The Schankman Cometh

Hey guys,

Anyone out there go, or know someone who goes hunting wild hogs in Missouri?

Also, any drivers out there who have been hit by a car stopping short or speeding up to avoid getting a ticket at a RED LIGHT CAMERA?

Please let me know.... thanks!

How would you like to live someplace with no bills for electric, gas or water?

Where you don't need a car, and you may not need to work more than a few hours a week?

Well there is a village just like that in Missouri.  Actually, it's an ecovillage... and on Fox 2 News at 9pm Wednesday night, I'll take you on a tour of this fascinating place.

See what you think, and after you watch, blog about whether you'd like to live there.

But before you answer, you'd better watch to see what they do with the waste from the village outhouse!

Hi folks,

Without giving too much away, this Friday's What's the Deal report  leaves us with a fun question--- what's your favorite college prank?

 I'll get us started.

While working in college radio at SIU Edwardsville, we once tried to set a newsreader's script on fire while he was live on the air. It's kind of a standard radio prank, though it didn't work very well really.

Okay, it's your turn!

And keep those What's the Deal suggestions coming!  

Hey bloggers,

I am looking for a good What's the Deal story that is "holiday" related.

Any strange or interesting holiday traditions or displays you know of that need a little explanation?

Let me know... and let me be the first to say... HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!  (actually even though it is only November 6th, I am probably not even close to the first to say it--- but that's a topic for another day...)

Have you seen this strange van roaming around Forest Park.  It looks like one of those old fashioned TV antennas fell off a roof and landed through the top of this white Ford Aerostar. Stranger yet, the side of the van says "zoo."

Are they looking for escaped critters? What's the deal?  Find out Friday night at 9 on Fox 2 news.

And speaking of critters, I came home the other day to be greeted by the news that we had a break in!  Turns out it wasn't a burglar... it was a SQUIRREL!

We keep a little finger bowl of cat treats on the kitchen window ledge to lure the dogs in from the yard. (They like cat treats, go figure.) And with the warm weather we left the kitchen window open about four inches, and wouldn't you know it, a squirrel chewed through the screen and ate the treats, and left. (I hope.)

So if you are trying to lure a squirrel try a cat treat.  And I guess the same thing goes for dogs too.

Any strange varmits (spellchecker says that is not a real word--- and as it turns out spellchecker says "spellchecker" is not a real word either) terrorizing you?  Inquiring minds want to know....

Oh wait... Fanny says she wants to add somthing...

Fanny:  "I just want to say if I see a squirrel going after my treats, he'd better reTREAT pretty fast, or I'll be the one having a snack!"

As expected, I had a chance today to spend a good deal of time exploring Body Worlds 3, and asking questions of the people who put it together.

I am the first to admit I am a medical weenie. I have to lay down to give blood, and get faint when the doctor starts to tell me about the details of a procedure, so you know where I am coming from.

 
That said, I didn't find Body Worlds the least bit difficult to take.

 
In fact, my reaction, much to my own surprise, was mostly emotional.

I found seeing the inner workings of the body in such detail made me realize how remarkably complex our bodies are, and how fragile. 

A few years ago, my father passed away several months after suffering a stroke that had severely affected his mind. It always felt strange to think that some tiny clot could cause such a profound change in a person's mind.  But seeing the blood vessels around the brain up close, I could see how easy even the smallest trauma can have enormous consequences.  In fact it left me feeling amazed any of us live past the age of ten, looking at how interdependent our working parts are.  Intellectually of course, we all know this, but seeing it up close made me feel it, and appreciate it deeper somehow.

I am not about to wade into the middle of the abortion debate, but I will tell you, I think the "fetal development" display could be very affecting on those who consider themselves ambivalent about the issue.

I talked at length with Angelina Whalley, the designer of the exhibit and husband of the doctor who invented the plastination process that makes the exhibit possible.  I was surprised she was willing to concede that they do aim to entertain as well as educate. Whatever you think of that idea, I was surprised she was that candid about it... especially since the "entertainment" notion is one that is often raised as a key objection of those who find the idea of the exhibit disrespectful.

I was also interested to learn those who agree to donate their bodies meet with the exhibitors every two years to review ideas being considered for future shows.  It seems those who give their bodies to Body Worlds are well aware of what they have agreed to.

So that's my take.  I'd be curious to hear yours if you get a chance to start seeing it.

On Friday, the controversial Body Worlds exhibit opens at the Science Center.

I'll be seeing it in person as part of a media rpreview Thursday, and will report about it later in the day.

I'd be curious over the next few days, and maybe even weeks, to read what some of you think of the exhibit, especially if you have gone to see it.

We will also be posting more video of the exhibit on the website under the newstab. Just look for the original Fox Files report on it  from Wednesday night.  Due to the graphic nature, parental discretion is advised.

Hi everyone.

Now that school is back in session, it probably won't be long until all those school fundraisers start.

 Can you tell me when yours is, and how you handle it. Do you sell stuff for your kids or make them do it?

 Do they aggravate you? The fundraisers I mean, not the kids...

 Has your school tried a unique approach, or dropped them altogether. Wouldn't it be easier to just write a check?

Give me your thoughts...

tell me your stories...

For all you Fox 2 bloggers who submitted mystery questions for a special What's The Deal episode, the time has come to pull back the curtain.

Check it out tonight (friday) on Fox 2 news at nine!

 And thanks for your help.
 

Hi guys,

May I ask a personal question----- are u sleeping with your spouse?

Okay... I won't ask you about your arrangement, but do you know couples that sleep apart because one of them snores, or tosses and turns, or just gets up too early???

 If you've ever thought about it, or want to know more about it, check out my Fox Files tonight (Tuesday) at nine as we look at a trend becoming so big, homebuilders are actually adding dual master bedrooms to some of their new houses.

 So do you/would you/do you wish you could sleep separately? Or do you know someone who has?  How did it help or hurt their relationship?

Hi guys,

Have you ever wondered why nuns live so long?

I have and when I started looking into it, I found out some really interesting stuff and I'll have it for you tonight (Tuesday) on fox 2 news at nine.

Gee, anyone out there have a story about being taught by a nun????

Thanks guys for all your questions.

The story in question will run very soon... I'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, if you want to see something "steamy" watch for tonight's What's the Deal on Fox 2 news at 9.

Hi bloggers!

I am working on a top secret "What's The Deal" report and I need your help.

For reasons I can't explain but that will become clear when the story airs, I need a few thought provoking questions from viewers to include in the story, with full credit of course to the authors.

Things like "why does one sock always seem to dissappear in the dryer," etc.

Can you help....pleeeeeeese!

.... gone tomorrow.

Yes, I am sure you are all having a good laugh looking at those of us follically challenged folks showing up in the video vault.  I can never forget those days---NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY.

Two other items of interest---

What's the Deal is back for May and this Friday night we find the answer to one of St. Louis' greatest mysteries--- why are the TWO parks named Tilles???

Then, for all of you who have ever thought about quitting your stressful job to do what your heart tells you, watch my fox Files Sunday night and meet three St. Louisans who did just that.  How well did it work out for them and could it work for you? Tune in Sunday at nine.

Here's a question--- if you were to quit your job to switch to a line of work you'd rather do... what would you switch to?

And PS: Please keep those What's the Deal suggestions coming!

Hey guys,

Anyone out there got a great story about a father-son relationship involving baseball... perhaps your own son or your own father.

I'm intereted because it might relate to a story I'm working on.  Let me know if you think of something good.