I do certainly feel for the people who really look to make some serious money in a snowy winter. The guys who bank on snow plowing this time of year are probably not happy with what I am about to say, but I am loving this winter. Mild temperatures, 3 inches of snow maybe at one time and very little use of my shovel make me a happy man.
No blistering cold live shots standing on a highway. No wind piercing through your jacket as you shovel 3 feet of snow. And no throbbing back when you get back inside.
Now as I write this I bet Mother Nature is lining up a storm. But for the time being I am going to enjoy it and look forward to sunscreen weather which does not feel like that far away.

While the mild winter thus far has proved to be an economic bust for snow plowing companies, it sure is saving taxpayers and local governments some big bucks in salt and employee overtime. Those are just a couple of the benefits I can see from having a warmer-than-usual January.

Sorry, I’m not a fan of snow. I grew up in Northeast Ohio and saw my fair share, especially the blizzard of 1977 as a kid. My family lived on a hill. I’ve shoveled tons of the white stuff in my lifetime. I’m tired of it. Done. Finished. So I’m very delighted to only see an inch or two at a time that quickly melts.

Move to Florida or some other warmer climate, you say? Nah, I like Ohio and its people.

Our seasons may be a whole lot shorter compared to other regions, but, like many others, I want to stay close to family and friends. I’m a creature of routine, if you will. My early career took me out-of-state and if I can help it, I’m not going to leave again.

That’s not to say I won’t be the typical Ohioan and complain about the weather. Yes, we always know snow is going to happen, yet we whine and moan about it anyway. I guess it’s in our DNA.

But you won’t hear me complain about this winter to date. In fact, I’ve been able to get out and do some stuff on the weekends I probably wouldn’t do if I was shoveling instead. But I am worried about a possible repeat of what happened a few winters back, when we had a mild January. Old Man Winter buried us in late February and well into March. Spring seemed to take forever to finally arrive. Here’s hoping there’s no reprise this time.

Not sure if you noticed, but I was gone for a whole week! Well, I was on vacation! Believe it or not, it was the first time I have ever gone on vacation in January and I loved it! I spent some time at home and did some shopping with my mom as well as hit up the Detroit Red Wings vs. Buffalo Sabres hockey game. Our beloved Sabres lost, but it was a fun experience sitting in Joe Louis Arena watching the game! It was nice just being able to sit around and relax for a few days and catch up on family time and tv shows : ) Later in the week I went up to Buffalo, NY with my brother to go skiing at Holiday Valley with him, my cousins and aunt over the weekend. Perfect weather for it, fresh powder and family- perfect weekend. I’m not very good, but I enjoy getting out for a few hours on the slopes doing my best not to hit a tree or run into a building. Good news, I succeeded! But, vacation is over. As sad as that may be, I am excited to get back to work, I’m refreshed and ready for anything! : )

I have to admit that my weakness is sweets.  I love the smell of them, the taste of them, the joy of baking them!  I just generally love them.  Earlier this week I had an extreme craving for cupcakes.  I happened to have a few boxes of cake mix in my cabinet.  So, I woke up a few hours early for work to bake some strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.

After spending my valuable sleep time, I was very disappointed that they weren’t as scrumptious or as satisfying as a gourmet cupcake.  So this weekend I’m in search of a good recipe that will give the very expensive and delicious ones that you can get around town, a run for their money.  I have a few cookbooks, to check out.  However, if any of you out there have some that will knock my socks off, send them my way.  My email address is: ncollier@foxtoledo.com

This is a big weekend for Toledo-area churches.

Many of them are inviting families from outside their membership circle to watch a showing of the movie “Courageous.”

The film is about fatherhood and the struggles dads face to balance their work and home life, as well as being a parent. The movie centers on several police officers forced to make life-changing decisions as they come to grips with struggles within their own families.

“Courageous” follows in the vein of another successful film that caught a lot of people by surprise with its message. Fireproof starred Kirk Cameron, who you may recall from his days as a teen heartthrob on the TV series “Growing Pains.”

So why are churches doing this? Opening their doors right now at a crucial time in people’s lives is one way of reaching out to the community and performing the mission of ministry at home. Many churches focus on hunger and poverty around the world, but many pastors have realized there is a lot of hurt here at home—and have refocused their church efforts accordingly.

My church is one that is showing the film and I extend an invitation to Maumee United Methodist Church at 6:30 p.m., Sat., Jan. 21. For the little ones, my church is showing Dolphin Tale.

Just something I wrote on MLK Day. His open mind helped me create this with a twist on how I feel about love, of course.

He said

You’re such a hopeless romantic

And all I could do is smile

Because what I believe

Isn’t what the world believes

If they did

We would be living a violent free

Love me for me

Forget the color of your skin

Peace on earth

Type of world thing

I’ve been hurt

I get back up every time

Ready to love

Like I’ve always been blind

Learn from my past

Take the risk

Give you all my time

Boy it’s just what I’m willing to do

Because how can I find love

If I’m hiding behind the last one before you?

I’m not really a huge car person, but every year I head up to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit for work.

Honestly, it’s one of the most fun assignments I get to go and cover.

Every year there are many displays, fun unveilings (this year, the Dodge Dart), and sometimes even famous people.

The ‘star’ I saw this year was Jon Lovitz.

Mind you, when my photographer Pots and I saw him for the first time, he was introducing a Mercedes Benz. So we were at a distance, and he was on screen.

About an hour later, I passed him on the main floor.. didn’t even notice him.

But then Pots was like, “There he is, Jon Lovitz.”

Ok, I thought, let’s get a funny interview with him. I mean, he is more of a comedic actor.

Anyways, I ran up to his handler and asked to talk with him. He looked really tired, but I gave it a shot.

She told me, “5 minutes” and walked away.

Let’s just say here is the end of the story… Pots and I standing in the same spot about seven minutes later, blown off by Jon Lovitz.

No biggie, we just went up to the media room and got free food.

Hi guys. I covered 3 sad stories this week. I really don’t want to go into them anymore because I’ll just get sad again. But please make sure you guys take care of yourselves and never take life for granted. Remember any day could be your last. I pray you all have a safe and blessed week. Take Care

One of my stories this week took me to Owens Community College’s firing range.  I was interview the Director of Emergency Preparedness Mike Cornell for our series My Town.  He also let me fire off a few shots.  I think I may want to take a few classes to sharpen my skills .  It was a lot of fun.  Here are a few pictures.

Being a University of Toledo Alumni, I wanted to go out to the University of Toledo and ask what the students like about FOX Toledo. The University of Toledo is such a diverse campus, it’s the perfect place to get a variety of answers! Watch out for all the new FOX Toledo premieres this week!

Click this to see the video UT Students !