Winning $1,000 for the Tulsa Humane Society: Let's Ask America

If you missed it, I represented Tulsa as a contestant on "Let's Ask America" (LAA), a nationally televised game show. Four meteorologists played for charity in a "meteorologists only" episode.

How did I get to be on the game show?

The LAA producers put out a casting call for meteorologists, and someone within my company submitted my name. I knew nothing about it and was quite shocked to get a phone call from California asking me to try out, a welcome surprise!

LAA recorded me playing a practice show via Skype, and within a week I received a call telling me that I made the cut. Yay! I got most of the questions correct too, so I was feeling confident.

Setting up for the game show was easy: The Channel 2 staff set up a laptop computer with Skype in the TV studio and connected it to the Internet. The game show was then recorded, editted and broadcast nationally on January 31, 2012. All contestants play from home or work.

How did I do on the show?

Hurricanes or politicians: Which did people in Florida say is more likely to make a mess of their state?

Florida, politicians and elections: wow, that's too easy! I remembered seeing silly questions before on the show and thought this might be the trick question. I answered hurricanes, thinking too of Hurricane Andrew from 1994. I missed it! Answer: Politicians


Boyfriend or dog: Who did female dog owners say they keep on a shorter leash?

Hmmm. Do they want a silly answer or a serious answer? Based on the previous question, I didn't think they would have two silly answers in a row; therefore, I answered dog. I missed it!

Black or white: Which automobile color did car enthusiasts say is the hardest to keep clean?

Oh good, an easy one! Oklahoma's red dirt can cover a dark colored car in a hurry: black. I missed it! (I guess they didn't ask car enthusiasts from Oklahoma!)

The third wrong guess eliminated me from the show, despite my lucky sunshine tie!

Amber, the Phoenix meteorologist correctly answered "white." She won a total of $47,000 for her charity! The Humane Society of Tulsa did win $1,000 for my appearance.

Bottom line: I really, really had fun for this unique game show opportunity. Thank you Let's Ask America for the fun! I would certainly do it again.

Hopefully I'm better at guessing the weather forecast than my game show results. Thanks for reading. 

George  

Flower Power: Great bicycle event near Muskogee

(ABOVE: Quality cycling events have quality stuff at rest stops... donuts!)

Flower Power is an annual small town bicycle ride through the beautiful terrain of far eastern Oklahoma. Based out of Three Forks Harbor on the edge of Muskogee, Oklahoma, the ride takes place the last Saturday in April. And it's kinda awesome!

Many cyclists in the Tulsa area consider Flower Power as the first big cycling event of the season.

The internet site http://www.flowerpowerbike.com/ advertises that 300-500 usually ride each year. This year's ride seemed bigger, and experienced riders told me the crowd was among the largest-- credit the nice weather forecast maybe! ;)

On-line registration cost me $30 which included a nice long-sleeve "Dry Fit" souvenir shirt.

You can "late register" on site if needed.

The Flower Power registration area was located inside a modern office-like building at the Harbor, and it offered plenty of restrooms and air conditioning. (I was able to give myself a sink-bath and change clothes after the ride.)

The 9am start time is later that most, and it's welcomed as most riders drive in from out of town. (45 minute drive from Tulsa.)





















Five different ride lengths ranging from 15 miles to 100 miles are offered. The 70 miler seemed to be the most popular. I chose the 50 mile course.

The elevation ranges from 500 feet to 900 feet on the 50 miler with 1200 total feet of climbing according to www.mapmyride.com.

Rest areas are located about every 10 miles. Several ladies from a bank in Fort Gibson offered smiles and the usual rest stop goodies at the mile 20 rest stop.

All rides begin at Three Forks Harbor and make a clockwise circle north then eastward through downtown Fort Gibson then toward Hulbert and Tahlequah.

Most of the roads were very smooth by Oklahoma standards. All riders will encounter short-lived gravel patches between Fort Gibson and Okay between miles 5 to 11. Otherwise the roads are mostly smooth asphalt with little traffic... really, really nice pavement!

The signature highlight of the ride begins near mile 15. Large sweeping curves plunge 200 feet to Fort Gibson Lake Dam. You will easily reach near 40mph without pedaling.

After riding across the dam, you climb up the east side for 300 feet alongside beautiful jagged rocks and under shaded trees. This climb grades near 10%. It's challenging, but doable.

The next section is also quite enjoyable. During the next 10 miles, expect more speed with more sweeping curves and downhills that take you across low water crossings. (Make sure you ride "straight up" across the low water crossings as slippery concrete at the bottom could surprise you. The scenery is ideal with occasional tree canopies, varying shades of green colors, valleys and occasional overlooks. Vehicular traffic isn't a problem.

Though I really enjoyed the 50 miler, I would recommend choosing a different distance. The problem occurs at mid-ride as the course steers you along heavy car traffic and barely shouldered Highway 51. Any other distance avoids this 5 mile stretch between Hulbert and Tahlequah. Try the 70 miler instead!
The steepest climb of the course occurs in the last 15 miles. Nicknamed "The Wormhole", the terrain sharply rises 200 feet in two chunks along a sharp curve. My bike computer registered an 18% grade for the second section of the climb-- I had to walk my bike up the hill! The rest of the course is mostly downhill.

The last rest stop is within 5 miles of the finish, and it's a fun one. Hula dancers provide you with a flowered lei to wear the last few miles!

The last rest area also provides a nice break too as the last few miles are otherwise rather blah. You finish the course riding along the wide shoulder of westbound Highway 62/64 toward Muskogee.

Flower Power ends unceremoniously as you ride back across he starting line.

The end of ride meal back is a winner. You can spread out, wash up, and cool down back inside the Three Forks Harbor office structure. Volunteers serve up a good lunch: homemade hot dogs, chili, pickles, potato salad along with plenty of water, soda and cans of beer if you choose.

You overlook the harbor in a shaded picnic-like setting.Overall I give this ride a four star recommendation.

If you live anywhere near Tulsa, Oklahoma City, NW Arkansas, or even Dallas, this one is worth the trip.

Beautiful scenery, curves, climbs, descents, smooth roads and friendly faces. I'll be back next year!

Thanks for reading. George

Graupel-- huh?!

(March 8, 2012. Photo courtesy: Marcie M. from Keys, OK. Picture shows a hybrid of ice. This could be considered as graupel...maybe...)

"It's hailing! Wait, I think it's sleet. Uhm, this can’t be snow, uhm, it's uhm…"

If you muttered this to yourself yesterday, you aren't alone!

Yesterday during the cold rain you may have seen graupel (a word the spell checker doesn't even like!) for the first time in your life-- so what is it?

Graupel could be considered part rain, sleet and snow, and it's rare in Oklahoma. In layman's terms, it's a bit of an ice hybrid.

Graupel forms during cold precipitation.

Cold, above ground temperatures cause the precipitation to begin as snow, remaining mostly frozen from cloud level to near the surface. The snow gradually melts above the ground while rain or sleet attempt to freeze to the melting snow.

The rain exists in what's called a "supercooled" state-- water in a liquid form below 32 degrees as it adheres to what's left of the snow. (Supercooled water/moisture is common in clouds.)

You can end up with a compact, smallish icy/snow pellet. It's hard to nail down the precipitation type from viewer pictures alone, and it's debatable whether you call it graupel, sleet, and/or ice pellets. Melting doesn't help identifying the precip type either.

Across Oklahoma, nearly all forms of precipitation fell yesterday in the cold weather: a few flurries were reported west, sleet covering the road in eastern Oklahoma, some small hail fell during "pulse" type storms during the morning. A few reports of the icy slush/maybe graupel came in as temperatures dropped.

Enjoy the pictures on this page... George

(Below: The Wilson family in South Tulsa sent in these pictures of the melting mess. It's difficult to tell whether it's sleet, small hail, ice/snow pellets or graupel.)

Twisting... with Chubby Checker!

(ABOVE: Justin Wilfon, Deana Silk, and myself "twisting" with Chubby Checker on 2NEWS Midday.)

When I look back some day at the coolest moments of my career, dancing with Chubby Checker will rival anything.

The famous Chubby Checker stopped by KJRH earlier this month as he was in town for a concert.

If you're too young to know who is he is, click here for his 1950s classic, "The Twist." He's one of the biggest names in the history of early rock-n-roll.

Chubby Checker is a delight! You quickly get the feel that he's an old friend. He even knew my name and approached me after watching one of my weathercasts... wow!!

In an interview on "2NEWS Midday", the now 70-something year old legend spoke of his career and the lasting impression that his most famous song, "The Twist" had on America.

"It's a dance that anyone can do, at any age," he told us.

At the end of the interview, "The Twist" played from the loud speaker, and we all joined in dancing. (Had I known my feet would be on TV, I probably wouldn't have worn my usual tennis shoes...)

Thanks Chubby Checker, for being you!

(BELOW: After the interview, Chubby Checker handed me his cell phone! He wanted me to take a pic of he and Deana together.)

Cowabunga dude! Saturday morning run with Runner's World

(ABOVE: Turtle Trotters-- not to be confused with my Blazing Turtles group. Turtle power!!)

Today I ran my second longest distance ever!

I've been waking up early on Saturday mornings this month to "try something new" just because I can now!

I was promoted to a Monday thru Friday job at the beginning of the year after Julie Chin decided to retire from TV weather at Channel 2.

I love my job and working at KJRH, but after working weekends for 10 years in Tulsa, a new beginning felt welcome. I always looked forward to working the popular weekend morning show, but personally I felt like I missed out on zillions of outdoor weekend opportunities. So new year, new adventures every week!!

This morning's new journey: joining a Runner's World marathon training run. I found out about the run while surfing the Internet looking for new outdoor stuff to try.

A large group, several hundred folks gathered on the clear, cold morning along the Arkansas River. Today's run was a 5 miler. The distances and courses vary weekly. (The running groups are free and open to the public. Click here for their schedule.)

Before the run, group leaders held up signs marking the pace that each group would run.

I joined a group called "Blazing Turtles" which ran a 10-11 minute per mile average. That's a doable pace for me, maybe a tad slower than I usually run. But I'm not used to running five miles either!

I also learned that it's a big deal for runners to bond with other runners in their group, improve their performance and even work up to a faster group.

After a few announcements, the fastest group left first. The age range of my group averaged 30 to 50 years old, though I met a 13-year old who was running with her Mom!

The run felt awesome! The morning air, the quiet environment, healthy living.

The group run was my first since high school! I usually run a few miles alone on occasion, so this was a nice change. I think adrenaline set in too as I wanted to run faster with a group.

Runner's World provided water stops along the way and even snacks at the finish line-- pretty impressive for a free "training" event!

I felt great after running just over five miles which marks only the second time that I've run that far in my life. (I'm usually on a bicycle!)

Another goal blossomed for this year: Run in a Tulsa event.

I've never run in any event before, not even a 5K! (as running events are scheduled on weekend mornings when I used to work!)

Thanks Runner's World-- I had fun. I feel awesome, and I'll be back. Great way to start a weekend!

(BELOW: A large group met at River West Park for an 8am run. Runner's World even provided water and yummy snacks with icing! (last pic)

Julie Chin :)

(ABOVE: Covering severe weather-- at 1:30am. The KJRH 2 Works for You weather team in 2008. George Flickinger (me), Julie Chin, George Waldenberger, Dan Threlkeld)



I couldn't believe it when Julie Chin told us she was leaving TV. But at the same time I understood and wasn't surprised.

She informed us of her decision a while back. Her eyes filled with emotion. Mine did too.

....

There's no such thing as a 9-5 job in TV.

Julie's morning schedule is probably the most brutal. Wake up at 2 something in the morning for a 10 hour shift. She doesn't "get credit" from viewers for coming into work at 2:30am. Be ready for lights, camera, action by 4:57am.

She's always the first one in and the last one out on the morning shift.

Why arrive so early? It takes about two hours to make a forecast and prepare the data for the newscast. KJRH doesn't hire someone to do that work either as to a meteorologist, that's like someone else doing your homework. There are no "talking heads" in the weather department at KJRH.

If storms are on the radar, her alarm clock goes off earlier-- she arrives at work at 1:30am. Even going to bed at 7pm, that's less than 6 hours of sleep. If it's raining several days in a row, then wow! Lots of extra hours if the weather lives up to Oklahoma standards.

Julie never cut corners behind the scenes either. Better than anyone else in town she researched local events for specific forecasts, planned out exactly what graphics to show and why, searched for ways to engage the viewer on each individual weathercast. And she did it all with her signature smile and natural enthusiasm!

On top of that, everyone requests Julie! She loves her school talks, hosting duties, volunteering and public appearances. She will continue to be a community pillar after her broadcast career is over.

(ABOVE: Julie Chin (w Jason Grubbs) at one of her zillion events. From the Sand Springs Soap Box Derby. Check out the video! I strapped a camera to mini-Storm Chaser 2 to record Julie racing.)

...

Julie survived Tulsa TV for 9 years, and she did the job better than anyone. Need proof? Look at the results-- KJRH has grown to its highest morning ratings ever.

If Julie has future job plans, she hasn't told us what they are. She and her husband are staying in town, that's all she's saying for now.

Need a spokesperson? Hire her. Need a face for your Tulsa company? She's your woman. She'll learn your business plan better than you know it yourself!

KJRH would, of course, love her to stay on as a meteorologist, but she's too good! Her best days are ahead of her.

I think Julie might be smarter than the rest of us too-- she's now putting her life and her family first! (How fun of a Mom will she be?!)

I'll miss you, friend. After you catch up on some sleep, I'll see you around town. I bet you'll be smiling too, Jules! :)

BELOW: What you didn't see on TV-- Julie tucks her microphone pack out of sight into her sock, and she's two phone books tall! ;)

April 22/23, 2011: Tulsa hail and mammatus clouds

(ABOVE: My wife Shyla didn't have to storm chase to gather these. Yes, she ran out into our front yard during the storm to get them! The largest measures 2.2" wide.)

Tulsa county was battered by hail on consecutive days.

On Friday, April 22, 2011, golfball to tennis ball-sized hail beat up cars in south Tulsa county. The southern suburbs including Glenpool, Jenks, Bixby and Broken Arrow received the largest hail. Here's a bit more about the hail.

Soon afterward, mammatus clouds developed over Tulsa, a somewhat rare sight. Here is small article I wrote for KJRH regarding those clouds.

The following night on April 23, 2011, another hail storm developed in the Tulsa area. While the hail wasn't quite as large, quarter to golfball-size hail pelted cars and roofs through the middle of town. The storm formed near Kellyville, then tracked across west Tulsa, the Brookside area, Utica Square, the University of Tulsa and Tulsa International Airport. (I guess folks who unknowingly left their exposed cars in the airport parking lot may return to find hail divets in their hoods.)

Enjoy these pictures sent in by KJRH viewers! George

(ABOVE: A few baseball-sized hailstones fell in Bixby. BOTTOM: The Hall family found the largest hailstones in Bixby. These 3" hailstones are slightly larger than baseballs!)

(ABOVE: Richard Waters took this beautiful picture of the mammatus clouds over South Tulsa. You can see the City Plex Towers in the bottom right. BELOW: Janie Molloy Ledbetter had an amazing view of the mammatus clouds near Bristow. She wanted to me call them "mammary clouds" on TV... and I did.)

(BELOW: Most of the hail near Channel 2 was the size of quarters. But a few dense, golfball-sized hailstones like these damaged cars. Clay Holder photo.)

(BELOW: Storm chaser Paul Haines was chasing this Tornado Warned storm near Henryetta near sunset. If you see a cloud such as this one, which looks like a rotating space ship, then stay away! The last picture is what can happen if you don't stay away.... Tornado Warned storms can throw out huge hail away from the main precipitation core. The storm ejected baseball-size hail on to cars along Interstate 40, cracking his windshield.)