Karen Leigh's Blog

A week from today the Democratic National Convention kicks off in Denver.

Knowing the countdown was on, I took a few minutes last week to talk to a few of our reporters' about “covering” the Convention and any thoughts they might want to share.

 

Political Specialist Terry Jessup.

 

Weekend Anchor Kathy Walsh.

 

My Co-Anchor Jim Benemann.

 

And 10pm reporter and Colorado Native Jodi Brooks were all kind enough to answer a few of my questions from everything to past Convention experience to concerns or challenges they expect.

 

I found their feedback candid and engaging.

 

I think after listening to their comments, you’ll know them a little better and have an idea of what each of them will "add" to our Convention Coverage.

 

You watch the news.

 

I don’t have to tell you that there are some terrible people out there committing crimes for reasons that can’t be explained.

 

Today, the chairman of the Democratic Party in Arkansas was gunned down in the headquarters office in Little Rock.

 

Apparently a man walked in, asked for 49 year old Bill Gwatney, then shot him three times.

 

Gwatney died soon after at a hospital.

 

The shooter was gunned down by police.

 

Authorities have no idea why the shooter did what he did.

 

Shortly after word spread about the shooting, steps were taken here in Colorado to make sure our staff members at Democratic Party Headquarters were safe.

 

The Chairman of the Democratic Party here in Colorado, Pat Waak, knew Gwatney and shares some of her thoughts with Paul Day.

Read Paul Day's full story:

Colo. Democatic Leaders React To Arkansas Shooting 

 

I was at The Children’s Hospital today, and as I was walking out I spotted a bunch of teenaged boys walking in carrying boxes.They caught my attention because they were quite a few of them and they were all sporting football jerseys.

 

Being a nosy reporter I couldn’t help but ask why they were there ... and the answer made me smile.

They were volunteering their time.

Their Assistant Principal, and head coach at Arapahoe High School (Mike Campbell) asked the senior football players if they were interested in spending some time with a few of the patients at Children's.

They agreed ...

So from 3-4:30 it was arts and crafts. 4:30-5 it was pizza, cake and soda on six floors for kids that couldn't leave their rooms.

 

Apparently Coach Campbell and his wife Michele have experienced health issues with their own children so they know how important it is to "care" for our little ones.

As I walked out of the Hospital to start my day at work I felt lucky to have witnessed such an act of kindness.

Good things takes place all around us; sometimes we just have to pause a second to take notice and inquire.

When I moved here everyone told me how much I would love the summers.

 

Mild temperatures – dry days – they didn’t tell me about breaking 100 year old records and temps in the 100’s!

 

What gives?

 

Honestly, I don’t mind.

 

Summer should offer temperatures in the 90’s.

 

Makes us appreciate fall and winter, doesn’t it?

 

I did ask Meteorologist Stacy Donaldson “why” we’re stuck in this heat wave.

 

She breaks it down for us; and even says relief is on the way in this video clip.

 

 

While you’re here – let me know how you’re handling this heat.

 

Is it keeping you indoors?

 

Slowing you down any?

 

Be careful this weekend – as we pass the 100 degree mark – and just know the dog days of summer ease up a bit mid-week.

 

Something to look forward too!

 

I think I’m a glutton for punishment.

 

Every summer I decide to dust off my golf clubs and start swinging away.

 

Problem is, I still don’t understand which club is supposed to be used at what distance and I have much be desired in the “form” department.

 

And don’t even get me started on my putting performance!

(Ha!)

 

But I keep going back because I just love playing.

 

I enjoy shooting the breeze with the friends I’m playing with – I enjoy being outside – and I enjoy the scenery.

 

(Who doesn’t like the views from City Park?)

 

Truth be told – I like the challenge of doing something I have to really “work” at.

 

But for the sake of fellow golfers – I’m asking for any help you can give me.

 

Any tips you can share from when you were beginning to play?

 

Please share….and feel free to drop me a line of the courses you like the best.

 

I’m hoping to play once a week, and from what I hear, the weather around here might allow me to play up to Christmas!

Did you know Children’s Hospital is celebrating 100 years?

 

I got the chance to visit the hospital the other day and – wow – was it impressive.

 

I heard great things about it when I moved here, but recently witnessed some of its history and the advancements taking place there first hand.

 

I’m reporting on a series of topics involving Children’s Hospital that will run next month.

 

I met some wonderful patients who were eager to share their experiences.

 

I know you'll like the people I met - so please - stay tuned!

 

On a side note, I got the chance to sit down with Governor Ritter today.

 

It's the first time I've been able to talk (on-one-one) with him, and I was impressed.

 

Not by his position or party affiliation - but because I found him open and easy to talk too.

 

He seems "real."

 

I questioned him about eveyrthing DNC related and he was eager to respond.

 

You can hear what we talked about Monday at 6:30 – as we broadcast our DNC special “The Road to Denver.”

 

Jim Benemann sat down with Mayor Hickenlooper – so you’ll hear from him too - on what we can "really" expect to happen come Convention time.

 

Should be interesting!

 

 

Have a great weekend – and I’ll see you Monday.

 

 

What did you think of the Mile High Music Festival?

 

I know it was brutally hot, and traffic was a nightmare, but did you enjoy yourself?

 

What did you like – not like about it?

 

I didn’t get out there until Sunday early evening.

 

I caught a little bit of Grace Potter, The Flobots, John Mayer, the Black Crowes and nearly all of Dave Matthews.

 

I thought the crowd was impressive and so were the bands.

 

I’m already looking forward to next year’s lineup!

 

 

I spent this weekend doing exactly what I wanted to do.

 

I put off cleaning.

 

I put off running errands.

 

I put off paying bills.

 

I wanted it to be a low stress weekend with friends and that’s exactly what I got.

 

I golfed at Kennedy West.

 

I experienced my first burger at the Cherry Cricket.

 

And I played volleyball Sunday at Washington Park with some new friends.

 

I felt a little guilty come Sunday evening when I had so many “to-do” chores stacked up.

 

But I let it go and woke up this morning ready to tackle the obligations of real life.

 

I’m sharing the details of my weekend because if you’re a bit like me, you often get caught up in all the things we “must” do, instead of the things we want to do.

 

But the opportunities to have fun - spend time with friends – laugh – all those things are so important.

 

I learned upon coming to work that a former co-worker recently lost her young daughter.

 

I didn’t know her well – but I know she savored every moment she had with her child.

 

So I feel....let that be a reminder to all of us.

 

Let the chores and things that don’t really matter take back seat to the people that do.

 

Never turn down a moment to create a memory - and just enjoy “living.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I cannot wait for the Mile High Music Festival!

I grew up going to Memphis in May.

Then most recently living in Minneapolis – I've enjoyed catching the performers at the Basilica Block party the past few years.

Now I get to see John Mayer – and the Dave Matthews band – (along with one my favorites Grace Potter and the Nocturnals) I'm truly beside myself.

Photo courtesy: Taylor Crothers

The two day event is huge!

So many bands to listen to ... so little time!

CBS4 is one of the sponsors which (I must say) I think is pretty cool and hip of our station.

I know some of you are looking forward to going, so please, drop me an email or comment here and let me know your favorite group.

I'm unfamiliar with a lot of these groups and I'm always looking for a new one to support.

See you at the concert!

Note: Don't miss this cbs4denver.com slideshow where you can check out many of the performers in the lineup.

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the Fourth of July.

 

Don’t misunderstand, I love what the 4^th represents.

 

I love the fireworks displays, the picnics, the time with family and the celebration of country.

 

It’s actually my “personal” ties to the fourth that have me a bit torn.

 

You see…at the young age of 12, I stepped (or better yet – was pushed) into the firecracker business.

 

My father who was a teacher/coach had summers off so we were always searching for summer work as a family to earn a little extra money.

 

It quickly became selling fireworks.

 

And my dad isn’t one to do something half way….oh no….he dives right in.

 

In the beginning we managed some 15 or so firework stands- then when those started losing their flavor -we sold the stands and graduated to something bigger – Tents!

 

My sister and I ran one, my dad ran one, and we managed some 6 others.

 

It was a profitable business – but “fun” didn’t figure in.

 

 If you’ve ever been to Arkansas in the summer you know what I’m talking about.

 

Hot, humid and dirty.

 

That’s how I looked and felt for the entire 3 weeks we sold.

 

Fireworks on the fourth were my life for 10 years.

 

It paid for college and taught me quite a few life lessons.

 

Like family comes first.

 

We needed the money and that meant everyone contributed.

 

So, for 3 weeks – 10 summers in a row – I gave up time with friends and time doing what I wanted and worked hard.

 

I don’t regret any of it – but after smelling, selling and handling fireworks for so many years, you can understand why I’m not too crazy to get around them anytime soon.

 

Have a wonderful 4^th and be safe!