Kerri-Lee's Blog

Hi Everyone!

Happy Monday-- just going through some of the news today, and checking out various headlines.  This one caught my eye for a couple of reasons.  Read it, then I'll explain.

Tanning Salon Patrons Are Not All Young, Local Expert Says

by KYW's Lynne Adkins

A local researcher has found that tanning salons are not just for teens getting ready for prom. 

Older Americans are throwing out the sunscreen and heading off to the tanning salon in surprising numbers. Dr. Carolyn Heckman (right), a behavioral researcher at Fox Chase Cancer Center, surveyed more than 29,000 adults and found that 14% of people in their 40s and 10% above 50 use tanning beds, putting themselves at a higher risk for skin cancer:

"Absolutely, I was surprised that older adults were indoor tanning, especially because skin cancer, like all cancers, occurs more often in older adults, so they are at a more immediate risk of skin cancer."

She says skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in this country.

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I remember sitting in the doctor's office at the campus health center at Arizona State University waiting for a routine checkup, when I looked up and saw a picture of an alligator's skin closeup.  The caption read: Lay out in the sun, and just think, your skin will look like this too!

I looked at my own brown glow, and thought, yikes.  Would it really look like that?  I was 22, I couldn't imagine wrinkles, and frankly didn't really care to think about "down the road..."  I was worried about "now," and that meant baking in the sun every spare hour I had between classes. 

Not sure what changed, but as I entered my late 20's, I decided to get out of the sun, "Go With My Own Glow," something I wouldn't have been able to believe possible since I had been such a sun worshipper. I was on the Eastcoast at this point, and though I was loving weekends down the shore, I was worried that it was all going to catch up with me.  Skin has a long memory, the doctors say...

Well, now I'm 36 and I'm thinking of trying a "Summer in the Sun" again.  I miss that golden glow, and a 10-year break-- doesn't that count for something? 

This article has me rethinking things again (buzzkill).  Thought I'd share it, just in case your conscience also needs to be reminded of the risks of skin cancer,no matter what your skin type.  I'm still going to do the sun thing this summer, but I'm going to lather up with sunscreen.

Isn't this a pretty picture of the Jersey Shore-- How many days until Memorial Day?

LOL

KL

Hi Everyone!

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for Spring, so I've been busy examining window boxes on my Center City street to find even the smallest hint of a crocus, or daffodil pushing through. Guess what-- they are trying!

This is such a fun time of year since we will soon say goodbye to those brittle boring bare branches, and hello to lush, lavish, lovely leaves. Yep, I'm a sucker for Spring.

Now that you know that, you will understand my weekend plans-- http://www.theflowershow.com/home/index.html

The 2008 Philadelphia Flower Show looks AWESOME and I know I will run into tons of you there (hope to, at least!!) I love the "Jazz it Up," theme and maybe New Orlean's Mayor will actually have something nice to say about our beautiful city after he sees this LOL

Anyway, check out the trees in my "backyard." They have blossoms on them! And I have a song from a "Little Bill" episode in my head every time I look out the balcony off my bedroom at them.

Little Bill gets stage fright during the School Spring Pageant. He's dressed up as "grass" and is too scared to say his lines. In the end, he remembers a lesson his teacher taught him-- to take a deep breath and blow his stage fright away. He gets the line out and all the kids are thrilled, and continue on with their song-- "Spring is here, Spring is here, it's the best time of the year..."

I agree.

KL

Hi All,

So it's February, Ground Hog Day is behind us, and it feels like early April, maybe even late April.  60's tomorrow?  I'm not complaining!  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE snow, but I like it during the holidays when it's supposed to look like a picture postcard outside.  I even like it in January, a good dose of the "white stuff" can make a fairly bland month seem a little more colorful in a washed out kind of way.

But February, the "snow month" according to Bolaris (I think that's what he said during the 5pm newscast today!) is when I start getting sick to death of the cold and the snow.  Only this year we've had little of either, so it's been a pleasure to barely bundle up on my walk to work, and to sneak out in just a jacket to grab a cup of coffee during the work day.  But we all know-- it ain't over til it's over.  I could be eating my words in a few short days.  Just not tomorrow, that I'm sure of :)

We are in February sweeps, so life is busy, and I am doing a whole bunch of charity events this month (looking forward to each ot them!) Oh!  And I got great news about a children's book I wrote-- a big book chain is very interested in selling it  The publisher is Journey Publications out of Southern California, and right now, we are in the throws of the "process--" getting the final rewrites, having editors go through it, working on the illustrations, and everything else that goes into getting your book on store shelves.  But a book is only pages with a cover on it, if you don't get it to people who might benefit from it, so marketing and selling it is HUGE.  Having an interested taker?  That's really exciting.  I'll keep you posted.  It will be published by Fall of '08.

Other than that-- dance lessons are going well, well kind of.  I had to cancel my rehearsal with Tommy, my dance partner who is my fiercely competitive better half in the "Dancing with Celebrities" event in May.  He wasn't thrilled, but understood when I explained I had a stomach bug (not pretty, trust me).  He is insistant that we need to win, I'm insistant that I just figure out how to dance in those high heels I had to buy (we're doing cha cha and swing) This is going to get interesting.

This week you can hear John Bolaris and I on WMMR, The Da Bella show talking about the Fur Ball this weekend.  I'm also going to be visiting the Kidd Chris Show, and MAYBE I will bring my alto sax.  Chris' band, "Beatoffs," is opening for another band coming up, so I jokingly said maybe I would bring my sax by.. he said, do it!  I'm not sure if I'm up to "jam session" status (I just picked up the sax for the first time since I was 18), but I told him if I had some sheet music I would be in good shape.  He said, "Um, what, like Crocodile Rock, or something?  Maybe not."  LOL.  Tune in and you can hear for yourself how it goes.  I'll let you know when I plan to stop in.

Well-- that's enough rambling from me for now.  Once my little guy goes to sleep I have to find SOMETHING to do, so forgive me for spilling my thoughts onto this blog.  Although, I guess that's kinda what they're for, right?

Sleep well, I'll see ya in the morning at 11am and then at 5pm.

Best,

KL

Hi Everyone!

Figured I should fill you all in on where I am since I've been getting all kinds of emails to the tune of, "Where are you, you've been gone forever!"

I haven't actually, just taking this week off, and I will return on Monday.  It's been a great week of spending time with my son, and taking a breather from life.  Then I can return to work refreshed and raring to go into the holiday season/November Sweeps with a little energy!

So I started my vacation last weekend with a tickle in my throat.  Less than a week later, I have no voice, and I sit here writing this, still, without any other way to communicate.  I've tried making phonecalls and everybody thinks I'm making prank calls and hangs up on me!  Yep, I sound that bad.  But I guarantee you this-- I'm sure by the time it's Monday and I have to go work, I'm sure I'll be back to perfect health.  Isn't it funny the way things work out?!

Well, I hope you are all enjoying this cooler, rainy day-- I can't say I mind it at all, it's about time it felt like fall around here!  My son and I are curled up under a blanket watching Disney movies.  Life is good :)

Ciao for now,

KL

Hi All!

I know it's been a while since I blogged... but I couldn't resist tonight, not when the fightin' Phils make us as proud as they did today.

Don't you find yourself just LOVING this team? Through the ups and downs of the season, and some pretty dismal looking times, they kept their faith in the team, the city, their fans and themselves, and here we are, division champs.

As Tolly would say, "AWESOME!"

So I'm sitting here at my keyboard with a box of tissues, not because I'm crying about the Eagles game, but because my allergies are off the charts.  Anyone else suffering?  I just talked to two of my neighbors who sound as nasal and scratchy as I do.  It's really bad this year, so if you have a home remedy to share please do since this medication doesn't seem to be doing the job!!

Hope you are all well, catch me up on your lives, and come back and say hi :)

KL

Hi Everybody!!!

It's officially HORRIBLE outside :)

This is my first day back from vacation and guess what our top story is?  This brutal heat!

Thanks to all of you who emailed and called and checked to make sure I wasn't gone for good.. nope, happily still here at FOX 29.  I just desperately needed a bit of time off, as I've only had 4 days off in the past year-- not kidding.  I feel rested, rejuvenated, and totally ready to get back on the anchor desk-- tune in today at 5pm if you can :)

Well, let's get our Blog Family back together again.. are you all out there?  I'm ready to hang again, just like old times.

KL

I was going to walk to work today, took one step out the door, and decided that was one of the worst Ideas I've had in a long time.  I started sweating the second my hand grabbed the door knob.. it is brutal out there today.  So I folded, and got dropped off by my little guy and his nanny and RAN into the station and into the ice cold AC that awaited.

But it made me really worry about people not able to cool off today.  Those without AC, or fans, or the ability to get to a public place like a mall or movie theater to cool down.  We are doing several stories today about the heat, and on this website you will find heat hotline numbers that should be used if you or someone you know find yourself in a potentially dangerous situation.

I have a neighbor I plan to check on today, rack your brains, and make sure there isn't someone you should be checking on in your neighborhood.

On a lighter note-- there's always Water Ice to help us beat this heat!  I just discovered John's Water Ice at 7th and Christian and it is SOOOOOO good.  My favorite flavor there?  Strawberry, but if I go to Rita's I'm kind of sold on Mango.

Stay cool everyone!!

Kerri-Lee 

Guess what local 5pm anchor is at work today?  Actually, I'm not sure who else is working on the other channels, but I'm here!  We're having a Grill Day on our patio at the station, so all of Old City smells like our hamburgers and hotdogs :)  I plan to have one of each I think, hey, my gym is closed, not my fault I couldn't work out today, right?

What are you all up to?  Don't forget to remember the reason behind the day, play it safe with the fireworks, and most of all-- HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!

Cheers!

KL

Hi Everybody!

Hope you are all doing well!  Strange weather out there today, huh?  Now it's sunny, after a stormy, rainy, thundering night!

Now I have a favor to ask you--

I want you all to check out the "Trash Talk Blog"-- http://community.myfoxphilly.com/blogs/Philly_Trash_Ta
lk    We just launched it to get people communicating about the trash problem in Philadelphia.  We've been cleaning it up and trying to get others onboard.  So far the response has been great, but we have a long way to go. 

Today at 5 you will see the Pascal Neighborhood getting a cleanup.  The story will also air Saturday night at 10pm, so you can catch it then too, if you aren't able to tune in tonight.  It's amazing to hear the stories from the residents about how the trash problem has led to crime, and other negative issues.  Hopefully this will put their neighborhoods on the right track and change will follow.  Maybe we can fight the trash problem and crime at the same time!  I like to dream big, if I'm going to dream at all.

Sound off, and trash talk with me!  I am taking a list of our primary concerns to a meeting at City Hall on Friday.  Give me something to tell them about!

KL

Soon the malls, rec centers, pools, parks-- you name it--  will be packed with students out for the summer!

Didn't you love this time of year?  The entire summer loomed ahead of you with so much possibility? I couldn't wait for that very first morning when no alarm was set and I got up whenever I got up-- summer had officially arrived and I felt like I could do anything. 

My friend's and I would get summer jobs (mine was at "Mattick's Farm" www.matticksfarm.com in Victoria BC, where I worked at "Adrian's Tea Garden," then I moved across the parking lot to the "Cordova Bay Golf Course" www.cordovabaygolf.com where I worked first in the kiosk, then in the Pro Shop) and we would spend all our days off at the lake or the beach.  Growing up on an island had it's advantages :)

I eventually worked at, "The Butchart's Garden" too, an amazing tourist destination, that anyone visiting Vancouver Island should visit-- it's unbelievable, in fact, here's a link, check it out www.butchartgardens.com

I have incredibly fond memories of this time of year as a kid and teen, and now that I'm in my 20's... er.. um.. ok, that's a lie, but I still feel like a kid.  And I admit, when I saw the kids playing on the schoolgrounds on my way to work this morning, I had a tiny bit of envy, knowing what the next couple of months will mean for them.

Share your summer memories!  Or just blog away, both are welcome on KL's Blog!!

Hi All!

Well at least the weekend was nice :)

It's a little sloppy out, in fact, as I was walking to work this morning and the rain started coming down more heavily, I caved, and hopped into a cab.  Hate doing that, because I enjoy walking so much, but I didn't want to make this bad hair day even worse-- it's a bear to try and look decent by the time 5pm rolls around if I've spent time in the rain.  Ladies, you understand, I know.

I'm working on my "Trash Talk" series launch piece-- we're going to start out cleanups hopefully next week.  Already so many people are coming onboard to help get Philly looking it's best and more importantly, to change attitudes, and stop the cycle of littering.  I've met some amazing kids who are fundraising to buy more trash cans, or cleaning up their schoolyards and neighborhoods.  It's so refreshing to get around kids like that, who are so passionate about the world they live in.  How do we lose that, as we grow older?

Anyway, hope you are all doing well, say hello when you can, and I'll try to hop on the blog a couple times today.

XO KL

Hi Everybody!

It's Monday... I have the whole week ahead, complete with nasty O15 Workout's, and already I'm counting down to Memorial Day Weekend.  The time when wearing white pants is offiicially ok, open-toed sandals are a must, and we all sit on pins and needles watching the forecast hoping for a good one so that our outdoor plans can actually happen as planned.

It's the unofficial start to summer and it's SUCH a great weekend.

Not sure what I'm going to do yet, I'm leaving it up in the air (watching the weather first) and keeping a couple options open.  Whatever it ends up being, I'm excited, it's going to be a weekend of fun, with plenty more following on it's heels all summer long.

Looks like our FOX cleanup campaign is going to happen, and I can't wait to get started on that.  Hopefully some of you bloggers, or your kids can get involved-- I'll have more on that coming up.

Not a huge news day today, so it's kind of quiet in the newsroom.  I've been using the day to try and get caught up on things, so if you have a second to email, feel free, I'd love to hear from you all.

Let me know how your day is going, and what your holiday weekend plans are going to be!

Happy Monday,

KL  

 Hi ALL!

Another beautiful day, love this weather! Although today's a tiny bit sticky, and with stormy weather coming later I don't DARE complain :)

Just wanted to say a quick hello, this won't be my longest post ever, but it's a busy news day with the fire in Jersey and the follow up to Nutter's big win last night. 

Hope you are all doing great, and if you're like me, you're already making plans for the weekend!

I'm going to do some things around the house I think-- finish planting my gardens, sink a garden stone into my backyard garden (my friend and her daughter made it for me, it's a stepping stone with my son's handprint, it says, "I love you Mommy, Van 2007")  I think most of all I'm going to find some really fun things to do with my little guy-- he loves walking along Boathouse Row, or we take the stroller anywhere in Center City and he puts his little glasses on and we pack a lunch and just walk.  So fun!

  Let me know how you all are, what you're up to, and what I've missed.  I hate falling behind in Blogland.. catch me up!

KL

Happy Wednesday All!

So glad to see our blog family, happy and healthy-- and growing!  I've seen some new names in our discussions, and it's ALWAYS a treat to see the old ones too :) 

Are you in an awesome mood today, or what!  It's easy to be in a great mood it's so gorgeous out there. (JT-- I don't think I need a coat, do I?!)  I am kind of stuck in the newsroom today, but I'll sneak out a couple of times I'm sure (don't tell the boss)

A little bit of a break today from the craziness of last week, and the craziness I've got going on starting tomorrow, so I'm literally going to sit back, enjoy, work on the newscast and take the day as it comes.

Hey-- I'll even have a little time to check in and say hi to all of you today! 

(Is this the most boring post I've ever made, or what!)

Talk to you in a bit,

Kerri-Lee 

Hi Everybody!

I have just come off one of the busiest weeks/weekends I've had in quite a while, but wow.  Was it ever rewarding.  And one of the most rewarding parts of it, was when I visited Philabundance and helped sort skids of food so that it could be made into hampers to be delivered to deserving families all over the city. 

So often we just give food to food hampers, and don't really think what happens to it after it leaves the church, school, or community center we donated it in.  But I've leared what I will give from now on when I donate.  It was so much easier sorting basic food in cans, than specialty food in glass containers.  Plus, the glass containers broke more than once because everything is thrown into big metal bins and it's easier if you know the landing for the can you throw is going to be another metal tin, not a glass jar.  Also-- don't donate things like bags of flour or bags of oatmeal, they break, and dump all over the place and make a huge mess, not to mention attract mice in the warehouse.  It was a great experience and I will definetly do it again.

Yesterday was fun of a totally diffferent kind.  I have decided recently to take up golf again, after having grown up going to the driving range with my dad at a course I grew up near, and eventually worked at during summer's home from college-- The Cordova Bay Golf Course, in VIctoria, BC.  So this weekend I bought some new golf shoes, pants and shirts, in preparation for my Golf Tips story that I shot with Jon Dornbos from the Philadelphia Eagles.  What a hoot!  We had so much fun, and though it was more antics and silliness than actual golfing, (I ended up wading through mud up to my knees illustrating how to address an out of bounds shot) it has made me want to hit the driving range again this weekend.  I live in Center City, so FDR Golf Course is only a hop skip and a jump away. BTW-- watch the Golf Tips piece we shot, it airs this Sunday night on FOX 29 News at 10pm.

Today, Rob Guarino and I are officially started our "28 day Challenge."  We're taking the month of May and finding out what kind of health results we get from doing the www.015workout.com  and eating food from www.goodtogodelivery.com  Rob wants to lose a couple pounds and increase his muscle, I want to maintain my caloric intake, eat healthy foods and get more cut.  Sheinelle Jones and Clayton Morris from Good Day Philadelphia are getting involved too, and they have goals of their own that we are all going to be blogging about on our special link to the 28 day challenge.  You can find it on my "News for Moms" page on this website. 

So I will be maintaining two blogs for the next month, I hope you come visit them both, and hey-- why not set your own personal goals for the next 28 days and do it along with us!  I'd love to have you come along for the ride.

And thank you for all your emails, I owe you replys, and I'll try and get to them today, I hope you understand after reading this how crazy the last few days have been, but as always, I'm thrilled to hear from all of you, love you all to death, and can't wait to catch up.

KL