blogs.kxly.com

On Thanksgiving Day, our McKay Allen brought us the story of a family from North Carolina.
The dad, David Kelley was offered a job here.. so, Dad, Mom, 4 kids and 2 dogs loaded into the family van.. leaving their life behind.. to start a new life in Spokane.  Driving for days, more than 3-miles.. 6 people and 2 dogs jammed in the van, the family arrived in Spokane.. only to fnd the job they uprooted their lives for.. fell through.
The Kelleys had nowhere to turn.. no food and no money.  They swallowed their pride, and stood on a street corner in Spokane and begged for help.  They experienced the humiliation of it, the degrading looks and even comments from passers-by.. but, one couple who came upon the Kelleys changed everything.

I am outing his couple, because I am so proud of them.. it was kxly 920’s Mike Fitzsimmons and his wife.
They stopped and  talked to the Kelleys, finding out their story.  The Fitzsimmons were so moved, they helped the Kelleys get a motel room, some meals and even coats for the kids.
I overheard Mike telling a co-worker about his meeting with the Kelleys.. and just knew this was a story we had to share.
And.. was I ever right!
Melissa Luck assigned the story to McKay Allen, who did a wonderful job.  As soon as the story aired, the phones in the newsroom started ringing.. the emails came in.. the outpouring of support for this family was unreal.  
some of the folks wanted to offer meals, money, toys, clothes.. even a couple job opportunities for David.   

This is one family’s story, in these incredibly difficult financial times.  There are so many others.  I just hope the very best for this family, and I am so thankful that God or fate, or something led the Fitzsimmons to the Kelleys that day.. and they are seeing what Spokane is really all about.

On this “Black Friday” the nation’s retailers can take some solace in the fact that the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which hit an all-time low in October, has improved moderately so far in November.

The Index now stands at 44.9 up from 38.8 in October. Still, Americans cut back on their spending in October by the largest amount since the 2001 terrorist attacks. The Commerce Department says consumer spending fell 1 percent last month, even worse than the 0.9 percent decline that had been expected.

Notwithstanding the gloom and doom news background of the last 45 days, the Commerce Department also reports that personal incomes in America were up 0.3 percent last month, slightly better than the 0.1 percent gain analysts had expected.

Consumers are concerned that the economy is falling into a deep recession, but the indicators seem to susomething more mild, despite the huge bailouts being doled out in Washington, D.C., and all the companies that are crying the blues. It is important to understand that in our economy, consumer spending accounts for two-thirds of all economic activity. That means it matters what American households think about whether the economy is good or bad.

A one-percent reduction in consumer spending means that we are spending at the rate of 99% of what we spent in October, and in October we spent 3-tenths more than in September, and in September consumers spent about one-tenth more than they did in August. To put it another way, our spending, throughout this period of perceived “crisis” has been fairly consistent with what consumers spent before the problem was front page. What that means is that though consumers will likely not be in the market for those high ticket items this holiday season, they aren’t exactly going to stuff their money under the mattress either.

My conclusion: It’s not yet time to sing a requiem for retailers.

The Free Life - Helping you stress less, live better and enjoy life.

I’m sure you’re still recovering from a big Thanksgiving feast. I know I am. I’m thankful for the Thanksgiving spread we had here at the station. It was my first Thanksgiving at KXLY 4, and a really wonderful surprise! I’m even told there are leftovers for us to dig into later today! Yum. Just like home.

I know some of you probably took advantage of the Black Friday deals early this morning, but if you’d like to do something fun, and free with family and friends…here’s a list of events happening today and over the weekend. Enjoy!

SPOKANE 

Discover Downtown for the Holidays Open House - Today through Sunday. Hot cocoa and cider, specials, live music, and fireworks nightly at 8 p.m. at Post and Main. Downtown Spokane. Sponsored by Downtown Spokane and the City of Spokane. www.downtownspokane.net

Carriage Rides - Starts today through December 24th. Rides through downtown Spokane to view lights and holiday decorations. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Downtown Spokane. Fridays, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Corner of Main Avenue at Wall Street. Free. (509) 344-2231.

Handmade Ornament Show - Local artists display and sell their handmade ornaments made from glass, metal, and mixed media. Starts today and runs through November 30th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Free Admission. Tinman Art Gallery, 811 W. Garland Avenue, Spokane. (509) 325-1500.

Festival Of Fair Trade - Buy sweatshop-free handcrafts, clothing, jewelry, and pottery from Nepal, Mexico, Chile, and Guatemala starting today through November 30th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free Admission. The Community Building, 35 W. Main Avenue, Spokane. (509) 464-7677.

Falun Gong - Learn a special form of qigong on Saturday, November 29th at 9 a.m. Free. Gonzaga Administration Building, 502 E. Boone Avenue, Spokane. (509) 252-0433.

COEUR D’ALENE

Lighting Ceremony and Fireworks - Coeur D’Alene welcomes in the holidays TODAY at 5 p.m. Free. Coeur D’Alene Resort. 115  S. Second Street. (208) 765-4000.

Carriage Rides - Now through December 21st. Saturdays and Sundays 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sponsored by Spokane Teachers Credit Union and Coeur D’Alene Downtown Association. Departs from the corner of First and Sherman Avenue, downtown Coeur D’Alene. Free. (208) 415-0116.  

 I’m always looking to share the best free things in and around town. Got ideas or know of some hidden gems? E-mail me at taniad@kxly.com.

     Thanksgiving evening I anchored the 5 & 6 o’clock newscasts and then reported for the 11 o’clock news.   Immediately after the 6 o’clock news,  I was sent to Cocolalla, Idaho on a report of a 2 car accident that had closed down US 95.  It took about an hour and 15 minutes to get there. 

     While my news photographer was shooting video of the scene, I took out my camera and starting shooting video too.  I filed this “Exclusive Web Report” on my YouTube page. 

I think I’ve worked the last 19 out of 20 Thanksgivings.  I used to complain, until I came to kxly4.  Every Thanksgiving, the management here provides us with a fabulous feast.  It’s become my family’s tradition!  After a morning out at the Spokane Media Turkey Bowl, the girls and I joined dad for a turkey dinner by the warm glow of the studio on-air light.  I am thankful for both of my families, and to our wonderful viewers that make working here so great.  Happy Thanksgiving!

 Dave and Robyn feast on turkey from the Spokane Club.

Dad/News Director Jerry Post wasn’t exactly carving the family turkey, but I think the girls were happier with their Burger King.

 Dani, Gabby and Sophie.

Gabby making some last-minute changes to the rundown.

     Took part in my first Spokane area Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl on the South Hill this morning.  Had tons of fun.  Kris Crocker was kind enough to work the camera for us.  Enjoy!  Happy Thanksgiving.

It’s such a cliche to write a blog like this, but I don’t care - I’m doing it anyway. I have so much to be thankful for this year. I feel I would be ungrateful not to recognize all the gifts I’ve been given.

1. My “old” family: I have been blessed since birth with an incredible family. From my wonderful mom to my terrific siblings to my incredible grandma (best in the world) and all my cousins, aunts and uncles… We’re a drama-free family (most of the time with absolutely true love for each other. We spent a week together in Red Lodge, Montana last summer and I was reminded again of how lucky I am. Even though I don’t see them very often, I miss them every day and I wish I could be with them today for Thanksgiving.

2. My “new” family: I must have done something great in a former life, because I have been blessed with the world’s most incredible husband. I’ve always known I probably don’t deserve to be married to someone like him, but throughout my pregnancy I’ve realized I didn’t know the half of it. Derek and I met almost 9 years ago, working in our first TV jobs in Tri-Cities. All this time later, he’s still the most loving, caring, patient man I’ve ever met. He has always been incredible - and always makes me want to be a better person. I can’t wait to see what kind of dad he’s going to be. Speaking of which, I am most thankful this year for the newest member of my family, who I haven’t even met. The little boy who will be born in about 5 weeks is already the greatest joy of our lives. It wasn’t easy to get to where we are now, but he is 100% worth the wait. I can’t wait to see what joy he brings to our lives every day - and, what he grows up to be. And, I can’t forget the other two family members that changed my life this year (and, last): our dogs, Chewy and Roxy. Their wagging tales and excitement make it really fun to come home from work every day.

3. My kxly family: Don’t think I’m kissing up, just because kxly is paying me to write this blog This year, given our country’s current economic crisis, I am absolutely thankful to have a job that I love, working with people I truly respect and enjoy. As you know, kxly made some tough choices this year - and, some people who worked with us a month ago don’t work with us anymore. I am happy to have a job at all. I’m even happier to work at a place where I believe in the values we promote. I also work with a lot of incredible people - many of whom I consider great friends. I don’t know where the next year will take any of us, but I’m happy to work with - and, learn from - all of them. I’m also thankful that even though the station has had some tough economic times recently, they still found it important to cater in a full Thanksgiving meal for all of us today. If I can’t be with my old family - or my new family until later tonight - I’m happy to be with my kxly family.

The Timberlake Fire Protection District not only fought the boat fire out on Lake Pend Oreille this Thanksgiving holiday but also shot still pictures and video and had all of that and a press release up on their website within a matter of hours of the incident.

Big kudos to the media and web-savvy team out at Timberlake. Here’s a look at some of the hard work these guys did out on Lake Pend Oreille today.

Yes its true. It’s snowing on the South Hill this Thanksgiving Day. Here’s raw footage Kjerstin Ramsing shot with her Flip Video Camera earlier this morning.

The Free Life - Helping you stress less, live better and enjoy life.

Thanksgiving Bike Ride - Bike around the South Hill before you gorge on a home-cooked turkey. Begins at 9 a.m. South Hill Residence, 3608 E. 35th. (509) 448-6271

Thanksgiving In The Reading Room - Celebrate Thanksgiving with a service at 10 a.m. First Church of Christ, Scientist, 310 E. 14th Avenue (509) 624-1637