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We often talk about the darnedest things while on our way to cover stories.  For some reason, cameraman Sean Gibbons and I started talking about pandas.  I think it’s because we passed a Panda Express before we got to our location.  Sean asked why pandas on loan from China always have double names like “Tian Tian” at the National Zoo in Washington D.C.

"Loo Loo"

We didn’t spend much time discussing why.  We decided to assign panda names to some of our co-workers.

"Sean Sean"

"Sol Sol"

Me = “Loo Loo”, Sean Gibbons = “Sean Sean”, Sondra Solarte = “Sol Sol”, Ed Flynn = “Flynn Flynn”, Matt Butterfield = “Butt Butt” and Patrick Elwood = “Pat Pat”.

"Pat Pat"

"Flynn Flynn"

"Butt Butt"

"Tom"

Then, there’s cameraman Stewart Orlin.  He’s incredibly witty, intelligent and somewhat shy.  He’s also got an extremely wry sense of humor.  After conferring with Sean and Ed, we decided that Stewart’s panda name just couldn’t conform with the others.  He’s “Tom”.  What’s your panda name?

For the past few years, I’ve organized the annual “Good Day Chicago” Secret Santa gift exchange at Fox Chicago.  For awhile, we jokingly said “SANTA” should stand for:  Secret and Non-denominational Transfer of Assets.  It’s politically correct, ‘eh?  Whatever.  It’s our annual opportunity to thank every hardworking member of our staff for all they do all year. It takes quite a team to put on a newscast and most work behind-the-scenes. So I want to share and show off some of these beautiful people.

Sorry for all the blurry pictures – technically difficulties with my digital camera.  (I think Santa is bringing a new one!)

Also, thanks to my pal Mike Pirozzoli of Wing Stop on N. Milwaukee for providing all the yummy food.

A tiny tie!

I did a double take when I saw what Patrick Elwood was wearing today.  His 9-year-old son Marty had picked out his tie.  Not one of Pat’s ties.  His tie.  At least it wasn’t a clip-on!  No one could tell it was a child’s tie on television because he had his jacket buttoned for the newscast. Patrick is never short on love for his children.

Jeff Goldblatt answers THE question.

I enjoy getting a chance to talk with viewers when I’m out and about covering stories.  Often, I am asked about Fox Chicago evening anchor Jeff Goldblatt.  The most common question, “How did he get that scar on his chin?”   Today, I found out. And along the way, I learned that many people in the newsroom didn’t know the answer either!

Patrick Elwood was back at work today and just about everyone involved in Fox Chicago News at Noon asked him, “Did you see Dr. Oz filling in for you yesterday?”

Dr. Oz did a great job and the studio crew loved him.  He even called Patrick’s cell phone to leave a message about co-anchoring with me!  I think it all got Patrick’s Irish up:

Patrick Elwood: Always ready to chase a good story.

Before we anchor Fox Chicago News at Noon, Patrick Elwood and I usually cover stories for “Good Day Chicago”. That means a lot of running around town.  Well, Pat showed up for work today wearing some interesting new shoes.

Exhibit "A".

I wasn’t the only one to mistake them for bowling shoes.  They’re not. Pat loves that they’re flexible and far more comfortable than dress shoes.  The rubber soles are perfect for chasing after whatever story comes his way.

People in the newsroom were eager to share their thoughts on Pat’s shoes:

Executive Producer Melinda Tichelaar is a speed reader!

At least every week or so, I exchange books with Melinda Tichelaar, the executive producer of “Good Day Chicago”. She’s an avid reader like me. This morning, I handed off “The Shack” by William Young even though Melinda is still plodding through a biography on Hitler.  I’m enjoying the book she highly recommended, “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt.

Meteorologist Mark Strehl reads more than weather maps.

In a room full of journalists, it’s interesting that practically everyone at Fox Chicago is reading something outside of work.  Even our crazy producer Roy Santoro is a book worm. He’s reading “The World Without Us” by Alan Weisman.  This book examines the post-human Earth.  His favorite book is “The Alphabet of Manliness” by Maddox.  This may explain a lot about Roy.

My co-anchor Patrick Elwood is reading “Face Time”, a political novel by Erik Tarloff. Meteorologist Mark Strehl just started “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” by Robert Pirsig which Patrick said he enjoyed.  Producer Becky Rohde is currently reading about the plight of two kids in Chicago’s inner-city.  Maybe she’ll let me borrow “There Are No Children Here” by Alex Kolowitz when she starts “The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold which I gave to her last week.

Anchor Jeff Goldblatt "reads" his scripts.

Anchor Jeff Goldblatt says he has no time for books.  He reads as many newspapers as possible and then it’s on to children’s books with his little ones. Regardless, almost everyone in the newsroom has read “Devil in the White City” by Erik Larson – a haunting read with great Chicago history.

This just in: Crazy Roy knows how to read!

Producer Pete Siegal says his one-year-old makes it tough to read anything other than children’s board books.  Pete produces the newscast at       5 a.m.  Because of that, he admits to spending most of his time outside work “reading the back of my eyelids”.

Cameraman Ed Flynn & Patrick Elwood, reporting from where I had stood just 15 minutes earlier!

Learning to share is something we stress to children but it’s clearly a valuable lesson far beyond childhood.  This morning, I shared a live truck with my noon show co-anchor Patrick Elwood as we both reported for “Good Day Chicago”.   Once in a while, that’s just how it works out.  It’s an efficient way to get more live reports in the newscast while establishing more of a presence on the streets.

Cameraman Ed Flynn set up the live truck near Union Station.  Patrick was covering the White Sox and the surprise trade of Jim Thome.  I was covering the state’s new tax on candy and liquor.  Viewers on the streets were surprised to see me and Patrick in person, at the same time.  But I wonder how many viewers at home noticed that we were fronting different reports from the same location.

Charles Thomas of ABC7 Chicago stopped by the truck to say hi.

For my report, I bought sour gummy worms, candy bars and Twizzlers to illustrate how the new tax applies to many favorite items.  I only shared a little.

Here comes the beautiful bride!

Alicia Bettes is among the many amazing people who work in television news that you never get to see. She produces the noon newscast at Fox Chicago but over the weekend she was behind a far more elaborate production.  Just like her newscasts, her wedding was a show!   We laughed as an adorable bell ringer announced, “The bride is coming, the bride is coming!”.  We cried as we marked a moment of silence for Alicia’s late father.   And we laughed some more as Alicia came back down the aisle as Mrs. Teague, groovin’ to “Unbreakable”!

What joy to see my Fox family outside of work for such a special occasion.  We are always so busy in the newsroom, we seldom have the time to talk about anything other than assignments, stories, scripts, etc.

My Co-anchor Patrick Elwood reads the wedding poem

Bride Alicia looked stunning, of course.  But so did my colleagues. People who work off-camera can usually get away with a pretty casual wardrobe so it’s fun to see our camera guys, editors and producers in suits, ties and dresses.  It’s also great to meet their wives, husbands and significant others – our extended Fox family.

Alicia’s off on her honeymoon now. She had told me Terry was in charge of that production but I have no doubt she’s overseeing that as an “executive producer”!    I’m looking forward to her return to work as Alicia Bettes Teague.  Congratulations!

Alicia & Terry, cutting the cake/backtiming the "show"