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Mike McGuff’s post blogging art career

Closed Published by mikemcguff February 6th, 2012 on mikemcguff.com blog

A few years ago I was digging up a broken French drain from my yard and I had a bunch of PVC pipes and nothing to do with them. I thought it was time to make some art. Much like Michelangelo would carve marble, I fit together PVC pipes.

My original muse was the recession. Then I thought and it only made sense to take pipes commonly used for drainage and make it TV related. My muse was channeled, and like a slap in the face by an executive news producer, I decided to recreate television color bars. It is both painted and lit to match what TV professionals use to set the correct colors for TV productions (although broadcast engineers will say the piece does not accurately recreate color bars - but it’s art).

I’m thinking of calling it TV Color Delight or TV Color Deluxe.

When I finished my work, my two year old said it was “beautiful.” I “premiered” the piece on my front lawn Halloween night. And no joke, trick or treaters actually walked up to it, observed it and said they liked it. The best was when someone drove up and took a photo (maybe it was the HOA looking to fine me - no bill received yet though).

So where do you display something so magnificent?

Naturally you would think it is a perfect fit for a TV station. I could loan it to the KTRK 13 pool area or maybe KPRC 2’s weather garden. However, I really want it in the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH). If anyone has any connections, please let me know.

I have already been plotting my next piece with a totally different medium. However, I think there might be more PVC pipe magic on the way. This time though, there is no more pipes to dig up. I’ll actually have to go to Home Depot and buy some.

KTRK 13 anchors play Santa

Closed Published by mikemcguff December 15th, 2011 on mikemcguff.com blog

Gigi Huang, Andy Delary, Tom and Brenda Koch (Photo credit: Gary Fountain)

KTRK 13 anchors and management showed up in support for the Annual Joyful Toyful Fiesta (JTF) at Gigi’s Asian Bistro in early December.

Master of Ceremony and Auctioneer Tom Koch up’d the ante for a 18K white and yellow gold and diamond necklace donated I.W. Marks, a VIP trip to Las Vegas provided by Paige and Tilman Fertitta, a dinner party aboard a vintage train provided by Patrick Henry Creative, an exclusive vacation getaway to the Four Seasons Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico Donated by Mariette and Ron Woestemeyer, and a celebrity wine dinner with Channel 13’s Chef Tom Koch and wine connoisseur Fred Wahrlich.

More than 200 of Santa’s elves donated toys and treasure - doubling toys donations and raising more than $140,000. The multi-course dinner was underwritten by Gigi Huang, and chaired by Brenda and Tom Koch. Guests were treated to a performance by the Our Lady of Guadalupe School choir, a special visit from St. Nick himself, cigars from Chip Hight of Hight Cigars and holiday cookie goodie bags.

One hundred percent of all gifts and proceeds were presented to the local charities: Boys and Girls Harbor, Casa de Esperanza de Los Niños, Our Lady of Guadalupe School, The Forge for Families, and Volunteer Houston.

Playing Santa at the event: Founder Andy Delery, Board President Fred Wahrlich and Board Secretary and Treasurer Janet Wahrlich, Renee and John Hawkins, Elizabeth and Grant Harvey, Board members Carol and Dr. Tom Sawyer, Board member Kim Padgett, Isla and Tommy Reckling III, Board members Edie and Rob Saville, Laura and Dave Ward, Doe and Henry Florsheim, Tom Davis, Julie and Dr. David Brown, Anne and Ken Culotta, Joann and Bill Crassas, Beverle Gardner and Marc Ostrofsky, Norm and Lauren Nolasco, David and Stephanie Baird,

Joyful Toyful Fiesta, Inc, a 501 (c)(3) organization, was founded 22 years ago by David and Carmen Bridges and Andy Delery to provide Christmas presents to children in need in the greater Houston area. JTF has since distributed more than 44,000 toys to local children’s charities. In 2010, the organization distributed a total of $65,000 to Houston non-profit organizations. Each year various business locations serve as donation drop sites for Christmas gifts leading to the annual holiday party generously underwritten by Gigi Huang.

Laura and Dave Ward with Shelby Hodge (Photo credit: Gary Fountain)

Henry and Doe Florsheim (Photo credit: Gary Fountain)

Kim Padgett and Joann Crassas (Photo credit: Gary Fountain)

PICS: KTRK 13 anchor Dave Ward’s 45 year party

Closed Published by mikemcguff December 7th, 2011 on mikemcguff.com blog

I blogged a few weeks ago about the big ‘45 years on the air bash’ held for KTRK 13 anchor Dave Ward. The party was thrown by Ward’s wife, Laura, at Tony’s (for those not in Houston, arguably the best restaurant in town).

I came across some fantastic photos taken at the event. These pics give us a view of what the lucky 1% or so of KTRK staff who attended got to experience. Shelby Hodge reported there was “a surprise video greeting from Diane Sawyer.” I can add some of the menu choices included Seared Sea Bass, Fire Roasted Amish Hen, Veal Piccata Romana and Riviera Salad.

See all of the photos taken at the party through CatchlightGroup.com.

PHOTOS: KTRK 13 morning show promo shoot

Closed Published by mikemcguff November 15th, 2011 on mikemcguff.com blog

It seems like many TV stations are pumping out a bunch of promos to the Internet these days. So forgive me when I forget KTRK 13 has a promo department. Being an old school, dominant number one, the station doesn’t exactly have to worry about the Internet.

So here is news of a new KTRK promo. When Casey Curry is not busy filling-in on ABC’s Good Morning America, she is the popular morning meteorologist at KTRK 13. She recently tweeted these photos of a big channel 13 morning show/GMA promo shoot with the Houston Texans. She tweeted that the wind was very strong that day (click on a photo to enlarge it).

Very windy photo shoot for @gma @ktrkhouston @houstontexans on Twitpic

Sharron Melton and Curry battling the wind.

Fun photo shoot for @gma & @ktrkhouston w/ @arianfoster on Twitpic

Fun photo shoot for @gma w/ @houstontexans on Twitpic

PHOTO: Pot of gold at Houston Municipal Courts building?

Closed Published by mikemcguff November 11th, 2011 on mikemcguff.com blog

City of Houston Municipal Courts Building rainbow

They say the end of the rainbow is where the pot of gold is and after seeing this photo my wife snapped, I think that’s true. For the building that appears to be at the end of this rainbow just so happens to be the City of Houston Municipal Courts building at 1400 Lubbock right across I-45 from downtown.

I know people have turned over plenty of gold to the traffic courts there over the years!

Now this post would have taken a stranger twist if the rainbow had landed at the building next door at 61 Riesner which is the Houston Police Department station. What would that have meant?

PHOTO: Tom Koch and Don Nelson serving drinks

Closed Published by mikemcguff November 10th, 2011 on mikemcguff.com blog

KTRK 13 morning power duo Tom Koch and Don Nelson

Last week I told you how some KTRK 13 morning types were giving a bar tending gig a swing.

Tom Koch, KTRK-TV ABC 13 morning anchor and reporter
Don Nelson, Entertainment reporter and morning traffic reporter for KTRK-TV ABC13
Katie McCall, weekend anchor and reporter for KTRK-TV ABC13

Well it was only for charity at Sullivan’s Steakhouse. The Houston TV celebrity bar tending event benefited the 21st Annual Carmen and David Bridges Joyful Toyful Fiesta, an annual holiday fundraiser and toy drive.

Here is a photo of Tom Koch and Don Nelson in action!

(Thanks Kim)

Lucy Noland shows off sex appeal in photos

Closed Published by mikemcguff October 5th, 2011 on mikemcguff.com blog

Just when you thought there would be no more posts here about former KHOU 11 anchor Lucy Noland (she did leave for KNBC in Los Angeles after all) I was sent these stunning photos of her. Here is a side of Ms. Noland away from the news desk and fancy work suits.

Now the question is…do you think news anchors should take sexy photos like this? Does it help ratings? Hurt credibility? Or has no effect?

These Noland photos are on The Upper Hand Hair Salon’s Flickr page. According to Flickr, the photos were taken in July 2008 by Pink Posh photography. Enjoy.

By the way, Noland’s replacement, former KABC abc7 anchor Lisa Hernandez, starts at KHOU in late October.

(Thanks B Dep)

PICS: KHOU 11’s Chita Johnson with Texans cheerleaders

Closed Published by mikemcguff August 9th, 2011 on mikemcguff.com blog

Sunday night, before Monday’s total financial meltdown, I posted a photo of KPRC 2’s Jennifer Reyna with some Houston Texans cheerleaders. It was to cheer you up before you lost much of your 401K and other investments. It’s the least I could do.

So today, after the accounts have been largely wiped out, I offer you an entire web gallery of new KHOU 11 meteorologist Chita Johnson with the Houston Texans cheerleaders. It’s becoming very apparent there are two camps forming in Houston. The lines are being drawn. Judging by comments on this blog and in other message boards, some Houston TV news viewers are going to one side of the line for Reyna and the other for Chita. Which side are you on?

Like I said before, KHOU knows it has a powerful weapon with Chita. Now it is capitalizing by sending her to cheerleader practice. Smart move. And think of all those ~~guys~~ people clicking on these photos online. Maybe whomever hired Chita should replace Timothy Geithner and crew!

And while you’re here anyway, I noticed during Monday’s Len at Work: A day in the life of a big rig trucker, Cannon was filmed wearing some fancy designer sunglasses. Click on the title to find out which designer protects this KHOU anchor’s eyes!

PIC: Houston Texans cheerleaders show up to KPRC 2 mornings

Closed Published by mikemcguff August 7th, 2011 on mikemcguff.com blog

The so-called Wall Street experts are predicting doom Monday when the markets open. I can’t really offer you any help there. However I can offer you a photo of some Houston Texans cheerleaders with KPRC 2’s Jennifer Reyna. This should make many of my readers feel better as their 401K’s face turmoil. KPRC 2 morning anchor Owen Conflenti tweeted the image. Meteorologist Anthony Yanez is in the photo too.

See the full size photo here.