NewsProducer's Blog

I don't have kids, but when the Hannah Montana tickets sold out, I felt compelled to check out craigslist to see just how high the prices would get.  (Maybe it's the news producer in me.)  Anyway, to my surprise, all of the posts that listed a price above the face value of the tickets had been "flagged for removal."  But there were lots of folks willing to trade their new Wii's, Barbie mobiles and other stuff for a chance to see Hannah!  Have any of you traded anything interesting for tickets?
I also found people warning others about ticket "scams."  Have you heard any Hannah ticket horror stories?  Do you have your own?
What was the ticket buying experience like?  Is your whole family sitting together?  If you didn't get a ticket, are you going to try craigslist, eBay or other websites?

Four people are hurt, two critically, after a fire broke out at the Austin City Limits Music Festival.  It happened in an employee only area...but the smoke could be seen for miles. 

I imagine it must have been pretty scary for the people who were there.  Did you see it happen?  Did you shoot pictures or video?

Was it handled well?  Or was the scene complete chaos?

It always seems to rain right as I leave for work.  Then, or right as I leave to go home.

I only live about 7 minutes away (by car), but on rainy days...it can be double, triple or even quadruple that.

That got me thinking...I wonder how all of this rain is affecting people who live further away from work?  And what about the folks that live near low water crossings?  How long are your commutes?  And what do you have to go through to get to work on rainy days?

While this rain has been great for my new landscaping (other than my cedar tree)...it has also forced many of my favorite spots in Austin to close. 

Every summer, I can't wait to suit up and head to Barton Springs Pool.  But I never even got a chance to go before it closed because of all of this rain.

The lakes are almost all open...but I'm a little weary of the debris and potential bacteria problems.

And, with the number of bugs flying around town...I'm not sure I really want to spend that much time outdoors.

How are you guys spending your soggy summer?  Anyone have any good suggestions?

The Munchkins are finally getting a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.  Talk about long overdue!  It's only been what...like 68 years since the Wizard of Oz was released?

I had the pleasure of meeting one of the original Munchkins in real life this afternoon.  Until today, I had no idea that one of the Oz Soldiers lives right here in Central Texas!  And better yet...that until recently...he'd been traveling all over the country to shake hands and sign autographs for his biggest fans.  (As you can imagine...people can't wait to take a picture with a real Munchkin!)

Clarence Swensen is 89-years-old today...but he remembers that movie like it was yesterday.  Everything from his spot in line behind Dorothy's carriage to how the director would run back and forth from the set of the Wizard of Oz to the set of Gone With the Wind (he was working on both at the same time).  And of course, he remembers the goose step (his soldier's march)...though today he's no longer able to perform it.

He calls his Munchkin days "the joy of [his] life."  So you can imagine how thrilled he was to hear the good news.  What the fans had been telling him for years...'We loved the Munchkins!'  That's right...it only took 68 years...but now, they've finally made it.  Soon, the Munchkins will have their own star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame!

Other Intersting Facts:

There were 124 Munchkins in the Wizard of Oz.

Today, 9 are still living.

Swensen never auditioned for his part.  He, and many others Munchkins, received train tickets in the mail along with a letter inviting them to take part in a movie.

Swensen's wife was also invited to be a Munchkin, but emergency surgery kept her from being able to make the trip.

Many of the Munchkins appeared in other movies together...including Terror in Tiny Town and Tarzan Has a Son (Swensen was a chimpanzee).

Some of the Munchkins also played the Wicked Witch's flying monkeys...but many of them were puppets.

I'm hearing that there's a lot of traffic in some areas near the new toll road. Is it getting worse now that the toll isn't free? What areas seem to be the trouble spots?

What about traffic on the toll road? TxDOT seemed to think it would get lighter once it stopped being free. How long does your morning/evening commute take? Is the toll road quicker than your old route?

Ten players were ejected from the Nuggets-Knicks game after a brawl broke out on the court. Since when did basketball become a full-contact sport? The NBA changed some rules after a fight back in 2004. But with this Madison Square Garden brawl do you think the new rules are enough? What type of punishment do you think these players should face?

I don't live near the toll road, but I am interested in hearing what you think of it. Have any of you tried the toll road yet?

I'm wondering once people catch on if it will start getting congested. Is the road saving you time?

How much will your commute cost?

Please post your comments. I would love to hear what you think.

I don't live near the new toll road, but I'm interested if those of you who do plan to use it regularly? Will you try it while it's free?

I know the one in Houston is popular. I use it primarily to get to my parents' house from the airport, but I have noticed it gets crowded during rush hour. Do you think the one in Austin will too? Do you think it will cut down on commute times?

Please post your comments. I am interested in hearing what you think.

Police say an 18-year-old registered sex offender attacked his teacher at school.

After hearing this, thousands of questions started racing through my mind...

I guess I never realized registered sex offenders could attend public schools. But where else would they go?

The kid was living at a halfway house less than a mile away from the school. Did students know their classmate is a convicted sex offender? Should the school have done more to inform parents?

These are the types of questions we're exploring here at the FOX 7 News Edge, but I'm wondering what you guys think. Please post your thoughts on the issue.