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Passengers are finally flying out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, but they are stranded in many other cities by cancellations due to severe winter weather. Whether by plain train or automobile, getting home for the holidays this season isn’t going to be easy on this Christmas eve. Just ask a few dozen customers of Greyhound who have been stuck in Seattle since the first of the week. Their bus connections were canceled. They had no place to go, and the bus line didn’t seem to care very much about that.

The passengers were dropped off at a Seattle emergency shelter about a mile from the Greyhound depot. The trouble is, the shelter had no room and would not take them in. Greyhound apparently felt they had done all they were required to, but the bus line should have known that their customers might one day be stranded if Greyhound couldn’t transport them as contracted, and they should have had some reliable remedies available. In this case the “Big Dog” just dropped the ball, and may have placed some customers in danger. What must sting as much as being ignored by Greyhound was the sign that passengers encountered on the doors of the Seattle depot. “We’re sorry for any inconvenience,” the sign read. “We take our passengers’ and employees’ safety as our main concern.” Of course you do, and it obviously shows.

Travel is tough this holiday season. Most public carriers are struggling with rising costs and scarce profits, but they still must be prepared to come to the aid of the travelers they strand. Just shrugging their shoulders is not enough. As for those stranded, perhaps it would benefit them to remember that travel, especially at this time of year, is risky, and if you start out, you may do well to have a plan if weather interrupts your journey. The carrier cannot reasonably be expected to take care of everything you might need. I think there’s no place like home for the holidays, and so that’s where I plan to be.

Merry Christmas, and be safe.

They say 1968 was the year that Spokane had the most snow on the ground, but even in ‘68 there wasn’t a single day snowfall that rivals what we have seen this week. From around 7:00 a.m. Wednesday morning when it started, snowfall was uninterrupted in the immediate Spokane area for well over 40 hours. It wasn’t a Currier and Ives snowfall either, it was a steady, relentless, pile it on kind of snowfall that spreads havoc.

Wednesday evening’s commute was a mess. Heavy snow, slick roads, and impatient drivers, made it memorable. Hundreds of slide-offs, collisions, and vehicles stuck everywhere made for an interesting evening. Thursday morning we awakened to find more snow on the ground than Spokane folks have ever seen from a single snow event. It was clear that getting around town would be nigh on to impossible. The authorities told us to stay home, and thankfully most of us did. There were those who ventured. many of the probably wished they had stayed home too. There were vehicles stranded all over town.

Big snow like this brings back memories. Memories have a way of welcoming a bit of embellishment. Take that big snow year of 1968-’69. I’ve been told that snow didn’t melt until July. Actually most of it was gone in march, which is pretty typical, and the rest was gone by mid-April. In fact that snow year ranks 9th when it comes to overall snowy winters. 77.5 inches fell that year, but when and how it piled up knows no equal. Last year we received over 89 inches of total snowfall. That was the second highest snow total for a season. The all-time winner was the winter of 1949-50 at over 93 inches.

Records don’t matter though. If you were in Spokane in the last couple of days, you saw something unusual and historic. I’ll look forward to telling the grand kids about it.

My husband and I woke up early this morning, thinking we could shovel our way out of this winter wonderland.  Well, thinking is the key word here, because we hardly made any progress at all.  As we brushed the cars off, the snow quickly piled up over our hard work.  By 8 AM we made our first and last attempt to get out of our driveway.  As we slowly pulled out onto the road, the snow pilled up into my radiator- not a good thing to smell:) We drove a few more hundred feet only to realize we were not going anywhere.  My car is now safley parked and I’m inside watching it come down.  A plow hasn’t been by since before 10 o’clock last night.  It’s probably snowed another 10 or so inches since then.  My husband in convinced we are breaching the 20 inch mark.  I need to get out a ruler to see for sure.  I just chated with a woman up in Priest River who says she’s got 30 inches-WOW! So, for now I’m staying put.  I hope everyone has a safe snow day. 

I answered calls tonight from a couple angry viewers, upset with our snow coverage today. I usually know within the first three seconds of those calls if the person on the other end really wants to know why we’re doing what we’re doing - or, if they just want to complain and hang up. I wish more of them would have stayed on the line and listened to my answer tonight - because I proudly stand by our coverage.

First off, know this: sometimes TV stations overdo it. We can acknowledge that. This, however, is not one of those times. By 11:30 this morning, we knew this was more than just another snowstorm. The roads were terrible - I-90 was closed near Geiger because of a nine car, two semi pile-up. I-90 was also closed in Coeur d’Alene because of a massive pile-up there. Everywhere in between, roads were being shut down and people were slamming into each other as the snow piled up on the streets. Now, many hours later, the snow is still falling. This is what you’d call a big storm. We decided to go wall-to-wall with our coverage just before four o’clock this afternoon. We don’t make that decision lightly. But, when we couldn’t keep up with the accidents and the afternoon commute was starting to look extremely hairy, we knew we didn’t have a choice. I was confident we made the right decision all along, but had that affirmed a couple hours later when we got a press release from Spokane Police saying chains were required for drivers on the South Hill. That’s a big storm, folks - and, a public safety emergency.

I’m not a snow wuss. I grew up in Montana and spent four winters in Wisconsin before moving to Washington, where I’ve spent 10 winters. Our news director is from Michigan - he’s not afraid of snow, either. But, there’s snow and there’s snow. When we get as much as we did today, we have an obligation to our viewers to share the latest information with them.

I know many of you don’t like to miss the national news. I get that. But, when it’s taking people an hour and a half to get across the Maple Street Bridge, we need to report on that. When they shut down all but two of the roads heading north and south, we need to report on that. When we’re nowhere near the end of this thing, we need to report on that.

     From AAA of Washington and Idaho, if you slide off the road and no one is around to help, here are some things you can do and need in your vehicle, to get free:

     Use traction mats or spread some sand, salt or any handy abrasive material in front of and in back of the drive wheels. When using devices under the wheels for additional traction, or when wheels are digging into dirt or gravel and you are receiving pushing assistance, do not let anyone stand directly ahead or behind the drive wheels as they may be injured by objects thrown by the spinning wheels.

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     The following items are recommended to be carried in your vehicle and will be invaluable should an emergency develop:

•Bag of abrasive material (sand, salt or cat litter)

•Ice scraper

• Small snow shovel

• Snow brush

• Traction mats

• Cloth or paper towels

• Booster cables

• Blanket

• Warning flares or

• Flashlight triangles

• Window-washing solvent

• Cellular phone

• Gloves or mittens

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Here’s some similar tips from the WSDOT Winter Driving web page:

What to Pack…

* Jumper cables to restart engine
* Cat litter or sand for tire traction on snow and ice
* Shovel to scrape snow away from tires
* Ice scraper to clear windshield
* Warm clothes gloves, a hat, sturdy boots, warm jacket and even a change of clothes

* Blankets to keep warm inside the vehicle
* Flashlights and extra batteries for increased visibility
* First aid kit also pack necessary medications incase you are stuck on the road
* Food pack items containing protein such as nuts and energy bars, also canned fruit and a portable can opener are good additions
* Water bring enough for each person in your car and any pets
* AM/FM radio to listen to traffic reports and emergency messages

Also consider…
* Bring a cell phone if you have one with a list of emergency numbers.
* Fill your gas tank
* Baby formula and diapers if you have a small child.
* If you find yourself stranded, be safe and stay in your car, put on your flashers, call for help and wait until it arrives.

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 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a page with Emergency Preparedness and Response advice.  Check Here.

I’ve spent the last hour or so planning our weather coverage for this weekend’s big storm. Yes, folks, by all accounts and forecasts right now, it’s coming - and, it could be a big one! I can hear it already: the chorus of newspaper columnists and longtime Spokane residents chastising us for “blowing the storm out of proportion.” I’ve resisted the urge to respond - but, it appears my willpower has worn down.

It’s easy to sit back and say TV news people go overboard with weather coverage. A lot of the time, I agree! I like to call it a weather hemorrhage when news stations go totally nutso about weather that doesn’t really matter. But, this storm - if it comes in the way it’s forecast - will be a bear. In fact, the guy at the National Weather Service called it a “bomb” (note: he’s a meteorologist with the weather service, not a TV guy…) We have an absolute responsibility to tell you what’s coming, tell you where the snow has fallen and tell you how it will affect you. Yes, it’s obvious that people should slow down on icy roads. But, every year, we respond to DOZENS of crashes from people driving too fast for conditions. Shouldn’t we gently remind them? Yes, it’s winter and we’re going to have snow and cold temperatures. But, every winter, people are caught off guard with homes that aren’t properly insulated and chimneys that haven’t been cleaned before the first fire of the year.

We will do our best - I promise you - to strike that balance between informing you and not making you feel like a pre-schooler by talking down to you. Will we always strike that balance? No. But, we’ll do our best. And, if you have any suggestions about how to better cover the snow that you know we’re going to cover anyway, I’d love to hear your suggestions.

Enjoy the weather hemorrhage!

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

Tis the season to feel festive. I still have to track down this year’s Christmas tree and set-up the lights. My plan is to get that done this weekend. But if you’re already admiring yours or need some inspiration, there are a few free events taking place around town. Here’s the list:

SPOKANE

Davenport Tree Lighting Ceremony - Tonight at 6 p.m. The Davenport Hotel in downtown Spokane hosts its annual tree lighting ceremony. Free viewing of trees on Mezzanine daily, now through December 13th. 10 South Post Street, Spokane.

POST FALLS, ID

Christmas Wish Movie Morning - Tomorrow, Dec. 6 is officially Christmas Wish Movie Morning at the Post Falls Theater. See any movie at 10 a.m. for just $5.  Half of each ticket sold will go directly to Christmas Wish. Post Falls Theater, 1486 West Seltice, Post Falls, ID. More information call: (208) 773-4332.

ST. MARIE’S, ID

Winter Sleigh Rides - Starting tomorrow The Forever Green Tree Farm in St. Marie’s is offering free sleigh rides. For adults and kids there’s also a two story holiday shop where I’m told you’ll enjoy hot chocolate, candy canes, cookies, and more. (12/6-12/7, 12/13-12/14) The farm is located at 500 Forever Green Drive, St. Maries, ID. For more information call: (208) 245-2440 or click here: http://www.forevergreentree.com/

“At this season of the Winter Solstice, may reason prevail.”

These words open an anti-religion statement displayed on a sign near the official “holiday tree” in the Washington State Capitol rotunda. The messages continues:

“There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world.”

Would that this idea were true. I consider myself to be a reasonable person. I have significant education, and I also have faith, and neither are mutually exclusive, contrary to the misguided conclusions of the authors of this entertaining, but hardly reasonable proposition.

The sign text concludes with the following:

“Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.”

This is an old threadbare concept put forth in history by some of the most demented of humankind. You’ve heard the one about religion being the opium of the people, and one of my favorites is billionaire media dingbat Ted Turner’s claim that religion is for fools. I am neither drugged, nor am I the village idiot. Atheists are welcome to reject the notion that there is a God, or that there is a heaven, but I don’t mind telling you, I would love to be there when one of them croaks, and finds himself standing before his maker. I would love to see the startled expression on his face, and watch as he struggles to comprehend his predicament. I would also love to observe his demeanor when the Almighty forgives him for his self-important arrogance, and allows him into eternity anyway.

Until or unless these conceited non-believers are prepared to demonstrate how this universe of ours, with all its limitless diversity and incredible inter-connectivity and marvelous order, and how the human conscience came about without a creator, I’m not willing to concede that they have anything either reasonable, valuable mor compelling such that I would be willing to consider replacing my faith with their unsubstantiated, defective and incomplete secular theories. It occurs to me that they too are acting on faith, no less than am I. The difference is that they have faith in a kind of empty meaningless accident, and I believe in something far more bold and exciting.

They can dismiss me, but until they convince me, I’m sticking with my myths and superstitions.

A BIG “thank you” to Sara Brown for these sundog photos.  Sara says these photos were taken around 3:30 this afternoon. “As you can see, the sun is east of the ‘rainbow’, and the photo is looking west over Fir Mountain (west of Republic).

Sundogs are most common in the winter months, when the sun is at a low angle, and the sun can be refracted through ice crystals in cirrus clouds.  For much more, CLICK HERE.

When the temperaure drops, most of us just turn our heat up and put an extra blanket on the bed.  But, for some that is far from reality.  There are hundreds, if not thousands in our region who don’t have a bed or warm place to stay.  The situation becomes even more dire as it gets colder outside.  Today, we stopped by Fresh Start in Coeur d’Alene and chatted with a few homeless folks who sleep in the most unimaginable places.  How would you like to curl up next to a gravestone in a cemetery? Well, that’s extactly where Star Haag sleeps almost every night.  How about in a sleeping bag in the woods when it’s 20 degrees out? Welcome to Matt Pridge’s world.  It was heartbreaking listening to their stories.  Matt described how he can feel the frost coating his sleeping bag as the night wears on.  He says it takes him a good six hours or so to “thaw” out from the night before.  They all have their reasons for being homeless, regardless no one should have to sleep oustide in the bitter cold.

Fresh Start and St. Vincent De Paul have teamed up to make Matt and Star’s life a little easier.  As soon as the temperature drops below 10 degrees, the two organizations will open a warming shelter- the first of its kind in North Idaho.  The organizers w0uld like to open it sooner, but they can’t because of a lack of funding.  Right now, there’s only enough money to be open 25 nights out of the entire winter.  If you’d like to help go to their websit:  http://www.freshstartinc.org/. 

       You know in the winter, how it’s bitterly cold outside and you walk into a building and the heat instantly rushes over your body and it feels so good? Aaaaaaaaaaaahh. Lovely.

       Well, it doesn’t happen when I walk into the KXLY studios at 3:30 in the morning. Instead, I walk in to find our producer with a blanket draped over her shoulders. Our associate producer, a man from Minnesota… from Minnesota I say… a man used to bitterly cold winters, with a hooded sweatshirt tied tight up over his head and ears, rubbing his hands together, blowing into them to keep warm. I kid you not. That really happens. As the morning goes on, people file in exclaiming the typical mantra we’re used to hearing during these winter months “It’s cold in here”. There are mornings when more than one person says “I can’t feel my fingers”. Seriously. I’m not even kidding. Mike Gonzalez has found a creative way to keep warm. He holds his hands in front of the printer, to catch the warm air as our scripts are printed off. Holding the papers themselves when they’re ‘hot off the press’ is another good way to warm up those hands. You can even hold them to your face for a quick warm up.       We asked last year about getting the heat turned up for us morning folk who work over night or come in early. I think the reason we got turned down was because the studio lights come on at 5AM. They allegedly heat the space and create a hot environment for people sitting under the lights. I haven’t run into that problem though.

The latest long-range forecast from the Climate Prediction Center doesn’t hold a lot of insight into what we can expect for this upcoming winter.  There’s nothing in the extended computer models to indicate that we should experience anything other than “average” conditions for December, January and February.  There’s no La Nina or El Nino (La Nada), to guide the long-range forecasters.  To read more CLICK HERE.

I got an email the other day, and after I added a few thoughts of my own, I think the following story frames well the stakes in the 2008 presidential vote. I’m sure you remember the old fable about the ant and the grasshopper. The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Then when winter comes the ant is warm and well fed, but the grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.

The moral of this story of course is that we all must be responsible for ourselves.

Well now there’s a new modern version of that old story. The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving. CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, CNN, MSNBC The New York Times, The Washington Post and dozens of left-tilting newspapers show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.

Americas are stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so? Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper, and everybody cries when they sing, ‘It’s Not Easy Being Green.’ Jesse Jackson stages a demonstration in front of the ant’s house where the news networks film the group singing, ‘We shall overcome.’ Jesse Jackson then has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper’s sake. Barack Obama exclaims in an interview with Larry King that the ants routinely get rich off the backs of the grasshoppers. He calls for an immediate tax hike on ants to make them pay their fair share.

Americans incensed by those mean spirited ants elect Obama, and his party, and soon, ants get huge tax increases and fines for failing to hire a sufficient number of green bugs in their enterprises. Soon having nothing left to pay steep taxes ants everywhere find their homes confiscated by the government. The story ends with the grasshopper finishing up the last morsels of the ant’s food while the government house in which he lives, (which just happens to be the ant’s old house), crumbles around him because he doesn’t maintain it. The ant disappears in the winter snow. Soon thereafter, the grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident. The house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the once peaceful neighborhood.

The moral of this story is this: Be careful how you vote next Tuesday.

Last year Kerry and I went with fellow KXLYer Jeff Humphrey and his family on what is officially called the “North Pend Oreille Valley Lions Club Excursion Train Ride.”

We call it “The Leaf Train” for short.

This year, Kerry’s parents were up from Phoenix. Natives of New Jersey with a long interlude in Huntsville, Alabama, they were hoping to catch a glimpse of the changing of the seasons, something that they don’t see much of down in Sun City West. There’s no better place to take in the autumn colors than the two hour drive north from Spokane to catch the Leaf Train.

For the uninitiated, the North Pend Oreille Valley Lions Club has been running trains every fall from Ione north to Metaline Falls and back since 1981. For a handful of weekends, as the leaves turn from green to shades of pale yellow and burnt orange, the train heads 10 miles up the valley toward the Canadian border and back.

With each ride hundreds of people swaddled in winter clothing - it’s not exactly warm on The Leaf Train, especially if you’re sitting in one of the open cars - clamber aboard with kids and cameras to spend an hour and a half taking in some of the greatest scenery of the Inland Northwest.

Pictures really don’t do the ride justice … you really need to see it for yourself. Unfortunately if you weren’t on the train with us this last weekend you missed out and won’t get a chance to take the Leaf Train until next fall.

While you’re waiting for the next trip out of the station, check out the video I shot on one of the last runs of the Leaf Train this season.

Scene from the BIG SNOW last winter in the Inland Northwest.

It won’t be long until the snow flies in the Inland Northwest.  We’ve already had a few flurries here and there.  While we probably won’t be in for another winter like last year (it was the second snowiest on record), even a typical winter in Eastern Washington and North Idaho can be brutal.  This is Winter Weather Safety and Awareness Week in the Pacific Northwest, and our friends at the Spokane National Weather Service want to help you to prepare.  CLICK HERE for tips and more information to help keep you safe during winter weather.