Thank you Polar Plunge donors!

I just want to write a little note thanking anyone who donated to the Special Olympics during the Polar Plunge a little more than a week ago. The Live, Local, Ice Breaking team won the Silver Plunger (2nd place) award for Best Dressed in our reporting outfits. However, the most important thing is that the fundraiser raised $39,565 for the Special Olympics. There were 224 plungers who submersed themselves in 34 degree water with an air temperature of 28 on February 6. Check out the pictures below courtesy Duncan Phenix and Tyler Profilet.

Plunge with me!

In less than a week I plan to do something most people would probably think is completely stupid, but I think it's pretty cool. In fact it's so cool it's freezing! The Polar Plunge at Lake Boutin in Trail of Tears will be full of plungers to raise money for the Special Olympics Saturday, February 6.

I'm hoping to not catch cold, but willing to take the risk. I'm asking you to join me and the rest of the KFVS Polar Plunge team. All money goes to the Special Olympics. This is especially important because the state Special Olympics for Missouri will be in Cape Girardeau in August. The event will bring in 800 athletes and their families.

Just click here to donate. Just select the team member you wish to support from the list and select the “Support Me” link on their individual page. Thank you for your support.

From Biloxi to the Heartland

Since it's the eve of what could turn out to be a major snow event in the Heartland, I'll share some not so snowy pictures.

I just returned from a Digital Media Conference in Biloxi, Mississippi. I met with other Web Managers about the best ways we can deliver news content to you.

The weather was sunny and breezy. It was a big contrast to this cold, snowy weather in the Heartland.

Do you have suggestions for our website that could make it better? I want to know. What information would you like to see? Email me at chendricks@kfvs12.com or leave your comments below.

I was able to dip my fingers in the bay and pick up a few seashells before heading back to the Heartland.

Getting rid of free antenna TV?

I've noticed a public service announcement on the airwaves recently from the National Association of Broadcasters. It's a 30 second spot "informing viewers of discussions in Washington that could limit free, over-the-air broadcast television." This comes after several third-party groups submitted requests to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) calling for the reallocation of broadcast spectrum for new wireless broadband devices.

I've had a couple of people ask me if their free antenna TV is going away. I can say no, right now.

According to an article in Television Broadcasting Magazine, the FCC is backing off on reallocating broadcast spectrum for broadband for now. According to an article by Broadcasting & Cable, a former cable executive working on the broadband team says "the plan currently being prepared for vetting by the FCC commissioners would be voluntary and would not require any broadcaster to sell its spectrum."

Just after the finish of the digital transition over the summer, the FCC started floating around the idea of reallocating spectrum. "FCC staffer Blair Levin first mentioned the idea of taking broadcast spectrum for the national broadband plan, which would likely place it in the hands of wireless telephone service providers. The commission issued a Public Notice Dec. 2 seeking feedback on a reallocation. A coalition representing 226 TV stations responded that the FCC needed to collect more hard data on demand for spectrum."

A national broadband wireless plan is due to Congress by February 17, but FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has requested a one month extension.

When that report does come out, we'll see what it in it. In the meantime, what do you think about reallocating the spectrum for antenna TV? Would you be affected if free antenna TV goes away or are you content with cable or satellite?

Cyber Monday deals and safe shopping tips

After stuffing our faces with turkey and dressing and working off that extra piece of pumpkin pie getting up early for the deals on Black Friday, you may still be searching for that perfect Christmas gift.

Cyber Monday has arrived and retailers are counting on that extra web traffic raise their bottom line, especially after early numbers from Black Friday find shoppers spent less on their purchases this year for Black Friday than last year.

The term was first coined in 2005 after Shop.org, a website by the National Retail Federation, noticed a large spike in online shopping the Monday after Thanksgiving. It's seen by many retailers, shoppers and the media as the official kick-off to the online holiday shopping season. That's when workers would typically use their work's online connection to surf the web for deals. Shop.org offers a nice guide to Cyber Monday shopping.

CyberMonday.com seems to be the "official" Cyber Monday site.

CyberMonday.net also boast some good deals.

Supercybermonday.com is another site with online deals.

Gottadeal.com tracks the Cyber Monday deals.

Mr. Dealfinder.com offers coupon codes for Cyber Monday discounts.

Facebookers and Tweeple--you can become a fan of Mr. Dealfinder on Facebook or follow Mr. Dealfinder on Twitter.

Become a fan of Cyber Monday on Facebook or follow it on Twitter.

Many retailers are tweeting and Facebooking. For example you can follow MySears, toysRUS, Bestbuy, kmartDealsnNews, WalmartSpecials and TargeT on Twitter.

Some retailers are carrying the Cyber Monday deals throughout the week, so keep your eye out for those.

Of course, you'll want to make sure your online purchases are safe. On Guard Online.gov, a website put together by the federal government to help users guard against Internet fraud, offers these tips for online consumers.

• Know who you're dealing with. Confirm the online seller's physical address and phone number in case you have questions or problems.
• Know exactly what you're buying. Read the seller's description of the product closely, especially the fine print.
• Know what it will cost. Factor shipping and handling - along with your needs and budget - into the total cost of the order.
• Pay by credit or charge card, for maximum consumer protections.
• Check out the terms of the deal, like refund policies and delivery dates.
• Print and save records of your online transactions.

Also, look for sites with https in the web address. The 's' in the address means it's a secure site. Look for the little padlock or unbroken key at the bottom of the screen.

Happy shopping, just don't let the boss see you! ;)

The best Black Friday ads, tips and tricks

As I peruse through some of my favorite websites, I'm reminded of the coming Thanksgiving holiday....and then the day after.

While I do usually get up early with thousands of the other crazy folks in search of a good deal on Black Friday, I'm not so sure I'll be waking before the chickens this year. No "deals" have really popped out this year to me. Plus, with just about everything list online, who needs to leave their comfy pajamas when you can sit in front of your computer with a cup of coffee?

Since 77 million Americans are expected to hit the stores Friday, I did a little pre-Black Friday scouting to find some of the deals for this year and have compiled them below.

Warning: make sure you know the fine print and dirty little Black Friday secrets before getting excited about some of the advertised deals. Some stores may only have sales last for a limited time on Black Friday. For example, Sears is offering a Samsung 40-inch 1080p LCD HDTV for $599.99. The catch: only three per store and no rainchecks. And that HDTV, may not be all it's cracked up to be...watch for derivatives.

Another tip, check to see if the store has price matching. Dealnews has a list of stores that will offer price matching on Black Friday.

Dealnews also put together a Black Friday Strategy Guide that offers lots of tips and tricks.

For you techies, there is a FREE, yes I said FREE, download of Fast Video Converter Pro available. I downloaded it and tested it. Can't beat it for the price.

Since your reading this, you probably love discounts. Who doesn't right? So, Coupon Sherpa offers coupons for lots of different products at popular stores. And who doesn't love some discount codes? Currentcodes.com offers discount codes. They have a "full-time staff of trained individuals whose only job is to find new coupon codes and discount codes and verify the accuracy of the existing database."

If you have a particular item you're scouting for, you can enter in the product at Price Protectr. It will watch for deals from 150 stores to see if there's a better price for a certain period of time and if so sends you an email if the price drops.

PriceGrabber.com, Shopping.com, and Bizrate.com offer price comparison options for products. Slickdeals.net and Fatwallet.com also search for good deals.

Gizmodo put together a nice list of electronics.

For everything else check out the websites below.

• Blackfriday.info brands itself as the "official site for all Black Friday ads." You can find ads from several of the popular stores like Wal-Mart, Target, Sears, Kohl's, Kmart, etc.
• Dealnews has a nice comprehensive list.
• Gottadeal.com also boasts a list of Black Friday ads.
• Bfads.net has daily updates.
• Black-friday.net also seems pretty user friendly in searching for ads.
• BlackFriday.fm is another site with ads, complete with webisodes.
• Dealtaker.com offers a nice roundup of ads.
• Blackfridayonline.com is another site with lots of ads.
• Tgiblackfriday.com

For you really hardcore Black Friday shoppers, you can download apps. Toys 'r Us has an iPhone app that allows you to make electronic lists, check inventory, and read product reviews. Yahoo has an iPhone app for price comparisons. Ebay has an iPhone app as well to keep track of bids. Many of the other sites listed above offer their own iPhone apps.

Online retailers like Amazon.com, Buy.com, and Overstock.com also have Black Friday ads.

By the way, Black Friday was not traditionally the busiest shopping day of the season. Learn some nuts and bolts of the traditional kickoff to the holiday shopping season.

So there you have it. If you're as systematic as I like to be on Black Friday, you have your plan of attack--er--shopping agenda ready to go and mapped out. Hopefully, the above list of links and tips helps you in your Black Friday endeavors.

Have a happy Thanksgiving and successful Black Friday.

Next--Cyber Monday!

Check it out!---Behind the Scenes

I'm adding a new Behind the Scenes segment from Heartland News every weekday. Check out the schedule below. Check back for a new segment as they're added.

Oct. 29 - Weather
Oct. 30 - Sports
Nov. 2 - Anchor
Nov. 3 - Reporter
Nov. 4 - Photographer
Nov. 5 - Producer
Nov. 6 - Anchors do wear pants!
Nov. 9 - Live Shots
Nov. 10 - Production
Nov. 11 - Editing
Nov. 12 - Master Control
Nov. 13 - Jeff Cunningham's tie collection
Nov. 16 - Assignment Manager
Nov. 17 - How we cover news
Nov. 18 - Web
Nov. 19 - Engineering
Nov. 20 - Favorite parts about the job
Nov. 23 - Beauty tips
Nov. 24 - Bloopers