Andrew & Abbie

Next time you think you're having a bad day, think of Andrew and Abbie.

Sheila here, and I met Andrew for the first time last Saturday at the Big Wish Gala for the Make A Wish Foundation. Andrew was the party's honorary Wish Kid. Andrew is 12, and he was born with a rare, debilitating form of dwarfism which affects his spine and legs. Andrew has endured more than 20 surgeries. Not only that, Andrew was born deaf.

You never would know it now when Andrew speaks. He received a cochlear implant when he was three years old, and now Andrew says one of his favorite things to do is give speeches. Andrew was elected president of his fifth grade class, and he's a natural at public speaking. In fact, when the volunteers from Make A Wish asked him what he would most like to do for his wish, Andrew replied, "swim with the dolphins or deliver a political speech on TV."

His multiple surgeries got in the way, but in between those surgeries Andrew was taking tennis lessons, and taking a cue from his younger brother, Noah, a huge tennis fan. Their favorite player is Rafael Nadal. Last summer Andrew was inspired to make a new wish, to meet their favorite player. Within days, our great Cincinnati neighbors, the Western and Southern Financial Group had invited Andrew to the Tennis Masters Tournament in Mason.

Andrew says: "We had a delicious lunch in the hospitality tent, watched some matches from the suite with Mr. Ed Babbit, then came the best thing of all: I got to do the coin toss for the number one tennis player in the world and my hero, Rafael Nadal. Noah and I got to go right out on center court and shake hands with Nadal and his opponent, Julien Benneteau. They were so friendly and they gladly posed for several pictures with us. Then, we got to sit right on the court during their three-set thriller of a match. Of course, my new friend Nadal won, and after the match, he came right over and asked if Noah and I were having a good time. It was truly the best day of my life."

One week later, Make A Wish flew Andrew and his family to New York for the U.S. Open, where he met Roger Federer, Kim Clijsters, and I also ran into his new buddy, Rafael Nadal. Nadal told Andrew, "I remember you from Cincinnati!"
Andrew had spine and leg surgery right after his wish came true. He says "During those tough days in the hospital, my mom and I often talked about my wish experience. Just looking at the pictures of Rafael Nadal and me together in Cincinnati made me happy. Those joyful memories are the things that get me through the hard times."

Abbie of Northern Kentucky has also endured hard times, battling a brain tumor. Abbie is 14, and her wish came from her frustration at not being able to find a handbag which truly fit her personality. Make A Wish made Abbie's wish to create her own designer handbag come true. Clothing company Bebe welcomed her to Los Angeles, where she shopped on Rodeo Drive and worked with Bebe designers on her creation. Stores across the country marketed her bag, and they sold out within days. Abbie donated her very last bag to the live auction at the Wish Ball, and it went for more than $1,000. Now she's hoping to turn her experience into a career when she grows up.

Andrew and Abbie aren't just inspiring because of their stories. Imagine battling a life threatening illness, surgeries, hospitals, and pain, yet still keeping a smile and positive attitude. That's what they do, and so do their families. They didn't just enjoy their wishes and keep happy memories. Now they're giving back. Andrew and Abbie tell others about Make A Wish in the hope that they'll get involved, Andrew has been raising money for the charity. So far he's raised nearly two-thousand dollars to make other kids' wishes come true.

So next time you're having a bad day, think of Andrew and Abbie. They make life's problems seem so small because they focus on life's blessings. You can help more kids like them. The Walk for Wishes is set for June is set for June 18th in Cincinnati, and the time is now to sign up with your team, and we hope you'll help. Here's a link: http://makeawishohio.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=445874

American Idol

I have never really been that much into American Idol.

There.. I said it. Rob here.

Don't get me wrong. I would DVR the finale or watch highlights during the Fox19 Morning News the next day. However, this season it is different. I have watched every episode even the auditions. I never watch the auditions. If I wanted to watch someone sing badly, I could just sing in the mirror. What's different this year? I don't know. Maybe it's the new judges. Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler are great additions. Maybe it's their tone. It seems like the judges this year really care about the process and the importance of having a "viable" Idol winner this year. I really think it is about the singing. All of this year's finalists can really sing. I may not like all their styles, but think they can all sing. Last Thursday, I actually went to an American Idol viewing party. That's first. A co-worker who had to be there asked me to go. I was off the next day, so said yes. I thought it was going to be in a bar or restaurant. It was actually at Morris Home Furnishings in Springdale. Um, OK? Needless to say, I was a little apprehensive. I was actually a lot of fun. We watched on a huge screen in the store. They had recliners all set up. Totally comfortable. Totally fun. I also met a lot of people who are fans of the Fox19 Morning News along with Idol. So that was cool. More than 26 million people tuned into last Thursday's results show. That's up nearly 30 percent from a year ago. So I am not alone. More Idol this week. BTW want to give my girl Shyra a shout out. I met her last night. She is more into idol than me. She actually called me her American Idol.

Then And Now

Good Morning Everyone Frank Marzullo Here...It is hard to belive it has been 11 years since my college years. Attending Ohio University in Athens, Ohio laid the ground work for my career in television news. The lessons I learned and the lessons I continue to learn about our trade can be attributed to my education and experience at Ohio U. We were thrown into it having to produce a 30 min newscast five nights a week. While yes we were given time to make mistakes and learn it taught us real world news experience so we would have a base to start our career. This past weekend I went back for the Radio Television News Director Associaton conference, where current journalism students attend a all day workshop hosted by current television news professionals. The students attended sessions to get advice from news directors, reporters, producers, and meteorologists. While it was great to give advice and listen to the students, it was also awesome to relive memories. Here is a photograph of my old college buddy and friend, Jason and I on the school Newswatch set. Jason is also a meteorologist at the ABC station in Cleveland. The other picture is of us from 1999, that full head of hair and skinny guy that you see the back of is me. That same person enjoys what he does now however he is a litte bigger and has a little less hair.

Does anyone feel those Springtime allergies?

Good Friday Morning! Dan Wells writing, I hope this note find you well and in good spirits today!

Does anyone feel those Springtime allergies? If so, I found some tips to "nip them in the bud"

Spring means flower buds and blooming trees - and if you're one of the millions of people who have springtime allergies, it also means sneezing, congestion, runny nose and other bothersome symptoms. Springtime allergies - also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis - can make you miserable. But before you settle for plastic flowers and artificial turf, try these simple strategies to keep springtime allergies under control.

Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers
There are a number of things that you can do to reduce your exposure to the things that trigger your allergy signs and symptoms (allergens):

■Stay indoors on dry, windy days - the best time to go outside is after a good rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
■Delegate lawn mowing, weed pulling and other gardening chores that stir up allergens.
■Remove clothes you've worn outside; you may also want to shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
■Don't hang laundry outside - pollen can stick to sheets and towels.
■Wear a dust mask if you do outside chores.

Take extra steps when pollen counts are high. Seasonal allergy signs and symptoms can flare up when there's a lot of pollen in the air. These steps can help you reduce your exposure:

■Check your local TV (FOX 19) or radio station, your local newspaper, or the Internet for pollen forecasts and current pollen levels.
■If high pollen counts are forecasted, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start.
■Close doors and windows at night or any other time when pollen counts are high.
■Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.

Keep indoor air clean...There's no miracle product that can eliminate all allergens from the air in your home, but these suggestions may help:

■Use the air conditioning in your house and car.
■If you have forced air heating or air conditioning in your house, use high-efficiency filters and follow regular maintenance schedules.
■Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.
■Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.
■Clean floors often with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.

Rinse your sinuses?

Rinsing your nasal passages with salt water - nasal irrigation - is a quick, inexpensive and effective way to relieve allergy symptoms. Rinsing directly flushes out mucus and irritants from your nose. Look for a squeeze bottle or a neti pot - a small container with a spout designed for nose rinsing - at your pharmacy or health food store.

Finally, when home remedies aren't enough, see your doctor...I'm on my way there today!

I hope this infromation help....Happy Friday!
Dan

Information Source: Mayo Clinic

A Girls Best Friend

"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats." - Albert Schweitzer
Katy here… Happy Thursday! Last weekend I had the pleasure of hosting the A’cat’amy Awards Extravaganza, benifiting the Ohio Alley Cat Resource. Not only did my fiancé Tom and I have a great time, eating a yummy meal from Maggianos, but we met some wonderful people who do great work for cats! You can learn more about them here: http://www.theanimalrescue.com/
If you haven’t heard by now, I love cats! Growing up, my family had two cats, Lucy & Ethel. Now I have my own cat, named Chessie. She’s a vocal calico cat that loves to run around, and sleep on my head. She’s also a curious cat. Anyone whose had a cat knows they can get into mischief. She likes to climb into the refrigerator, the sink, trash can and washing machine…It’s hard to keep up with her and keep her out of trouble! But, I love her so much and don’t know what I would do without her. Do you have a cat? I’d love to see your pictures! Be sure to send them in to Fox19 News Nation.

Chili Weather

Okay, so it's not exactly chili weather, but chili will be on the menu at a great fundraiser this Sunday, and it was on my menu at home a few days ago when it was cold outside.

Sheila here.
The chili recipe I use is an oldie, but a goodie. I've had this Better Homes and Gardens cookbook since the 80's. It was a gift from my Aunt Shirley, and I still use it quite often. I haven't found a tastier or easier chili recipe anywhere else, so when we're in the mood at my house, this is the one I make.

My friend George Phelps is nothing like me when it comes to chili and salsa. He never follows a recipe, and he could care less about easy. George is a retired Cincinnati Firefighter who founded Chili Rocks. The group helps out with special events like the annual motorcycle run and fundraiser for the Cincinnati Fire Museum every year around September 11th. This weekend, Chili Rocks is helping George's friends at the Delhi Fire Department. Delhi firefighters raise thousands of dollars every year to help others. The fire department contributes to area food pantries, Shop With A Cop and Firefighter, and often lends a helping hand to individuals who just need some help.

This Sunday you can go bowling, eat some of George's great food, and help the Delhi Fire Department help others. The Chili Rocks fundraiser is at the Western Bowl on March 6 from 12:30 to 4:30. It's $20 per person or $100 per team to take part, and that includes your lunch and shoes. Your RSVP must be in by tomorrow. Just email Bob McGowan at rmcgowan@delhi.oh.us or Brett Bartling at bbartling@delhi.oh.us.

And if you're interested, here's the chili recipe from Better Homes and Gardens:

Chili con Carne
1 lb. ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 16-oz. can tomatoes, cut up (I use the Italian spiced tomatoes)
1 16-oz. can dark red kidney beans, drained
1 8-oz. can tomato sauce
2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. dried basil, crushed

In a large kettle, cook ground beef, onion, pepper, and garlic until meat is browned. Drain fat. Stir in undrained tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato sauce, chili powder, basil, salt to taste, and 1/4 tsp. of black pepper. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Opening Day Parade

I love opening day in Cincinnati.

Actually, I love it so much I took the next day off.

Hey everyone. Rob here.

Opening Day is really an unofficial holiday around here. Many people take the day off to cheer on the Reds. People who represent every corner of the tri-state come on out and come together. After last season, I'm sure the crowds will be even bigger this year. For decades, the first pitch was here in Cincinnati and we always open at home. For many of us at Fox19, we start Opening Day at Findlay Market. In fact that is probably the few times that Fox19 mornings and evenings come together. I get to see Tricia which is rare these days. It's nice since we anchored together for 4 years. Three on weekends and we actually started the morning show together. You also get to see those who watch your show. That part is really nice. The people who choose us instead of them. People who line the streets of Over-The-Rhine into downtown. It really is an awesome day that now is about a month away. This year is on a Thursday. We will see how it works. "Did I tell you I have the next day off?"