2 Blog or Not 2 Blog

Last night I checked online to see what today’s weather was going to look like.  I generally don’t care about weather forecasts, because it’s going to be what it’s going to be.  So long as you don’t see a tornado coming, I don’t really care to hear what percentage of a chance it might possibly be 45% sunny in the mid-to-late morning on next Tuesday, in the northeast corridor of the city between the jet stream and the lateral shift to Wednesday’s tequila sunrise.....or something.

SO I went online to WGRZ-TV’s Web site, because I like Chesley McNeil’s quick barbs and I like seeing which scarf Maryalice Demler chooses to pair with her earrings.  It might be the a very newsworthy aspect of a news anchor team, but it’s certainly important.  I saw the weather forecast that I was looking for, and I also found the blogs that the news anchors and reporters have because they were asked to bring their work into the 21st century they love blogging!  On everybody’s blog page is a brief questionnaire designed to make me understand Rich Kellman’s favorite weekend hangout (in case I were looking for him) and the latest blog posts, written between newscasts and makeup refreshments (I can only assume).  They’re our Channel 2 News Team, Storm Team 2 On [Our] Side, after all.  Take a look at who we’re dealing with:

A few juicy tidbits:
Addie Bradshaw takes viewers through a day in the life of a daytime reporter, lets us know that her summer interns really liked their time at the station (and her invaluable help), and that her dog’s name is Oscar Meyer.  Hmm.  She also likes “any store that sells clothing.” That could mean Chico’s, that could mean DOTS, that could mean the undershirts in the drug store section of Tops.  I hope she knows what she likes.

Pete Gallivan coaches his kids’ hockey and sports teams.  Exactly as I suspected from WNY’s favorite someday-son-in-law.  (Sorry ladies, this man is taken!)

Scott Levin is a churchgoing man.  I didn’t expect this.  Maybe it’s because I always thought Scott was of the Jewish persuasion (not just because of his last name; he attended a local Jewish philanthropic fundraising event years ago that I was at, and I didn’t immediately assume he was just “the talent").  Either way, what do I care?  It was just surprising, is all.  Levin isn’t just not Jewish, though; he sounds very devoted to his Christian faith, even down to his Michael W. Smith CDs.  He also appreciates exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!! I appreciate that in people, Scott.  Good work.

Maryalice Demler, who we’ve seen in the neighborhood here at the Block Club offices a few times, is the superstar of WNY’s local news anchors.  She’s our hometown girl, a former Miss New York State and proud North Tonawanda native (North Tonawandan?).  The profile question which asks which local establishment or neighborhood viewers can see her in, she proudly mentions “Globe Market, The Neighborhood Collective, Studio 806 and any number of our great restaurants in the city.” For us here at the office, it doesn’t get much more hometown than that!  We’ve also met Maryalice’s mom here at the building....she’s one fine lady!  The Block Club boys say “hello!”

Chesley McNeil doesn’t provide profile questionnaire answers, but he does blog about his honest opinions on such news topics like the Erie County Fair America’s Fair and Al Roker (who he refers to as “my man”....whatever that might mean).  I love Chesley.  He was just as cool off-camera as he is on-camera, especially when we’d see each other at 5:20 in the morning at SPoT Coffee.  I’d be behind the coffee bar, cleaning the espresso heads and he’d saunter in with his microphone and warm smile, and we’d wonder what he’d provide an appropriately hilarious snide remark about that day.  Usually it was us being too loud in the background for his weathercast.  It was fun.

Ben Hayes is one of the youngest members of the News 2 on-air team, and his “recently moved to Buffalo” story isn’t unlike many others you’ll hear if you ask a post-graduate around here.  But it’s nice to hear the brief story about his dad in his hometown of Bethesda waiting 24 years for Washington Redskins season tickets, only to have to drive five hours to get to the stadium.  He sounds like he’d fit in nicely here in Buffalo.  (We won’t ask you to relocate, though, Mr. Hayes.  You’ve waited long and hard for those tickets.  Enjoy them!)

That’s just a sneak peak at your Channel 2 Storm Team 2 On Your Side Daybreak News Team.  There is a lot more to read and more people to meet on these blogs.  Take a peak and know a little more about who’s delivering your news.  Channel 4’s Web site includes not blogs but profiles of their news team, including the very pertinent fact that Vicky Hong has not one but two albino frogs.  And a husband and a son, but that’s not uncommon.

Channel 7’s Web site also has profile pages of their team, including our favorite, Linda Pelligrino.  Did you know Linda and her husband had the renewal of their wedding vows televised?  What on earth was I watching THAT day instead of THAT?  Her “AM/Buffalo” co-host, John Summers, spends his free time writing screenplays about “terrorist thrillers.” Watch out, Linda!

And of course, The Buffalo News Web site implemented many blogs in the last year for their news team (and some local freelancers) to offer their respective viewpoints and excess reportage.  Block Club’s friend, Colin Dabkowski, regularly contributes to ArtsBeat, which covers various aspects of WNY’s arts and artists.  A blog written by area professionals in their 20s gives insight to what a few of our post-graduates are doing in the Queen City.

Many local media outlets have blogs, as well.  Block Club’s has been up and running on almost a whole year (Sept. 1 will be the site’s official first birthday! Woo hoo!  We’re registered at Toys-R-Us!).  We’ve tried to bring some personalized insight of local events, businesses, news events and other regional happenings.  In the mix we throw in some arts reviews, some food ideas, some photos of our local landscape and some cool Web sites we find interesting.  Buffalo Rising’s popular blog is a mainstay in the area, including here in the office.  They provide city news and neighborhood development and a lot of discussion as well.  WNYMedia.net is another blogpost where locals can blog about their respective topics of interest, some with traditional written blog posts and some with video (known as Vlogs).

Take your pick, or pick them all, and above all else, say “hi” to Maryalice next time you see her ordering a Cuban Ruben at Globe!

Posted by on 08/13 at 01:00 PM