Christine_Devine's Blog

No doubt... America has lost a news great.
Tim Russert... national journalist, host, accomplished author, seasoned political expert, lawyer, loving husband, father, devoted son... and the most moving to me... a Buffalo, New York native.   As a fellow Buffalo native, Tim Russert  had a special place in my heart.  

While I never knew him... Tim seemed among Buffalo's best.  Frankly... I don't hear many bragging about Buffalo... and when he would it brought a pang of nostalgia.   My mom moved us to Arizona when I was two years old but visiting grandma and grandpa in Buffalo was the highlight of my ENTIRE life.   Tim's love for the Buffalo Bills matched my grandmother's.  Both were DIE-HARD fans.  Grandma never missed a game and could talk football with the best.   And as a little girl in Arizona, I'd posted Buffalo Bills banners on my bedroom wall.  I loved my Buffalo Bills t-shirt... even though snowy Buffalo was a complete contrast to the scorching Arizona desert.  I felt special, unique.   When Russert would talk about Buffalo I would feel close to home.   My grandparents lived in a farming community outside of Buffalo.  To this day there is still a volunteer fire department.   A street is named after the family(Seufert).. it's just to the left of the long-time hot dog stand in the town of North Boston that only opened for the summer.   Russert's love and care for his dad represented the love I had for my grandparents.  His talk of family was my fantasy of Buffalo.

With Russert's sudden, stunning passing... my prayers go out to his wife, son and father.   Father's Day will take on new meaning for this family.   May time heal the heartbreak and loss and replace it with fond memories and a lasting legacy.   I lost my own father in a sudden, stunning way... an accident.   While Tim had authored books on his family and father... I had once written my father a letter thanking him for a good life.(he had married my mother, and adopted me when I was 2 or 3).    On this Father's Day, I encourage you all to take a moment to say thank you to a father or father-like figure who's shaped your life.  Tim Russert's sudden passing is a reminder that we won't always have that chance.

Sunday mornings without Tim Russert won't be the same.  I channel flip the news shows Sunday morning.  Always making sure I saw some of "Meet the Press."   Tim... thank you for being a great role model as a journalist, father, husband and son...  and of course, hometown hero.  GO BILLS!

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GLAMPING????

Ok, I get it. All the comforts of home... yet at a campground. Glamping. (see news story by Suzanne Marquez) It's the hot new thing in summer fun. Glamping at El Capitan Canyon. www.ElCapitanCanyon.com

No more lumpy, bumpy nights of slumber in a sleeping bag.
No more cooking on the Coleman camp grill.
No more pitching a tent, pounding in those stakes by hand.

Glamping is the way to go if camping ain't your thing... yet you love waking up in the great outdoors... you love a hike in the hills... you love getting out of the big city.

With Glamping... your tent is replaced by a cedar cabin, or a safari tent with wooden risers.
That cold shower at the public restroom is bumped by a jacuzzi tub.
Why read by flashlight at night when you can relax instead with an in-cabin massage?
Who needs mosquitoes and that fabulous bug repelant "Avon Skin So Soft" ... when bug screens are available.
Why stuff yourself in a sleeping bag when you can spread out on a king size bed.
No need to shiver in a flannel shirt. Just turn on the heater.
Not up for doing dinner for the fam... call in for delivery.

Camping. No, it's GLAMPING!

It's upscale... and costs about the same as a hotel. Location... between Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Wine Country. AND, it's booked up to a year in advance.

SIGN ME UP!!!! I haven't camped since childhood and swore I never would again. I was haunted by memories of the family summer camping vacations... of stepping on a dead snake in the middle of the night running to the bathroom as a little kid... mom's cooking off the Coleman grill... the whole family in one tent... LOOOONGGG boring rides to get to canyon locations... bugs and bad bathrooms... lumpy, bumpy, dirt beds hardly disguised by sleeping bag. I swore, I'd never camp again!

Yet, when I saw Suzanne's story on Glamping... a flood of fond memories came rushing in.
Smores by the fireplace(I liked my marshmallows burnt). Early to bed, early to rise. The comforting, crisp clean air. The new friends... for the weekend. The beautiful scenery(we camped all over the west. Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon) Ok, the rides weren't so bad... singing along with my little sister and playing stupid kid games. Watching dad, admiringly, as he put up the tent for the family. Mom cutting watermelon and yelling at me to stop being silly. The light of the fire as it crackled in the dark night. We'd snuggle up, wrapped in blankets. Quality family time.

As I look back... I think now, camping was alright. My dad has since passed away. I only see my mom maybe four times a year. My sister is busy with her own child and husband. And I'm engrossed in L.A. life. Events, friends, working out... work.

Ah, how I now long for those days of camping. Thanks Suzanne, for you triggered this flood of fond memories buried so deep. I'm actually going on vacation soon. To a hotel. Maybe next time it will be camping... or should I break in slowly with Glamping?

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There they stood. A group of Marines, in uniform. I immediately felt a sense of pride... and emotion. They looked handsome, clean cut. Polished and refined.

Yet, when I arrived they also looked out of place, slightly uncomfortable. They stood off to one side. A red-carpet was to their right. It was bright, well lit... screamed Hollywood. Cameras flashed. A blond woman in fancy dress was being interviewed. The Marines stood to the side... in the shadow of the dark night.

It was a jarring contrast, yet a beautiful sight at the same time. Two vastly different worlds coming together. One... the world of military men and women. The young Color Guard. And the Marines who've seen combat. Marines wounded to the point you can't help but stare. You can't help but cry inside. The second... the wealthy world of Bel Air, Beverly Hills and Hollywood. A rock star's gorgeous girlfriend. Donald Trump's sexy ex. An agent. And an actor from Star Wars. And there were doctors. Plastic surgeons. Men and women who'd come together to try and make wounded Marines whole again.

The event: a fundraiser at the hip and trendy Vibrato Grill and Jazz on Beverly Glen for a new-ish organization called "Iraq Star!" And at this event three wounded Marines were indeed rock stars! Their arena... the war in Iraq. Their audience... Americans not wanting to forget our war wounded.



"Iraq Star" was started by the AMAZING Maggie Lockridge, a nurse who spent a career in plastic surgery. She has pulled together plastic surgeons across the country to perform surgery on our wounded military men and women... and their stories our heartbreaking! www.IraqStar.org

They profiled a Marine, who's face still showed the disfigurement of a jaw being blown apart. Yet, he looked beautiful in his military uniform adorned with MANY medals. He seemed timid, perhaps overwhelmed by the contrast of a party scene for such a sensitive topic. His gal clutched his arm tightly and all eyes were politely on them. His war wound had destroyed his jaw, his tongue welded to the bottom of his face. He returned to the United States unable to eat. He was fed through a tube. His mother said his speech was such that when he'd try to make a phone call people would hang up on him.

"Iraq Star" to the rescue. To make a long story short... a tongue surgeon was EVENTUALLY found in another state. The Marine underwent three days of RISKY surgery and a long recovery. (The tongue is apparently a difficult organ to work on.)

Did the surgery work? You'll love his report of recovery. The Marine wrote "Iraq Star" with this: "I ate turkey for Thanksgiving." We ERUPTED in cheer!!!!!!!

Imagine... something as simple as eating a meal. Don't we take that for granted? A second Marine profiled was out of uniform... yet you knew he was one of them. His face wore the scars of terrible injury. There were lines much like a baseball... as if his gentle face had been roughly pieced back together. Their were the scars left by burns. One hand was clearly crippled. The other outfitted with a metal hook of sorts in which he was able to grasp a glass of soda. His gal too clutched him closely. I wondered what life was like before. Did he play high school football? Does he now have a job? What must it feel like for people to stare?

Fox 11 interviewed this Marine. And I was intrigued by how calmly and confidently he spoke. He thanked "Iraq Star" for a surgery that gave him a new nose. He said something along the lines of it helping his children no longer being fearful of his disfigured face. Imagine the daddy they remembered no longer looking like daddy? His confident speech seemed to make the scars go away. And I felt proud of him.

We can expect to see more war wounded on the streets of America. When you see a young man in his 20's or 30's with injuries you might question in your mind if they were wounded in the war. Will we have another generation of forgotten vets? Not if groups like Iraq Star have a say. Iraq Star says 24,000 men and women have returned home wounded. 144 doctors have enlisted across the nation to join Iraq Star's efforts.

This is not about being for or against the war. It's about standing up for those who stood up for our country long before the war even started. It's about standing up for those who stood up for the rest of us here at home. It is a long journey... remembering the war wounded.


Marla Maples and Marines
---------------------------
A footnote:
The fabulous folk at the Didi Hirsch Mental Health Center are focusing the wounds inside. At their "Erasing the Stigma" luncheon the focus too was our military men and women.  www.didihirsch.org


Emcee-Christine Devine, Kita Curry-President/CEO Didi Hirsch Mental Health Center

The journalists who uncovered disturbing conditions at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center were honored. Thomas Whiteside(a veteran) accepted. His daughter, Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside, was at the hospital after a psychiatric break in Iraq and attempted suicide. She tried a second time while being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as she waited for a decision as to whether she would be court-martialed for her first suicide attempt. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/01/
30/AR2008013003106.html?hpid=topnews


Mr. Whiteside shows me a photo of his daughter as a little girl. His smiles masks the many tears that have flowed.

A Vietnam Vet, author Chuck Dean, spoke of tough times upon returning to America. He even called himself that "crazy" vet society can shun. He urged family members to support their war veterans. To understand when they want to sit a restaurant where they can see the exits. To understand if they want to sleep on the couch, more resembling their military cot. To understand mood swings and anger. Their goal, to erase the stigma. To encourage military men and women to seek mental health care and therapy. To encourage funding for such efforts and laws that understand.  
 www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books&f
ield-author=Chuck%20Dean&page=1

As an American, these issues deeply concern me. And they concern me on a personal front.  I'm a bridesmaid in a wedding this summer. The groom is a U.S. Marine. A reservist. He's being sent back to the middle east, his 2nd tour, later this year.

Could the polyga-mess get any messier?

The headline tonight reads: "Polygamous-sect children ordered to stay in Texas custody."

 WHAT A MESS for the state of Texas. Children's services will continue to care for 416 children. Foster parents may be needed ASAP! I can imagine the head of my Wednesday's Child adoption program banging his ahead against the wall and wondering where in the world he might find 416 foster homes if one day needed.

WHAT A MESS, WHAT A SHAME! A former sect member is saying jailed leader Warren Jeffs was marrying the girls as young as FOURTEEN years old. Another report said THIRTEEN. In a televised interview, a mother from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints said she never saw that.

WHAT'S NEXT?
DNA tests are scheduled for next week to try and determine who is mom and who is dad. And, if any moms are underage!!! A young man claiming to be a relative of Jeffs says he was molested by Jeffs as a young boy. Any doubts that could be reality? Talk to the Catholic Church and THANK YOU Pope Benedict for acknowledging the molestation and victims during your U.S. visit this week.

WHAT A TWIST!!!??!!!
 Here's where the mess gets messier. Now there are questions as to whether the caller who prompted the raid... is a FRAUD... a prank! Officials never have found this 16 year old Sarah who claimed she was abused and raped by her 50-year old husband. Police have arrested a 33 woman on a charge of false reporting to authorities. They're giving few details on this one right. now. But the question is raised... was the raid even necessary?  The state believes there has been abuse. Individual hearings will be set for the children over the next several weeks.

WHAT A TRAGEDY
My heart breaks for the children. They must be so frightened and confused. They must long for the warm hug of mom. The familiarity of home. That is true is so many cases I deal with in the foster care system. Even when there's been abuse or neglect. The children want to be with their mothers.

FLDS mothers are suffering their own heartbreak. However, I anger when I see a saddened mother hold up her toddler's sock and baby photo album. The alleged crime that caused this raid paints a much different picture. That's the picture of a teenage girl being forced to have sex with a 50 year old man. Imagine that 13 or 14 or 16 year old being your daughter, your sister, or you! DISGUSTING!  And ILLEGAL.  We can only pray it is not true, we can only pray the initial call was a prank. We can only pray that past members who've left or escaped the sect have no basis for their allegations of abuse.

A Fox News poll said about 20-plus percent of the people they polled said the government raid with guns drawn was wrong. I have a colleague in that same boat... I mean vote. Police work is often not a pretty picture. My colleague seeing another side when I again painted the picture of the allegation at hand: forced sex between a 16 year old girl and a 50 year old man. I'm all for freedom of religion. But you don't RAPE the children.  You don't condone it or turn a blind eye... whether you're clergy, or wife.

For the state of Texas this will be one long, drawn out mess.  At best, this polyga-mess is a case of polygamy, which is in itself illegal.  Oh.... and the storyline for an HBO show, Big Love.   Did I miss the episode about the 14 year old marrying her 50 year old father???  Here's hoping that's only a Hollywood storyline.

To whom much is given much is expected!

A big congratulations to our friends at Fox's "American Idol" for taking time away from star making... to bring attention to many important causes... the aids epidemic, poverty and preventable illness in Africa, poverty and despair in New Orleans for example.

To whom much is given, much is expected!

"American Idol" is America's number one show.  I applaud the team there for bringing together top celebs, for enlisting its Idol contestants, for traveling to these impoverished places... and most importantly... for introducing to our young people the idea of giving back.

To whom much is given much is expected!

In America, we have all been given a TON!

I believe every teenager should be exposed to poverty and a community in need... perhaps even a third world country.  Ever drive through skid row?  I had an intern get lost there on the way to meet me at the Mission.  She was bawling when she finally got there.  Our story was on a team of dentists doing free dental work at a clinic for the homeless.  Ever go to Tijuana?  Does it not break your heart when approached by women with babies on their backs begging for change?    How can you not DO SOMETHING!  I don't care if it within your own family, people you meet daily, your community or something worldwide.  DO SOMETHING.     (of course, that is the name of an organization... founded by an actor... which helps fund the project of YOUR choice)

And the celebs... wasn't it great to see celebs not on the cover of some fashion magazine... or tabloid TV show... or mug shot... but out actually making a difference!!  To whom much is given, much is expected!

The Idol contestants are proof that giving back can be as simple as answering phones during a fundraising drive.   My former contractor answers phones for the Suicide Hotline.

Viewers proved giving back can be done from your own home.  A $10 donation buys a net that keeps bugs away in Africa that cause disease.  A $10 donation!

I was asked just this past weekend where someone should turn to contribute.  I say find what speaks to your heart.  
-one friend feels he escaped death after years of recreational drug use.  Now he speaks to others wanting off of drugs
-another friend started a clothing drive for career clothes.  She tired of donating to a thrift shop and seeing the clothes clumped on the floor next to blenders and old electronics.  Now she sees they get to an organization that dresses women in need going out on job interviews.
-another friend is helping wounded veterans.
-one of my favorite people gives back just by being a great guy, in a good mood, always with a smile and a laugh!   That's worth MILLIONS!

What speaks to you?  You'll know when and where to get involved.   Haven't we all been given much?   Isn't much expected?  

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Spring is in the air!

Flowers are flourishing... the ground garnished with greenery. Hike the hills of Fryman Canyon and you'll lose yourself in a wild, lush, green garden. The brush is bigger than I ever remember... forcing even the tallest of fitness fanatics to stand on tippy-toe to take in the city view. Dainty yellow flowers dot the hillside and Los Angeles feels a million miles away.

In the world of sports... March madness means grown men glued to the tube... cheering like very happy children. Female fans too are filling out those forms... those brackets for college basketball's best. How fun for UCLA fans!!

Baseball is back! Opening day is upon us. The Dodger's digs have had a major money makeover.
-no more long lines for ladies waiting for the loo after tons of toilets were added
-Dodger Dogs will still be my choice for fine dining... however, for those with less traditional taste... you may want matzo ball soup, or a big diner-style burger, or to pass up the Churros for cheesecake. Canter's Deli, Ruby's Diner, and Mrs. Beasley's have all set up shop.

Californians can celebrate the real reason we're all here. Our weather wealth. And I continue to be reminded of our rewards. Yesterday, by a woman returning to Idaho after a working week in Long Beach. They're still skiing in Idaho, although she insists spring skiing is beautiful. I'm reminded of our weather wealth... by a long lost cousin who called to say he moved out west. "The worst day of weather in the west beats Buffalo, New York and its winter wonderland any day" he says. I'm reminded of our weather wealth... by my friend's mother visiting from Canada and returning to layers upon layers of snow.

Time to put away the fall fashions and warm winter wear. The fake fur, the soft suede, the cool coats, the sweaters, the cords, the boots. Spring cleaning means cleaning out your closet. Time to unload the unwanted. Looking for a place to put those career clothes from seasons past? "Dress 4 Success" dresses women in need for the workforce. Their website is www.dress4success.org. The ladies of Los Angeles television news donated 250 garments last spring! Perhaps the largest one day donation on record. The "Good News Foundation" is holding donation drive 2008 starting next week. Their website is www.thegoodnewsfoundation.org. (Carlos... we'll need your van for transport!)

Time once again to enjoy our beautiful beaches. I sought out sunny Santa Monica last weekend... and it was indeed sunny last weekend. Sat in traffic for a good ten minutes on packed PCH. Rented a bike on the beach and peddled all the way to Marina del Rey. We dined at an open-air diner... ate appetizers(seafood, of course)... and sat through the sunset.

Ah... springtime in southern California.
Take time to enjoy!
Stop and smell the... Cherry Blossoms.
Feel free to share a favorite thought, memory, or tradition!

This is no doubt, sure to haunt Barack Obama.

The inflammatory statements by Presidential candidate Barack Obama's former pastor are raising questions, eyebrows, concerns, debate, support and/or condemnation.

For example, Reverend Jeremiah Wright suggested the United States brought on the Sept. 11th attacks. "We bombed Hiroshima, we bombed Nagasaki, and we nuked far more
than the thousands in New York and the Pentagon, and we never batted an eye," In a 2003 sermon, he said blacks should condemn the United States. "The government gives them the drugs, builds bigger prisons, passes a three-strike law and then wants us to sing 'God Bless America.

Obama has responded calling the statements appearing on television and the
Internet "completely unacceptable and inexcusable." The Rev. Jeremiah Wright had stepped down from the campaign's African American Religious Leadership Committee.
Obama told one network that he would not repudiate Wright as a man, describing him as "like an uncle" who says something that he disagrees with and must speak out against.

Americans want answers. The pundits are sure to speak out this weekend.   Those defending Wright say he should be judged by his lifetime of ministry and that criticizing policy is not hatred of America.     I believe it was David Gergen who said something along the lines of the Reverend's remarks being a greater reflection of anger in America on some major issues.

Question regarding candidate Obama... how are we to be judged by the company we keep?

WARNING:   USE CASH ONLY AT GAS STATIONS AND RESTAURANTS
(so says my identity theft expert)
--------------------------------

We've heard such stories before... but boy do you feel yucky when it happens to you.

So... I get a call this week on my cell:

Caller:  "I'm calling to verify the purchase of electronics by your son."
Me:       "What electronics?  What son?"

I'd become the latest victim of identity theft!!!

The caller was an internet electronics vendor.  She got suspicious when this "customer" placed an order one day, then called again another day and wanted the items shipped overnight.   They'd ordered three TVs and a computer worth $3000.   The "customer" said he was in college and using his mother's credit card.

***A gold star for this vendor who had the smarts to sense a problem.  AND she spent several days trying to track me down.   Finally, the "customer" gave her MY cell number... and she took the time to call me twice... the first time my cell was full.  This super smart vendor held off shipping the order until she reached me.   We gave a high-five on the phone knowing this crook didn't get the goods!  She had pride in herself for following her instincts.  I LOVED knowing this loser failed.

Next step:  call and cancel the credit card.  Turns out someone had used my credit card number to make an actual card and shop at Bloomingdale's in ATLANTA!     A $900 shopping spree!  

THANK GOD the internet vendor alerted me to a problem. 

So... how does this happen?   And it wasn't my first time.  Someone got my ATM number and ripped me off for $150.  The bank got suspicious when $50 was removed at three different locations within a matter of minutes.

According to my identity theft experts... restaurants, hotels and gas stations are where most credit card numbers are being stolen.  One cites the low wage workers as the reason. Now, 9 times out of 10 you will be fine.  However, he swears, sometime in YOUR lifetime you will be the victim of identity theft.  Not today, not tomorrow, but think of how many times you use the credit card at the gas station or restaurant.  He says it WILL happen to you.   At the gas station thieves attach something to the credit machine that reads your card and data.  At the hotel you give ALL your info... phone, address etc.

My attorney recommends we ALL check our credit report.  She found someone had assumed her identity and was using her info on job applications.   www.truecredit.com.

It is a sign of the times.  BEWARE!

Anyone else have a horror story?

I think it is fair to say the city of Los Angeles has a broken heart.   Our LAPD SWAT team has suffered its first loss of life and we hear he was a darn good man!!

Funeral services will be held next Friday.  If you have never been to a police funeral I can tell you they are beautiful in their formality, tradition, show of support and emotion.  You can bet there will be HUNDREDS of officers from MANY agencies attending.  It is sure to be standing room only with a huge overflow crowd of friends, family, strangers... and a sea of officers in uniform with black bands on their badges.  LAPD SWAT is made up of the best-of-the-best.  Every officer fit and well trained.  (I don't believe I've met Officer Simmons, but I have met many of the LAPD's Metro division officers when I emceed the Baker to Vegas police relay.)  My heart breaks for their loss.  My heart breaks for our city's loss.  My heart breaks for the wife and children of Randall Simmons.  And for his friends, his church and the people he mentored.  

As a long-time reporter, there is no escaping a police funeral sometime in your career.  One of my early assignments at Fox 11 was the death of an L.A. County Deputy Sheriff.  Fox granted me the time to cover this in-depth over several days.   I'll never forgot sitting with the deputy's fiance looking through her photo album.  She was a teacher and they had big plans for a future together.  I can still see her tears.   I wonder how she's doing?

Over the years, I've become friendly with Belinda Gaijda, widow of Steve Gaida and officer gunned down about ten years ago.  I've received her Christmas cards as her life has continued on... tough times and all.   Congratulations Belinda!  I know you had a role in this.   A stretch of freeway was recently named in Officer Steve Gaijda's honor.  

This weekend, I'll be seeing one of my best friends, Cris... a police officer here in the Southland.  Her boyfriend is an officer.   Her father was a cop... her uncle was a cop.  Her brother is military.   Cris can relate to both the Simmons family and Officer Veenstra.   Cris' father was murdered... and to this day his black and white photo hangs on the wall of the family home.  He left behind a pregnant wife and four children.   Several years ago, Cris herself was shot.  Remember that big shootout at the Santa Monica Pier on the 4th of July?  Three officers were shot and two bystanders.  The gunman, a gang member.  His friend, wanted for murder.  Officers had taken position behind the arcade when the gunman burst through a back door holding a hostage and opening fire on police.  I got the call from a girlfriend early in the morning.   Cris had been shot in the arm, there was fear she may lose it.  When I arrived at the hospital Cris was in bed, the bullet still lodged in her arm.  She wasn't taken into surgery for TEN hours... due to more life threatening illness at the hospital. TEN hours!!!!!    Recovery was long and painful.  Cris was fitted with a metal claw that looked like something from The Terminator.   Imagine us on vacation at Lake Havasu.  Cris in a bikini... with that claw!  To this day there is a huge screw in her arm and bad weather causes her uncomfortable sensitivity.   I APPLAUD Cris for fighting back.  For fighting for her job.  She trained hard and returned to work as a police officer.  I think it took a year or two.  I'll never forget Cris' hospital room.  It was OVERFLOWING with flowers.  OVERFLOWING.   Can you believe this lady went back to work... grave yard shift... working alone!

I am always amazed by the hard work and dedication of our good officers.  I trained as a reserve officer and frankly, was scared to death.   We had a drill where we had to go into a make-shift bar at 3am.  My mock officer and I entered the dark building with guns drawn.  Someone ran across the room in the dark.  Someone was inside.  Was he armed?  I have the greatest respect for our officers going into unknown situations.   A second scenario was a domestic violence call.   We sat the wife on the couch, while my partner took the husband outside.  Suddenly, the wife pulled a gun from the crack of the couch.   I'd gotten lazy, took my eyes off of her.  In a real life scenario I could have been shot dead right there.  A third scenario had me search a male suspect for weapons.  The man was HUGE! Probably 6'5".  Looked like an ex-linebacker.  Size alone he could have overpowered me in a second.   My search produced nothing.  But I had failed.  He had a weapon in his shoe under his foot.    Again, an example of how an officer can't miss a thing, get sloppy or lazy.    I realized, law enforcement is not a career for me.  I don't have the courage or strength.  My friend Cris is fearless... and well trained.   How else could  a 5'4" woman work graveyard alone... after being shot?
-------------------------------------------------------

Funeral services will be held next week for Los Angeles Police Department SWAT Officer Randy Simmons.    Simmons, 51, is survived by a wife, a 15-year-old son and 13-year-old
daughter.    According to LAPD Chief William Bratton, funeral services will be held
at 11 a.m. Feb. 15 at Crenshaw Christian Faith Dome, 7901 S. Vermont Ave., with
 burial following at Holy Cross Cemetery, 5835 W. Slauson Ave., Culver City. A viewing will be held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Holy Christian Fellowship International Church, 225 W. Torrance Blvd., Torrance.

Trust funds have been established in both officer's names through the Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union (LAPFC).  To make a donation, please go to: www.lapfcu.org and click on the red square titled "LAPFCU Community Corner."   Donations may also be received by mail:

LAPFCU
Blue Ribbon Trust Fund/ Officer Randal Simmons
Acct. 2030077-product code S4.12
16150 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, CA  91410
(877) 695-2732


LAPFCU
Blue Ribbon Trust Fund/ Officer James Veenstra
Acct. 2030077-product code S4.13
16150 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, CA  91410
(877) 695-2732

Contributions in their honor may also be made to:

Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation
www.lapmf.org   (213) 847-4239

Los Angeles Police Foundation
 www.lapolicefoundation.org  (213) 489-4636

For additional information, please call Media Relations Section at (213) 485-3586.

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http://heartgalleryla.org/

if you saw tonight's Wednesday's Child adoption segment you heard me mention the upcoming Heart Gallery exhibit. Here's the info:

Lakewood Center to Host Heart Gallery LA

Heart Gallery LA is a traveling photo exhibit created to find forever adoptive families for our children in foster care.

If you have never seen the Heart Gallery LA, now is your chance. This stirring and unique portrait exhibit will be on display at the Lakewood Mall from February 9th through February 23rd, 2008. Featured in this exhibit will be many of our children in Los Angeles County foster care system who want desperately to have family to call their own. Through no fault of their own these children have found themselves unable to reunite with their birth families and are now hoping to have a second chance with a forever adoptive family.

The Heart Gallery has raised awareness for this important cause and found forever families for many of Los Angeles Counties own children. We must break down the barriers that stand in the way of children being placed with adoptive parents who want to open their hearts and homes and these photos do just that. These stunning portraits capture the children’s true spirits and beauty inside and out, highlighting them as the deserving and special children that they are. The Heart Gallery LA is truly making a difference in the life of a child, one heart at a time.

The Heart Gallery kickoff at the Lakewood Mall will be held on Saturday February 9th, 2008 from 12 noon to 2:00 pm. Lakewood Center is located at the corner of Lakewood and Del Amo Boulevards and is anchored by Bed, Bath & Beyond, Best Buy, Target, Macy's, Mervyn's, JCPenney, and Pacific Theaters, plus over 250 specialty stores, restaurants and eateries. Costco opening fall of ’08. For more information contact 562.633.0290 or log onto www.ShopLakewoodCenter.com

On February 9th there will be live entertainment, visit from the KWAVE van, testimonials from adoptive parents who have successfully adopted from our County and goodies for the whole family. The Gallery will then be displayed at the Mall for the public to enjoy from February 9th to the 23rd. Come learn more about adoption and be a part of making a difference in the life of a child, one heart at a time.

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Plans for Sunday? I'm guessing they include watching the Super Bowl??!!!
Anyone up for game day snacks? Fresh salsa, fresh guacamole, fresh vegetables for your veggie platter, fruit salad?

My Sunday plans include a trip to the neighborhood farmers market before the game. It is a one day weekly affair close to my home where farmers pull in in the morning and drive out by 2pm. Early bird customers snap up raspberries, blueberries and blackberries before the berry vendor runs out. Smart shoppers bring their carts with wheels.(Those bags of oranges from central California can sure get heavy!) Hungry anyone? The sausage vendor is grilling at the end of the aisle. All his meats are made fresh in Marina del Rey.(I recommend the jalapeno/turkey! Spicy.)

You'll see me at the farmers markets in some upcoming promos on Fox 11 news. We were asked to pick a place of personal interest. The farmers markets are close to my heart. I'm talking about the ones set up for just a day in various neighborhoods. Studio City has its on Sunday. Venice on Friday. Santa Monica on Wednesday and Saturday. They're all over town!! www.farmernet.com/events/cfms I love not knowing what will be offered until you get there. Last weekend, seedless purple grapes were in season. The elderly vendor whom I love looked at them so proudly as he picked out the best batch for me. The orange vendor had me sample two or three kinds before I settled on the sweet snack oranges versus the smaller juicing oranges. You have to be careful not to get greedy and buy more than you can eat in a week!

I grew up with fresh foods on the table. My grandfather was a farmer in upstate New York. It was a town so small that to this day the fire department is still all volunteer. Grandpa was a volunteer as were his brothers and nephew. He was the boyscout leader too. Sound like Mayberry? Pretty sappy, huh?? You pull off the freeway these days and the first thing you see is the dairy, red barn and all! The local ice cream store, Charlaps, would have a line wrapped around the building in the summer. It had the freshest ice cream. Cinnamon was my favorite! Grandpa brewed his own root beer. Grandma would only buy fresh chicken. We picked cherries in a town nearby. In his older years, Grandpa had just a large garden on his property. A stream ran through where we'd catch fresh fish.(not fun cleaning them!) There was always fresh lettuce, onions, radishes, peas, green beans on the table. And of course, homemade pie(loved grandma's blueberry). Contrast that to something Grandpa once said in bragging about his good health... "I eat anything I want." I responded, "but yes, you didn't grow up in the fast food era."

Grandpa passed away at 97. Grandma, just last year. My childhood/family home in upstate N.Y. is no more. The local farmers markets help to bring back the memories.
I love running into my girlfriends... Angie after church all dressed up. Ann, who is the best gourmet cook. Sometimes you'll see superstar chef Wolfgang Puck.

It was raining last week as we shot the Fox promos. I pretty much had the market to myself. One vendor spoke to my heart. "Buy local" he shouted. "Support your local farmer!" Will do whenever I can.

Grandpa would be proud!

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Thank you to all our viewers who've called over the years wanting join the effort in helping our children in foster care... but not in a place to adopt.

There's a fantastic organization that allows you to mentor a child in foster care... its called Children Uniting Nations.

Anyone have a great story of someone who mentored you?

I pulled CUN's pitch from their website (http://www.childrenunitingnations.org)
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Become a special part of a child's life! Being a mentor for a child or teen in foster care affords you the opportunity to give back to the community in a very substantial way. By giving some of your time, you can inspire a youth to reach their potential. By enjoying simple pleasures like washing a car or going to a movie, you and your mentee will have a chance to learn about life together—either by working together on academics, or by exploring the community and just enjoying time together.

Change a life...change your life—be a mentor!

Benefits of Mentoring

• 59% of mentored teens get better grades
• Overall, youth participation in mentoring relationships experience positive academic returns
• Better attendance
• Increased chance of going on to higher education
• Better attitudes towards school
• 81% of teens feel that talking with adults helps reduce teen pregnancy
• 53% of students credit mentors with improving their ability to avoid drugs
• Mentoring enhances many aspects of young people's social and emotional development
• Participating in mentoring promoted positive social attitudes and relationships
• Mentors can open a new world to foster children that they otherwise may not have and help them realize their potential and dreams

Children Uniting Nations/mPLAY seeks responsible and enthusiastic volunteers who have a desire to make a difference in the life of a child and the community at large. Studies show that mentoring has a positive and significant effect on the likelihood that a young person will avoid negative behaviors and participate successfully in school and community life.

For more information on Children Uniting Nations Academic Mentoring Program read through our Academic Mentor Centers

Expectations

• Compassion, patience, flexibility and understanding for the individual situations of the children in foster care
• Commit to working with your mentee for the time specified

Requirements

• Must be 21yrs. or older to participate in relationship-based mentoring
• Must be 18yrs. or older to participate in academic mentoring
• Complete an application and participate in face to face interview
• Complete Mentor Survey
• Must clear criminal background check and child abuse index check
• Provide valid California Drivers License, DMV record, and proof of insurance before transporting mentees
• Sign an oath of confidentiality
• Attend agency orientation and training
• A caring heart

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The founder of CUN is Daphna Zimon. Her passion is unmatched and you just can't say no to her when she calls. Daphna grabs a few of her celebrity friends to take part, and also throws an Oscar viewing party fundraiser. I'm so thrilled to be the volunteer host this year along with actors Tommy Davidson and Tom Arnold. Top sponsorship is $100,000. I'm sure Daphna will raise lots of money for her fight to improve the lives of children in foster care. (the mentor day, "Day of the Child" is later this year)

So... again, who was your mentor? One of mine was a journalism professor who encouraged students to take internships working for free versus a paid job giving you no journalism experience. It was great advice I pass on to students. Thanks Professor Silver.



CD

As Martin Luther King Jr. day comes to an end I am moved by a few things today.

1. In our news tonight... not one drive-by shooting... not one gang murder.

2. In our news tonight... a fiery debate for President of the United States involving a woman candidate and a black candidate.

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Last week, I was blessed to emcee an MLK celebration at the House of Blues. The HOB Foundation selected three student winners in a "spoken word" competition. One little girl (African-American) arrived with her beaming mother. A Latina teen spoke of how she heard about the competition on her school intercom and seized on the opportunity for scholarship money. And the winner, a dynamic African-American senior. He's already planning to go to law school.

I was his age when Ronald Reagan created the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.  (1983)  I recall the fierce battle in my home state of Arizona when the Governor fought the creation of this holiday.  It wasn't until the year 2000 that MLK day was observed in all states.

These kids were proof to me that Dr. King's dream is alive.

It's election-eve... are you ready to cast your vote for President of the United States?

Hypothetical question as California's primary isn't even here yet.  However,  the primary IS here for New Hampshire voters and this was the headline on a story on Fox 11 News with the voting just hours away:

"EVEN AT THIS LATE HOUR, SOME POLLS SAY AS MANY AS "HALF" OF NEW HAMPSHIRE'S VOTERS ARE STILL UNDECIDED!"

Undecided?  Undecided?  One viewer told our reporter John Schwada that a lot could change.  "In a few hours?" John questioned/stated.   How is it that HALF the voters in a state with an election tomorrow are still not sure whom to vote for???   

It gets back to a thought I had several weeks ago.   Each candidate has something I don't like, something I like.    We Californians can continue to think on the matter, however, for those in New Hampshire it is decision time.  Polls indicate a Barack Obama win for the Democrats and a Mitt Romney win for the Republicans... with all candidates going after the "undecideds."

Losses in Iowa caused candidates Joe Biden and Christopher Dodd to leave the race.  Ron Paul was not invited to a candidates forum this weekend.   So, question now... who leaves after N.H.   My guess is the major candidates will stay until the big primary day on Feb. 5th.

As for the voter who said a lot could happen in a few hours.  The only thing that stood out on Monday was the emotion displayed by Hillary Clinton at a cafe where she teared up, voice cracking.   Will that help her or hurt her?   Another display of emotion was when Clinton was asked about being not like by some.  She replied... "well, that hurts my feelings."   A mentor of mine says emotion/tears is not for the workplace.   However, in Hillary Clinton's situation I believe it was a sign of how badly she wants this job and knows now she may be in jeopardy of losing the Democratic nomination to Obama.   I interviewed Laura Bush once and showed her a photo of President Bush in tears.   The First Lady, said, oh yes, the President cries.   

We'll know Tuesday night who's crying tears of joy.

Christine

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto... shortly before elections in Pakistan... gives new meaning to our own upcoming elections.

Not only does the killing of a candidate, chaos, and uncertainty put the issue of world politics on a front burner... it is also a reminder of the freedoms we have in this country and the opportunity to vote in a democratic society.

The Iowa Caucus is a few days away.  Our own Phil Shuman will be there for Fox 11's coverage.  John Schwada will cover the New Hampshire primary.  And we Californians vote in early February. 

Question now... does Bhutto's killing change YOUR thoughts on whom to vote for? Are you thinking more about world affairs, or issues here at home like illigal immigration, health care, education?

I've talked with a few people who have not received any election ballot info in the mail yet.  I have received something on the propositions.  I urge everyone to start talking politics if you haven't already.  Let the assassination serve as a wake up call as we emerge from the holidays and kick into election high gear.