I grew up fishing on the lakes in Minnesota with my parents and two brothers.   It was a great way to grow up and spend time with family while doing something we all enjoyed.  I can still remember how much fun it was to reel in a fish, and how proud I was when I caught one.  

I got to re-live some of that last weekend.  I met my parents down in Florida to go deep sea fishing.  We were in Ft. Myers Beach and fished in the Gulf about 5 miles offshore.  Boy, was it fun! I was the first one to catch a fish.  Soon after, my mom and I both caught a few small snappers.  We call them “bait stealers.”  Then my dad had something big on the line.  We didn’t know what it was, but it was putting up a fight!  It took my dad about 15 minutes to reel the fish in.  It ended up being a Barracuda and it was big.  And, they have huge teeth.  I think watching my dad reel him in was the best part of the weekend.  You see, my dad loves being out on the water and on his boat.  This was the first time I was able to be on the boat with him and it was magical.  I felt  like a kid the entire time, and now I know why he loves it so much.

We all also caught a few King Mackerel’s.  5 minutes of a fight with one of those was enough for me.  See the picture of me reeling it in, and proudly holding the fish.

Reeling It In!

The Big Catch!

Can you believe there’s snow in Atlanta?  And it’s sticking to the ground???  Hundreds of flights are cancelled, lots of people are staying in and others are just playing in the snow while it lasts! 

I’m a Minnesota girl…I grew up in the cold weather, with long winters and lots of snow…  It’s interesting to see how people react to the snow and how they drive, or should I say, “try to drive” in the snow.  I’m working today, covering this big weather event.  We’ve already seen one accident where a girl told me she lost control of her car because of the slick conditions, hit a guard rail and two other cars.  Fortunately no one was severely hurt.   Other people tell me they wish they had stayed at home…and that’s where they were headed after talking with me…home.   In Minnesota people are out all the time in the snow.  It’s just part of daily life.  But here, the best advice is to stay off the roads

I took a picture on my cell phone of the snow in Union City.  It looks similiar to one I took outside my parents house in Minnesota over Christmas.  Take a look!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support Merrick’s Walk and the Eating Disorders Information Network!  Despite the cool temperature on Sunday, the sun was out and so were the walkers and runners.  Nearly 400 people showed up for Merrick’s Walk and 5k Fun Run. 

CBS Atlanta News was one of the sponsors of the event, and I emceed the walk.  Leading up to the event, I interviewed the family of Merrick Ryan.  The walk is named in her honor.  She was 19 years old when she died of complications due to anorexia.  I spoke with her mom Helen, and her sister Sara about Merrick’s life, her struggle with the disease and how her death affected their family.   

To see the story on Merrick Ryan go to: http://www.cbsatlanta.com/video/18758275/?taf=lnta

And if you or someone you know is looking for help with an eating disorder go to www.myedin.org

I am really excited about a charity event coming up on Sunday, February 22nd.  It’s called Merrick’s Walk and CBS Atlanta News is the media sponsor.  I’ll be hosting the event. 

Merrick’s Walk is a fundraiser through EDIN or the Eating Disorders Information Network, an Atlanta based non-profit dedicated to preventing eating disorders through outreach, education and action.  I serve on the board of directors for this charity and am really passionate about this cause.  I have had several friends touched by this disease, and my best friend lost her battle with anorexia shortly after we graduated from college in 2000.  She was living here in Atlanta.  

Merrick’s Walk is in honor of 19 year old Merrick Ryan, who lost her battle with anorexia that same year.  The walk begins and ends at the Galloway School at 215 West Wieuca Rd. in Atlanta.  The walk is 2.6 miles around the PATH at Chastain Park.  The cost is $25.  The walk starts at 1pm, but music starts at noon, and I’ll probably start talking around 12:30pm. 

For more information about the Eating Disorders Information Network and Merrick’s Walk, go to www.myedin.org

On any given day we can be sent on just one story, or we could be sent all over, chasing different stories.  A lot of times we don’t know what the story is until we get there.  That’s especially true when it comes to breaking news.  Yesterday is a good example.  I was working with Ray,  my photographer for the day.   In route to one story, Ray and I got switched to another.  We were sent to a neighborhood in Norcross in Gwinnett County.  All we knew was hazmat was on scene, as well as police and fire.  We did not know why.   When we got to the scene, police kept us pretty far back.  We were about to go live with the breaking news at the top of the 4pm show,  and I needed to know what happened.  Moments before we went on air, we got some information.  Police told us a woman had been set on fire, and her daughter was the suspect.  She was already in custody, but not yet charged with a crime.  We were the first to break the story.  The other stations showed up a few minutes later.   By 6pm we had learned the daughter, Na Yong Pak, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.   The woman had been taken to Grady with life threatening burns.  At 11pm we spoke with a high school student who saw the woman and called for help.  Each hour, each show, more of the story unfolded.  Chasing tips doesn’t always turn into news.  But this was news.   This morning, we learned the woman, Myong Pak, did not survive.  Her burns were just too severe.   The daughter now faces murder charges.

What do you think of when you hear, “Doggies on the Catwalk?”  Well, it’s exactly what you think…dogs strutting their stuff down the catwalk.  I was lucky enough to be involved in the event for the second year.  It’s the brain child of Atlanta’s Grady High School teacher, Vincent Martinez.  He teaches a fashion design class at Grady, and also teaches students to give back to the community.  Students design outfits for a “model” and their dog and they put on a charity fashion show.  All the money goes to PALS, Pets Are Loving Support (http://www.palsatlanta.org).   Several Atlanta news, radio, PR and pageant winners  participated in the event.  

Senior Sarah Lawrence designed my outfit and I walked a dog named Simone.   The fun part about participating in ”Doggies” is you get to step out of yourself and dress up for the night.   They had hair and make up people that donated their time for the event.   But what’s even more amazing is the student designers.  Each outfit was unique, and you know they put hours of work into each one.  It’s pretty incredible to see this kind of talent at such a young age.   Each senior designer also completes a line that is showcased in the spring.     It’s an event not to be missed!

Better Mornings Atlanta Corinna Allen, Miss Georgia USA and Jennifer Mayerle

Jennifer, designer Sarah Lawrence and Simone

After the original story on the “Gold Party” aired, I wondered if that’s really the best way to get the most money for your gold.  It turns out, it’s not! 

Generally jewelers that come to your home to weigh and price your gold only give 75% of the market value of gold.  When you walk into a store that accepts gold, they generally give you 80%.  And if you put your profit toward another piece of jewelry, they typically give you 100% for your old gold since they already have a built in profit.

The best time to sell your Gold is when the market price is high.  So, the best advice is to watch the Gold Market.  (http://www.kitco.com/charts/livegoldnewyork.html)  At it’s 10 year peak in March, the price hit $1002.  It’s fluctuated ever since.  For example, today the market ended at $740.90, less than this time last year.   Traditionally as the economy goes down, the price of gold goes up.  If the prices climbs again, that’s when you should sell to get the most money for your gold.   

To see the follow up story, click here: http://www.cbs46.com/video/17953257/?taf=lnta

Have you heard of this new phenomenon?  Instead of a tupperware party, people are hosting gold parties, and they are gaining in popularity!  Last night I did a story on a Gold Party.  http://www.cbs46.com/video/17719191/?taf=lnta

 Here’s how it works: people book a party, invite their friends and neighbors to come sell their jewelry.  The jewelers come to your home, weigh and price the jewelry and then pay you cash on the spot.  The jewelers take almost anything; gold, silver, damaged jewelry, coins.   The sellers receive 75% of the market value of gold.  The host gets a 10% cut of everything sold.  The jewelers make a profit, too.  They send the jewelry to a melter and then the melting company pays them.   

Everyone at the party I went to was new to the concept.  They were all looking for ways to get some extra cash during these tough economic times. They enjoyed themselves, caught up with their neighbors and talked about the money they were taking home.   Many people sold items they no longer wore, earrings where they had lost the pair, or damaged jewelry.  One woman even got $70 for a gold crown.  The highest item of the night was a necklace that pulled in $1300.  The man who sold it paid $1000 for it two years ago, making a profit.   

Have you ever gone to a Gold Party?  Hosted one?  I’d like to hear about your experience. Leave a comment, or email me at jennifer.mayerle@cbs46.com.

 

 

 

Welcome to my first blog.  I’ve been covering Georgia’s gas crisis for the past two weeks, and I thought it was time to write about what I’ve been doing.

 

I sympathize with anyone who has had to search for a station with gas, wait in a long line waiting for gas, or wondered how they’re going to do their daily activities if they don’t find it. 

 

I was working for a station in Mobile, Alabama when hurricane Katrina struck on August, 29, 2005.  I was in eastern Louisiana in the eye of the storm when it came ashore.  I know firsthand how bad the gas situation was along the Gulf Coast.  And I’ve heard stories about metro Atlanta from that time…the price gouging and running out of gas to sell. 

 

We’re in a similar situation, only this time experts tell me its worse.   We’ve been asking the tough questions to try to get answers people are looking for.  We are asking our elected officials why and how this happened, and with the foresight of the storms of 2005, why wasn’t there a better plan in place to prevent it?  How do we prevent it from happening again?       

 

So far I have been able to avoid waiting in line for gas.  It has been 15 days since I filled up my tank.  I have a small car with a 10 gallon tank, which fortunately gets good gas mileage.  I live close to work and I’ve cut out all unnecessary driving.  I’m now at half a tank.  When I see stations with gas I have to admit, I have been tempted to get in line and wait like the rest of metro Atlanta drivers.  Since I don’t need a lot of gas on a daily basis, I decided to ride this out and not “top off.” I’m going to see just how long my tank of gas will last.  It’s definitely been a lesson in self control.  I hope there’s gas when I’m on empty.      

If you have a question you want answered please reply or email me at jennifer.mayerle@cbs46.com