Beautiful Books

I own a Kindle, and I love it. Hundreds of books in a tiny computer the size of a mini-notebook. It's easy to see in the sun, travels with me on trips, and makes reading fun again.

I perused Barnes and Noble today, searching for a good Thesaurus and Dictionary for work. I Stumbled across this lovely display of Collector's Editions of classics. Gold-edged pages, ornate covers, thick bindings. Beautiful.

Sometimes I feel guilty for reading an e-book instead of an old-fashioned, classic book.

What it Means

Trayvon Martin's death is tragic.

The conversation that follows is fascinating.

From USA Today:

The tragic case played out in Sanford, population 54,000, about 30 minutes north of Orlando, when Martin left his father's home to buy candy and iced tea for his little brother at a nearby 7-Eleven. He was on his way back in the rain when Zimmerman, 28, spotted him. Zimmerman was armed as he patrolled the area in his car in response to several break-ins in the community. Zimmerman called 911 to report a suspicious person, according to the call released by Sanford emergency dispatch. Against the advice of the 911 dispatcher, Zimmerman followed Martin, according to the 911 recording. The two men fought and Trayvon Martin was left dead. Zimmerman told the Sanford police that he shot the teen in self-defense because he was fearful for his life. The police have said there is no evidence to contradict Zimmerman's claims. Police say Zimmerman was bleeding from his nose and the back of his head.

Dozens of marches and rallies are taking place across the country to bring awareness about how young black men are perceived.

ABC ran this interesting story on Friday. Two mothers of black teenagers talk about the advice they give their sons to help them appear safe to be around. I find captivating. It's stories like these that I'd love to tell. Beyond just reporting "what happened" but looking into "what it means."

Good Day

Just like any job, there are good days and bad days. And there are many more days that are just same old, same old.

Even though I'm reporting on different stories and meeting different people everyday, it can feel like repeats.

But there are days that buck the trend and feel fresh.

Today was one of those days.

There's a park right in the middle of Medford that is plagued with problems. Stabbings, issues with transients, drug arrests are some of the first things associated with Hawthorne Park.

There's always been grumbling and complaining about the area, but nothing ever seems to happen.

Until now.

The city is hiring a consulting firm to come with a plan to revitalize Hawthorne and it's going to ask park users and nearby business about how to fix it up. I can tell you, opinions are a dime a dozen. But now something's finally happening. A million dollars to fix up what some call an eyesore in the heart of the city.

I somewhat stumbled on the story and was able to beat some of the other stations and the paper in town, breaking the story. I found some several nice, fun people to talk to about it, and I was happy with my shooting and writing. Add on a good live shot and plenty of time and it was a good day.

It's days like these that make up for all the mundane days.

Behold the Green and Gold

Cinderella is a Spartan.

The Spartans of Norfolk State University versus the Tigers of Missouri University. 15 versus 2. Nobody versus Power.

I won't replay the game, but I will tell you this-- being on the floor during the last part of the second half was one the best if not the best basketball environment I've ever been present for.

The arena was packed, lots of Mizzou fans but more Kansas fans. Of course, they were rooting against the Tigers and for the Spartans. There were other indifferent fans, maybe locals, but they were pulling for an upset.

The crowd rocked so hard for Norfolk (Their awesome band helped). It was magical. NSU won and brackets were busted.

The team celebrated like there was no tomorrow, because for them there was no yesterday. It was Norfolk State's first tournament appearance. Ever. They'd never played a March Madness game before. Can they go up from here? The Spartans think so.

Halfway through the Saint Mary's game, this happened:

I love this for so many reasons. Listen to the reception these newly crowned kings get. Look at the uncontrolled smiles on these young 20-something's faces. They own the sports world at this moment.

My favorite moment is at the very end, this young girl is just one row behind the athlete. They're complete opposites-- He's in green and gold, she's in Jayhawk blue and red. But thanks to supreme effort on the court, their paths cross for these few moments. It's something neither of them will ever forget. And judging by the brilliance of their smiles and shine in their eyes, they wouldn't want to.

Always a Gael

Well that was heartbreaking. A friend texted me and said the way we lost was so painful, he would've preferred to stay down by 10 the whole time rather than have a glimmer of hope.

I don't think so. Not one bit.

We were flat for about 35 minutes. We were slow guarding the dribble and got beat by their quick little guards all day. Our shots weren't falling, not because they were bad. They were open looks, they just didn't fall. Purdue's defense had an answer for Delly all game and kept Jones pretty quiet until he start pushing his way inside for higher percentage shots. Our treys were weak.

In the second half, we had good offensive possessions, working for buckets and making them. But the black and gold answered overtime, keeping that near double digit lead all game.

Then we hit the 4:30 mark and things started turning. We were down 11 at that point, but gained on their lead from there on out.

The bench was doing a great job, jumping up after every bucket and kneeling on the sidelines willing good defense on the other end of the floor.

The bench lit up when Jones hit a big three to pull within 2.

Then it went nuclear after Page's triple from the corner.

I love video because it captures that moment perfectly. My favorite moment in sports is the silence of thousands of people holding their breath when a huge three is in the air. Everyone knows it's going in, but isn't ready to believe it yet. But when it hits the twine-- explosion. That's exactly what happened here.

The audio levels on my camera hit red, and the fans went nuts. The bench was so fired up, I had to edit the celebration short to keep an f-word from being mouthed on camera.

We were up with :44 to go. We had momentum. It felt like a Madness Miracle.

But it wasn't meant to be. A mental lapse, an airball, and a shot that was taken a second too early spelled disaster and a loss for Gael Nation.

A devastating, heartbreaking loss. I've seen a handful of Gael losses, but I've never seen the emotions overcome the players as it did Friday night. Several players leaning over, covering their faces, to keep cameras from seeing their tears. But we knew they were there.

For the next 30 seconds, players embraced each other in arms and in spirit, walking off the court in pairs and trios.

The season is over.

-- --

In the press conference, Delly and Jones were the student-athletes facing the media. Their faces were read, their eyes puffy. It was clear to everyone in there what was going on for the last ten minutes in that locker room that was filled and empty at the same time.

When they got up on the risers and looked down on the dozens of reporters, Delly and I made eye contact.

I tried to give a look of comfort and slight nod of the head. I tried to say, "You did great. Be proud."

I don't know if that's the message he got, but I hope so.

-- --

Coach Bennett talked about Jones' role as a leader in this game was the best he's ever seen from him. Said he's come a long way from the player and the man he was years ago when he joined the Saint Mary's program.

Coach's reflection on Jones in the last question of the press conference and, ultimately, the season: "…this year he continued to improve and he wanted to be good. It's hard to change, I think it's hard to change when you're 22, but you can if you really want to. He really wanted to be that, he wanted to be a good leader and be a guy we could count on. He turned into a heck of a player. But more importantly for life, his leadership skills improved, as a person he improved and as a coach, that's what you're looking for."

Coach on the court, and off it.

-- --

We caught up with Jones in the locker room a few minutes later. Here's what he said about Coach and his time at Saint Mary's: "It's been the three best years of my college career. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I want to thank Coach Bennett, for giving me a second chance as a player and as a man. I want to thank every player that's weever played with me. And I'm just glad to be a part of the Saint Mary's tradition."

-- --

Take that all in for a moment.

What do you think the Saint Mary's tradition is?

Who wouldn't be proud to be associated with that?

-- --

There were questions about when the pain from this loss wears off and how the season will be remembered.

I'll say that this was the best season in Saint Mary's' recent history. Excellence throughout the season led to a regular season conference title and a dethroning of Gonzaga, a conference tournament title, months of time spent in the Top 25 and the best mid-major conversation.

Coach Bennett has turned the Gaels into a perennial noticeable team. There's maybe a handful of mid-majors that could be considered elite and we're one of them. (I'd say Gonzaga, Butler, Davidson, VCU could make the list depending on their March run)

-- --

At the end of the season, I typically feel a sense of loss. Like it won't ever be as good as it was this year. We got a break or two that we won't get again and we won't be able to top what we've got.

I don't feel that way this year. I've got a positive outlook for the Gaels' future. And that's a beautiful thing.

-- --

Always a Gael.

Craig Seger

After the loss, I wasn't prepared to leave CenturyLink Center. I could've gone back to the hotel and watched the Kansas/Detroit game there, or I could've stayed and watched it live. Obviously, live is the correct answer. Especially when 15-seed Detroit is keeping pace with the Jayhawks.

Well I sit down near the baseline and watch the last part of the first half then walk around the concourse during halftime.

Second half starts and I'm sitting again, Kansas starts to pull away.

I'm thinking about taking off, but wanted to wait til a media timeout. Here's what happens, Detroit gets a steal and quickly dunks, next possession, another steal to a dunk. Bill Self calls a timeout and CBS goes to commercial, that's my exit cue.

As I walk out, I spot one of my idols, Craig Seger. He's sitting at the end of the Media Row. I walk in that direction and amble slowly. I don't know what it is, but he looks up in my direction. We make eye contact and each give a nod of acknowledgement. I smile slightly and walk out of the arena.

My time in Omaha is complete.

CenturyLink Center

Thursday was the first time the Gaels took to the arena. Filing off the bus, handling the media circus, and loosening up on the hardwood.

But not taking it too seriously.

The Walk

I wrote that previous post before even being outside. That was just based on texts, Facebook posts, and CBS' pregame show.

Step out of my hotel room and the world explodes into Madness.

Dozens of Gael alums decked out in red. Shirts saying "It's all about the G" and "God is a Gael," getting a bit snugger in the buffet line.

Unofficial t-shirts being sold near the entrance. One for $23 or 2 for $40. They're essentially steals in the price-gouging world of playoff sports.

Of course, I grab a pair.

-- --

Step outside and the mildly humid morning air hits less like a slap in the face and more like a pat on the back. "Welcome to Omaha. Home of Madness for the next three days."

The city streets are quiant, wide open, inviting. The past 48 hours, however, they've been almost always empty. Not today. Stoplights halt cars for hundreds of feet, parking lots are packed to capacity, thousands are walking the sidewalks, emblazoned in the colors of their college.

There are two 2-seeds in Omaha and both are standout programs with hopes for the next three weeks. Missouri and Kansas. I'm not a geography expert, but those two campuses can't be too far away. Those Tigers and those Jayhawks are wearing their spirit loud and proud.

I think Mizzou fans are taking their SEC-inclusion a little to quickly. I saw a man dressed in a repugnant gold and black jacket. It's some monstrosity that Craig Seger might wear. He is calling this game, so maybe it's on loan.

-- --

Either way, any excitement I had an hour ago, is now quintupled.

Fans are here, the games are closer to tip off, and the reality of Madness is kicking in.

Every fan across the country has one hope and one belief:

The Hope-- Each wants to see an upset, to see the established order toppled, to see a 15 take down a 2, to see an unknown beat down a familiar.

The Belief-- Anything can happen. My team has a chance to put together six wins and cut down the nets in the Big Easy. It can happen if I believe hard enough.

That's the spirit for the thousands filing in here, the tens of thousands in other arenas across the country, and the millions across America who are either watching at home cheering loud, or at work minimizing browser tabs when the boss walks by and covertly wearing their team's colors.

Morning Of

Can't stop humming this:

bah-da-da-dum dum-DUUUUM dum-dummm. da-da-da-dum da-da. da-da-da DA-DA-DA-DUM. DUM DUM!

It's gameday here and the vibe is good. Yesterday was an open practice and the Gaels took the CenturyLink Center floor for the first time. Coach and players talked to the media and the team held a light practice that was more like a shootaround. Players joking, laughing, holding a bit of a dunk contest. It was open to the public and about a hundred Jayhawk fans were in the hosue, cheering for the Gaels. But those cheers might turn to boos in a few hours.

The team was relaxed, enjoying the time in the spotlight. But stayed serious, knowing that this was a brief interlude of fun between preparing for the Boilermakers.

-- --

Stephen Holt, the sophomore guard, says he's back to 100% and looked strong in the knee brace. He said he'll be coming off the bench, which is a change for him. Ever the team player, he says his role's changed but his attitude hasn't.

When asked about the extra national (and thanks to the Aussies, international) attention the Gaels are getting, he said it's what comes with being a successful program. But the Gaels are still in control of what comes next. "We're gonna keep writing our story."

Video here: http://bryaninmedford.blogspot.com/2012/03/stephen-holt.html

-- --

What's different about this team than the 2010 Gaels is a loss of that wide-eyed, lucky-to-be-here feeling. Those Gaels had spent a few years building a team to dethrone Gonzaga and finally did it. There was a bit of an adrenaline rush from that achievement.

This team has 7 players from that Sweet 16 team who have been here. Who are hungry for more.

This year, we won the regular season outright and took the conference championship. We've earned this. We're not a cinderella. We're not here to get our name out there and show what mid-majors can do.

We're here to win.

-- --

There's no Omar Samhan, a media darling with a mouth to brag and boost awareness. This team does it's talking on the hardwood.

Maybe it's better that way.

Omar's antics got our foot in the door and now people know that Saint Mary's existed. But the past two years have shown that we're a program that's growing and developing and should be taken seriously.

I think that's the focused motivation behind the Gaels this March.

We'll see how it plays out.

-- --

The first games of the day are starting across the country and in about 90 minutes the game in Omaha will start. I'll be heading over to watch the action in person.

Florida takes on Virgina. Then, Mizzou against Norfolk State.

A great chance to see some great basketball in person.

But then it's our time.

Stephen Holt

Stephen Holt was sidelined for nine games after knee injury. He says he's back to 100% but won't be starting. "New role, same attitude."

That's the spirit of a Gael.

Videos

Saint Mary's Sendoff

An Unlikely Mascot

In Omaha

I'm here in Omaha, The Gateway to the West. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny, 80 degrees when we landed. A far cry from the rainy Moraga (and snowy Medford). I immediately changed into shorts.

We're staying in a Doubletree (cookies!) in the downtown/financial district. Beautiful office buildings, hotels, and convention centers. Wide roads and wide sidewalks with trees and street lights. Looking out from my 4th floor hotel room window, I can see the baseball field where the college world series is played. It's only about 5 blocks away. The CenturyLink Center, where we will play, is about 6 blocks away.

I've only got a small sample size, but I'm very impressed with the city so far.

-- --

Staying here longer depends on the team. I shot and edited two features yesterday, but due to slow internet and a longgggg travel day, they've yet to go on the website. As soon as they do, I'll post a new article with the links.

Thanks for your patience, and your support.

Mike Bouve, Gaels Radio Announcer; Richard Kilwein, Sports Information Director; Myself, Team Videographer

Photo from SMCGaels.com

-- --

Also, I'm working some pretty quick deadlines so blogging comes second. Expect fuller reports and more photos once the run is said and done. Hopefully later than sooner.

Cate the Great

It's a small world.

Yesterday, I spent a few hours on campus saying hi to professors and friends. People I lived with or took classes with and had a real good relationship with, but hadn't seen more than once or twice since graduating a year and a half ago. It was time traveling to the past when we got hang out.

Today, was the same-- professors, staff, and friends who I haven't seen in 22 months. But also, a good friend who I didn't even know 22 months ago.

Cate Cauguiran worked at another station in Medford until she moved to the City by the Bay earlier this month. This is her second week at KPIX CBS-5. Today, she's on my stomping grounds covering the Gaels sendoff.

She didn't know I'd be here, and I was hoping to surprise her. She was hoping to surprise me by sending me a link to her report (she thought I was still in OR).

Well, we were both surprised when we pulled on to campus at the same time!

At the send-off we caught up, had laughs, and a took a couple of pictures. Both loving that our worlds met despite being six hours away.

Hunted, not Hunter

I'm in Moraga, I've got my gear, and I've got my assignments.

The 354 mile drive from Oregon to California was slowed down by some snow on the border, strong winds near Shasta, and buckets of rain near Redding. But slow and steady wins the race and I had a lot of music.

Fast forward seven hours and now I'm on Saint Mary's campus. Met with the Sports Information Director, or SID, Richard Kilwein. He's the one hwo works with the media to set up interviews, pitch stories, and get them clearance. And he'll be my "boss" for the next few days (or more).

The current plan is to make at least one video a day for SMCGaels.com. I'll be working with the radio announcer, Mike Bouve, as the talent and producer for the videos, and I'll be staying behind the camera. We'll be showing the excitement surrounding the program and the NCAA run and some of the sights and scenes you'd see if you were in Omaha with us. Maybe a little of what the hotel is like, the arena, the band practicing, what the fans are doing. And of course the team during open practice, interacting with fans, talking about what they're expecting, and the game itself. Lots of up-in-the-airs right now, but that's what makes it fun.

-- --

A lot of people peg us as the small mid-major, not expecting to do anything big. They think we must be happy just to be included.

For us, that is not the case.

We've been here before. We have been to the Sweet-16, knocking off a #2 in the process. We won our regular season conference title and the championship title, beating "the team to beat" twice in three times this year. We've got the WCC player of the year. We are the higher seed. We are the hunted, not the hunter.

It's time to show what Saint Mary's can do.

To the Tournament!

I don't know how I get this lucky. Sometimes things happen that make me shake my head in amazement and disbelief. But the good kind of disbelief.

I'm going back to March Madness!

Late last week, I got a call from Saint Mary's asking if I'd be willing to travel with the school and produce videos for the team. I just about jumped out of my shoes. Before I could say yes, I needed to my bosses to sign off on the work, which they did.

Selection Sunday brought a different kind of tension than it normally does. Where would we be? Pittsburgh? Greensboro? Nashville? Columbus? Nope, Omaha. Not my first (or second, or third) choice, but the Gaels could've been travelling to Alaska and I'd be onboard.

The brackets were revealed and, just like last time, we're in a 7/10 matchup, but this time as the favorite. We'll be taking on 10-seed Purdue, then likely taking on 2-seed Kansas. It seems like an infinitely more uphill battle than two years ago when we upset 7-seed Richmond and 2-seed Villanova. Maybe because we're less unknown, less under-the-radar, less of a "darling" than in 2010.

But maybe that works for us. We're this funky team made of Australians and transfers. We play in a gym that's the same size as most other schools' practice facilities. Other teams will bring more fans to these tournament games than we have students at Saint Mary's. How many people don't know what a Gael is? We're an oddity. And maybe that's what propels us.

-- --

It's Tuesday morning, about 6:15, and I've been up for an hour and a half. I can't sleep because I'm so excited to get on the road and head back to campus. I'll be there meeting with my "clients" (I am a freelancer for the next few days), saying hi to friends, and sleeping on a couch.

It's a quick turnaround and all the plans just came together last minute and requires the six hour drive over the nasty Siskiyou Summit at the OR/CA border and through the rainy freeways of the East Bay. And though couch-crashing is far from glamorous, I wouldn't have it any other way.

-- --

Come early Wednesday I'll be boarding a bus then a charter plane with the players, coaches, band, cheer team, and everyone else who's trekking eastward to "The Gateway to the West."

From there, I'll be making at least one video a day and posting it to Saint Mary's' website or to the Athletics website.

I don't know what these videos will be or how long or anything just yet. We'll be talking it over and I'm sure the plans will change in the middle of the day. But that's alright.

My hope is to post a link to the videos on this blog every night. If I've got some free time there even may be some anecdotes about how it was put together. But things may get busy (read: I'm having too much fun). And you can definitely count on a recap at the end of the whole experience. Hopefully it's later than it is sooner.

-- --

Like Pavlov's dogs, I hear this sound and can't wait to see what's coming next.

My favorite song for the next month:

-- --

I feel lucky and I feel excited to have this opportunity.

When I got to go senior year, I felt like it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I was wrong. Apparently lightening can strike twice.

Student with a Gun

I checked my work phone and saw that I had three missed calls and at least one new voicemail. "Something big's happening," I thought.

Turns out there was a student on North Medford High School's campus with a loaded gun.

But but that 17-year-old had it the day before. And was arrested the day before.

We were just finding out about it more than 24 hours later.

I hurried down to campus, finding out as much as I could from a Sergeant, a couple of students, and a parent.

At the end of the night, I put together all of those perspectives for my story:

Loaded Gun on Campus from Bryan Navarro on Vimeo.

SWPL: Shorts

There's this book called "Stuff White People Like," which pokes fun at some of the stereotypical things middle class, left-leaning people (of any race) enjoy. I like it because I see some of myself in the items mentioned: plaid, farmers' markets, living by the water.

Every now and then when I come across a life experience that mirrors the mimicking I find in the book, I'll post it here.

Last weekend and this week we had temperatures in the upper 60s and even hit 70 Thursday. I played frisbee, read on the patio, and took a nap in the hammock.

And I wore shorts.

Now, the SWPL ode to Shorts:

"One thing prized by white people is making the most of situations. They like to maximize opportunities for all that they are worth. It applies to jobs, vacations, investments, books, education, and perhaps most importantly, warm days.

After a prolonged cold snap, white people are very excited at the first hint of a warm day. It is their opportunity to go back outside, to enjoy nature and thrive.

In order to get the most possible enjoyment out of these days, white people turn to one of their most trusted allies: shorts.

It is a known fact that white people believe that they can bring spring early by wearing a pair of shorts on any day that is above seasonal temperatures. This myth runs so deep that they will often wear shorts the following day when temperatures drop, at which point they will refuse to recognize that it is cold."

Astounding

What's the most astounding fact about our universe?

Spend three minutes with an expert who can explain.

Bitter Rivalry, Sweet Victory

Yesterday I did something I've only done one other time in my life.

Monday was the WCC Championship featuring the two teams everyone expected to be there-- the Saint Mary's Gaels and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. For the fourth year in a row, it was the same matchup. This time there was something a bit different. The Gaels had unseated the Zags as regular season champion and were the #1 seed in the tournament.

I've come to realize that this game is my most anticipated annual sports day. There may be a great Giants-Dodgers game in late September, or the Niners could make a playoff run. But you don't know for sure if that's going to happen. On the first Monday in March, you can safely presume the SMC and GU will square off for a title, a punched ticket, and, most importantly, a year a of bragging rights.

I made a decision to defy the laws of society, technology, and sports. I recorded the game to watch it later in the evening after I got home from work.

That meant turning off my phone, avoiding the internet, not looking at the TVs in the newsroom, and asking for some help from my roommate.

It's a phenonmenon that's incredibly rare and hardly satisfying. Just ask columnist and pop culture expert, Chuck Klosterman.

But I blocked out all knowledge of the game and watched it from start to finish just as if it were real. And I'm glad a I did. One of the most dramatic, energetic, passionate, fiery games I can remember. A game that me shouting throughout the second half, went to OT, and felt like the best in this bitter rivalry's history. Sweet victory.

Man, I'm glad I bucked laws of common sense, lived in the past, and celebrated like it was real-time.

--- ---

The other game that I did that is Stanford-VA Tech in the Orange Bowl last year. However, I fast forwarded the 4th quarter, when Stanford dominated.

Samurai Sword

Legend has it that a samurai sword is so sharp that you can cut a piece of yarn just by dropping it on the blade.

A few weeks ago a store owner in Northern California was robbed by a crazed man holding a samurai sword above his head, threatening to unleash a deadly blow. The owner, Jim, told me about the unfocused, possibly drug-induced haze over the robber's eyes. He told me the rated-R threats he made. He told me how he thought he might die.

Then, he told me about the hope that came over him when he got his hands on something cold, the fear went away.

Jim handed over the money, his phone, his car keys, and his sense of security. He says he hated feeling as fearful as he did in those moments.

Jim told me that he wanted to shoot the robber. He said he would have had no regrets. But there was another woman with the robber and he didn't know if she also had a weapon. So he didn't take any chances.

Deputies later told Jim that the sword-holding suspect is lucky that the woman was with him. She saved his life. And maybe Jim's, too.

Last Week's Reports

It was a week of ups and downs. Stories that were easy to find interviews for and some that were difficult.

Stories that were emotionally draining. And some that were a bit lighter.

On Thursday, I found a gas station where prices had jumped 20¢ in one day!

Friday brought one of my toughest assignments I can remember. An 18 month old boy had been sexually assaulted by his step father. I covered the story as the 27 year old suspect wept in court.

Monday was a relief. Has that ever been said before? I got to head up the mountain to the slopes of Mt. Ashland. Many of the people up there said it was the best ski day all year.

More recently, on Tuesday the 28th, Southern Oregon and Northern California started bracing for the first big storm of the season. A Winter Weather Warning for our entire viewing area. I headed up the mountain for a story on road crews' preps.

-- --

Check back tomorrow. I'll be posting a story where I talked to a market owner who was robbed by a man with a samurai sword. He talks about how feared for his life and what gave him comfort in those terrifying moments.

Snowmygosh

Anytime there's a chance the Rogue Valley floor will see snow, we call that looming doom "Snowpocalypse" or "Snowmaggedon."

It's tongue in cheek. We know there's nothing to really get flustered about. And we don't refer it to like that on-air or online.

This week we had a Snowpocalypse waiting the wings. It hit late Tuesday and through Wednesday.

Wednesday morning snow fell beautifully, silently outside and started building. The three reporters started making calls. Tow trucks, the airport, utilities companies. Was the world coming to a halt out there? We were finding out.

Several school districts closed down for the day. Others delayed classes (and bus pickups) two hours.

Here's the thing, an inch of snow in Medford means 3-6 inches in most other areas and a foot in the mountains and over the interstate passes. An inch in town means barely anything, but it's indicative of a major event everywhere else.

My report on Wednesday was in the Applegate Valley, about a half hour from Medford. There, snowfall was more than 6" in some areas. People live up remote roads on steep hills and when it snows like that, they're stuck at home.

Before hunkering down, there's stocking up.

Before Snowmaggedon, there's Grocery-apalooza.