Super Bowl Parties--Nina Pineda

Things are heating up in the desert..you could finally feel the buzz of the Superbowl starting last night..let the parties begin!

Its amazing how many people are living here from home. So far we have showed a slice of life..from meeting the nephew of Patsy Grimaldi the famous pizza place under the brooklyn bridge...to the Barber from Lefrak city with asalone in North Phoenix to the bronx bar owner in Old Town Scottsdale who painted his windows with the Giants logo...lots of folks gave up life in the Big City for a slower pace and the warm year round sun!

What's difficult are the distances...Phoenix is so spread out...its takes an hour to get to the stadium from our hotel..and Scottsdale where the clubs and parties are is about an hour and a half to the stadium...we're logging a lot of miles.

Tonight we plan to show you luxury homes for rent..if you want to come to the Superbowl the hotels are scarce but we found homes for every budget!

See you starting at 5pm --which is 3pm here in the mountain time zone...so I better get crackin!

Eyewitness News Team Touches Down--(Nina Pineda)

Welcome to the Valley of the Sun!

Our Eyewitness News Team touched down a full week ahead of the Big Game to get the lay of the land and start shooting stories around Phoenix before it gets crazy! The city is bracing for an influx of more than 100,000 visitors..many aren't necessarily Patriots or Giants fans they are Sports Fans or Corporate Big Wigs who were coming to the Superbowl no really matter who made it.

I've always loved Phoenix...my parents have a retirement home in Fountain Hills (just west of Scottdale) so I've had a chance to climb Camelback Mountain and hike in Fort McDowell Park as well as horseback ride in the foothills over the last couple of years. Camping in Sedona has been a highlight of my life so far and is one of the most beautiful places in the world...worth the trip for anyone visiting this area.

Right now I've got to go to Media Day inside the University of Phoenix Stadium..look for my report on this state of the art facility at 6pm!

Phoenix is a great restaurant town, too..and foodies from New York will be surprised by the culinary talents chef-ing at the hotels and restaurants throughout the Valley.

Cheers! Nina

PS its COLD here not as cold as back home but unseasonably chilly! And of course I brought desert wear and have no warm jackets for 40 degrees at night!

Added Feature: Jeff Rossen's Super Bowl Video Blog from Glendale

Big Blue Big Pride

by Kemberly Richardson
January 21, 2008

I am now sitting inside the airport in Green Bay looking at a sea of very proud big blue fans heading back to New York. Wearing the team paraphernalia. They are walking tall and proud. They are talking about their next big trip, to Phoenix of course.

<li><a href="http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/gallery?section=news/sports&id=5903831&photo=1" target="new">Photos: Big Blue Pride -- Giants Fans in Green Bay</b></a>

The weekend was a whirlwind. Saturday we headed to a small regional airport about 20 minutes outside of Green Bay. We ran into a family for Howell NJ. Talk about true Giants fans. They followed the team to London and made the trip here to the frozen tundra. They immediately recognized the Eyewitness News logo and we became fast friends.

Then Saturday night, it was the eve of the big game and the celebrating and smack talking was in full gear. We went to, of all places Brett Favre's Steak House. The name did not intimidate New Yorkers. I have to admit, the food was great. Finally something that wasn't fried.

We were embraced by New York folks from New Jersey, Connecticut and Long Island. The second Eyewitness News crew had now arrived: Scott Clark and Angelo Martin. It was now a true big blue force. Got a good nights sleep and woke up ready for the game.

Tailgating in Green Bay. We met Lois, a dear woman who had her front yard plowed on Saturday to make room for the 80 plus people who would pay for a spot on her lawn to party. Wow..never saw that before. We walked the neighborhood and yes when folks found out we were from New York. We got booo's..playful but loud.

It was cold..the coldest day we experienced since arriving in Green Bay. You know its bad when you have to put hand and foot warmers in places other than on your hands and feet. Todd, my photographer...he had ice droplets hanging from his beard!

The parking lot was quickly filling up outside of Lambeau. There was a sprinkling of blue.
Game time...I did have a pass for the press box where all of the sports reporters where sitting. I headed in with Scott. It was warm and yes there was food but I wanted the true Lambeau experience. I decided to head out into the bleachers and walk around. Again it was cold, now about minus 5 but I was bundled up and ready for the action.

The fans were colorful and very focused on the game. You could hear a pin drop when the Giants scored the first few points. But the Packer touch down...fans broke out in a thunderous roar..out of their seats..they cheered for their team.

So how do the fans stay warm? You had to be here to see it. Other than the proshop, where T-shirts are sold, the only other warm spot is the bathrooms. I ventured into the ladies room and saw first hand how it all works. They were taking off layers..reapplying hand and foot warmers..adding more layers and just relaxing trying to defrost.

Back out into the stadium. It was a breathtaking sight: More than 74,000 fans tightly packed in the bleachers, the same metal rows some of them helped shovel a few days before. Then the back and forth battle between the teams on the field..there really was never a point when either side knew for sure what was going to happen.

Towards the end of the game with such a close score, both Scott and I headed back to our satellite truck to get in position for the Eyewitness News special report. With two minutes left and the game all tied up we had to head outside to our camera position with Todd. Angelo was still shooting video on the field. Poor thing his feet were ice cold.

Scott was cool and a cucumber..talking on his cell phone with his team back in New York, who was giving him updates by the second. Game over and heading into overtime. We were just about frozen by then and as you might have seen during the special report was forced to put my ear flaps down on my hat to protect my ears. The ink in Scott's pen was frozen..he tried several others..also frozen. We waited for someone to score and when it happened it was show time.

Scott took the lead, eloquently telling viewers about what had just unfolded. I then had the pleasure of interviewing Mark and Margie from Sparta, NJ. It was over in a flash and then we had about 30 minutes to now turn around something for the 11pm. Fans were pouring out of Lambeau by now, Giants fans thrilled with the victory and Packer fans silent with disappointment.

We regrouped in the truck and went back on air at 11.

Tired and slowly thawing out, we headed to dinner and then back to the hotel.

All in all, this was a thrilling trip. Everyone in Green Bay welcomed us with open arms. It was my first time visiting this city and first time inside Lambeau....a jaw dropping beast of a stadium. Though we enjoyed our stay it will be nice to get back home. See you on the air on Tuesday. I hoped you enjoyed reading about my experience and thanks for all of your wonderful comments on our website.   

Kemberly

Cheese Curds in Green Bay

by Kemberly Richardson
Monday, January 21, 2008

Even before leaving NYC, folks told me I must have a helping of cheese curds here in Green
Bay. First... all cards on the table..although I was up for the challenge, I was leery given
the one detail you do not know about me but are about to find out: Can you say lactose intolerant?!

So I headed to Kroll's, a landmark restaurant right across from Lambeau. Wasn't quite sure what the curds would look like or for that matter taste like. My photographer Todd Pierce was also a first timer. We ordered, the mixed variety of course, yellow and white cheddar.

We waited anxiously but enthusiastically. Then we saw them coming down the aisle, piled high and looking very fried. We were about to have a true Green Bay experience.

Todd went first, biting into the small balls of cheese. He looked pleasantly surprised. He gave me the green light. I grabbed the curd and took a bite. Warm melted cheese oozed out, the outside crunchy, seasoned coating, a nice contrast. I liked them...really.

We finished one order and Todd placed another. I was game! We had two orders and loved every piece of the cheese curds. The waitress was so proud she was there for our first experience, a moment she says she will never forget.

We left Kroll's full of cheese curds, bragging we were going to bring a batch back home to New York. All was good until several hours later. Let's just say the curds were, for me, too much of a good thing given my dairy issue. I spent a lot of time later regretting my child-like fascination with the pieces of cheese :)

And before we head off into the frozen tundra, it is my pleasure to clear something up. The apple green turtle neck I was sporting on Friday had absolutely NOTHING to do with the Green Bay :).  It was one of the warmest sweaters I had and I didn't make the connection until Todd pointed it out to me :)

Go Giants!

The frigid tundra...(Kemberly Richardson)

So you score the assignment to head to Green Bay to follow the Giants...what's the first thing everyone says? Not.. wow how exciting...not...I hope Eli kicks butt..that's second and third. The most popular line...ohhh...it's cold there make sure you bring warm clothes.

So like any good Eyewitness News reporter..I checked the forecast and yes everyone was right..temperatures will steadily go down hill..dropping to single digits by game time Sunday evening. I made a late night run to the sporting goods store in union square to pick up a 'few' things for the trip. Here is the goal..warm AND wonderful..function AND fashion. There is nothing flattering about an overstuffed reporter on t.v...wearing a down coat that looks like the Michelin man. Next challenge...a hat. Trust me the one that looks fabulous in person..horrible on tv. Picked up an extra pair of ski pants...and hand and foot warmers.

With all of the accessories in place it was time to learn about Green Bay and the Packers. Many in the newsroom were helpful..offering fun facts about the city and team. The internet was also a great go to...now I can quote things to people living here that they don't even know...go New York!

We boarded our flight Wednesday night..myself and my photographer Todd Pierce. First we flew to Chicago then took a connecting flight into Green Bay. When we touched down around 10pm..it was minus 1..snowing and lets just say the airport was very quiet. We made our way to our hotel and turned in for the night.

Thursday we woke up to heavy snow and frigid temperatures..around 15. The cold was bone chilling but nice..the scenery beautiful! We headed to Lambeau Field..what a beauty. Like them or not...the fans are right..the stadium is impressive and the green and gold everywhere! Though loyal to their team and not really wanting to hear about the Giants..folks here are warm and welcoming and really are excited about hosting the Giants...but this is just Thursday..lets see if everyone is still warm and fuzzy come Sunday!

Leaving Israel (Diana Williams 1/10/08)

We are wrapping up our trip to Israel and I am always sad to leave. There is so much beauty and history here.

We have traveled many miles from Ramallah in the the West Bank to Sderot outside of Gaza. Along the way we have met many wonderful and passionate people. But it is  frustrating -- the issues here are so complex, so multi-layered, it is hard to find easy answers.

A few footnotes on the trip: our blog editor Scott Curkin asked us to get him a special candle for his upcoming nuptials. Scott, mission accomplished.

And we made only one side trip, a visit to the Western wall. It's a centuries old tradition to put a note with a prayer or an appeal to God in the cracks of the ancient limestone walls.

Producer Bryan Lenocker and I both slipped in our requests.

We fly back tomorrow. I look forward to being back on the anchor desk with Sade on Monday.   

Adjusting to the time difference...(Diana Williams 1/7/08)

I think it's the time difference that affects us the most. While most people in New York are sleeping we've already covered a lot of ground here in Jerusalem and the West Bank. We hit the road at 8 o'clock in the morning here....that's 1:00 a.m. in New York. The time change gives us a head start - we've pretty much finished out in the field by the time managers and producers are strolling into the station on the Upper West Side. That's good for us, the bad part is a live shot at five o'clock New York time happens at midnight here; and live really means "live".

That said we are not complaining. Producer Bryan Lenocker and myself traveled to the West Bank today to see for oursevles the illegal Israeli settlements that some say threaten to hold up the peace process. Everywhere we have felt safe, but tomorrow we go to Sderot, a town that is a frequent target for Hamas militants lobbing homemade rockets from Gaza.

We are also keeping a close eye on the New Hampshire primary...Israeli's chuckle at the name Huckabee. We'll let you know what they are saying about our elections.

Shalom from Jerusalem.

Landing in Jerusalem...(Diana Williams)

It’s been a long day for us in Jerusalem. We hit the ground running once we arrived at Ben
Gurion Airport. But frankly, there’s not a lot to see just yet.  We got a tour of the |King
David Hotelwhere the president will be staying.  Security there is extremely tight.  All of the
hotel guests have been evicted to make way for the presidential delegation.    . 

We have constantly run into New Yorkers since our arrival here in Jerusalem. We talked to
Jacob Wahrhaftig and his wife Elana from Forest Hills Queens. They are here for a bar
mitzvah for their nephew and told us they were glad to be getting out of town before the
presidential visit brings the city to a grinding halt.  

We were fortunate to get a good night’s rest on the flight. The kind folks at Continental
Airlines, Armie and Barbara helped arrange first class seating. John, our flight attendant,
has a story for our consumer reporter Tappy Phillips. Tappy, you can expect an e-mail from
him.

This week I’ll fill you in on what’s happening behind the scenes as we report from
Jerusalem.  Daphna Venyige is our local producer, along with Eyewitness News producer
Bryan Lenocker.  This is Bryan’s first trip to Jerusalem, and he’s quickly learning there is no
sleep for the weary.