Variety The Children's Charity Telethon

Thank you to those who helped with the Variety the Children's Telethon, whether is was through donation or volunteering. It was a huge success we raised $3,077,418 for Iowa's kids! 23 hours of entertainment and a lot of hard work payed off for our 36th annual telethon.

Above Picture: Me and my co-anchor Amanda Krenz ready to kick off the Telethon on Saturday night.



Here's some pictures from the Stars Dinner, the night before the Telethon. Picture Above: My brother-in-law Steve Bellman, my sister Jessica Bellman, my parents David and Jenny Licht, me (Rachel Pierce) and my husband Matthew Pierce, my sister Natalie and my sister Magdalena and my brother-in-law Justin Battles.

Picture below: Me (Rachel Pierce), my mom Jenny Licht, my sister Jessica Bellman, my sister Natalie Licht, my sister Magadelan Battles

Telethon=Raising Money for Iowa's Children

If you haven't heard this weekend is the Variety The Children's Charity Telethon! Almost all my family is in town this weekend to support the cause, driving in from Sioux Falls, SD and Chippewa Falls, WI and flying in from Naples, FL. My sister Magdalena Battles is an amazing singer and a new performer this year! You can watch her from 2am-7am on Sunday.
This organization is near and dear to my heart. I currently am on the board and help out in anyway possible. Let me tell you why I'm committed to the fundraising efforts of Variety – The Children’s Charity.
We know the NICU care in the early months of a child's life play a critical role; however, not all children, regardless of their start in the world, are as fortunate. Having said that, Variety – The Children's Charity helps these less fortunate children who are challenged with poverty, neglect, and physical and mental disabilities. I work to raise money for these kids because they can't do it themselves... so please help.

With this information in mind, I hope that as you consider numerous requests for donations this year, you will consider becoming a miracle in the life of an Iowa child by supporting Variety. Variety-The Children's Charity is happy to receive any amount of money, however, a "half miracle pledge" is only $26, a "miracle pledge" $52 and a "double miracle pledge" $104. Any of these amounts, when put all together, can make a huge difference to children and the services they are provided by the Variety – The Children's Charity.

I will be working the weekend of this weekend March 6-7 and you can always make a pledge then!

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I recognize how busy we all are and how we must all carefully consider which causes to support. If you would like to show you support the link below is a very easy way to help out!

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorreg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=335937&supId=283110498&extSiteType=1

Thank you again! And don't forget to tune into ABC5 starting Saturday at 7pm until Sunday at 6pm. You'll see myself, Brad Edwards, Amanda Krenz and celebrities from all over the world!

Rachel Pierce rpierce@myabc5.com

Light-hearted Weather Wars?

This week, Cityview (an independent weekly paper in Central Iowa) did a feature about the weather competition in the Des Moines TV Market.

If you haven't read it, you should. At the very least, it's entertaining. It starts out with a sarcastic tone, but quickly digs into the weather rivalry among ABC5, WHO, and KCCI. And in my opinion, it supports ABC5 as the station with the most accurate forecast.

Here's a link to the article titled, "TV Weather Wars:" http://www.dmcityview.com/2010/03/04/features/

Our ABC5 Chief Meteorologist, Brad Edwards, is known for his candid weather forecasts and you'll quickly pick up on his candid personality if you read the article :) This is what makes him such a treasure to Central Iowa. And Brad will be the first to tell you, ABC5 weather isn't just him. He has a great team of meteorologists, Chris Maiers and Chris Conoan.

Here's the funny behind-the-scenes story to this article. When the Cityview reporter approached Brad about doing an interview, he informed Brad that he was doing a fun, light-hearted piece. When the reporter emailed several of Brad's ABC5 colleagues (including me) he asked for quotes about what it was like to work with Brad, again informing us he was doing "just a light-hearted, fun piece." I don't think that's how the article turned out, maybe that was the original plan and it fell way off track. Still, our newsroom was pleased with the end result and we hope a lot of people pick up this week's issue or read the article online.

I'll be anxious to hear from you. What do you think about the article?

-Amanda

akrenz@myabc5.com

Quotes of the day

Nearly everyday my two-year-old, Maddox, says something that totally surprises me or cracks me up. So I thought, why not share them with you? Here are a few recent ones:

Last night Maddox did a big dramatic fake sneeze. A big "Uh... uh... uh... uh... CHOO!" Then he looked at me and my husband and said with a smile, "gesundheit."

No idea where he learned that, but it was hilarious! He pronounces the word better than I do.

Last week it was snowing hard when my husband picked Maddox up from daycare. As they were driving home Maddox looked out the window and said, "Daddy it's snowing so hard I can't even see the earth."

I think it was the day before that when I was driving Maddox to daycare and he started repeating, "Slow down, Mommy, apply the brakes." Apply the brakes? Must come from all the Thomas the Tank Engine cartoons.

Hope these made you smile.

Amanda
akrenz@myabc5.com

Lesson learned...

Question #1: Have you ever heard that expression, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it?"

Question #2: Have you ever tried a new facial cleanser that burned your skin?

I thought I'd try a new make-up remover/cleanser. Not because the one I used didn't work, I just wanted to change it up. Big mistake.

A few nights ago I washed my face with the new cleanser after I got home from work. I noticed some tingling but thought the cleanser was 'doing its job.' I woke up the next morning with swollen eyes, and a red, burning swollen face. Not good when you have to put that face on TV.

I went ahead and came to work that day, and got some interesting comments ranging from "Oh, it's not that bad, maybe just a bit puffy" to "Wow Amanda, your face looks really bad." I think that one came from Rachel, and it was the most honest and appreciated reaction.

Long story short, my news director looked at me on camera and said it would be best to sit out the 5 and 6 o'clock news and hopefully the swelling looked better by 10. Which thankfully it did. Here I am three days later and my face feels better, looks a little better, just a little swollen and peeling.

I think the new cleanser had a chemical that I had an allergic reaction to. I'm not really sure. But maybe this will save some of you from the same humiliation.

Like I said, lesson learned.

Amanda
ackrenz@myabc5.com

"The Glow"

So today we aired a story about pregnancy, weight gain and how really an average sized pregnant woman should only gain up to 25 pounds. At my doctors office they said between 25 to 35 pounds. Early in the pregnancy I thought, “that's easy to stay in that range, gosh I can't even imagine gaining 25 pounds.” I have really changed my tune and to be honest I will be in that range, but definitely in the high end when it's all said and done. That's why I think it's funny when people say "Oh it's all baby.” Huge lie people, I have a mirror at my house. Or they say, "You have the pregnancy glow". Really? All I hear is “your face is getting round and you look warm.” Which are both true. I used to be cold ALL the time, now my husband complaining that the house is too cold...and I'm sweating!

I did have one funny little experience. I was at a metro school to give a "One Classroom at Time" one thousand dollar grant. The secretary asked me when I was due. With my straightest face I said "I'm not pregnant" even though I was about seven months along at the time and really showing. She went completely pale. I said I was kidding fairly quickly. I know it was mean, but in that moment I just couldn't help it.

Now, at eight months pregnant, I don't mind the weight gain or the swollen ankles or restless nights. I know in five weeks when I'm holding my little one it will all be worth it. I do see some hard workouts and strict diets in my future.

Rachel Pierce rpierce@myabc5.com

Family Pride

I'm so excited tonight. I just found out my cousin, Kody Krenz, will be wrestling for the state championship tomorrow. He's a sophomore from Louisa-Muscatine (class 1a, 112 pounder). Last year he placed sixth as a freshman at 103 pounds.

The Muscatine Journal has been following his progress throughout the tournament. Here's one of their photos: Kody's the wrestler on top in the L-M singlet.

For those of you who understand the sport of wrestling, Iowa wrestling in particular, I don't need to explain why this is such a huge accomplishment and why my entire family is so proud.

Go Kody!

Amanda

akrenz@myabc5.com