Mark_Zinni's Blog

This is it... I received an email that our blog format is changing and all this hard work over almost two-years will be gone forever (I think).

To be fair, I haven't been blogging too much lately because I'm more of a Twitter fan right now.  As I've explained before, it's easier to do from the road now that I'm reporting during the day.

Together, we've posted nearly 1,000 entries and comments -- and had tens of thousands of page views (if the counter in this blog is correct)... If this survives "the change", great.  If not, I can't promise I'll start another one right away.  Let's see what happens.

This week, my dad asked if I was finished blogging.  No, I'm not.  But it's not as easy since I don't have internet access all day on the road...  I will try to be better, I swear.

I wanted to thank everyone who emailed, called, etc. over the past few weeks since my schedule changed.  Many people reached out to me and the station because I'm not anchoring the morning news anymore (they obviously don't read this blog, or they would have known I'm leaving).  You've all been very kind and I really appreciate your thoughts, but now you'll see me out reporting until I find a new job (in this wonderful economic climate).

I'm sure my blogging days will continue and you can find it at www.markzinni.com or check my Twitter page, which is updated as I report at Channel 12.

Take care -- and thank you!

This morning, I arrived at work where a giant box of peanut butter crackers was sitting on my desk!  Lance sent me the case of crackers -- including a letter telling me their snacks are safe to eat, despite the peanut butter recall.

Here's the background information... While I was still anchoring mornings a few weeks ago, I joked on air about eating peanut butter during the recall.  That's when I got an email from some PR company telling me the case was coming my way.  I think they wanted me to talk about it on TV, but that isn't going to happen.  Instead, my co-workers are enjoying the crackers!

(Attention co-workers:  Do NOT blame me if you get sick.)

I had my first meeting with Charlie at the hospital on Thursday afternoon.  This baby is adorable!

Seriously, we knew he wouldn't be ugly because mom and dad are good looking people and I'm not too shabby either!  Don't I count for something?  I sat next to his mother for hours on TV everyday while he was in her tummy!  It must have an impact!

Anyway, back to the baby who was sleeping like -- wait for it -- an angel in his father's arms when I showed-up.  Everyone was so calm and peaceful, relaxing in the room filled with flowers and gits.  We talked for a long time, but then it was time to "man up" and hold my new faux-nephew.  Bottom line:  The peace and quiet came to an end.  Charlie lasted a short time in my nervous arms before crying so hard his lip was quivering - I'm not kidding!  Pete and Michelle were like, "give us our kid back" (not really) but I insisted on a few pictures before mommy snatched him up.

Charlie, welcome to the world!  You've got a wonderful dad and mom -- you're very lucky! (You're faux-uncle isn't so bad either.)

(Daddy Pete, Mommy Michelle and Charlie)

I've worked side-by-side with Michelle Muscatello since 2004 and I'm so excited for you to meet Charles Anthony!

Isn't he adorable?  Charles was born on Wednesday, January 21st at 11:27 in the morning, just two-days after her due date -- not bad timing!

Mommy, Daddy & Baby are doing great and I'm so happy for their family!

You can leave a comment for Michelle and her family on wpri.com.

I now know how George W. Bush felt in his final days in the White House.

Since announcing my plan to leave several months ago, the station has moved forward with a replacement, which is kinda like Barack Obama being elected for the departing George W. Bush.  Now, the station is moving forward with The Rhode Show cast of Elizabeth, Shawn and Vince DeMentri.  This is all good -- and the show will be great!

As I sit and write this blog, there are about 25 people in the room talking about the future -- basically, the future minus Mark.  This is understandable because things have to move forward and people in this business are fooling themselves if they think they're irreplaceable.

This must be how Bush felt in the final days.  Everyone, everywhere, talking about the new drapes, the new carpet, the new "team", the new direction, the new newscast.  All the while, here I sit like a lame duck -- with people looking and saying, "Oh, you're still here?" (Not really...)

Next week, I go back to reporting during the day -- which is great.  And I'm not saying that like some 'insecure-anchor-with-a-bruised-ego' because my managers have clearly told me that I'm welcome to stay...  Well not anymore, my job is filled.

My time has come to move on with life and my career, like George W. Bush.  But can I please get a helicopter ride off in the sunset when I depart?

Look what I found inside the snack machine at Channel 12!

Do you see the peanut butter crackers?  They're the same crackers that we're being told by the FDA not to eat!  (I think our machine needs an updating...)

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- General Mills Inc. and grocers Kroger Co. and Safeway Inc. have joined the growing list of food companies and retailers pulling items made with peanut butter amid a salmonella outbreak.  The Food and Drug Administration has traced the outbreak to a Georgia plant owned by Peanut Corp. of America, which makes peanut butter and peanut paste and sells it to institutions and food companies. The outbreak may have contributed to the deaths of six people and sickened more than 470 others in 43 states.  The government has advised consumers to avoid eating cookies, cakes, ice cream and other foods containing peanut butter until health officials learn more about the contamination. Peanut butter sold in jars to consumers is not included, officials said.

Hello bloggers!

As you know by now, my schedule will be changing in one week.  I will be reporting during the day until my departure - and I'll have a new way of communicating with you all day.

It's a little thing called "twitter" - and this is going to be big! (He says sarcastically...)

Please check out my page at Twitter.com and follow along with me starting Tuesday, January 27th!  We'll see how this goes.

I was glued to the television on Thursday.  This crash is unreal and - I think - it's truly amazing that everyone survived.

Honestly, I fly because it's a necessary evil, but I'm always a little uneasy while in the air.  Now I have to worry a bird could bring down an airplane?  Why not put a screen over the engine to keep birds out?  Isn't there a way to prevent this?  I'm just thankful everyone lived - with a story to tell for life!

NEW YORK (AP) -- Survivors aboard a U.S. Airways jet that crashed in the Hudson River say it's a miracle they're still alive. Dave Sanderson, of Charlotte, N.C., says he heard an explosion, saw flames and thought "This isn't good." All 155 people on board the flight from New York's Laguardia Airport survived.

By the way, did you hear the Block Island Ferry came to the rescue?  Of course there's a Rhode Island connection.  The boat is being leased to a New York company for the winter and was nearby during the crash.  The crew went to the scene and saved more than a dozen people, including a pilot and flight attendant.  The story of this crash just gets more amazing!

...Vince DeMentri.

The former Philadelphia anchorman is coming to WPRI to take my job as morning anchor.  He'll also be co-hosting The Rhode Show with Lilly and Shawn Tempesta and co-anchoring the noon newscast.

Vince has worked in several markets including Providence!  If he seems familiar, it's because he worked at WPRI several years ago.  Welcome Vince!

As my bloggers know, I decided back in November that it was time for me to move on after more than six years in Providence.  I love Rhode Island, the people and this station, but you know how it is - when you feel ready for a change - well, that's how I've been feeling since last summer.

Vince starts on the morning shift on the 26th so be sure to welcome him with Lilly and Michelle!  I'll still be around town reporting until I leave, so I'm not done here yet.

You may have noticed some other familiar faces are gone recently.  Joan Moran and Jarrod Holbrook both moved on the new opportunities and I wish them the best!  They're great people and I was lucky to work with them both for several years.

Did you see any of Hillary Clinton's confirmation hearing in the Senate on Tuesday?  I watched for a little bit and couldn't help but notice the endless praise delivered on the Senator from New York.  It wasn't going to be tough since her party is the party in control, but honestly, this was hardly a hearing -- it was more of an ego boost for the would-be Secretary of State.

I knew I wasn't alone in this thinking because the pundits and commentators on the cable nets commented on it, too.  Today, the Washington Post produced this funny video, take a look. 

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. John Kerry says Secretary of State designee Hillary Rodham Clinton has done a "terrific" job fielding questions from senators. Kerry told NBC's "Today" show on Wednesday that he expects Clinton's nomination will be approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday. Clinton spent much of Tuesday testifying at a confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill. Kerry is the new chairman of that Senate committee. The Massachusetts Democrat says that Clinton has been very clear about how the incoming administration of Barack Obama will proceed on such major issues as Iran, nuclear proliferation and China. Kerry himself had been considered a top contender for the post of secretary of state in an Obama administration.

The passing of former Senator Claiborne Pell continues to be a big story in Rhode Island.  I never met Sen. Pell (who has been out of the Senate for years) but I was at one of his only public appearances in recent years.  I covered a visit by the Dalai Lama in Newport in 2005 and Sen. Pell attended the event at Salve Regina University.

Now, how about a little humor?

Well, the day Sen. Pell and the Dalai Lama appeared in Newport, I was trying desperately to get close to the Dalai Lama for an interview.  He was walking right towards me after his speech and that's when I put out my microphone and before I could finish my sentence, the Dalai Lama reached out and put his hand on my face.  It was a bizarre moment where I was - truthfully - left speechless.  I managed to ask something (but I don't recall exactly what it was) and he was nice, but throughout the entire back-and-forth, the Dalai Lama never took his hand off my face.  When we were done, he smiled and called me a nice man before walking away... Something I'll never forget. (By the way, I still have that raw interview tape in my desk!)

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) -- Former six-term Rhode Island Senator Claiborne Pell has died after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was 90. Pell's death at about 12:05 a.m. yesterday at his Newport home was confirmed by his former assistant, Jan Demers. The Rhode Island Democrat is best known for the grant program in his name that has helped millions attended college. Pell said he considered it his greatest achievement.

First, I'm sorry.  I haven't blogged since before Christmas, but I've been having major computer issues.  Today, I came to work and discovered my entire desktop has been erased, which is a good time.

Now, here's something funny from behind the scenes in a commercial break at WGN-TV in Chicago.  Lilly and I don't dance (usually) but we do get a little crazy! 

I've gotten some emails asking about my blogging - or lack thereof...  Here's the deal, I'm having "issues" with our new blogging site.  Just this morning, I wrote a big post about the snowfall and my weekend, but it disappeared when I went to post it live.  I don't know why this happens, but it is upsetting.

We are in FULL "Live Pinpoint Doppler 12 Weather Alert" coverage mode right now, so get ready for a long day of work (for me) and coping with the snow (for you)...

AP-RI--BOS-RI RI Winter Storm Warning

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA

 

...HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT FOR ALL OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND AND PERHAPS INTO SATURDAY MORNING FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS...

 

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 3 AM EST SATURDAY. SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP FROM WEST TO EAST LATE FRIDAY MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON. LATEST INDICATIONS ARE FOR SNOW TO BEGIN IN THE GREATER HARTFORD SPRINGFIELD AREAS AND THE I91 CORRIDOR BETWEEN 10 AM AND NOON. SNOW WILL THEN OVERSPREAD THE REMAINDER OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND...INCLUDING EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND BETWEEN NOON AND 2 PM. THE SNOW WILL BECOME HEAVY VERY QUICKLY. THUS TRAVEL IS NOT RECOMMENDED DURING THE AFTERNOON THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. SNOWFALL RATES OF 1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR ARE LIKELY FROM MID FRIDAY AFTERNOON INTO THE EARLY EVENING. ROADS DURING THE FRIDAY LATE DAY/EVENING COMMUTE WILL BE SNOW COVERED AND TREACHEROUS. THE SNOW SHOULD TAPER TO SNOW SHOWERS ACROSS THE INTERIOR DURING THE EVENING HOURS...BUT THE STEADY SNOW WILL CONTINUE ALONG THE COAST WELL INTO THE NIGHT....ESPECIALLY ACROSS SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS...INCLUDING CAPE COD AND NANTUCKET.