May 13, 2008

Quick Change at Sunrise

This morning was a wild one behind the scenes. We had a couple breaking stories
that substantially changed our lineup at Sunrise. Originally, the lead story at 5 a.m. was a follow up on the massive earthquake in China. By the time the newscast ended at 7 a.m.-- we were tracking two developing stories locally.
First, Sky 8 flew to Beaverton where Haz Mat crews were investigating the remnants of a meth lab at an apartment on King Road and Allen Blvd. Photographer Jim Culp was shooting the scene from above. We learned of two arrests-- including the mother of
a 6 month old baby who was taken into protective custody. I checked with our assignment desk after the show and all indications are the child is healthy and will be fine.
Next, we got word that a man in North Portland surprised a suspected prowler inside his girlfriend's car. Some kind of struggle ensued and the man held the accused thief-- who was described by neighbors as "lifeless"-- until police and paramedics arrived. NewsChannel 8's Mike Benner (who had been covering the homeless protest outside City Hall) rushed to the neighborhood to bring us live reports. Mike was the first reporter on the scene and found out the suspect had been carrying a knife. He also reported the man who confronted the accused thief was about to get married and had just gotten a new job. One man died as a result of the confrontation.. but as of 9 o'clock this morning-- police hadn't confirmed that person's identity. We're gathering more information and will have an update on the investigation today at noon.
While all that was happening locally.. our crew in the newsroom was tracking our
satellite feeds and a breaking story was coming down from North Carolina. Our NBC affiliate in Charlotte had pictures of a parking structure that had partially collapsed. We quickly pulled the information and passed it along to you. Our producers and morning assignment editor are pros at multi-tasking and today they were juggling a lot-- and never dropped the ball.
We're committed to bringing you the news as it breaks-- wherever it happens. Hope you'll tune in to NewsChannel 8 at Sunrise weekdays from 4:30 to 7 a.m.

Thanks for watching.
Brenda

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April 30, 2008

Where are your pink accessories?

It's why we race...

Have you picked out your funniest pink hat,combed out your pink wig, or bought your new track shoes yet for the "Race for the Cure"?

No? Okay, that's alright, you have time. It's not until Sunday, September 21st.
I just wanted you to start thinking ahead. Mark that day on your calendar.

I always love to see the crazy outfits people wear to celebrate the Portland- Vancouver "Race for the Cure".

I started thinking about the race today, because I emceed a luncheon where "Susan G. Komen For the Cure" recognized organizations that receive funding from Komen and the race to help fight breast cancer in our community.

I thought you'd like to know where some of the money goes that you help raise.

75% of the money raised stays in Oregon and Southwest Washington to fund vital programs and services.

The other 25% is combined with other Komen affiliates nationwide to fuel national research.

Just today, "Komen for the Cure" announced the awarding of 100-million dollars in scientific research grants to help find a cure for breast cancer.

That is the largest amount in Komen's 26 year history... and a 30 percent increase over last year.

Hip Hip Hooray for all of us!

Nearly 48-thousand of us who raced did our part by raising more than two-million dollars.

Here in Portland, we awarded nearly One and a half MILLION dollars to 28 organizations to help in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Organizations cover the entire state and SW Washington: from Portland and Vancouver to Medford, Burns,Celilo,Salem and Grants Pass.

Komen's goal is to try to reach as many people as possible in the state regardless of race,nationality,sexual orientation or special needs.

Grantees include the African American Health Coalition; the Asian Health and Service Center;The Celilo Cancer Center serving Native Americans; the Russian Oregon Social Services; Providence Medical Center's Vietnamese-American Health Promoter Training Program; and Hacienda CDC, serving Latina women.

Together, we can meet Komen For the Cure's promise of a world without breast cancer.
We are getting closer to that goal everyday.

So, start thinking about warmer weather and summer time, and getting your team together for this year's "Race for the Cure".

Because we are all on the same team. Thank you for racing for the cure.

Laural

Posted by Laural Porter | 7:27 PM | TrackBack (0)

April 10, 2008

Happy,Healthy Families

Those of us who work on-air here at KGW often have the chance to help out charities around the area. Sometimes it's an auction or a fundraising luncheon. Once in awhile though someone comes up with a creative twist for their annual event.

This year the Children's Trust Fund of Oregon asked several local "celebrities" to paint a picture for their upcoming event. We were supposed to come up with an interpretation on the theme "Happy, Healthy Families."

Since my artistic abilities peaked at age 5 with some fine finger-painting masterpieces I knew I needed some assistance. So I enlisted the help of my 9-year-old daughter Ali who is fearless and bold with her expressions on canvas. We decided to offer a whimsical nod to our "Good Fortune" at becoming a family. As many of you know we are a Chinese-American family brought together through adoption. We believe a family is defined not by blood but by the heart.
And we believe we are meant to be together. This is why we decided to include our favorite Chinese legend. It says "An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to be together, regardless of time place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break." So here is our paintings and a couple of the others that will be on display.

This is a neat one by Margie Boule at the Oregonian.

And my personal favorite from Rama the Elephant at the Oregon Zoo!

It's all for a critical cause. The Children's Trust Fund of Oregon was formed in the mid 1980's with a mandate to find ways to prevent child abuse. Over the past 22 years it has distributed over 6.1 million donated dollars to local programs serving Oregon families.

This Blue Ribbon Celebration is set for Thursday, April 24th from 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. You'll be able to mingle shop and socialize in the Governor Hotel's Grand Ballroom. And of course admire some art that at the very least comes from the heart. You can find out more at
http://www.ctfo.org

Ali and I send ours with prayers for all the children still waiting for their red thread connection.

And as always thanks for watching.

Tracy Barry

Posted by Tracy Barry | 3:17 PM | TrackBack (0)

April 7, 2008

Goodbye & thanks from Nancy Francis

How about some photos for the road?

I took the one below to show you what we see from the anchor chair: 3 cameras with teleprompters and tv monitors. When I started at KGW in 1985, people ran the studio cameras. Robots do the job now.

One of my favorite producers, Scott Collins

Director Chris Pausz and I both started working at KGW in 1985. We were children:)

Meteorologist Ron Pedersen, who fills in regularly at KGW, worked with me at a TV station in Bend many years ago. That was my first job in television

with KGW Up-and-Comer Katherine Cook

NOW FOR SOME GOODBYE PARTY SHOTS...

with KGW News Photographer Brian Robertson, the one who suggested I interview the "I like Turtles" boy (Jonathon Ware- a great kid, by the way) Little did we know that random interview would become an internet sensation.

A GOODBYE PARTY WITH THE WEEKEND CREW (We are a fun and subversive group.)

Joe Becker makes the most delicious chili-cheese dip. Seriously!

My dear friend and long-time producer Nancy Vardanega lovingly grills the hot dogs for our weekend potlucks, which we affectionately call "Hot Diggedy Dog Days."

Editor Emily Albrechtsen dug out embarrassing old video clips from the KGW archives and put together a couple of goodbye montages for my last newscasts.

Click here to watch the Goodby Video Montage she edited.

Here my husband and 3 daughters watch one of the pieces Emily produced. They are startled by my startling outfits from eras past. Such as....

What WAS I thinking?

I took this shot to give you a better view of our robotic cameras. On occasion, they will crash into each other. It's hard not to laugh when this happens.

My daughters on the set on my last night at KGW. Sort of a final "take-your-daughter-to-work" day

My friend and now former co-anchor, Amy Troy

Many thanks to all. I will not forget you.

All the Best,
Nancy Francis

Posted by Nancy Francis | 3:43 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

March 22, 2008

Getting Ready to Say Goodbye Part 4- Odds and Ends

Posted by Nancy Francis-

First of all, I want to say thanks for all the kind emails and comments over the past couple of weeks.

Secondly, as promised..my mullet photo. In my defense, I pose this question: Is there anyone 40 or older who did NOT have a mullet at some point? Look... even Jane Pauley had a mullet variation! And how do you like our shoulder pads?

This was taken on the set of "The Today Show" at NBC in New York. That's Bryant Gumbel on the right. We were shooting a promo for "News 8 at Sunrise," my first newscast at KGW. It aired at 6:30 am, followed by "The Today Show" at 7. Easy money, when you consider that "Newschannel 8 at Sunrise" currently starts at 4:30 am!

Now for some more odds and ends from the scrapbook:

With legendary KGW meteorologist Jack Capell. I was visiting the station while on maternity leave with my youngest daughter, Colette.

Joe Becker has worked at KGW longer than anyone else on-the-air right now, including me. This summer, he marks 24 years.

This photo with Tom Browkaw was taken in the KGW newsroom in the late '80s. I had been at my computer typing when I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. Imagine my surprise to see it was Tom Brokaw... who wanted to ask me a question about our computer program. He was in town to anchor NBC Nightly News from the top of the US Bank Tower.

Cover of The Oregonian's "TV Click" with my then-coanchor Russ Lewis in 1999.

FROM "BENJI THE HUNTED"

On the set with Benji in Cascade Locks. The photo below shows Benji in his (actually HER) golf cart. In the kennel below is the stunt dog, Barney. (I am not making this up!)

My scene was shot at the Coast Guard station in Newport on a clear, warm summer night. It was supposed to take place in a fierce rainstorm, which was made possible by several fire hoses that pummeled us on cue. It took about twelve hours to shoot a scene that lasts about two minutes.

New York

With my oldest daughter, Allison (now in college) serving at the annual dinner the Trailblazers host for the homeless. What I remember most about that day was that Rasheed Wallace (who dished out food with us) was kind to Allison.

Newspaper clipping showing me with my daughter, Anna at the Grand Floral Parade

And finally, for those too young to know: That rectangular object in the upper left is called a typewriter. I thought it was cool because it was electric!

My last day at KGW is April 6th.

Posted by Nancy Francis | 6:16 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)

March 15, 2008

Balancing Act

Posted by Nancy Francis

Some people are astounded when they hear I've been at KGW for 22-plus years. Candidly, the fact is I would not have lasted that long if KGW had not allowed me to work a part time schedule for much of that time.

I have three daughters. After my first daughter was born, I returned to work full time: anchoring weekends (a night schedule) and reporting (a daytime schedule) three days a week. After several exhausting months, it became clear to me I wasn't doing anything particularly well; I wasn't performing to my satisfaction as a journalist or a mother.

I did not want to quit my job. But I knew that, realistically, it would eventually come to that unless there was some kind of compromise. Something had to give.

I don't believe there is a universal formula for a work/family balance. I would never dare to presume to know what other parents should do to achieve the right balance. Furthermore, many parents simply cannot afford to cut back on work, much as they might want to do that. Every situation is different; not everyone has the same options.

All I knew was what seemed best for my child and family in the context of the demanding profession of television news and the particular schedule I had.

My proposal to my then-boss: Reduce my hours, my pay, and my benefits.

I thought it was a win-win, but the news director at that time (1989) was resistant to the idea. After considerable back-and-forth, he agreed and KGW allowed me that privilege for many years, even though it wasn't necessarily always convenient for the news operation. I would like to thank KGW for that.

I hope that sharing my story publicly might encourage other companies to keep an open mind when it comes to compromising with their employees during various phases of their careers and family life. More often than not, in my opinion, it makes good business sense.

Back to the photo album
THEN......

with Allison (now 19)

with Anna (now 14)

with Colette (now 11)

NOW...

Posted by Nancy Francis | 7:27 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

March 14, 2008

He's the Best....

and I get to work with him! Huge kudos to Michael Convery. The Associated Press just named him best TV traffic reporter. He'll pick up his first place award next month during a big
shindig on the Oregon coast.

Michael told me he's humbled and honored to be recognized but around here we've always recognized his hard work and talent. He's been getting folks where they're going for 15 years in Portland-- the last four here at NewsChannel 8!

One thing you may NOT know about Michael is that he gets cold feet--- not about being on
TV.. I mean.. he gets COLD FEET in our heavily air conditioned HD studio.
This morning I noticed thick, white socks peeking out from his suit slacks and he 'fessed up
to the reason behind this "fashion statement." : )
Dave Salesky couldn't resist snapping a picture

Congrats again, Michael, on the best TV traffic reporter award. Well deserved!
You can catch his traffic reports Monday through Friday on Newschannel 8 at Sunrise from
5 to 7am. He's also watching the roads during the Today Show. Catch his updates at 7:27am, 7:57am and 8:27am.

Brenda Braxton

Posted by Brenda Braxton | 10:04 AM | TrackBack (0)

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