Shawnette_Wilson's Blog

What Duh? I woke up this morning to Sue Serio talking about snow in our surrounding area and I thought...hmmmmmmm...what are the chances I'll get stuck with this assignment. Well I went ahead and got dressed in my Phillies red...even though game 5 was still up in the air at that point...and I headed off to work. I breathed a sigh of relief when our assignment managers suggested I do a story on the financial impact of the World Series going another day in Philly...meaning how much more was it going to cost the city to host it another day and how it would affect fans pockets. I happily accepted and trotted off to anchor the noon news. As soon as I got off the set and back in the newsroom...I was barely off the elevator when my boss was saying..."You're going to do snow." The dreaded words...as I looked down at my shiny black shoes, with my black slacks...crishp red cordouroy jacket and pinstriped dress shirt underneath. That get-up wasn't going to cut it. So off I went to my desk to dig in a box beneath it...looking for my winter weather gear: gloves, scarf, socks, Timberland boots, fleece and the big snowbomber FOX 29 jacket.  One of  the planners on my assignment desk, who shall remain nameless, but you know who you are, called me after my live shot during the 5,laughing about how bundled up I was. Okay. Easy for him to say. He sits in the building all day where it's nice and warm. But anyway...it wasn't a bad day after all. I'm not anti-snow and today it was something different than the norm I've been doing. Got my moving, refreshed and on my feet. I was in Bucks County. We went to Horsham and Doylestown. They got a pretty good coating out there. It was more of problem because it wasn't light fluffy snowflakes which are pretty. The rain soon turned it to slush. And it was windy and cold! I had a great time talking to people about the early, unexpected winter. The mixuture brought down a tree in one man's yard and leveled a tent outside one produce store but people were in pretty good spirits about it. Could it be a sign of what's in store for winter though..................We'll soon see. Toodles!

 

I'm working on a piece right now about kids who are homeless and in school. It hasn't aired yet so please watch out for it. It's something I don't think many people think about. These kids are pretty much hiding in plain sight. I came up with idea for the story because when I worked in another market, I was doing a story on shelters being full during an early cold snap. When I was there, I noticed a teen girl standing in the corner, looking very withdrawn, embarrassed, obviously border-line depressed. I have a soft spot for young kids and young people and it bothered me the entire time I was there. She looked like she wanted to say something to me but just couldn't. So when before I left , I just gave her a card after I had interviewed her mom and told her she could call me if she wanted. I didn't expect to hear from her but I did. I could go on but I ended up becoming a mentor to this young girl, not through any official program, but I just did it. And today, years later, she is like a sister. We worked together to help her graduate, get a job, and go on to college. I am so proud of her. Soooooooooo...when school started again this  year, I thought it would be good to do a story on homeless kids in our school district, just to let people know they're out there and could use all the support they can get. These are kids put in a situation by no fault of their own and many times it's not what their parents wanted either. In my special piece, I'll introduce you to a 14 year old girl who is talented, inspirational and strong despite her circumstances but she's still struggling to balance being homeless with excelling in school. You'll also meet a first grader who is vibrant and loves school but has yet to see the reality of how his family has to live right now. A bonus that won't make the story but I will try to get hooked onto this blog soon will be conversations with their moms. Two women who want to break the stereotypes and stigmas associated with homelessness. They work, they're in school and in programs to help get on their feet. They're stories of how they got homeless are heartbreaking but their hopes for their children are full of hope. So stay tuned...the piece is being cranked out as we speak. I'll keep you posted on when it will air and would love to hear your thoughts on this growing epidemic of single women who are homeless with school-aged children. I hope it will inspire you to get involved in the life of a child who needs it. Later!

This is one election you can't call boring and it's hard not to have an opinion about it. Last night (Tuesday, June 3rd) was eletric. I was actually in the emergency room and you would have thought no one there was sick. As the networks went back and forth between snippets of Obama and Hillary Clinton's speeches, it was like being at a movie theather where people are actually talking back to the characters in the movie! Everyone just started talking about Obama's energy and Hillary's tenacity. Soon we all broke out into the same discussion you were probably having with your family or friends...who will be the presumptive nominee's VP? Will Hillary play second fiddle, as some have called the role? When will she officially concede? Can Obama snag Hillary voters as he prepares to face McCain? Has the beating he's taken in the primary bruised him too much or has it made him strong enough to take on McCain?  Everyone in that room where I was, had their own opinion but the conversation came back down to one thing...the history being made with this election. While many cheered Obama, others, mainly women who were in the ER marveled at Clinton's strength and how commanding they say she has been through this entire campaign. Some said she's sharp. One woman said sharper and stronger than Jackie O.  The fact that she is a woman and Obama is African American isn't lost in this whole thing, regardless of the outcome. It gives many people a sense of HOPE, beyond the word just being a slogan. The thought that lingered and left that waiting room quiet was does Obama need Clinton on the ticket to beat McCain? Again, you can say alot about this election year...but you certainly can't say it's boring! Stay in tune...it's just starting to get good!

 

So we do these stories all the time about how people are changing their habits because of the high gas prices...but are you really doing that? I mean I'm feeling the pinch too and have also found myself making "life decisions" at the pump, as comedian Kat Williams said in his standup! But for me...I feel like it's important to take a breath once in a while. It's important to treat yourself. It's important to take a break from every day life and just relax. So as hard as it is to afford to do the things I want to do...I'm finding myself cutting out some other small pleasures that add up...like taking a taxi instead of walking, giving up the cup of coffee every day...skipping some of the girlie self pampering things I usually do. I know that sounds like just a little savings but it can help me plan a short getaway...not completely...but it'll add some cash to the vacation pot. I just know we hear people say it all the time, "I guess I'll be staying home this summer" or "I guess I won't make it to the shore for the holiday" and I believe that people find money for the things they really want to do. So I've mapped out a financial plan...just so I don't have to cut the "living out of life" because gas is so expensive. I realize everyone's situation is different but you have to treat yourself. Even if it's just a weekend of dinner and a movie every now and then...or you'll go crazy. Don't give up over gas. Somehow it will all work out in the end. Live and Love Life!

Okay so I have a niece and nephew. That's how I know  "Cleanup" is a Barney song! And I use it to this day to get them to be my lil helpers when I need them! But anyway, Saturday was a wonderful day! It was the city's Spring Cleanup Day led by Mayor Michael Nutter. I drove around the city and was really impressed by all the trash bags lined up on the side of the road and people of all ages, race, and gender participating. People who even left their own "hood" to go to another neighborhood to help out. Our station adopted Duckery Elementary School a year ago I think so that's where we cleaned up. I wasn't there the entire day or even half the day,  but I got there in time to help spruce up an old tennis court outside the school. Dirt and weeds had grown through the cracks. There was mud out there too because I think the fire department had hosed it down first to try and loosen up the debris that had been there so long. We pulled, shoveled, dug, swept. I'd been having some back problems lately so I was worried about doing so much bending but the energy from everyone else out there made me forget all about the pain. The kids who came out were so inspiring. Just watching them learn the importance of taking care of where you live and helping others who are unable to help themselves. There's always one grump though. A man asked me why I wasn't there in the morning when the cleanup first started. He didn't know me from Adam and I kindly told him there is enough trash in Philly to cleanup for the rest of my life! He proceeded to ask my about whether I volunteer or serve on any boards. Rude, I say but I used it as motivation and joined the first group I saw. I didn't even bother finding my co-workers, I just got in where I fit in and it was great. I met so many people. And my point of telling my story about the grump is, it doesn't matter what you do or how much, just do something. And the hope is, that it'll feel so good, that everyone will start to increase in whatever they do. Whether it's a neighborhood cleanup, volunteering, mentoring etc.  So even if you couldn't participate in the cleanup on that day, so what? We can pick up trash any day, encourage others not to litter and simply cleanup after ourselves. That's how we'll get Philly looking clean and staying clean. Hope to see you at the next cleanup and other events around our wonderful city!

I covered a story today about kids with asthma. Groups of health professionals met in University City to brainstorm ways to make asthma education and medication more accessible to all families.  It brought to mind my nephew who is 7 years old and suffers from asthma and allergies. His mom, my sister, is a single mom who works and goes to school but often struggles making sure her son has everything he needs, especially when it comes to his health and being able to afford it. She's not the only one.  I found  that ten percent of kids in Pennsylvania have asthma, spend a lot of time in emergency rooms and miss school. Also asthma  affects minority and racial ethnic minorities as well as poor people more.  The director at CHOP, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia said those groups have 2 to 3 times as many hospitalizations, emergency room visits and deaths. I can't imagine my nephew gasping for air and my sister not having access to information on what to do or finanical assistance and programs that can help with medication. But many families live that way.  This summitt today was designed to come up with something statewide, uniform, to help combat these disparities.  There's a program called CAPP which stands for Community Asthma Prevention Program that sends a person into homes to evaluate conditions that can trigger asthma. Many programs like that are suffering financially and can't do as much as before for families. It was encouraging though when I met a couple whose 9-year old grand daughter has asthma but because of programs like CAPP she hasn't had to use her pump in 10 months because of the knowledge her family now has about prevention.   

Can Chelsea Clinton energize young voters?  That's what she was hoping to do at the University of Delaware Monday. Chelsea took questions from students there and answered with ease.  Students said they thought she was very candid in her answers and they felt like they could relate to her.  Not everyone said they were sold on voting for her mom Hillary though but they said the discussion and information was good to have going into super Tuesday. I was amazed at how much she was able to talk about. I mean she could run for President with all the knowlege she had on her mother's policies and other candidates! I know it's the life she knows and she grew up in and around politics but she was really all-around informed. She was also very funny. She opened her introduction by giving a shout-out to the NY Giants for clinching the Superbowl and the crowd thought that was really cool. She also talked about people asking her if she was excited about moving back into her old room in the Whitehouse if her mom wins the presidency. She responded by saying she's 27 and would not want to move back in with her parents. The room of mostly college students laughed and could relate to that too. It's so interesting to me how it seems that every election , it seems more and more young people ARE getting interested in politics. The only hope is that, that interest will take them to the polls for whatever candidate/party they choose.

So I used to run track. I was good at the 50-yard dash and running cross country. So when I heard about Camden High's girls track team...I was so there! I wanted to do this story.  These girls are phenomenal.  Just when I thought I'd heard it all, they hit me with something else. Okay so first, I find that they won the Hispanic Games, a meet they had at the New York City Armony a week ago. They took first place with a time of 1:42:21. If I gambled, this sounds like a number to play! But that time is also the fastest in the country. To quote their coach Avis Satterfield, "Not in New Jersey, in the state, but in the country!" Did yal' hear that? She said she had to process that over and over again.  Four girls Assante Johson who goes to another school but runs track with Camden because her school doesn't have a track team, Jamie Jones, Miriam Boyd and Kamice Smalls passed the baton with perfection and ran at top speed.  They wore big smiles today when I went to the school to interview them. But as I said, the good news kept coming. Then they told me the entire team snagged the state championship this past weekend. The school hadn't done that since 1994! Huge-gi-normous, might I say! And I know we say it all the time but you almost have to. Camden is one of those places that keeps turning out good successful people, despite the bad rap that city gets. Crime, poverty, few jobs...all that outside their homes and school doors and these girls are making their dreams come true. One even told me she's gotten accepted into several schools including Yale! Their beating the odds and I love it. I love going to that city, to that school for something good to talk about.  The girls are humble too about their achievements. They say they practice and pray everyday.  They were going to celebrate with a cake at the school today and of course they went out for dinner the night of the wins. It's good to be able to say they're not just our champs...their national champs! Go girls! Oh! And I love their motto, "Winners train, losers complain and we're not having it!"

So, I knew nothing about the Mummers Parade until I stumbled upon it last year while I was in town looking for a place to live. I had accepted the job here at FOX 29 and had come up several weekends looking for a crib. Well, my mom and brother were with me and when we got in town, I was like "What in the sam hill?"  It was like carnival. All these elaborate costumes, performers running around, I'm sure you know all about it. But imagine how shocked, confused, and mad I was (because it's not easy to drive around the city while the Mummers Parade is happening). Police had streets blocked off, these guys were everywhere and it seemed like it would never end. It was fascinating to see. But even more facscinating was watching the preparations.  That was my story Thursday.  I went around to different clubhouses and garages where some string bands and fancy brigades were tweaking costumes, building props and rehearsing. The brigages were at the Convention Center practicing and the dance moves were crazy and strenuous. And not all of the performers were young but I commend them because I don't think I could do a routine like that over and over again and this was just rehearsal. One guy fell out on the floor after one four minute set. He wasn't hurt, it's just tough and very high energy. Then I watched others put details on boots and costumes. "Jack-of-all-trades" is what they're like! It's fascinating. I can't wait to see the parade this year. I have an appreciation for it now that I know what it is. Last year I just thought, "Do I really want to move here.  These people are crazy?" 

So I can't believe I've almost been here a year. Aside from knowing the date, how I know this is true is that I'm looking for long underwear and complaining about the weather.  You know, the same stuff I was doing almost this time last year when I first moved from the south to Philly. Aargh! I'm dreading it. Don't get me wrong, it's a refreshing change but you know I hate layering, wearing closed toe shoes and pants everyday. I refuse to wear skirts in the winter. Too much maintenance for me when you're working out in the cold all day! But today I covered major power outages in the surrounding areas. I went to Berks County where people were scrambling to find generators, frantically dialing their power companies and stocking up on water. All things we haven't really had to think about but it's that time of year again!  I was prepared for the cold today though. I got long underwear in October unlike in January when I first got here and couldn't find any anywhere. I had those on with my boots, scarf, matching gloves and double socks. I know this is mild, only a taste of what's to come but gosh, I sure hope things don't get really bad really fast. I'll get used to it. I just want it to be a gradual change. Don't want to wake up and be buried in snow with sleet and freezing rain pelting my face. I know, I sound like a fatalist! (smile)

That statement alone I'm sure will draw lots of opinions. Some might say, with all Andy Reid has going on with his sons and his household, he needs to be there for them.  Others will say he's a compassionate man who thinks of others all the time and the public doesn't know the good he does off the field. Well, Reid extended an offer to the Cassidy family to attend Sunday's game against the Cowboys.  (I'm not sure it didn't make their hearts even heavier, since I hear they're huge Eagles fans and the Eagles didn't deliver.  I watched the game)...but anyway...Reid said they could also sit on or near the sideline of any home game I believe, for the rest of the season.  They were there Sunday.  There was a tribute for Officer Cassidy who was gunned down last week during a robbery at a Dunkin Donuts. I went to the Eagles regular Monday presser after a game, and I asked Reid about what he did.  He said this is a tough time for John, Officer Cassidy's son, who is without a father now. He said he wants him to know he is there for him in his time of need and that if John needs someone to talk to, he's there.  Reid said he was also shocked that Officer Cassidy's son was asking him how he was doing with his troubles with his sons.  He said that's just the type of kid John Cassidy is.  That was pretty amazing. Reid's son's were sentenced Thursday for drug and weapon charges and on the day of the sentencing, more charges followed for one of the sons on a new drug-related incident. How Reid finds it in himself to think of another family and their son...when drugs have hijacked his own sons...I don't know. But I talked to Father Joe Campellone. He's the president of Father Judge High School where Officer Cassidy's son attends.  Father Campellone told me Reid does things like this all the time and is always helping and thinking of others in their time of need.  He also added that sports is a good way to ease pain and that Officer Cassidy was a big Eagles fan and so is his son John who is also an athlete. He plays lacrosse.  It was a sense of emotion that is rarely seen in Reid. It's easy to criticize and say who's at blame but drug addiction is something that's hard to understand unless you've had it invade your family. I know what that's like.  It was the opposite for me. Reid is living a life without his sons. Even when they're there, they're not there. If that makes any sense. I, on the other hand, lived without a parent for the same reasons Coach Reid is living without his sons. No family wants or chooses to experience a situation like this. I can only hope that the compassion Reid is showing others, that someone else will show him, in his pain. Even if it's just understanding or compassion as opposed to the easiest thing..which is criticism

That statement alone I'm sure will draw lots of opinions. Some might say, with all Andy Reid has going on with his sons and his household, he needs to be there for them.  Others will say he's a compassionate man who thinks of others all the time and the public doesn't know the good he does off the field. Well, Reid extended an offer to the Cassidy family to attend Sunday's game against the Cowboys.  (I'm not sure it didn't make their hearts even heavier, since I hear they're huge Eagles fans and the Eagles didn't deliver.  I watched the game)...but anyway...Reid said they could also sit on or near the sideline of any home game I believe, for the rest of the season.  They were there Sunday.  There was a tribute for Officer Cassidy who was gunned down last week during a robbery at a Dunkin Donuts. I went to the Eagles regular Monday presser after a game, and I asked Reid about what he did.  He said this is a tough time for John, Officer Cassidy's son, who is without a father now. He said he wants him to know he is there for him in his time of need and that if John needs someone to talk to, he's there.  Reid said he was also shocked that Officer Cassidy's son was asking him how he was doing with his troubles with his sons.  He said that's just the type of kid John Cassidy is.  That was pretty amazing. Reid's son's were sentenced Thursday for drug and weapon charges and on the day of the sentencing, more charges followed for one of the sons on a new drug-related incident. How Reid finds it in himself to think of another family and their son...when drugs have hijacked his own sons...I don't know. But I talked to Father Joe Campellone. He's the president of Father Judge High School where Officer Cassidy's son attends.  Father Campellone told me Reid does things like this all the time and is always helping and thinking of others in their time of need.  He also added that sports is a good way to ease pain and that Officer Cassidy was a big Eagles fan and so is his son John who is also an athlete. He plays lacrosse.  It was a sense of emotion that is rarely seen in Reid. It's easy to criticize and say who's at blame but drug addiction is something that's hard to understand unless you've had it invade your family. I know what that's like.  It was the opposite for me. Reid is living a life without his sons. Even when they're there, they're not there. If that makes any sense. I, on the other hand, lived without a parent for the same reasons Coach Reid is living without his sons. No family wants or chooses to experience a situation like this. I can only hope that the compassion Reid is showing others, that someone else will show him, in his pain. Even if it's just understanding or compassion as opposed to the easiest thing..which is criticism. 

Well in this case it was the Philadelphia School District's idea. They decided over the summer not to renew their contract with the city's Mural Arts Program because they had to make budget cuts. Go figure. The school district was contributing 400,000 dollars for the program to come into schools but now they've emptied the pot. I was invited out to Olney High School to see a mural that's been in the works for nine months now and artists are putting on the finishing touches. It's beautiful! And a group of students there helped work on it. They say not only have they developed a passion for the arts...but it's given them a confidence boost. One student told me before getting involved with the program, she never showed her art, but she says now she does because she knows it's good. And she said she's made lots of friends. One cool thing is they got to work on the mural with a group of students from Dublin Ireland. Imagine that. So the students have gotten all these great experiences but now money used to provide those experiences is gone. Now the program is funded through private and public money so the school district was just one contributer but it's money much needed. Arts advocates plan to raise private fund to keep the program in schools. They don't know how much they'll raise but say whatever the amount, it will be like "pennies from heaven" and they'll put the money to use right away.

It never gets old.  Covering our soldiers coming home. It's contagious. Watching them step off a plane or bus back on US soil. And the families, I almost feel like I know them just from talking to them while they waited anxiously for their loved ones to arrive. They're so candid about the struggle, the worry, but also how proud they are of these men and women who fight for our freedom. I was in Delaware Thursday as the Delaware Army National Guard's 198the Signal Battalion returned from a year long tour in Iraq. I hung out with wives, moms, dads, and kids of these soldiers and found myself crying and hugging the soldiers too when they arrived!  About two dozen soldiers were on this tour.  They are communications experts but also defended and ran a base there.  It was shocking to hear one of the soldiers say it's easy for them to go overseas, easier than the spouse and family members who are home, often worrying. Many of the families told me they understand and support the mission but that they're human and not afraid to say they want our troops home now.  Many of them told me they stopped following all the hearings, discussions and debates over exactly when all of our men and women soldiers will be home for good. They say they it's just too worrisome. The wife of one soldier said her advice to families still waiting to hear when their loved ones will be home is to stay in prayer and keep the faith. Welcome home 198th...and I can't wait to be there for the next return and reunion of even more of our hometown heroes.

I had an early assignment this morning. And I felt like the kids probably felt getting up for another school year. I mean, I get up early but not to beat the school bell! Anyway, it was so cool to visit Cramer Elementary School in Camden. You know, neighborhood schools are often stereotyped based on location and Camden does get a bum rap more often than not. So I didn't know what to expect when I went to the school. I was happy though to find teachers with smiles and enthusiasm, hugging students and ushering them right into the building. Now, granted, the cameras were there, and that can have an affect on things, but I got the feeling these administrators were the real deal.  Like how I remember my teachers to be. I've been to some schools in other areas, where even on the first day, teachers are dreading it more than the students, and it shows! Not at Cramer.  So they had the ceremonial bell ringing, then the teachers gathered their students and marched on in. Inside I listened to the kids tell their teachers what they did over the summer. They had a better summer than me! They went to the beach, went roller skating, one kid said he went to Puerto Rico.  Then they talked about what they were looking forward to.  Some said reading, others said math, others said learning how to spell, and of course some said gym!  They looked so cute in their little uniforms...hair combed just right and little bookbags.  One little girl couldn't wait to show me her new school supplies. Now, it wasn't ALL good. There's always a few, right? One kid had the longest face I've ever seen and stubbornly walked in the door, but his teacher was right there and tackled him with a hug! She remembered him from last year. It reminded me of those days when my only job was to LEARN! I wish parents and kids an awesome and productive school year!