Kathy's Blog

As we look ahead to 2009, I want to take a a minute to thank all of you bloggers, chatters and readers. Whether you post blogs on our site, comment in the chatroom or simply read what everyone else has to say, it is with much gratitude that I write this last post of 2008.

I don't know if you realize this, but interaction with our viewers through the web is likely what will sustain the news industry in the years to come. People- like you- want to share... (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter... and a new one for me, Going, are perfect examples of what will likely win out over time.)

We've had success in creating interaction between us and and you like never before.  My hope for 2009 is that MyFoxNY.com  continues to be the site where you go to share and be informed.

 And, lastly, look out for a revamped MyFoxNY.com in the new year. It's exciting stuff, I promise you.

Kathy

ps

for those of you who voted in the "paint the web office" blog: this web office will get painted in the new year!

pps

BBB, i won't let so much time pass without posting.. but cut a sister some slack, i was on vacation :->

There is plenty for the Good Day NY and MyFoxNY crews to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. Some of us took time out to help serve a Thanksgiving meal at the NYC Rescue Mission. Check out some of the video I shot.. and one picture:

Chantay West & friend; Dr. Sapna Parikh & Greg Kelly

A band played while Greg, Sapna, Ines Rosales and some of the anchors from the CW volunteered (yes, even the competition gets into these blogs...especially when we get together to help others):



New York City Rescue Mission Executive Director James F. VarnHagen:

Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund:

Donna & Hillary- New York City Rescue Mission Volunteers:

Mike Woods had the great idea of organizing a 'meet and greet' with several of our wonderful bloggers and chatters. We partied it up at Local bar near Penn Station on Saturday evening. The party lasted about two hours and we managed to sing, dance and chat IN PERSON.

Thank you to everyone who showed up... Check out some pictures and videos from the fun affair:

 

 

If you've watched the daily Web Minute during Good Day NY, you've probably noticed that it looks a bit shabby around here. We've got this deep red wall to the back of the room that makes for a good television backdrop, but the rest of the place needs some serious help!

That's where you come in... help us paint our web office!! (no, not actually come in and do the labor.. I'm talking about picking the perfect color.. I know you can do it .)

Take a look at close-ups of the office... and then post your "colorful" opinion. Not too crazy about the pics? That's Reid Lamberty's fault... just kidding, Reid :-> Good job on the photos.

Need some color inspiration, CLICK HERE FOR COLOR SELECTION (you'll need to also click on "LAUNCH COLOR VISUALIZER" followed by "EXPLORE INTERIOR COLORS"

In the near future, the cool web site you heard about on Fox 5 (because that's the only station you watch.. and My 9 and Fox News Channel :-> ) may be easier to remember.  Here's why: the Internet's oversight company (what? yes, someone has to keep an eye on the darn thing) is expected to allow YOU to pick the suffix (let's go back to school for a second: prefix means before, suffix means after.) So the ".com" or ".gov" or ".whatever"  you must use to create a web site now because that's how the Internet Oversight Committee likes it will be more flexible. You'll be able to use ".bank" (if you're a bank) or ".nyc" (if you're New York City.) There are probably some more limitations to the expanding rule.. oh, and it will cost at least $100,000 (chump change, right?) I like the idea.

When I look at pigeons I can't help but see right through them- all the garbage including plastic bags, wrappers, coins and other dead animals inside their stomachs (I can thank a certain magazine that did a great story on what's inside a pigeon and laid everything out in a photo spread.) So when I read an article about creating a day to honor pigeons I sort of agreed. All that nasty stuff would make you think I wouldn't want to encourage them, but I agree with one particular point: people have given pigeons a bad name. So they eat gross stuff... so what? They're birds. Plus, they're eating what's around. We're the ones leaving the garbage out. Now who's nastier? So there's a pigeon day.. big deal... there's a Shake Hands Day and a Smile Day and a Be Nice Day...I'm for Pigeon Day!

Statistics don't lie and when it comes to crime in Newark, New Jersey there is some good news based on some new statistics.   The Garden State's largest city; that place that some guy from Canada  said was so dangerous he "wouldn't take his wallet out" there and the place that has a real tough city reputation is making progress.  (I for one love the city... it's real.. with its good and bad and mix of everything Black, White, Portuguese, Mexican....etc.)

The murder rate dropped in 2007 to 98 -- down from 107 the year before. Are the numbers scary none the less? Of course so, but for a city so plagued with violence a drop is a drop.  Is the Mayor Cory Booker responsible? Are the murderers spending more time at home than on the streets or is it an increase of police patrols?  Whatever it is, keep it up... or down I should say.

You may not have a clue who Benazir Bhutto was (I've heard that several times since her assassination on Thursday) and why her death is getting "so much" coverage on American news outlets (including MyFoxNY.com) and while I'm no expert in international diplomacy I do understand one thing: anyone who kills another human who fought to bring democracy to one of the most unstable places in the world must be found and stopped. Every victory for 'them' brings us a step closer to meeting either in our own country or in bigger conflicts overseas.

For those of you (and at times this includes me) who can't understand why "those people" are "always figthing" and assume this is just more craziness in a crazy part of the world, read some of the blogs below... they're heartbreaking posts from Pakistanis who want peace in their homeland as much as you and I do. And watch the video I've attached of an interview with a member of Benazir Bhutto's political party on Good Day NY.

PakistaniBloggers

SAJA

Pakistaniat.com

Islamabad MetBlog

Here is a post from Patrick in Saint Louis, MO, that I thought I'd share with you. The blog and the video have good ideas about what to do with all those boxes and gift wrap from the holidays.

 

Holidays put most of us in a good mood, but for me there's something extra special about Independence Day. Some how my feelings about July 4th always manage to elude me until that very day. I'm talking about that deep sense of pride, respect and love for one's country. Most of you probably don't sit around talking about how patriotic you are and neither do I. But as the daughter of immigrants I'm reminded more than ever what it means to be able to come and go as I please; to watch, play, travel, and learn whatever I want whenever I want. That's what America offers you. How can you not feel indebted and little bit emotional about it all?
I think about all the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday fighting overseas so I can sit here and write this message and so that you can sit in the comfort of your house or office and read it. And when I sit down on a lawn chair to look at the fireworks from my vantage point in New Jersey on Tuesday, as I do every year, I'm sure to get that tingling sensation in my arms, that swell of tears in my eyes and I'll thank God for my freedom. So should you. Happy Fourth of July!