ABC News 20/20: Guinness World Records

I worked on a fun and surprisingly touching broadcast set to air Friday 11/23/07 at 10pm on 20/20 about the Guinness World Record Book Phenomenon.

I specifically worked on the piece about Guinness By Choice. The world's longest fingernails and world's smallest waist. Lee and Cathie are both lovely women and I am happy for all the success their records have brought them

Check out our article here: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=3893475&page=1
Check out a short version of our piece here: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3893432
See slides of the smallest waist: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/popup?id=3897714
See slides of the longest nails: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/popup?id=3897859
Read a bio and more answers about Lee and Cathie: http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=3906738&page=1

BNL Live DVD

My guys are at it again. If you are a fan of the Barenaked Ladies you have to get the fun DVD / CD combo tour package: "Talk To The Hand" - Barenaked Ladies Live in Michigan

The first-ever LIVE Barenaked Ladies DVD! "Talk to the Hand" Live in Michigan is a tight blend of classics including "One Week," "Pinch Me," and "If I Had $1000000" as well as hits from their recent releases 'Barenaked Ladies Are Me' and 'Barenaked Ladies Are Men." With 15 tracks as well as backstage and sound check footage, this DVD showcases why Barenaked Ladies is one of the world's greatest touring bands. Also includes an audio CD of the same performance. It's really fun. Enjoy.

Holiday 2007 tech gadget gift guide

It's never too early to start shopping for your holiday tech gadget gifts and over at ABCNEWS.com we are starting to post some of our holiday picks.

Here are a few of my early suggestions:

Green gift ideas: iMac, APC Power, 1 Laptop Per Child, Lamp, and Video Game
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/story?id=3803350&page=1

iPhone Review
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/story?id=3822984

Apple TV
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/story?id=3803125

Sling Box
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/story?id=3802985

Blackberry Curve:
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/story?id=3803171

Wii Classic Controller:
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/story?id=3802953

OtterBox Rugged Phone/PDA Cases:
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/story?id=3834596

Club Pogo (Online Casual Gaming Service):
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GadgetGuide/story?id=3834586

E+E+B in the Audience

I attended Regis and Kelly Live last week and sat in the front row. Look how excited I was about 50 seconds into the show. Two of my favorite teachers Bridget and Efrat seem even more happy!

Marriott Rewards For You and Me

I love getting rewards for showing loyalty to a company and whenever I travel I try and stay at Marriott hotels. With well over 400,000 reward points now I hope to one day retire and move into a hotel for free :-)

Help me out by signing up for the free Marriott Rewards program, staying at a Marriott and then we will both get bonus points. Yeah bonus points!

Sneezing Revolution

Have you heard the news? The CDC now encourages citizens to cease sneezing into our hands and instead sneezing into our sleeves! Check out this funny video, but first look over these a few things you can do to prevent the spread of cold and flu viruses.

• For more information on Pandemic Influenza, go to: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/general/index.html
• Wash your hands often and wash with warm water and soap for 15-20 seconds. This is the most important this you can due to prevent the spread of germs.
• If you are sick, stay home and away from other people as much as possible.
• When coughing or sneezing, cover you mouth and nose. Please watch this short video about the new “sneeze in your sleeve” technique the CDC is recommending we all learn. http://www.newfluwiki2.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=125

High Tech at US Open

I'm a fan of Tennis and Technology so I would like to thank Ken Rossi and Jeff Volk of the USTA Advanced Media group for giving me a behind the scenes tour of the 2007 US Open and how they make usopen.org such a fabulous site.

Thanks to my pal Pam Allison for bringing me as her guest when we sat in the front row to watch Serena Williams and Roger Federer up close and even for taking me the next day when we sat in the 1003 row :-)

Check out my online article by Eric M. Strauss on ABC News:
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=3573832&page=1

"A high-tech infrastructure is what makes all this instant data available. About 100 yards down the hall from the plush-carpeted player's lounge, where Maria Sharapova, the 20-year-old Russian champion could be found recently psyching herself up for a match by listening to her iPod, and where other players relaxed playing Nintendo Wii and Sony Playstation 3 video games, sat a nondescript high-tech data center that would rival that of any Fortune 500 company."

Videotaping Death

Part of my job as a Producer for ABC News Magazines includes meeting people who have done horrible things or have had horrible things happen to them and seeing a lot of senseless violence. People always ask me how I deal with it and I often wonder myself. I think the day that I no longer feel sadness for others is the day I've seen too much.

A friend of mine - who I met while producing a story in Louisville, KY - Dan Chesser is the chief videographer for WHAS-TV. Dan was videotaping a breaking news story last week from the station's helicopter, and one of his cameramen Ron Johnson was 70 yards away from the action. The action was a bank robbery gone wrong and the police shot the suspect as he exited the door. WHAS decided not to show the shooting on TV.

Here are some of Dan's thoughts that were published in a local KY paper.

I was in the helicopter yesterday// But then we knew from the scanner traffic in the newsroom that things were winding down just before noon. After the four hostages were released, things moved quickly. The pilot was flying figure eight patterns so that we could see both the side and rear doors without going around the whole building. // The pilot has just made his turn and the skid cleared my shot and I zoomed in to reframe the shot when we saw Guy exit the bank. The next ten seconds will always be etched in my memory. We both could not believe what we witnessed. The camera is always in high speed shutter in daylight to sharpen the images. The streaks of red seem to show four to five feet in front of Guy as he fell to the ground. Toward the end, something flew away from Guy and landed on the ground several feet away, never figured out what that was.

I didn't know until later that Ron was so close and got the scene as well. As the news hour was about over, I heard through the radio in Sky11 that Ron was not feeling well afterward. When we landed at Bowman Field, I drove over to the scene and found Ron. What he had witnessed and the heat together was getting the best of him. We sat in the truck and decompressed for a few moments. We both in our careers had never witnessed something like this before. We both agreed that we hope that we never will again.

I was not involved in the decision making process to show the video but feel that the station handled things properly. Viewers needed to be able to see that Guy was leaving that bank at that moment to die.

Jets 2007 Training Camp

My dad and I were able to attend a day of NY Jets Training Camp thanks to the generosity of Defensive Coordinator Bob Sutton. Coach Sutton arranged for an awesome behind the scenes tour. Extra special thanks to Jay Mandolesi, Coordinator of College Scouting who showed us around, introduced us to everyone, bought us lunch and answered all one million of our questions.

See the photos here: http://flickr.com/photos/ericmstrauss/sets/72157601184909315/


Everyone we met went out of their way to make us feel welcomed and we had a terrific day!

Special thanks to all that were so welcoming to us including...
Jerome Henderson
Terry Bradway
JoJo Wooden
Brendan Prophett
Mike Tannenbaum
Eric Mangini
Bryan Cox
Cole Hufnagel

Baldwin Rehab, July 17th 2007 10pm

Daniel Baldwin is a celebrity, a brother, a father and a son. He is also a drug addict.

Watch the promo video here

Read the full article here

The actor gave "Primetime" unprecedented access as he struggled for his life. He was addicted to smoking cocaine, and with legal, financial and health problems breathing down his neck, he allowed cameras to track his successes and failures at a $50,000-a-month rehabilitation center in Malibu, Calif.

Addiction is a powerful, progressive disease that touches 25 percent of American families, afflicts all classes, races and genders and can bring even the strongest to their knees.

What lessons does this 46-year-old addict share with others who suffer from the same disease? What steps will he take as he tries to help himself and offer advice to others? Go behind the doors of rehab with Daniel Baldwin Tuesday, July 17, on "Primetime: Family Secrets" at 10 p.m. EDT

Please send in your comments here.

Emmy Nomination for Foster Care

A great project I worked on last year has been nominated for a 2007 Emmy in the category of Outstanding Continuing Coverage of a News Story in a News Magazine.

A Call to Action: Saving Our Children about Foster Care in America anchored by Diane Sawyer.

Senior Producer: Jon Meyersohn
Producers: Claire Weinraub, Eric M. Strauss, Greg Fisher
Associate Producers: Keturah Grey, Christina Krol
Editors: Bram Harris, Gina Pampinella, Jack Pyle, Vanessa Cochran, David Ward, Joe Schanzer, Faith Jones
Executive Producers: Jessica Velmans and David Sloan

Cross your fingers for us. On September 24th we'll find out if we won.

ABC News PrimeTime: Daniel Baldwin

Upcoming: ABC News PrimeTime:"Baldwin Rehab" July, 17th - 10pm
Update your calendar. Tell a friend. Plan a party...
Daniel Baldwin is the second oldest of the famed Baldwin acting clan, he has appeared in over 70 movies, but he may be most famous for his addiction to crack cocaine. Daniel has been battling drug addiction for 18 years and has allowed our cameras unprecedented access to document his 90 days of struggle at an exclusive Malibu rehabilitation facility. Daniel will share his personal thoughts as he participates in group and individual therapy, as he struggles with his family issues, and as he goes to court to beg for his freedom. From detox to release Daniel's experience is a tool to illustrate the issues surrounding addiction and his personal attempt towards a sober and productive existence.

Tune in Tuesday night - July 17th at 10 p.m. on ABC

Bridget Kelly: A Survivor's Story

The story of a victim of a senseless violation who was strong enough to survive and composed enough to share her experience and to let it be known that there should be no stigma associated with the wounded.



Charlie Gibson's introduction: "And now, we're going to turn to the story of a young woman, who made a big impression on all of us here at "Primetime." She has an extraordinary story of survival, and we keep asking how did she do it? How did she survive one terrible night at the hands of a crazed attacker. And what happened inside of her? How did she end up concluding that what happened wasn't something to be ashamed of? And how did she decide that women deserve a voice? And how did she find her voice?"

Award winning columns written by Bridget's dad, Mike Kelly, Omaha World-Herald

American Society of News Editors

http://www.justicejournalism.org/crimeguide/chapter06/sidebars/chap06_xside1.html

TAASA

http://www.taasa.org/latest_news/article09042003.php

Kelly wanted to take part in the campaign to help fight the sense of social stigma that casts silence over the topic of rape. "There is no way anyone is going to make me feel ashamed of having been raped," Kelly said. "I'm so grateful for the opportunity to participate in TAASA's public awareness campaign."

ABC Article:

http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=132391

Cincinnati Enquirer Column:

http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2003/06/29/loc_Pulfer29.html

Purchase Bridget's segment on DVD at amazon.com  

RFK Award for ABC News PrimeTime

" I am proud to announce ABC News has been awarded this year’s Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award in the Domestic Television category for our reporting on foster care, “A Call to Action: Saving Our Children.” This prestigious award is given for the outstanding reporting of the lives and strife of disadvantaged people in the United States." - Phyllis McGrady, Senior VP ABC News

I was part of the team that issued a Call to Action: to examine the US foster care system, and challenged ourselves to ask -- what are we doing wrong, and how can things be better?

It was a rewarding program to produce for and quite an honor for our team to receive. I was able to fly to Washington DC with three of my colleagues to attend the awards reception.

Photos from the event:
http://flickr.com/photos/ericmstrauss/sets/72157600263909620/

RFK Award winners can be seen here: http://www.rfkmemorial.org/legacyinaction/2007BJAnnounce/

About our show: http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=2008981&page=1

Here is an article about a Kentucky social worker I shot and produced:
http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/FosterCare/story?id=2021066&page=1

Watch the video here

Who is Sick

This is a wacky web site where people who are sick report it online. Check it out and see who is sick in your area.
http://whoissick.org/sickness/

Blackberry Cake

My sister the world famous celebrity baker and author created a completely edible RIM Blackberry made out of cake. Her cakes usually start at $1000, but this one was for her fiance' who is leaving a job at New York's City Hall for the private sector. He will leave his Blackberry behind, but Elisa will still use her old-school Treo :-)

Elisa Strauss on the Today Show

My Sister Elisa Strauss on the Today show 5/2/07 "The Confetti Cakes Cookbook" Buy her book http://confetticakes.com/book.html

The Confetti Cakes Cookbook: Spectacular Cookies, Cakes, and Cupcakes from New York City's Famed Bakery

Free Credit Report - Really. Free.

Every citizen is allowed a free credit report every 12 months. There are a lot of scams online that try and get you to pay for this free service. Don't fall for it.

There are three ways to get the free reports:
ONLINE: http://www.annualcreditreport.com
PHONE: 1-877-322-8228
MAIL: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281.
(A form must be printed from http://ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit

More info from the Federal Gov't:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/freereports.shtm

Linkin Park is Back - Minutes to Midnight

My guys from Linkin Park are back at it again.

Pre-Order the full Album Minutes to Midnight at iTunes and get bonus tracks and video downloads from previous tours. Just $19

ABC News Internships

I started my career at ABC News many moons ago as a summer intern at 20/20. If you want to break into TV news there is really only one way. Volunteer your services to a multi national billion dollar company for free. It's fun and educational and the networking opportunities are priceless.

ABC News Internship info.
http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=2938454&page=1

Convert File Formats Online - Yippee!

I think this website is a gift from above. Converts file formats online for free. The company asks a simple question and the answer for me is yes!

"Have you ever wanted to convert files without the need to download software ?"

http://www.zamzar.com/

My Dad is Cool

STARR REPORT
By MICHAEL STARR
February 26, 2007 --

* Mt. Sinai's Dr. Elton Strauss a featured speaker March 4 on the Annual Ar thritis Foundation TV Special and Telethon, airing 3-5 p.m. on Ch. 55 (TW Cable) and Ch. 10 (Cablevision).

It's 'All' unscripted

Here's a first: The March 9 episode of "All My Children" will feature transgender actors/actresses, playing themselves, in scenes in which Zoe (Jeffrey Carlson), a transgender woman who's come out in Pine Valley, at tends group support sessions. These sessions will be uns cripted - a first for "AMC" and highly unusual for any dramatic show in any daypart.

Media Relations Graduate Assistant

Cool job with the NY Jets. Feel free to apply and get me free tickets when you get hired :-)

Overview: A graduate assistant in the New York Jets Media Relations Department is a key member of the media relations staff. Our goal is to provide you with on-the-job training, real-life work experiences and a hands-on knowledge of every aspect of what is required to work in the NFL, in a major market, in media relations. This graduate assistantship could be the last step in your sports public relations training. We are looking for qualified individuals who have proven themselves at the college level or have excelled in similar positions in the NFL or in other major sports

Qualifications:
bachelors degree in journalism or related field preferred
sports public relations experience necessary

Apply for this position

Recipe: Red Velvet Cake by Elisa Strauss

Adapted from "The Confetti Cakes Cookbook" by Elisa Strauss (Little, Brown, to be published in May). Purchase now for big savings.

Time: 90 minutes, plus cooling
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3½ cups cake flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa (not Dutch process)
1½ teaspoons salt
2 cups canola oil
2¼ cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
6 tablespoons (3 ounces) red food coloring
1½ teaspoons vanilla
1¼ cup buttermilk
2 teaspoons baking soda
2½ teaspoons white vinegar.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place teaspoon of butter in each of 3 round 9-inch layer cake pans and place pans in oven for a few minutes until butter melts. Remove pans from oven, brush interior bottom and sides of each with butter and line bottoms with parchment.
2. Whisk cake flour, cocoa and salt in a bowl.
3. Place oil and sugar in bowl of an electric mixer and beat at medium speed until well-blended. Beat in eggs one at a time. With machine on low, very slowly add red food coloring. (Take care: it may splash.) Add vanilla. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk in two batches. Scrape down bowl and beat just long enough to combine.
4. Place baking soda in a small dish, stir in vinegar and add to batter with machine running. Beat for 10 seconds.
5. Divide batter among pans, place in oven and bake until a cake tester comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool in pans 20 minutes. Then remove from pans, flip layers over and peel off parchment. Cool completely before frosting.
Yield: 3 cake layers.

iPhone

While I was in Las Vegas for CES 2007 I missed all the iPhone excitement. Thankfully I was sent these links:

- Microsofts's Zune Phone

- Make you own iPhone

- Watch it's birth

- Buy the iPhone nobody wants

I'm in Las Vegas at CES

I'm in Las Vegas at CES. Read about me over here: EMS @ CES 2007