Guess who is taking a flight with the Navy Blue Angels (http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/) on August 8th?!

Guess.

GUESS!!

IT'S ME!!!!!!!! I am so excited it's borderline ridiculous. This is definitely going to screw up my nap time today. Won't be able to sleep. Much more to come soon (and often). This is part of the Oregon International Airshow: http://www.oregonairshow.com/. Have you ever checked out an airshow?! I love 'em. They're so much fun.

Okay, here is the information on the services Oregon provides to families. Maybe you know an Army National Guard family member who could use this??

Family Programs support and inform military families regarding
preparation for deployment; provide referral services for legal,
financial, counseling and benefits assistance; crisis intervention;
child and youth programs including child care, youth camps and assisting
children dealing with deployment. The Oregon National Guard Family
Programs Office works closely with several community agencies to provide
the best services available to military families.

Point of contact is Diane Gooding, State Family Program Director,
503-584-3543 or diane [dot] gooding [at] us [dot] army [dot] mil

McGorge Scott to the rescue!! He should sell tickets like the zoo.

I have some emails from you to get back to, too.. but it's 2:10pm and I gotta fly. Fly. I'll be flying soon. IN AN F-18. Suhweeeet.

Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen who will probably get this email today, since she'll be up checking rather than napping because she is so excited.

Posted by Stephanie Stricklen at 2:00 PM | Permalink

I have this vision of little kids everywhere wearing blue plastic mitts in restrooms, while working on that lollipop, etc. It's a very cute idea, but I think the part that I got the biggest kick out was Mom/Inventor Stephanie saying she used to use plastic sandwich bags. THAT'S clever.

Here is the link to her website if you want to check it out:
http://www.gottagomitts.com/

There's all kinds of info about suggested ages, cute photos, her personal story. And did I read the package shows up 'discreetly'? That's pretty funny, too.

OKAY: on the bird photo...

Pastor Greg got it.. She found the bird hurt and nursed it back to health.

The bird smacked into their window and was floundering around. Anita picked it up.. sat very still with it for a moment.. and once it regained its composure it flew off (and probably shared a great story with its buddies about why windows are not a bird's best friend).

And Kat shares this: In your photo posted July 26th, the bird on the woman's hand is a female Black-headed Grosbeak. A fairly common redient this time of year.

THANKS!!! I 'googled' it and loved learning about the different plumage between males and females. Here's wikipedia's entry ((with all of my usual wikipedia disclaimers)): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-headed_Grosbeak

And McGorge Scott shared a bunch of photos.. just time tp upload one right now... LOVE this one!!!

He says the kitties are getting braver and braver. I wonder what that buck thinks about them?!

Email Stephanie Stricklen

Posted by Stephanie Stricklen at 11:58 AM | Permalink

Hey.. I'm keeping this blog short as the newsroom is very busy right now with breaking news. Two news helicopters have just crashed in Phoenix AZ. There are multiple fatalities. This is a very small business and many people in this newsroom know people there. My heart and prayers go out to everyone who is dealing with or is affected by this awful tragedy.

Here is the info on Camp Creative: http://www.metalcowboy.com/camp.shtml
And here is Joe's main website: http://www.metalcowboy.com/

Talk to you on Monday everyone.

Posted by Stephanie Stricklen at 1:25 PM | Permalink

Okay, so like I promised.. I DO have more on this binge drinking study. While this website is geared to those with much more medical knowledge than myself, I do like it because it does a good job of covering all the bases:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/DietNutrition/tb/6248

And, in case you're interested, here is the link to the Gallup poll stuff: http://www.galluppoll.com/content/?ci=28180&pg=1 That website is a great place to poke around.. if you're ever curious about, well, just about anything to do with life in America.

Onto some responses!! ((It's about time, right??))

Richard just got back from Italy (lucky) and writes: When we turned on the AM news upon our return there you were with your new haircut and I felt compelled to email you....it looks fantastic.! Keep up the great work.

Yup, it's official. The nice hair emails don't get old. Wanna know a little secret?? The underside of my hair is REALLY red. I've mentioned the red before. This time my stylist Randi and I went for broke. Shhh....

Rick, who always calls things like he sees them, wrote this about the soda/ heart problem story: After reading the article about soda and diet soda, in particular, diet soda, I laughed all the way to buy my next 12 pack of diet coke.

I am 70 years old and have been drinking, at least, eight cans of diet coke aday for the last 30 years. I am about 20 pounds overweight from my weight when I was 21 years old.

Sadly, I wonder how many millions of individuals have died in the last 30 years who never drank diet soda.

Erik writes: I heard something briefly as I was running out the door a few days ago about how you can improve calorie burning in exercise if you just 'stop' - I'm sure it wasn’t stopping exercise, but I'm curious to know more - since I was on my way out the door, I didn't get to hear the story. I'm on the front end of a weight loss program and would love to find any way to maximize the effort - can you help me with this story?

Also, I didn't know you were an Alton Brown fan - he's my favorite Food Network chef too - always fun to know who the fans are.

Alton Brown is THE MAN. :-)
And while I gain weight just watching her cooking show, I sure like Paula's on camera personality.

As for the story... taaa daaa. What would I do without Google??
http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2007/07/24/hscout606636.html

Cindy writes about the exercise story: Hi! Haven't you heard of HIIT "High Intensity Interval Training", I did a lot of research on this type of working out, and does it ever work! All research leads to the fact that you burn fat 3x faster than the conventional aerobic class, and you spend only 12 -20 min. Now that is what hooked me, I do this and wts. You have good hobbies, I like all the things you do to. Although I am trying to locate a beginners beading book. Have a wonderful evening!

Great minds think alike, right? I never used a beading book.. I just kind of messed around with it. And made some mistakes. Like that time I spent hours on a necklace and bracelet for this friend of mine, only to have the necklace come up about a half inch shorter than was comfortable to wear.

Randy writes: I just had to complement you what I think is a change of appearance. I can't put a finger on it, new hair, back from vacation, make-over I don't know? I worry, Portland seems to lose good newspeople right when they start getting real good... hummmm, I wonder why? Bigger markets and bigger pay? Well, I just hope you stick around and keep us informed.

Psst... it could be this:

That's Randi in the photo with me. This gal just called me to get her contact info for a haircut and I gave her Randi's old salon by mistake! Oops. But she really wanted it so she called me back and we got it straightened out. She currently works at Wack Salon, by the way.

You are spot on, by the way.. it usually is bigger markets and better pay. But, as I've said before, I really have no plans to leave. I mean, unless the Today show comes calling and wants to pay me 7 figures, or something. But let's be honest. That's not going to happen. It doesn't even happen to people who spend their entire career shooting for that. And I love love love Portland. I just can't imagine myself being this happy someplace else.

Rob emailed me about the gross back sweat skeleton that showed up on my running shirt. Too bad it wasn't the Virgin Mary, but anyway, he writes: In the famous words of Justin Timberlake (I know this because of my daughter) your bringing sexy back!

LIAR! You love Justin. Don't blame it on your daughter, lol!!

Blog buddy Joe writes: Just a suggestion..I wouldn't use that 'back sweat' photo as a promotional photo. ;)

But why not? At least in that photo you couldn't see my ever-changing hair which means the picture wouldn't go out of date.

Debi writes: You must not sweat very much as I sweat more than your shirt looks just working in my yard or walking my dog. If I ran 7 miles in the heat, my shirt would be dripping (not to mention I would be dead from heat exhaustion) hope you had lots of water w/you.

I had NO water, and there were three of us. One of the gals is a very strong hill runner and as she left us in the dust on the big hill back to my house I told the her sister that we should withhold water when we got home. Just to teach her a lesson. About kicking my butt on those hills.

And Pastor Greg writes: Congrats on the 7 mile run. I completed 7 miles on Monday as I start my buildup to run the Portland Marathon in October and the Marshall University Marathon in November.

Are you training for anything or just staying in shape?

I'm just tagging along with those gals who are training for a marathon. I do half marathons-- and that's about enough for me, thank you very much. :-)

Chris, who has a cool email address, writes: I love the pictures from the gorge. Keep them coming. This is the first time I have e-mailed you, but I have been wanting to for a long time.

Welcome, Chris!! Ask and ye shall recieve!!

This from the DFW website: A lone male Rocky Mountain goat that took up residence along I-84 east of The Dalles is still in the area. It can generally be spotted south of the freeway between mile posts 90 and 93. ODFW biologists report he appears in no rush to move on.

Photos and information about the mountain goat:
http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=MA0041

And finally, look at this photo and take a guess as to what it's all about. Why is this wild bird sitting in this woman's hand?? Any guesses? I'll fill you in tomorrow.

Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen with your guess on that bird photo.

Posted by Stephanie Stricklen at 12:36 PM | Permalink

If botulism really isn't your thing then here is that full list of recalled foods to keep an eye out for:

http://www.castleberrys.com/news_productrecall.asp

Also, the FDA offers this in the way of a release: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01670.html

And a CDC primer. Yikes, don't mess with this stuff: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/botulism_g.htm

Okay-- I have a boatload of responses to get through from you, more McGorge Scott photos to share (I know, I know-- you love 'em.. I'll get 'em up) and, quickly, this:

My good friend Jen and her hubby Joe just welcomed this little cutiepie into the world. Her name is Siena. Notice the phrase on the onesie and the logoed socks.... I suppose it's never too early to start thinking college, right?

Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen: I dare you. I double-dog dare you. :-D

Posted by Stephanie Stricklen at 3:35 PM | Permalink

Trying something new-- on the occasions when we have a health story in the morning show I'm going to try and get additional information on this blog. Won't be fancy with pictures, comments ((I have a bunch)), but let's see how it works, okay?

From 5:35am.. soft drink study. I really like this site.. it's written for doctors so it's a little jargony, but the 'talking points' they suggest are always spot on: http://www.medpagetoday.com/Endocrinology/MetabolicSyndrome/dh/6225.

And among the easier-to-understand articles: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/07/23/BAG78R5FLG18.DTL&tsp=1

There you go!! Click to email Stephanie Stricklen

Posted by Stephanie Stricklen at 5:16 AM | Permalink

A hair-growing laser.

Verrry interesting. Especially if you're a guy with male pattern baldness.

You saw it for yourself (Thursday 5pm).. here's a bit more I dug up on it.

Company stuff:
http://www.sunetics.com/home.aspx

An overall picture including loads of interesting products I hadn't heard of: http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-hsspd5287037jul10,0,5145057.story?coll=ny-health-print

And another big picture article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007-06-19-laser-therapy_N.htm

And in the photo department.. sweat, anyone? It's a little gross, but look what appeared on my back after a 7 mile run this past weekend (in the HEAT, too)

Spooky. :-)

I should probably wish you a very lovely weekend now since I'm shooting special project stuff tomorrow and don't anticipate turning anything for 5pm. Til Monday!!

Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen

Posted by Stephanie Stricklen at 12:06 PM | Permalink

Okay, it's a little less the cars that mess up your heart and more the traffic, but you get the idea. Speaking of cars, anyone see the blow-up doll in the SUV that Posh Spice used to throw off the ol' paparazzi? So last night I continued my TV binge and actually watched the NBC Victoria Beckham reality TV special.

Yup.

I'm embarassed to admit it, but I did. And, you know what, I LIKED IT! Does this mean I need some sort of reality TV intervention? Or that I should rush out and get a subscription to the tabloid rag US magazine ((which I notably called U.S. magazine on the air one morning-- as in "United States"... the producer waited until the commercial break to gently make fun of me)).

Anyway, it was facinating to see just how many paparazzi there are chasing celebs. What do they know that I don't? I'm guessing they must get paid a fortune for shots of a pouty Posh spice strutting out of the airport.. because there were hundreds of them there.

And, I suppose the fact that she knows it, deals with it, doesn't sock anyone in the face ((even if they deserve it)), and messes with them ((like the blow-up doll decoy))-- well, I like her style. I guess the show did exactly what it was supposed to.. paint a carefully crafted picture of one of America's next top celebs.

Back to more pressing matters. Here is an article on the traffic pollution/artery hardening story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/16/AR2007071601120.html

Forbes offered this on the new lymph-node test, which like any test has risks and benefits you should talk to your doctor about: http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2007/07/16/hscout606461.html

McGorge Scott and I had a funny exchange about blue tarps. I told him I've drawn a hard line in the sand at my house about using them and he sent me this amusing photo: http://www.missmalaprop.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/femadress.jpg

He sent these, too:

Now, that my friends, is a fun shot to leave you with!
Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen

Posted by Stephanie Stricklen at 11:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Bleck.

Monday's for me are hard day of the week. What can I say?! I did have a stellar weekend, though. I was on-call, which means I needed to be ready to come to work if a breaking news story cropped up or someone called in sick. So, I took the opportunity to watch, like, 5 hours of cooking shows I'd recorded (Alton Brown being my personal fav). And I have to be honest, it seems like every channel is running some sort of 'reality tv marathon' on the weekends. Is it just me?!

Monday's aside.. I have some interesting stories for 5pm: like using food to control the costs of medicine, just how many people in your workplace got high in the past month, and why that cold wipes you out (it's not just that your body is fighting it-- at least not according to those researchers)).. anyway, lots of stories.

And on that topic of food and medicine.. this is an excellent breakdown of some of the more popular medicines and how food interacts with them.

http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fdinter.html

While you'll see a lot of drugs interact with alcohol, there is plenty of good stuff there on high fat foods, etc.

Sherrie sent along one very fabulous looking Ed as he lounges away. Can you say spoiled??

Email me!! Email Stephanie Stricklen

Posted by Stephanie Stricklen at 12:45 PM | Permalink

If you're looking for Alberto stuff or CPR stuff.. keep scrolling down. It's Thursday's post.

So, what do you think about this Gallup/baby gender survey? 66 years of picking boys over girls?! What happened to girl power, or "chicks rule"?? Well, here I think we're doing okay.. but read this for a shocking example of what happens when this goes to extremes:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2002/06/19/china-usat.htm

What do you think?? CLICK HERE TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

McGorge Scott to the rescue!! Thanks for these amazing photos that elicit a "CUUUUUTE" from me. He had some deer just relaxing in his backyard during this last heatwave. And the joke about the kitty is that it pretty much sucks to have a black fur coat in 100 degree heat!

Have a great weekend!! Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen

Posted by Stephanie Stricklen at 10:47 AM | Permalink

What an amazing guy. You saw the story (runs Thursday at 5pm), heard his words, and hopefully like me came away with a better appreciation for not sweatin' the small stuff.

Of all the things going for him, we heard from the TVFR guys about the 'chain of survival'. Basically, if you had to have a heart attack-- Alberto says his couldn't have been better planned short of having it right in the hospital.

His runners, including Galen Rupp and Josh Rohatinsky who were there today, understandably freaked out but also managed to keep their wits *immediately* splitting up to find help and call 911. Bystanders who knew CPR got to work (do you know CPR?? more on that in a minute) and the TVFR paramedics-- well, they would NOT quit working on him. Oh yeah, did we mention the awesome Providence St. Vincent cardiologist who inserted a stent into Alberto's heart through his groin?

I mean, it's amazing. And since you aren't likely a paramedic, or a cardiologist-- what role can you play in this "chain of survival" should you ever witness something like this??

CPR.

Here are two places you can learn more:
http://www.tvfr.com/CS/AED/index.html

AND, if you don't live out there: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3011764

Alrighty-- it's 3pm and I still need to write a version of this story for the web, which even though it's really late I don't mind because I want as many people to see this as possible. Alberto told me he hoped his story would help even one person. My goal is to help make that happen.

Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen

Posted by Stephanie Stricklen at 2:39 PM | Permalink

In 12 minutes or less I am going to finish this blog, track my story (track means cut audio in the little audio booth) and walk out of here.

LINKS: Jen Chastain recommended this list (I've actually done a story on it before) called the "Dirty Dozen". She carries the little wallet card with her at the grocery store.

http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php

And here is an article that the PR staff at UC Davis recommended I check out in lieu of a press release or study, etc:

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/255833.html

I also found this:

http://foodconsumer.org/7777/8888/N_utrition_35/070710532007_Organic_tomatoes_contain_higher_nutrients_than_conventional_tomatoes.shtml

This is the same primary author talking about organics and nutrition in general: http://mitchell.ucdavis.edu/Is%20Organic%20Better.pdf

AND: Dana sent me the cutest photo of her with her son Christian. Dana, you might remember, was part of our "20 Year High School Reunion Get In Shape Story".. LOVE the snapshot!!

DONE... off to track... til tomorrow :-) Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen

Posted by Stephanie Stricklen at 12:17 PM | Permalink

I stayed out WAY too late last night and had WAY WAY too much fun with some WAY WAY WAY cool people. My friends Mary and Dennis host this amazing, fun 4th of July party and John and I spent the day hanging out, eating fantastic food (my potato salad didn't suck!) and goofing off. I got up just fine this morning which really surprised me, but couldn't resist the strong pot of coffee waiting for me when my alarm went off. You might not know this about me: I don't drink the leaded stuff because I'm so sensitive to caffeine.

Well, the extra jolt worked and somehow I still haven't crashed.

Hey-- here's a press release on that football study: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-07/aosf-chi070307.php

And a press release from the pregnant-teeth story as well: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-07/aaop-pbf070307.php

AND... the Nvidia story: http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_43499.html

There you have it!! See you soon. Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen

Posted by Stephanie Stricklen at 11:13 AM | Permalink

I love you. I really do. I got 10 potato salad recipes and tips from Joshua, Janet, Dolly, Jenna, Rick, Lynne, John, Amy, a different Amy, and Tami. I actually printed out about 6 recipes you emailed me and am off to the grocery store!!

THANK you.. because each of you had *different* tips or recipes which leads me to believe that I actually have a little bit of flexibility to make something yummy. My sister-in-law Shelley makes a wicked-good potato salad, and I think she's right when she tells me that once you make a good one-- everyone wants you to make it for every party you'll ever get invited to again. I mean, that's how it works for her.

Anyway, you rock. Thanks!!

Losing your sense of smell & Alzheimer's study.. two articles:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/03/AR2007070300752.html
And:
http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/07/03/alzheimer_hea.html?category=health

And for the dark chocolate: http://www.king5.com/health/stories/NW_070307HEB_dark_chocolate_SW.3c58977d.html

This is GREAT for the overall picture: http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20040601/dark-chocolate-day-keeps-doctor-away

NUTS. My husband just called to tell me I-5 traffic is a mess because everyone is getting off wrok early. I thought the bonus of this new morning show shift was NO traffic. :-)

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!! Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen

Posted by Stephanie Stricklen at 12:23 PM | Permalink

I don't hate cats. In fact, I rather like them. Of course after today's story on allergies and cats, I can see why you might think I'm not a cat person.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19557893/

You know who else like cats.. McGorge Scott!! Case in point:

And then here is a little more on the stress and fatty tummy story. I like this LA Times article because it has all the bases covered: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-fat2jul02,1,4359080.story

And two more pictures to send us off on this Monday, courtesy of McGorge Scott!!

Click here to email Stephanie Stricklen if you know anything about making potato salad, since she's trying it for a 4th of July party and doesn't want it to suck.

Posted by Stephanie Stricklen at 11:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)