Winter Ends Tonight...

And so we face the final curtain as we exit February and enter March, a time period historically referred to as Meteorological Spring.  Oh sure, we can still see frost & freezes into early April, but we have passed the time of the year when we worry about pipe busting freezes.    For gardeners, March 15^th usually is the time when tomato plants can be put in, perhaps more like April 1^st on the North Shore.   We will see several fronts move through this week, but without any major troughs digging into the Gulf South, no real cold air is expected.   Next week, computer models are indicating a deep trough will develop over the heart of the nation bringing the potential for a widespread severe storms outbreak.  Way too soon to get nervous.  Stay tuned!

Many people are asking what I’m feeling as my broadcast career nears the end.   My emotions run the gauntlet from excitement to anticipation to sorrow.   I’m excited to see where life will take me next.    I anticipate greatly having free time to travel with my wife, to improve my golf game, to enjoy the relaxation fishing provides, the comfort of reading a good book (not weather journals!), and digging in the dirt & watching the wonders of my flower gardens.  The sorrow is not what you think.   I don’t feel bad about leaving the grind of daily weather storytelling.  I feel sorrow about leaving so many great friends, co-workers who have shared my life for 10,20, 30+ years.  That does make me a little sad.   I recognize my leaving will leave many feeling sad.  That is not my intention.  I want to be remembered like Jimmy Davis use to sing…”you are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray”.      The Nancy Parker special Wednesday night will highlight my past 38 years in New Orleans.  Set your DVRs for 6-7 PM Wednesday on FOX 8 and then watch at 9 & 10 pm for my final good bye.

The end gets near...

As my countdown clock is at 4 days until retirement, this afternoon I’ll get the opportunity to say goodbye to my FOX 8 Family as they are having a reception in my honor.   Many people have asked me if I will miss work, miss doing the weather that has been such a part of my life for 45 years.  The simple answer is no.   What I will miss is the people, my co-workers who have become my friends.   They are the ones who share in my success and are a BIG part of my success.   These are people you don’t see, the directors, the producers/writers, audio engineers, camera people, the behind the scenes folk who really put the program together.   I will always be grateful to them for supporting me, enduring me & enjoying me.   Part of what I do is the feeling I get when I know I’ve made people happy.   Sure, protecting them from storms is important, but entertaining them is equally as important.  May all of you remember me for being a good storyteller, an educator, and an entertainer.   I hope you all feel like you are a happier person, a smarter person, a better person for knowing the “little Fella”!  The countdown continues and will end with a one hour special hosted by Nancy Parker this Wednesday 6-7 PM.   Tell your friends to watch. Set your DVRs to record.  It’s a fun look back on my 38 years with Ch. 8.

Wonderful Weekend !

Today was my sister Carol’s birthday up in NW Indiana. Their HIGH was 35! Burrr! Oh how I remember those days back in Ann Arbor in the late 60s when I’d give anything for warmer weather. The winter cold usually started in full force by late October and often lasted into April. At that time, I thought the cold was “normal”. I didn’t know any better. My 1^st job in Tampa brought me to a new world where winter didn’t mean snow and often meant shorts and tank tops at Christmas time. After 38 years here, I could never go back to those month after month of boots and heavy coats. As I say now…”if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!” I love being in the Kitchen! We won’t have summer-like warmth this weekend, but it will be very nice as we say goodbye to February. No rain is likely before next Tuesday so get out and enjoy it!

This will be my 39^th hurricane season in 2016. In my 1^st few years, we didn’t have any major threats. Oh sure we had the 1^st male named Hurricane (Bob!) back in 1979 in July with Frederic following in late August.  Neither had much impact here.  The next storm I remember occurred in August of 1983 when Alicia formed south of the Louisiana coast and headed into Houston as a Cat. 3.  That storm showed me the real power of a hurricane as it battered the high rises of downtown Houston. I wondered what would happen here if a Cat. 3 hit us? The 1985 season was our 1^st real active season in many years with Elena and Juan making multiple loops and Kate being a Cat. 3 in the Gulf in November!   Back then I loved when hurricane season came around as I knew that is when folks really paid attention to the weather. That all started to change when big storms started to come closer to us.  Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Georges in 1998, Ivan in 2004 and Katrina and Rita in 2005.  We went from near misses to being the bulls-eye with Katrina.  Isaac in 2012 was the storm that really drained me as its slow motion forced us to stay on-air for several days. I was whupped!   I began thinking …”perhaps these storms are for the younger meteorologists?”  My endurance wasn’t the same. I finally decided I needed to give it up. I will still be available if needed this hurricane season, but only as a consultant. David, Bruce, Nicondra and Shelby will handle the daily shifts with me lending a helping hand if a storm enters the Gulf. I’ll be at the National Hurricane Conference with David next month where the gurus will try to predict the number of storms for 2016. Let’s hope it will be another quiet season.  

Great Weekend Coming!

Spoke with my sister Carol (who lives just outside Chicago) this morning to learn they had about 6” of wet snow with winds 40-50 mph.   Didn’t rub in we were sunny & near 70.    Hearing of their misery reminded me that we are still in Winter, although Meteorological Spring brings on March 1^st.  For us the higher sun angle means days are getting longer and the sun’s rays are getting stronger.  We’ll see a slight cooldown on Friday before our next warm up arrives for Sat-Sunday.   Lots of sun with temps 65-70+.  Can’t complain for late February.

 

Which gets me thinking about some of the “extreme colds “ I’ve endured living here for 38 years.  Back in 1983 we had a hard freeze and my neighbor, Master Plumber Mickey Scholl  told me I needed to drip my water.  I thought I was OK but one pipe outside one of my bedrooms froze.   I didn’t know it until around 10 AM when the temps had warmed above freezing.   Hearing a loud hissing sound, I rushed  into the bedroom to feel the squish, squish of a wet soaked carpet.   I raced to turn the water off outside but the damage was done.  Over came Mr. Mickey with a sledge hammer & tools.   He immediately began bashing the sheetrock wall until he found the busted pipe.   With some cutting and using a blow torch, bud da boom, the pipe was fixed.   It took longer to fix the wall & carpet.  But my lesson was learned.  I got outside  faucet covers and have not had a busted pipe since.  The worst freeze was in 1989 when MSY dipped to 11 degrees & Lake P. froze on the South Shore.    I lost all my citrus trees and most of my plants.   Another memory was our last real snow in Dec. of 2008.   I was going to the doctor for my pre-op for rotator cuff surgery the next day.  The heavy snow didn’t last but 1-2 hours but it was enough to make for a New Orleans winter wonderland.    Since I hate cold, I’d rather forget the freezes.  Tomorrow, I’ll look back at some of our hurricanes.

 

Finally Quiet Weather

As many of you know, I am ending my 38 year career here at Ch. 8 one week from tonight.  Yesterday’s tornado outbreak was the worst I’ve seen all during my time here.  Sure, I was in Dayton, Ohio (25 miles from the monster Xenia F5 killer storm) back during the super outbreak on April 3, 1974.   There has not been another outbreak greater than that one during my career and, thankfully we don’t usually/never see those kinds of super tornadoes along the Gulf Coast.   But yesterday’s storms were unique for two reasons.  1) we saw 3 F2 strength tornadoes and 2) the number of storms (11) was exceptional.  We have seen bad tornadoes before, but not that many on the same day.   I salute the forecasters at the Storm Prediction Center for giving us a 24 hour heads up as to the approaching severe weather.   The good news is we have no more threats for the next 5-6 days.  The bad news is it could turn stormy again late next Tuesday into Wednesday…the day I say goodbye.   Stay tuned!

 

Back in 1988, Ch. 8 threw me a 10 year anniversary party giving me a new set of PING golf clubs.  The problem?  I didn’t play golf!  When I was in Dayton, Ohio back in the 70s I lived next to a public golf course in Kettering.  My neighbor (Late Joe Cox) was a very good golfer.  So good that he had a plaque on hole number 16 (par 3) where on the same day he had 2 hole in ones on the same hole!   You golfers know that is almost impossible, but he had witnesses!  But I didn’t play golf.      Fast forward…free clubs?   I better learn to play golf.   My 1^st golfing buddy (Late Don Noel) and I were determined, but we really weren’t very good.    I took a lesson from the late Frank Mackel at City Park where he promptly told me…”stick to your day job!”    But being a little fella who couldn’t play any other sport (except bowling) because of my size, I was determined.  Slowly over time, I managed to break 100 then 90 and on one magical day I shot a 79!   I’m mainly a mid to upper 80s player, but I really enjoy the times I hit the ball like Tiger Woods in his prime.  I’m looking to get better during retirement as I plan to play more than once a week.  Since golf is such a feel game, you need to play it more often to get really good.   I shall try, but if I fail, there is always the 19^th hole!  (translation for non-golfers – the bar!)

Storms R Gone !

Whew!  What a day!   As I mentioned yesterday, timing & location.    The South Shore east of LaPlace & Kenner was spared the brunt of today’s storms.  We did have a wind gust at FOX 8 of 50 mph, but  the tornado damage stayed to our west and north.  A cold front is bringing cooler and drier air in for the next several days and you’ll need sweaters and jackets once again.  Winds will still be strong through at least midday on Wednesday with much less wind for Thursday-Saturday.  No more rain is expected until next week.  My last day is next Wednesday and, wouldn’t you know it, models are hinting at another strong upper disturbance might head our way.   What a way to go out!   Not!

 

 

With 8 days to go, let me talk about the weather observer network we have here at FOX 8.  I tried to duplicate what Roy Leep (my 1^st boss) had in Tampa & what I developed in my time in Dayton, Ohio.   I asked for viewers who had rain gauges to call me with their rain totals.  We started with a couple but through the years, we now have nearly 60 individuals who help make my weather truly local.   Some have been with me for decades with the oldest being “Miss Betty” in Metairie at a young 93.   In fact, Miss betty had a health scare last week & had a pacemaker put in.  But she was back at it again tonight.  All Hail Miss Betty!   Several have passed on through the years and I can’t thank them enough as they all are unpaid (free) reporters.   Tomorrow we look back at how I became “little Tiger Woods”!

Severe Threat Tuesday

Timing in weather is like location in Real Estate.   If your event is on a Thursday (Pelicans next game) and storms come on Tuesday, then you have good timing.  If you have an outdoor party for Tuesday, then timing is  in the dumper.   A powerful, fast moving upper disturbance is heading our way and will bring with it the threat for several hours of severe weather.  RIGHT NOW, the hours of 2-6 PM appear to be the time for us to pay attention.   What can be expected with great certainty 1) heavy downpours (1-2” totals), 2) Gusty south winds 20-40 mph gusting to 50+.  There is far less certainty regarding a tornado and hail threat, but those possibilities exist.    Much Drier & colder air follows the front for the rest of the week.   Oh, I forgot to mention the dense fog threat for tonight & early AM.   Whew!  Stayed tuned!

With 9 days left until retirement, I continue to recall some past events in my career at Ch. 8.    I’ve already mentioned how I became in love with fishing.   Some of the Captains that took me out to wet a line where Capt. Aaron & his wife Nellie down in Cocodrie.  They were so kind & patient with my kids.    Capt. Stu Sheer showed me some great fishing out of Cocodrie along with Johnny Glover.  Ch. 8’s Bob Del Giorno, the 1^st Louisiana Sportman took me on some great trips.    Capt C.T. Williams, FOX 8’s current fishing guru showed me some hot spots out of Hopedale last summer.   Capt. Luke Gennaro was my very 1^st fishing trip and he is the man who started my love affair with trout.   The many Captains based around Grand Isle made my Tarpon Rodeo so enjoyable.   But the man who takes me out the most is Captain Hylton Petit, my State Farm agent.   Hylton is the most patient; knowledgeable guy I know and I thank him for putting up with such a part time “player”.  I have promised him I’ll get better now that I can fish more often.  Before all of this gets too smelly, I’ll end the fish stories tonight.  More tomorrow

Severe Threat Tuesday?

Although we don’t live in “tornado alley”, we occasionally get some severe weather.  Our severe storm “season” generally begins in late February and lasts in early April.  That’s when the winter cold clashes with the Spring-like warmth over the Gulf South.  Add in an upper disturbance creating shearing winds and, bud da boom, we can get strong storms.  Such a set up is coming on Tuesday.  SPC has us in the slight risk for severe storms.  Let’s see if they upgrade that on Monday.  If so, it’ll be pay attention time on Tuesday.  Behind this system will be colder but drier air for the rest of this week.

 

I have been recalling some of my favorite memories of these past 38 years.  One of them was back in 1981 when the station’s consultant recommended to our General Manager (Late Bob Olsen) that “Bob Breck would never make it in this market.  We suggest he be fired”.  Well, Mr. Olsen must have been a far smarter man, because he stuck with me.  I decided to do what worked for me in Dayton, Ohio…get on radio.   Perhaps some of you remember my being on B-97 FM with “Scoot in the morning”?  Or how about with John Walton & Steve  Johnson, the man of many voices?   In addition to the pop rock station, I also was on WNOE (Country) and WBYU (Easy listening).   Radio exposed me to a far larger audience and helped improved my market research.  By the late 80s, the only personality to have higher research scores was Angela Hill.   Once I had people watching, I’d like to think they liked what they saw.   I try to not just be a weather reporter, but to be a storyteller as to what, why & when.  As I leave “the business”, I hope consultants don’t try to change what I have been successfully doing for 38+ years.  Hiring David Bernard should prevent that.   Stay tuned!

1st 80 degree day?

Not like it’s a big deal, but we still have not reached 80 degrees this year.  Our last 80 was back on Dec. 27, 2015.   Saturday’s record high is 82 at MSY and morning fog and more clouds should prevent us from reach that.  However, we could sneak up to 80 if we see enough sunny breaks.  Sunday should have more fog & clouds keeping us in the 70s before our next front brings a rain chance back by Monday PM.   Next week could get really ugly as colder air filters down in surges.  Add in another fast moving upper disturbance producing wind & a cold rain and we’ll long for the warmth of this weekend.  Get out and enjoy as it will not last.

 

As my countdown to retirement reaches 12 days, I’ve been recalling some memories of the past 38 years.  I remember the times when N.O. Native Richard Simmons had a popular exercise show on Ch. 8 back in the 80s.  Back then, each TV station threw a huge “Preview Party” for commercial clients showing what the new network shows looked like and what shows were returning.  Sometimes we had one of the “stars” come to the party to help hype their show.  Such was Richard Simmons.  The party I remember was at the old Beverly Dinner Theater off River Road near Ochsner (now a parking lot).   Richard bounded on stage amid blasting music getting the crowd of several hundred into exercising.  He then called up all the male anchor folks and reporters on to the stage and had us strip down to our waists.  He then asked the audience to vote for the sexiest body.  My main competition was our sportscaster named Ron Swoboda.  The rest of the guys already had a “beer gut”.   The vote came down to me and Ron.   How could the “little fella” beat out the World Series Hero from the 1969 New York Mets?  The answer is….I didn’t!   Ron won but still  is one of my golfing partners and one of my life heroes.  So much more to remember as time is getting short…err. I mean limited!

The Earth has a Fever...

NASA & NOAA issued their monthly reports again claiming global temperatures set January warmth records.  What they don’t tell you is that is what is SUPPOSE to happen in a strong El Nino CYCLE.   What will happen when El Nino goes away as it always does?   The good news is we don’t have to wait 50 or 100 years to find out.   I suspect a weak La Nina will develop by next Fall and the colder CYCLE will return. 

 

For this weekend, near record warmth will have us flirting with 80 on Saturday.  However, there are signs of returning to a colder pattern next week.  Right now there are conflicting computer guidance as to how deep the east coast trough will be and that will be important as the coldest air(-40) so far this Winter season is showing up over northern Canada.  Will it flow all the way down to the Gulf Coast?  Could we have to worry about freezing temperatures during the last week of Meteorological Winter?  Stay tuned!

 

Growing up my Dad was not a fisherman so there is only one time I remember him taking my older brother (Jim) & me fishing.  We used worms (ugh!) and I caught ONE small bluegill.   Only fished one time while I was in Tampa and caught ONE grouper.  So you can imagine my lack of enthusiasm   when the Krewe of Centurion’s asked me to be their Grand Marshal back in 1980 offering a fishing trip as incentive.   John Hope & Luke Gennaro were the Harahan guys who took me fishing out of Shell Beach.  I didn’t have any fishing gear so I went to K-mart and bought a “push button” Zebco reel.    Captain Luke laughed me out of the boat but took me anyway.  Was I in for the surprise of my life.  Not only did we catch a fish, we caught our limit (50 trout/man back then).  I was hooked!  I received a call from the late  Dr. Don Petersen inviting me to go fish the Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo  in 1984.  Like everything I have done regarding the culture of south Louisiana, I jumped in with both feet.  I loved the fishing & I loved the people even more.   One of the more memorable things about the Rodeo was meeting the late Otto Candies and listening how he started his supply boat business back in the 40s with ONE boat.  What vision, what courage, what a man!  His son (Late Paul Candies)  asked me in 1985 to be the M.C. at their awards ceremony and I continue in that role missing only one year for a wedding.    I have met so many friends fishing and I continue to enjoy my trips with “Captain” Hylton Petit.   Can’t wait for the weather to warm, retirement to arrive and go fishing WHEN THE FISH ARE BITING !   13 more days my friends.

Very Warm, Very Cold with Storms In Between...

Our weather will continue to remain tame for the next several days before we turn stormy early next week.  Temps will climb into the 70s, perhaps flirting with 80, and no rain is expected through Sunday.   Next week could get tricky as another blast of Arctic air will invade the South with the potential for strong storms ahead of the front late Monday into Tuesday.   We have yet to touch freezing on the South Shore at MSY.  That could change by next Wednesday depending on how deep the east coast trough develops.  Regardless, it appears very likely another severe weather outbreak could threaten us with a major snow storm racing up over the big cities of the North East creating major travel problems.   But before then, the next couple of days will be great to be living down in the Deep South.  Stay tuned!

 

When I arrived back in 1978, I knew the only way to get known was to visit as many schools as I could, talk to as many service clubs that would have me,  AND visit as many local festivals without taking away from my family life.  One such festival, The Lafitte Seafood Festival, invited me to come be a judge at their jambalaya contest.  I drove down on a Saturday morning not knowing where I was going AND BEFORE GPS was invented!  We had about 6 judges and perhaps 8-10 dishes to sample.    Of course the recipes were “Mama’s favorite” and each contestant knew theirs was the best.  The other judges were all local & very biased.  Here I was the “Yankee” from da north who knew NOTHING.   And they were correct.   I had never eaten jambalaya, had never heard of jambalaya so I wasn’t  ‘tainted” by Mama’s cooking.    Of all the judges, I was told I was the fairest, voting for favor and not for who cooked what.   This experience opened my eyes to the passion South Louisiana has for cooking.   It’s an experience that is still expanding as new restaurants open with new dishes and new flavors.  With retirement 14 days away, I’m looking forward to becoming a better cook as time will not be my problem anymore.  Tomorrow I’ll tell you how I got into loving fishing and my relationship with the Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo.

 

Spring Time this Weekend

Our first 80 degree day happened last year on March 3^rd.   We could see that kind of warmth this weekend with highs Friday through Sunday flirting with 80 +.   But don’t start planting the tomatoes yet as much colder air returns next week.  The rule of thumb is, wait until after March 15^th (South Shore) before planting those tomatoes.  Even then, there has been light freezes into early April, but that is very rare.    I’ll be trimming my bushes and getting the leaves away from my plants this weekend just because I want to believe the freeze threat is over.   I know better, but I just love to work in the yard and watch things grow.    Our next rain chance arrives Monday with the next front.  There could be another round of strong storms much like the last front.  Stay tuned!

 

All right, I arrived from Dayton, Ohio back in April 1978.  I worked in Tampa before that, but the only seafood I ate there were shrimp & fish.  When Alec Gifford found out I never had eaten an oyster, he got a cameraman, Buddy Diliberto and me and we headed to Casamento’s on Magazine St. for oysters.   With cameras rolling, Buddy quickly whipped up the sauce of horse raddish, ketchup & who knows what else.  Within minutes, Buddy gulped down a DOZEN.    Alec turned the cameraman on me and said…”your turn”.   What I didn’t know was Buddy & Alec had gotten together before hand to set me up.  The Giff gave me an oyster the size of my ego (Big) and I had no clue what was about to happen.   I took this mammoth oyster, dipped it into the sauce and put it into my mouth upon which Alec said…”you know you can’t chew it!”   With the camera rolling, you could see the tears flow down my cheek as I tried to swallow the dang thing whole.   With several gulps, I got it down and passed my first test on how to be an “Orleanian”.     Though I didn’t enjoy my 1^st experience, I love raw oysters & now the Char broiled ones from Drago’s.  it’s how we let the good times roll.   Tomorrow night,  I’ll remember my 1^st Seafood Festival in Lafitte.

Winter done?

I know it’s only Feb. 15^th with half the month to go, but looking out the next 5-7 days and I see no new cold coming for the Deep south.   Doesn’t mean we’re done with any freeze threat (remember the great March storm of 1993?), but with trees budding out, birds frolicking around, flowers blooming, how can you not feel like Spring is just around the corner?   The Northeast is warming up but not quick enough to prevent an ice & snow storm tonight.  Our cold front today ended our dry spell at 11 days with most areas getting a good soaking.  The heaviest amounts were on the North shore (1-2”) with lighter (less 1”) amounts South Shore.    All rain is long gone and the next 5-7 days look dry with a warming trend.  Enjoy.

 

With Mardi Gras gone, it doesn’t mean we are done with parades.   Back in the 80s, I was the Grand Marshal of the Downtown Irish Club.  It was a walking club that marched (staggered) from the Lakefront into Downtown N.O. stopping at what seemed like 40 bars along the way.   I didn’t know I was supposed to chug a beer at each bar and I didn’t.   The first 3 went down quickly, but the next 4-5 were a struggle!   Needless to say, I was snookered by midnight and I don’t remember the drive home since I fell asleep.  But it was my willingness to get involved with New Orleans that endeared me to many folks.  Tomorrow night I’ll talk about my 1^st oysters at Casamento’s on Magazine St. with Alec Gifford & Buddy D.

Record Cold...Must be Climate Change?

With all the media hype regarding “hottest year ever”, it’s hard not to chuckle when you hear the AGW crowd saying the current cold WEATHER EXTREMES are due to global warming.  Let’s see, do you remember their forecast that there would be less snowfall in the Northeast because it will get too warm.   Duh…the Central Park snowfest last month was cancelled because of…TOO MUCH SNOW!  This weekend’s Central Park ice Festival was cancelled because….it was TOO COLD!  - 9 in Boston?   Geez, that’s what I remember it was like when I was growing up.  Could it be that we are entering the dreaded cooling CYCLE after this El Nino?   Nah, when we hit 95 in June (when it’s supposed to be hot) we’ll hear the same stale tune…It must be global warming.   Again, a warmer Planet is FAR BETTER than a cooing Planet.  But the CYCLE of climate change will continue in the future as it has in the past.  What may end is the cycle of government funding for promoting global warming when the data does not support the researchers.  Stay tuned!

 

We have the possibility of seeing some strong storms on Monday PM.  This will be our 1^st rin in nearly 2 weeks so hopefully, we’ll get some soakers and not the severe weather?

 

As I look back at 38 years with Ch. 8, I regret all the ownership changes we endured(7 at least).  With each change came management changes( 10 General managers, 12 News Directors), each thinking their way was better.  We tried new logos, different branding, different consultants with different ideas on how to do the news.   What a disaster after disaster.   Finally, we decided to hire John Snell from Ch. 4.  Our GM (Greg Buisson) knew we needed an anchor who would bring instant credibility.  John did that.   Nancy Parker was hired from Baton Rouge. Later on Lee Zurik, Jim Henderson & Juan Kinkaid (all from ch. 4) added to our credibility.  In weather, Bruce Katz joined Nicondra Norwood as locally raised meteorologists to support me.   Now as I leave, David Bernard(Formerly with Ch. 4) will take over.  It should be a smooth transition and I will be available IF a hurricane threatens the Gulf this summer.   I look back and think…I am truly am The Survivor, but that’s on another network!

Winter Woes Staying Well North/East

All the network news programs highlighted the dreaded “POLAR VORTEX” tonight that will bring the coldest air in several years (maybe record breaking?) to the major cities of the Northeast.  Fortunately for us, the core of the cold will remain well to our north, but it’ll be chilly enough on Saturday and Sunday to use the sweaters & jackets again.  A fast moving upper disturbance will bring our best rain chances in nearly 2 week Monday before we dry out and warm up again late next week.   Today is day 9 with rain and my garden needs some water.  Stay tuned.

 

As we head towards the finish of my 38 years with Ch. 8, it’s fun to look back on the many who helped make me better.  It starts with the late Mike Herrera, who was the voice of Ch. 8 during the 70s & 80s.  Mike did our weekend weather while I handle the weekday programs.  We didn’t have a morning newscast until after Katrina.  Nancy Russo was hired in 1980 as the 1^st female meteorologist in New Orleans.   Some of the other meteorologists that helped me were Joe Cioffi, Ken Aucoin, Howard Bernstein, Brian Greenwald, Christy Henderson, Crystal Wicker,  Chip Barrere, Chris Franklin, Kim Vaughn, and Dawn Brown.  They may have been others, and I apologize if I left someone out.  Many of the above went to bigger markets & I am proud of their success.      Our current weather team is Bruce Katz, David Bernard, Nicondra, Norwood & Shelby Latino.      I feel like I’m leaving FOX 8 in very good hands.   I’ll still be available this summer if a hurricane threatens the Gulf, but we hope not.   More to come as we recall many very good years. 

Spring preview

Looking at my citrus trees today and it was not surprising to see new growth coming out.  Even my water oaks are showing signs of budding.   We still have another 3 weeks of Meteorological Winter and the opportunity for freezes exists well into March, but it is truly amazing to watch Mother Nature work her magic as the sun angle gets higher and the days get longer.   Even the birds are getting their nests ready in my 4 bird houses.  It’s an exciting time of the year, but not everywhere.  A huge brutally cold air mass in Canada is heading towards the Great lakes & North East.  NYC may go below zero for the 1^st time in decades.  Fortunately for us, we’ll only get brushed by the chill on Saturday with the core staying well to our north & east.  Enjoy Friday’s warmth (70s) as Saturday will stay in the 50s requiring sweaters & coats again.  It won’t last long.

 

Looking back at nearly 4 decades, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many great journalists.  I’ve already mentioned the late Alec Gifford, but there was also Mel Leavitt and his great voice, Buddy Diliberto who would give you the shirt off his back, World Series hero Ron Swoboda,  Richard Anderson. Margaret Dubuisson, Warren Bell, and many others.  The problem with Ch. 8 back then was stability.  We never kept the same anchor team together very long.   That is no longer the case as Kim Holden, Nancy Parker, John Snell & I have been together for over 20+ years.  Add in Lee Zurik and it’s no wonder our ratings have passed Ch. 4 at 10 PM.     I have not worked for a # 1 news team since my Tampa days back in the 70s.  So nice to reach retirement knowing we could be # 1 in New Orleans.  Stay tuned!

Feeling Sad Tonight...

Was going to talk more about my incredible ride in Argus yesterday, but the tragic news about former Pelican’s Coach Monty Williams’ wife dying in a car crash has me bummed.    She was only 44 and had 5 children, the youngest being only 5.    I invite you to go on the web tonight and do a Lady Gaga search for…”Til it happens to you”.    I lost my wife suddenly at age 54, but my children were not kids anymore.  My youngest was 20, my oldest 28.   They didn’t need help with homework, getting dressed for school or just making dinner for them.   Nope, but I remember it was very hard to face the reality of being alone in this world.    I feel Monty’s pain tonight because I know how it feels.  But in Lady Gaga’s song, there is an inspiration about keeping your head up and be strong…and move on.  Far too soon for Monty to even think of moving on .  May he be in all of our prayers tonight, because til it happens to you, you really don’t know.

 

A spring preview will arrive tomorrow and last through Friday before a cold front reminds us it’s still February on Saturday.

OMG...What a Ride !

I’m  sure many of you “older folk” have made yourself a bucket list, things you what to do BEFORE you kick da bucket.     Haven’t been to a Broadway Play, on my bucket list.  Haven’t been to Paris, London, Italy, on my bucket list.  How about a ride through the Canadian Rockies on a train?  On my bucket list.   Riding in a Carnival Krewe as a Grand Marshal...done that and I will tell you today was beyond terrific!  Today was beyond sensational! Today was a special day in my life where I felt the LOVE, felt why many don’t want me to retire.   I can’t say thank you enough to all who have e-mailed, Face Booked & Tweeted to express their Love for me.  I may be the “little fella” but you all make me feel so big.    Thank you New Orleans.  This is my home & this is where I will stay.  3 Weeks left on the journey.  Let’s enjoy the ride.

 

Weather-wise?   Who cares!   It’s Mardi Gras.  I don’t want to tell you how nice the next few days will be.  Let’s try to recover and get ready for reality as Lent begins tomorrow.

Hail Argus !!!

I Am excited to be the Grand Marshal for the Krewe of Argus tomorrow in Metairie and am encouraged that with bright all day sunshine, it won’t be so uncomfortably cold as earlier expected.  It’ll be breezy early adding to the morning chill, but by the noon hour temps should be around 50+ with less wind during the afternoon.    Come on out and enjoy the fun.  Maybe you will be lucky enough to catch one of the 5,000 doubloons with my image on it?   

 

Looking back on  Mardi Gras past, I remember my favorite costume was dressed up as a 60s hippie with a full beard.  My wife (Brenda) did my make up and was so good at it, when I walked into the newsroom, no one knew it was me until I opened my mouth!     On St. Charles Avenue, I could walk around with no one knowing who I was.   It was a different experience.    Over the years, we  typically just dressed in tuxedos.   When floats came by, they recognized us and really threw a lot of stuff.  When I was hippie Bob, I got nothing.  One of my funny, but true carnival stories.

 

Weather-wise, we are getting to the time of the year where the higher sun angle starts to make a difference.  Doesn’t mean we are done with the freeze threats, but we are nearing the end of Meteorological Winter on Feb. 29^th.   Once into March, daily “normal” highs top 70 and we will enjoy a 8-10 week stretch of enjoyable weather before the Summer heat returns in early May.  Stay tuned!

My 1st Mardi Gras

As many of you know, I joined Ch. 8 in April of 1978, 2 months AFTER Mardi Gras.  Reading Arthur Hardy’s column in today’s Advocate reminded me of my 1^st Mardi Gras in 1979…the year of the Police strike when all parades in Orleans were cancelled.  Just my luck.  I took my 2 sons at the time to see Endymion roll in Kenner and wondered “what was the big deal?”   Sure the floats were bigger than back in Indiana & the riders did throw lots of stuff, but this is Mardi Gras?   Remember, back then nobody covered the parades live expect maybe Ch. 6?    To me the highlight was watching the “meetings of the Courts” down in the Municipal Auditorium with narration by my late friends Ann Meric and Terry Gerstner.  Of course with the dawn of “Live Trucks” in 1979,  every station became more involved in live Mardi Gras coverage.  With the current Arctic Blast coming tomorrow, I remember being teamed in Metairie with the Late Ron Hunter.    We had brilliant sunshine all day but the HIGH only got to 40!   The only other time I was that cold was riding as Grand Marshal in the Krewe of Caesar, a night parade in Metairie where in was windy with temps in the 30s.    Burrrr!    My ride with the Krewe of Argus this year won’t be that cold plus the sun will be out…but it will be windy so I will be layered up.

 

I keep getting questions asking me about my retirement.   “you look like you still enjoy what you do (I do) or,  you still have great energy and appear to be in good health”.   For the record once again…I asked Ch. 8 to let me out of the final year of my contract.  They didn’t ask me to leave.  It was my choice.  Why?   Because broadcasting has changed the last couple of years.  You are now REQUIRED to do social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram etc) to remain competitive.  That’s not what I want to do.   I love interacting with my viewers, but in face to face encounters.  I hate dealing with anonymous posters who often say hurtful things without identifying themselves.   At this stage in my life I have zero tolerance for that.  Many of my peers have retired, been fired or are dead.   2 out of 3 are bad things that I don’t want to happen to me yet.  I’m choosing retirement while I still have my health.  I’m honored and humbled that so many of you have expressed sorrow at my leaving.  I’ve never taken your trust for granted.  Likewise your friendship.   Let’s enjoy these next 3 weeks as I look back at the past 38 years.  Stay tuned!

Dry, Comfy Cool Weekend, nasty Cold Lundi & Mardi Gras

Doing a little research tonight to find this…If Mardi Gras stays in the 40s for highs, it would be the 3^rd year in a row of such chill.  Previous to that, we had 3 straight Mardi Gras’ with highs in the 70s,   Seems we’re either very warm or very cold with no in between.   The only good news I have is the zero rain threat.   Saturday will see some clouds as a weakening upper system moves across the state.  The filtered sunshine will keep highs in the low to mid 50s.  Sunday will see all day sunshine with highs topping 60, the warmest day before the bottom drops out for Monday & Tuesday.  I’ll be layered up for my ride in Argus on Fat Tuesday.   Enjoy your weekend.

 

When I first arrived at Ch. 8, my General Manager told me I was replacing a legend (Nash Roberts) and you cannot replace a legend.   I asked him “what do you want me to do?”   He said…”Create a new one.”   As so I did.     One of the fun things I did was costume, not just for Mardi Gras but for various festivals, fundraisers etc.   A lady called and asked if I would wear a German Outfit to celebrate Octoberfest at Deutsches Haus.   I had no clue what the outfit looked like until she arrived with something called Lenderhosen, or German Shorts.    It had suspenders, a cute hat, and long white socks.   I couldn’t just be another weatherman in town since the “Legend-Nash” didn’t leave, he just changed stations.    So to grab viewers, I had to be creative & entertaining.   And so the “Breck era” began with more costumes to come.  As we count down to good-bye, I’ll have more funny stories.  Would you believe I once wore a full length women’s fur coat?    Hey, it looked preety good on me!

No Parade Rain Outs This Year...

Was trying to remember if we have ever gone through a Carnival season where not one parade rolled in the rain or had to rescheduled because of the rain.  Yea we had some big storms on Tuesday but no parades were rolling that night.   Looking ahead through Mardi Gras, the only rain chance (<5%) comes on Saturday and those chances are slim to none.  So the good news is parade weather will be dry.  The bad news is some cold air will make things uncomfortable to be outside especially on Monday & Tuesday.  A big dip in the jet stream, the East Coast trough will pull down an Arctic air mass that will keep highs mainly in the 40s despite lots of sunshine.   Brisk winds will make it feel even colder.   The best days will be Friday (55-60) and Sunday (62-66).   Maybe the cold will back off for Tuesday, but right now I’m going for multi-layers for the Krewe of Argus.  Stay tuned!

 

As I near the final curtain at Ch. 8, I remember fondly some of my co-workers who have gone on to the next life.  You’ll remember the names of Alec Gifford, Buddy Diliberto, Ron Hunter,  Ed Marten & Mike Herrera.  There are several photographers, producers & editors that worked behind the scenes who are no longer with us and they deserve much of the credit for my success.    I still play golf with former Sports Director Ron Swoboda, but unfortunately have lost touch with many others.   38 years of memories here at Ch. 8.  Most were good, many were funny.  Tomorrow night I’ll recall my first German Festival.

No Rain !!! But You'll Need Da Coats...

It’s not often that we can say no rain for the next 5-7 days, and I can’t say that tonight.   However, if computer models prove correct/verify, the only day we might see a stray (<20%) shower would be late Saturday.   Our issues won’t be wetness, but winds & cold coming in surges with brief warm ups in between.    The 1^st cold surge is arriving tonight and you’ll need outer gear on Thursday despite a return of all day sunshine.  Friday will see less wind & perhaps highs around 60.  A weak upper disturbance will increase clouds on Saturday keeping highs in the 50s (40s at night) with a brief warm up for Sunday.  The real chill will arrive next week.  RIGHT NOW, it appears the coldest air plows through late Mardi Gras into Wednesday.   Regardless of the timing, our recent stretch of 70+(6 straight days) will not happen again for another 2 weeks as the Arctic cold keeps coming.   What did the Ground Hog say?   An early Spring?  Sure doesn’t look so.  Stay tuned!

 

Perhaps you’ve noticed my son has placed a countdown clock on www.bobbreck.com ?   We are counting down my remaining time at Ch. 8.   I’ll try to recall a funny moment each night that happened many years ago.    The first was 4 weeks on the job back in May of 1978.  Some of you might remember that was the 1^st of our “100 year floods”.   Our anchorman/news Director Alec Gifford said…”let’s do a live shot front outside the station to show the flooding”.    Back then there were no “live trucks”.   So here I go sloshing out to a flooded car and sitting on the hood dragging the microphone cord through the water.    All I could think of was…”weather man electrocuted during flood”.   Luckily I wasn’t, the shot looked great and Alec proved to me he knew what was news.  

Warm Pattern Coming to End...

Parades begin again on Wednesday and weather will be no problem…IF you are dressed for it.   After 5 straight days of highs 70+, the reality that’s it’s still February (Winter) will settle in with highs on Wednesday staying in the 60s with the rest of the week remaining in the 50s.  That means it’ll be in the 40s at night, but DRY!   A weak upper system will bring a slight chance for a shower after dark on Saturday, but the main issue will be the chillier air.   Mardi Gras may see another blast of Arctic air that could keep highs in the 40s with brisk north winds making it feel like the 30s.    But it should stay dry.    It certainly will not be as nice as last weekend’s warm spell, but after tonight’s down pours, our rain chances over the next 7 days look slim to none.     Let’s hope the coming cold spell will not be as brutal as models indicate tonight.   Stay tuned!

Colder Trend Coming...

After a delightfully warm weekend for parades & Family Gras, I’m sorry to say we will not have a repeat for the main weekend of Carnival.   In fact, Tuesday will be our last warm day for perhaps the next 10-14 days as all models are brining down some of the coldest air of this season deep into the Gulf south.  As usual, timing of storm systems will be the key to which parades are dry & which will get wet.  Regardless, none will enjoy a warm ride even if they are dry.    The 1^st system will arrive during the day on Tuesday (no parades) bringing us some showers & T-Storms.  The heaviest storms should stay to our north with cooler air filtering in behind the front on Wednesday.  Colder air will be in place Thursday & Friday with clouds streaming back in on Saturday.  RIGHT NOW, Saturday’s parades look dry, but some rain could develop after dark for Endymion.   Sunday looks to go into the dumper with lots of rain and very chilly temperatures.    As that system pulls away, Monday looks dry and cool but another surge of colder air plows through before dawn on Mardi Gras.  Highs could stay in the 40s with brisk winds making it feel even colder.   Stay tuned!