatment’ in the form of a huge label with a big red cow flag on it.
Donna writes:
Am I surprised? No. This is only one more example of our food supply being ineptly managed by corporations...many of which I'm sure are joined at the hip. I have been a vegetarian for 40+ years. Can you imagine how I would feel if I were at a social gathering and ate chips which I, up-until-now, could assume did not contain animal parts of any kind? I believe we are all victims on many levels.
Shannon writes:
If the man doesn't eat beef then I would assume that he spit out the first chip he ate so there shouldn't be any problem with his health.
Tami writes:
I think the label is enough for anyone. I still like doritos and always will.
Nancy writes:
I think anytime you are trying a “mystery” food, the first thing to do would be to check the ingredients. Especially if you are on a restricted diet. I also think that Frito-Lay should have made it clear, with a warning label or something.
John writes:
Beef in chips? And we wonder why we are all so fat.
Heidi writes:
It's just sad that Doritos would test out a special flavor with a chip that has beef in it. I would assume the chip section at my grocery store would be vegetarian, too.
Bobby writes:
He chose the item off the shelf! Diabetics, people with allergies, those with specific religions, MANY people have to be careful when they shop, and ignorance isn’t an excuse.
And that, folks, is just a sampling!!
Sherrie sent us this picture she took from Newport!
Anyone else want to email me a random photo?! You know I like to post them!!
Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen
Sort of a new take on that Village People song... :-)
Okay... this is what that bag o' chips looks like:
I sort of describe them as a little Willy Wonka-esque. You pop one in your mouth and you taste kind of this beefy, pickly, mustardy burger taste. Folks here in the newsroom often went for a McDonald's burger.. but some said it had more of a Burger King taste.
Anyway, here is the slickly produced website for marketing the chips: http://x13d.doritos.com/
And here is FritoLay's website: http://www.fritolay.com/
And here is an interesting FritoLay link for people with ingredient concerns: http://www.fritolay.com/fl/flstore/cgi-bin/dietary_choices.htm
So... after seeing the story, what do you think? Should there be a bigger, bolder warning that these corn chips contain beef? Or is the ingredient panel enough?
Click here to email Steph with your thoughts!
:-)
So, this will be the world's shortest blog entry.. because I'm off to BREAKING NEWS! Yes, every so often these things happen.. so I'm off like a rocket (but not before giving you the link to the Oregon Burn Center, as promised).
http://www.legacyhealth.org/body.cfm?id=763&oTopID=763&PLinkID=46
Have a fantastic rest of your day.. and you can check out my breaking news story tonite at 5 and 6. :-)
Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen
Okay. So what did you think of the ornamental noxious weed story (runs Friday at 5pm)???
The way those beautiful flowers can totally go nuts in someone's yard is amazing.
I did a story about 6 years ago on invasive English Ivy which really developed my first appreciation for all things 'noxious'. If you want more information on English Ivy check this here:
http://www.noivyleague.com/
Yeah, I had no idea either until I did that story and now I regularly notice how much that ivy is overwhelming everything around us.
This story was an offshoot from that. I do hope it helps someone. Let me start by posting the Oregon Department of Ag Noxious Weed Control website in the hopes you can check out all the nasty weeds for yourself (with photos!).
http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/PLANT/WEEDS/
ALSO: to schedule one of those noxious weed garden presentations I mentioned call this number: 503-986-4621.
And that, my friends, is all. Have a fantastic weekend!
sstricklen@kgw.com
Dr. Matt Bradley is amazing.
I mean, did you see the story (airs Thursday 5pm.. and will be available on-line after that in our video section)???
I'm super impressed.
He also has a pretty cool robotic prosthetic leg with a little computer in it that helps him stay on his feet for his 100 hour work weeks!!
And, I should probably say HI to his wife who totally watches channel 8. Dr. Bradley and I joked that we should concoct a story about me that I was just a high-maitenance terror to work with and he'd tell his wife that the shoots were just miserable. :-)
Of course, the shoots went WONDERFULLY. The families were so gracious to let us peek in on their lives, and his work in the legislature is so worthy of sharing.. the Senate vote is next possibly in a few weeks; that's my understanding now that his bill has moved out of the senate committee hearing (unanimously, might I add, just like the house!!).
Oh, oh... Shriners Hospital. Let me give you that link:
http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Portland/
That place is doing some incredible work. There were kids there from all over the place.
Here's the official history behind the Shriners (check out the Shriner's primer-- who knew!!): http://www.shrinershq.org/Shrine/
And here is the unofficial wikipedia version: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Arabic_Order_of_the_Nobles_of_the_Mystic_Shrine
Another hint on Monday's 5pm story:
TTYS (talk to you soon) Steph :-)
Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen
Hepatitis C.
I sort of knew about it.
I mean, I'd heard about Pam Anderson when she announced she had it, and sort of had this vague recollection that it was a disease common among IV drug users. But boy is that just scratching the tip of the iceburg!!
For the free, confidential screenings and to learn more, check out the Hep C Caring Ambassadors program here: http://www.hepcchallenge.org/
Program manager Lorren was actually the first person to raise my awareness. She emailed me this idea after I spoke at a media-workshop for non-profits. So, KUDOS Lorren!!
There is also a clearinghouse of information here: http://www.cdc.gov/Ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/index.htm
And to email me your story ideas: Email Stephanie Stricklen@kgw.com
Okay, quick response.. this made me chuckle from Rick: Thanks very much for the article "thin outside, fat inside". I just found out that I am "fat outside and thin inside" which is healthier than " thin outside, fat inside ".
I aim to please.
And here is a shot of Matt Zaffino and his wife Lisa's dog Xena that I finally downloaded off my phone. I got to take her for a little car ride and she was (as she always is) a total sweetheart. I have to say, this is the BEST, highest quality photo my camera phone has ever taken..
And this picture has everything to do with my special report story I'm working on that airs Friday.. that's all I'm going to say. And no, it's not about that weird sickness that is killing all those bees. Any guesses?
I've been at this medical reporting thing for a long time and this was the first I'd heard about normal weight obesity. I love my job.. I learn every day!! Dr. Mays says this condition can be especially problematic in Asians who can look quite "thin' on the outside but yet have a lot of this internal fat on the inside.
She says this internal fat is processed differently than the under-the-skin fat, and that it can cause your triglycerides to shoot up etc as the liver tries to get a handle on your fatty guts.
I found a few links on the topic here-- some are a little jargony but, wow.. who knew?!
First element here:
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view_article.php?article_id=52989
Which is referring to this: http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/85/1/40
Which is explained most clearly here: http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20070112/not-overweight-still-fat
Also: http://www.imwr.com/article.php?s=IMWR/2007/04&p=43
This references the prevalence in one study between ballet dancers and the control group (notice both groups had normal-weight obesity on some level): http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tandf/ge/2005/00000020/00000004/art00003?crawler=true
Hey, the Portland Spirit was GREAT!!!! The weather was fantastic, sitting up with the Captian was cool, the food was good, and this gal Lisa-- who is the sister of our 5pm producer Gina-- was managing that night and sang all these great songs! She's got pipes!!
Anyway, I have to fly! I'm finishing up a different story I didn't get done last week. Every spare second around here gets used up it seems. :-)
Email me!! Stephanie Stricklen
That's my best written chicken impression. This chicken story is the one I've been going on about all week.
Okay, I have tips for those of you who are all about the chickens!!
For those interested in learning more:
http://www.growing-gardens.org/portland-gardening-resources/chickens.php
http://www.organicliving.com/Urban-Chickens.html
Found this Eugene article at backyardchickens.com:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-articles-RGuard2004.html
Two, count 'em TWO chicken-blogs (and I'm sure there are more):
http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken/
http://www.pdxpeeps.blogspot.com/
And one of my non-chicken related chicken links:
http://www.subservientchicken.com/
More on the back story behind that one...
http://www.snopes.com/business/viral/chicken.asp
Hey anyone see Paula Lucas from the American Domestic Violence Crisis Line on the Today show??? I did a story with her about a year ago.. her group and all the volunteers are so amazing.
Here is the Today show video where you can learn her back story and see her big surprise she gets at the end. WAY TO GO PAULA!!!:
http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=b8148749-cbd0-437a-94bf-431905271f97&f=05&fg=rss
On that completely awesome note, I bid you a very happy Friday! I'm checking out the Portland Spirit tonite. Can you believe I've lived here 7 years and haven't done that yet??
sstricklen@kgw.com
There are just so many things new moms and dads have to think about that you never know what will raise a red flag. That said it doesn't surprise me that parents are reacting to the BPA leaching possibility in baby bottles, regardless of what the FDA and industry groups say. I want to give you multiple links to look at so you can read through it and come to your own conclusions.
Here is a link to the Environment California report, and an additional link to another environmental group EWG that looked at canned foods:
http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/reports/environmental-health/environmental-health-reports/toxic-baby-bottles
http://www.ewg.org/reports/bisphenola/execsumm.php
Here are two plastics manufacturers websites:
http://www.babybottle.org/
http://www.bisphenol-a.org/
On a totally different note, I also wrote up this cool little story on something you might notice the next time you are boppin' around town people-watching:
http://www.kgw.com/health/stephanie_stricklen/stories/kgw_050907_health_streak_stroke.52be83b7.html
And Sherrie sent in this waterfront picture that makes me want to take a day off to play in the sun!
Roger writes: I want to understand how you work. I take from comments you've made on your blog about the stories you work on that you don't have a requirement to get something on the air every day. Are you then free to 'work' a story as long as necessary to get it done? Even if you don't have to get something done everyday, are you expected to get something on the air two or three times a week? It seems like you have a bit more 'freedom' than the anchors and some of the other news reporters, but hey, I'm a civilian, so what do I know.
That's a great question.. you know, I pretty much do have to put something on the air every day. It's just that I also work on a fairly large number of special reports during ratings (about 12 per each month that we are in ratings—Feb, May, November specifically) so on those days that I'm out shooting I usually 'front' something.. either a special report I worked on previously or a quick health segment that includes 3 or 4 stories that our 5pm producer Gina puts together. Just depends. So, today for example, I wrote the special report that I shot yesterday. It runs Friday at 5 (I'm pretty excited about it). And tonite you'll see me 'fronting' the baby bottle story which I worked on last week since it, too, is a special report. Hope that helps!!
Mike just wrote me introducing me to the notion of 'twittering'. Have you heard of it? I found this on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter
And finally.. I have balloon envy. The balloons I got from my diva girlfriends have all passed away into balloon heaven with one exception.
Look at Drew Carney's collection.
Apparently it's his birthday or something like that so he has enough balloons to float the Portland Spirit right up out of the Willamette. Seriously, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Drew!!
Email me your story ideas!! Click to email Stephanie Stricklen
That's the title of the 5pm special report I did tonite (Monday). It's a bit over the top, but hey, I guess it gets your attention. I do really like the content of the story. The two doctors we talked to had such great suggestions and personal stories.
Here are the additional links:
The OHSU Prostate Cancer Exercise Study: call the project director Jessica at 503.494.4427 to see if you qualify.
And a link to the Providence Integrative Medicine Program: http://www.providence.org/oregon/programs_and_services/integrative_medicine/default.htm
Response time!!
Here's a snippet of what Kathy wrotes about the Body Worlds story: Thank you for talking about the most exciting exhibit coming to OMSI. Two of my biggest interests are biology and art and I'd love to camp out at OMSI for a few days to take it all in. I don't understand the objection to this exhibit which seems reminiscent of the middles ages when scientists risked their lives dissecting dead bodies for the sake of knowledge. Thanks again for excellent coverage.
And a snippet from Rick who wrotes about the male biological clock story: ...a male can produce a hundred babies a year, but a female is lucky to produce two or three babies a year. One male can create a nation, but many females only bear it.
Sam writes: I don't think that men run out of the ability to produce sperm like woman run out of set amount of eggs. But as they get older and having lived decades on poor nutrition and a continual build up of toxins in their bodies, they tend to produce a poorer quality of sperm. This could be way older men tend to have a higher percentage of children with birth defects.
Not only that, but I think that is why older people have trouble with auto-immune diseases too.
Rob writes about my first tram ride: No picture of that banner on the guy’s roof!!!!
What an eye opener that must have been!
Yeah, the homeowner moved that banner to the yard where all you can now see is: "CK THE TRAM".
And I have to show you a couple of photos I've had in my hopper.. My friends Eric and Jodie have two of the cutest kids, as witnessed by these little smiling snapshots:
Megan is a good older to sister to this happy little guy Jack:
I'm shooting a very fun story tomorrow that I've been pushing to do for more than a year. I think it will air Friday, but I'm not sure. I'll let you know. :-)
Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen
Huff, huff.
That's the sound of me breathing heavily as I race through the day. I (mistakenly) thought today would be slower than yesterday which was Body Worlds 3 day, but little did I know.
I've been making calls, purging the email, writing the online version of Body Worlds, doing this blog, have to write Monday's sweeps story and go shoot next Wednesday's story at 1.
Huff, huff.
Oh yeah, "sweeps" is the same as "ratings".. so it's basically a special story that gets a little bit of extra time to produce.
Enough about that. Let's talk Legacy!
So, the PR gal I worked with at Legacy came to my interview with Dr. Muller armed with an email about new screenings that Legacy offers for a fee.
Here's the press release, if you'd like to check this out:
http://www.legacyhealth.org/body.cfm?id=9&action=detail&ref=312
They are similar to the screenings that Life Line offers, but they cost more. Legacy says if you have the money, you can get screened even if you don't have a family history of disease. So, the question becomes: does this present a conflict of interest considering the doctor we spoke to works for Legacy and doesn't like mobile screening companies.. when Legacy is just getting into the business itself??
Here is my 'take'.. but you'll have to tell me what you think.
First, the doctor we spoke to didn't really know about the new Legacy screening program, so it wasn't like she was trying to drive business to her hospital. It's a brand new program. Second, I would be willing to bet you lunch that the doctor's opinion about these screenings would remain relatively unchanged.. that if you have no family history of a particular disease-- save your money and spare yourself the risk of tests that can give you false-positives and false-negatives. That's just my hunch. And, you should know I've worked with this doctor before and think she is really fantastic and knowledgeable.
Previously, the gal with Legacy PR said that Legacy is not-for-profit, while these mobile screening companies are out to make a buck. She also added that you will always know how to find the hospital, whereas a mobile screening is just that-- mobile, and the responsibilty falls to you for any after-care you might need.
I leave it up to you to share your opinions:
sstricklen@kgw.com
Here is a link to Life Line if you'd like to check it out: http://www.lifelinescreening.com/
Opinions about the Body Worlds story I did:
Debra writes: I stayed up later than normal last night just to see what you would have to say about Bodyworlds. I saw the exhibit while on a business trip to Denver
in 2006. Wow, how amazing! I really came away from it with a deep sense of
awe about the Source or Higher Power that created us all. We really are
amazing creatures!
Joanne writes: I just went up to Seattle on this past Saturday to view "Bodies the Exhibition" which is the same premise of Body Worlds 3. Sunday was the last day of the several month exhibit and since it wasn't coming to Portland, I thought I better get up there to see it. It was great, and fascinating to say the least. Very, very educational. I took my niece, who is a Junior at Benson High School and who is really into her anatomy, as she is just starting her clinicals at school this past week. She said it was "tight" or "the bomb", as young kids express themselves. She kept me educated as I try to read and pronounce the medical technical names and elaborated for me on the functions and how they were inter-connected with other body parts. I wanted to understand what the Vascular Surgeon did, when he performed a arterial bypass on my mother's leg, last month. I also grabbed my other niece, who is a Sophomore, and lives in Seattle and took her with us. She also thought it was an eye opening experience. I agree, we are a very complex being and God certainly new what he was doing when he created us. My 24 year old daughter, who is in the medical field, was disappointed she couldn't go because of a previous engagement. But maybe she can get a taste of it, when it comes to Portland.
And Peggy writes: One word - naaaasty! I really wish the promos for the 11:00 news weren't showing the bodies. Perhaps for med students this has a purpose, but I'll stick to OMSI's see-through lady from years ago.
Gorge Scott is BACK with photos to share!!!
And how 'bout this for an 'altercation'?
And have you ever seen these guys off of I-84 near John Day??:
HAPPY FRIDAY!!
Click to email Stephanie Stricklen
If you are looking for the Medical Tourism blog.. it is the previous posting!! I have two stories running today but only one blog so the stories have to share. :-)
OMSI Body Worlds 3 info/tickets/background: http://www.omsi.edu/visit/featured/bodyworlds/
I wrote this yesterday on the plane...
I'm writing the bulk of this on the flight home because I want as much of the exhibit to be fresh in my mind as possible.
Well, that and the flight is not all that long so I can't really watch a movie. But let me tell you.. as I mentioned in my previous blog posting, first-class is pretty sweet. I better not get used to this. I can't afford it!!
Okay, back to the serious stuff. Before I trot out the link to my email address so you can share your thoughts, I do want to give you this caveat. I think very few people will be ambivalent about this exhibit. Either you will rush to see it or you will refuse. I think only a few will be 'on the fence' so to speak.
I also think I need to point out that it's kind of tough to ask you how you feel about it considering you can't actually see it yet. But, that won't stop me.
Click here to sound off: sstricklen@kgw.com
Here's the more complete version of how we got there, etc.. OMSI originally emailed me to ask if I wanted a free trip to Phoenix to do an advancer story on Body Worlds. I wanted the exclusive access, but we couldn't accept the generous offer of a free trip because of the conflict of interest it creates in reporting the story. I mean, how are you supposed to trust that my story is an accurate depiction if someone gave us a 'free ride' there. So I worked with my news director who readily paid our own way there to meet with the OMSI folks. Best of both worlds and the ethically correct decision.
We met Elaina (in OMSI marketing) at the airport and set about telling this story. Overall, our access was great. I had done a fair bit of homework before hand so I knew what to expect and I had a grasp of both sides of the ethical debate. This was the 'gravy'-- seeing what it was that was generating all the buzz.
We spent *hours* shooting this story. I mean hours. We wanted to capture every last little detail and moment. The station paid a lot of money to send us to Phoenix and we weren't about to blow it by not shooting enough.
Not to do the "I-love-KGW" song and dance, but I don't know how many other stations would have ponied up the funds to cover a story like this.
Okay, the pilot just said we are in our final descent. Gotta 'fly'.
Again: weigh in here:
sstricklen@kgw.com
I asked photojournalist Kurt Austin to kindly write a bit about his perceptions of the exhibit. We work as a team, and often you only hear from me.
As TV photojournalist, you always are looking for interesting, visually compelling, and emotionally challenging subjects to take pictures of—and boy did I find it in the Body Worlds 3 exhibit in Phoenix, the exhibit that will be at OMSI next month. To view bodies, sans skin, is an amazing thing. We are so complex. You can see how every muscle connects to the next, how the simple movement of throwing a javelin, keeping yourself balanced on a gymnasts balance beam or diving for a loose soccer ball, needs the cooperation of every part of your body. As I shot video of one exhibit after the next, I witnessed people trying to mimic the facial expressions of the plasticized bodies, trying to feel the muscles in their own faces and how they work together. Many touring the exhibit would see the artificial hip, and comment about the one in their own bodies, or the one older gentleman who was enamoured with the body of a woman who had metal braces and pins attached to her broken bones. He said he had the same brace in his wrist. I have a personal interest in some of the exhibits displayed, as my mother had two hip replacements and a kidney transplant. I studied the artificial hips and the display of diseased kidneys for a long time. My father is suffering from Alzheimer’s, and to study the brain was comforting in a way. So complex. Two women commented on the display of the nerve endings that branched out from the brain like a spidery tree. You could now imagine how people become paraplegics or quadraplegics after a serious accident. One display was of a young boy that featured his blood vessels. An amazing site to see. Blood red vessels ran from the top of his head to the bottom of his toes. As I was shooting, I couldn’t stop thinking about how these people died. They looked like they were in the prime of their lives and in fantastic shape (at least their muscles were). That was a little disturbing. As we finished shooting for the day, I felt as though I accomplished what a TV Photojournalist is always looking for---something interesting, visually compelling, and especially, emotionally challenging. Kurt Austin KGW-TV Photojournalist
And finally, I sat next to a very nice gentleman on the return flight. I had a bunch of coffee before I left Phoenix and frankly, I don't drink much caffiene so I was a chatty-cathy-nightmare next door neighbor. He was a great sport. He rents out a villa in Costa Rica: http://www.villamanana.com/
I was like, "Wow, that's really cool. Too bad I'm never going to Costa Rica."
He was curious about that and I told him about my botfly phobia. Remember the botfly video?? As in the most disgusting thing I've ever seen in my entire 33 years on this planet??
Click here, but you've been warned.. it is SUPER gross: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkx16NhxIMU
Click here if you, too, are afraid of the botfly.
Hello!!!! Okay, the Body Worlds story runs tonite at 11pm.
If you heard me on the radio this morning you know it's pretty wild stuff. I hope you can check it out and share your opinions.
That blog is coming, but first I need to post my blog on tonite's 5pm story: Medical Tourism.
Here is a link to the company that we featured: http://www.planethospital.com/ and like I mentioned, there are others. ((Thanks to Stacy for catching an error with this link-- FIXED!!))
And here is some additional really facinating info: http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/200702/market07.shtml
And on surgical outsourcing: http://www.indusbusinessjournal.com ((URL shortened))
Okay, gotta fly for now. Back in a flash.
sstricklen@kgw.com is Stephanie Stricklen's email address, or you can just click on this link.
I've been out of the state shooting this top secret story that airs tomorrow night at 11pm.. I'm bracing myself for angry emails and phone calls after it airs. Keep in mind, my job is to present both sides so you can make up your own mind!! You'll have to tell me what you think.
In the meantime: look at these photos... any guesses where I am??
And here is me.. in FIRST CLASS!!! Since KGW bought my ticket, I went ahead and *splurged* and bought a first-class upgrade. I felt like a rock star. Except there is me writing another story I needed to get finished. So maybe a like a "work-minded, efficient rock star".
Hey, for those of you who have emailed me about the nicknames, male biological clock, emmy's etc... I WILL get back to you. I've just been tied up on this story.
Email me: Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen if you know what city she is in.
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