Houston Consumer Blog

See top headlines on abc13.com

What do you think of this?

I created a big list of headlines from the various sections on abc13.com.  You can subscribe to RSS feeds here too:

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/feature?section=news/local&id=5829181

The new abc13.com blog

You might have noticed that abc13.com has relaunched with a brand new look and a lot more features.  We have a new blog dedicated to the new site and its features where you can leave comments and ask questions. Let us know what you think.  Enjoy!

Channel 13's digital channels on AT&T's U-Verse

Robert wrote the Consumer Blog asking about Channel 13 and AT&T's U-Verse:

Is Channel 13 in any kind of negotiations with AT&T U-verse to carry ALL of Channel 13's digital broadcast channels?  All they carry now is the HDTV station (13.1).

I found out there is good news for Robert.  It looks like he and other U-Verse subscribers will be able to get 13.2 (extra programming) and 13.3 (weather channel) within the next year.

VIDEO: Marvin Zindler's legacy lives

Marvin's producer, Lori Reingold, filed a "Marvin's Angel" story Friday on our 11 am news.  We are calling the stories "Action 13 Angels." Lori did a great job! Marvin's legacy lives on. Here are the links Lori talked about in the story:
http://www.opt.uh.edu/uei/
http://www.eyecareforkids.org/

Let us know what you think.

If you need help, email Lori here.

We received an EMMY nomination

We received a nomination for Jeff on the Job 2 in the 5th Annual Lone Star EMMY Awards.

Public/Current/Community Affairs-Program/Special

Jeff on the Job 2
KTRK ABC 13
Michael A. Carl, Editor/Photographer
Michael McGuff, Producer/Writer
Michael Lukaszewskyj, Photographer
Jeff Ehling, Talent

There were a lot of KTRK nominations too. Wish us luck!

You voted Mike McGuff to the Dobie vs Clear Brook game tonight!

Your many votes are in for the 'Where should we send Mike?' poll and I am going to the Dobie vs Clear Brook game tonight!

Thanks to all of you who voted!  It was a HUGE response.

I'm bringing my camera and giant memory card to snap some high school action.   

I wonder if there will be nachos out there?

Remember to come back next week and vote for my next Friday night stop.

The new rat and roach report with Jeff Ehling

No one could ever replace our late Marvin Zindler, but we're keeping much of his important work living on.

Marvin's original Friday Rat and Roach report highlighted health problems at area restaurants, and we will continue to bring you this valuable information, but this time with Jeff Ehling.

Here is a way you can look up a Houston restaurant's inspection report.

http://houston.tx.gegov.com/media/search.cfm

This link gets you there, but we need to give some instructions too.

1.  You'll need to enter the name exactly as it appears.
2.  Second, you need to check out the dates, make sure your search start date goes back at least three months.  Some restaurants are reviewed once a year, so you may need to adjust the year if nothing comes up.
3.  You'll need to click on the restaurant name when it appears to see the inspector's findings and corrective actions taken

Vote to send me back to high school!

After writing The Consumer Blog for a while, I feel we are close.  I can call you a friend.  So please give me a hand.

Actually it is more like a vote, so go here to cast your ballot.  It's not for best blogger in Houston, although I wouldn't complain.  This time you are voting for me to go to a particular high school game on Friday night.  It could be your school! Once there, I will snap a ton of photos and blog from the game. Here is the Pearland/Madison example.

Here are this week's choices:

Elkins/Bush
Seven Lakes/Galena Park
Cy-Fair/Alief Taylor
Langham Creek/Morton Ranch
Taylor/Cy Falls Spring/Stratford
Dobie/Clear Brook

Wow, that's local coverage!

This vote is open each week so keep coming by and send me somewhere.  I don't want to sit in the abc13.com web office alone anymore on Friday nights.

Voting ends Friday at noon.

Houston high school sports news and scores

I feel like I have been neglecting you all lately.  But don't worry there has been a good reason.  I have been building out our new Houston high school sports news and score section. It is pretty big too. 

I grew up in Houston and never fully appreciated how many teams we have around here.  Go Lamar Redskins! That was my school by the way.

The page is not live yet and only you all know about it.  It should be live this coming Monday. Maybe others will figure it out since I have already rebranded the Houston Sports Blog.

Let me know what you like, don't like, if you find any big errors...etc.  Email me

If you have Facebook, go become friends with us!

ThankYouMarvin.com

Houston icon and KTRK personality Marvin Zindler did so much for Houston and the world that we thought we could honor him with his own web site at ThankYouMarvin.com.

Go see our tribute to Marvin Zindler.

A Marvin Zindler watch

Andrea, our 6pm producer, found an interesting item on eBay.  It is a Marvin Zindler watch.  Yes, he actually had his own watch at one point.

SEE IT HERE

It turns out the station gave these away as staff gifts in the mid 1980s.  There were obviously not many made. 

I'm sure there will be a lot of interesting Marvin stuff turning up on auction sites in the next few years.

VIDEO: Classic Marvin Zindler stories

You've seen clips of Marvin's 1970s era stories for the past few days, now we're giving you the opportunity to see some of the entire stories. Marvin was tough as nails and over the top as ever in these classic stories: Click on the link to watch the story

- Marvin Zindler and Dom DeLuise meet for the first time
- Marvin Zindler reports the Chicken Ranch has closed
- Marvin Zindler shows the life of the forgotten
- Marvin Zindler hits the school lunchrooms
- Marvin Zindler talks about the reopening of the Rice Hotel
- Marvin Zindler tells some bees to buzz off
- Marvin takes out the garbage as a trash collector
- Marvin Zindler helps a magical rabbit fly
- One of Marvin's first restaurant reports
- Marvin Zindler tackles the welfare myth
- The Celebrity Circle Theater was in trouble
- Marvin Zindler gets a surprise at the infamous Chicken Ranch
- Marvin finds a missing game show host
- Zindler tangos with the cost of some dance lessons
- Marvin Zindler and the case of the helicopter landing

What it was like for Marvin Zindler in public

Michael Penix, who works at KTRK, wrote a funny story about an experience with Marvin the other day on my personal blog:

Just a side note, I did not grow up in the Houston area, so my first encounter with Marvin in public was truly memorable.

I went to work at KTRK in late 2004. I came from KFOR in Oklahoma City and when I announced I was leaving to go work for Eyewitness News, several co-workers that grew up in Houston went on and on about his Marvin Zindler guy. Of course, I just assumed he was a long-time anchor.

My first day at the station and I'm making my rounds, meeting everyone in the building. We stroll into Marvin's office and there is this guy in a white suite, white wig and blue glasses. He was very soft-spoken and told me welcome to the station, it was very nice to meet you. I just stared and thought to myself, "Is this the same guy people in Oklahoma City were going on and on about?"

I'm at the station about a month and he invites me to go to lunch. Mind you, I still had no idea of Marvin Zindler's true star power. Marvin's driving down Westheimer and we're stopped at the light on Post Oak near the Galleria. A man looks over and his eyes almost pop out of his head...the guy throws his car in park and runs over to the window and starts knocking. By this time, I'm speechless and scared to death. He's screaming, "Marvin Zindler! Marvin Zindler!"

Marvin calmly rolls down the window, shakes the man's hand (we're holding up traffic) and talks to him for a moment. I'd never seen anything like that before. Someone the other day said that we lost Houston's Elvis. Marvin Zindler...the man with the biggest heart ever. He'll be deeply missed and Channel 13 will never be the same.

Michael Penix

READ IT

VIDEO: Marvin Zindler and Dom DeLuise meet for the first time

>

This is some must see video.  It's the first time Marvin Zindler met Dom Deluise and it was live on Eyewitness News!  For those of you who don't know, Dom played the Melvin P. Thorpe character which was based on Marvin, in the movie adaptation of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

As you can see in this picture, Dom can't keep his hands of Marvin's glasses.  But that's not all that takes place...

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

That's not the only video you will see by clicking on the link.  I've put a bunch of classic Marvin stories from the 1970s there too.

Rebroadcast schedule of Marvin's funeral and special

Listed below are the scheduled rebroadcasts of Marvin Zindler: A Final Farewell:

 

Saturday, August 4 (13.2 Digital ONLY)

8:00 PM Marvin Zindler: A Final Farewell (Funeral Service)

9:30 PM Marvin Zindler: A Final Farewell (one hour prime time special)

 

Sunday, August 5

10:35 PM Marvin Zindler: A Final Farewell (one hour prime time special)

VIDEO: Watch the speeches at Marvin Zindler's funeral

Marvin Zindler's funeral was a very touching service.  If you missed it, you can watch the many wonderful speeches given in his memory by the likes of Dave Ward, Melanie Lawson, Lori Reingold, Shara Fryer,   Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza, Baptist minister Reverend Bill Lawson, Reverend Kirbyjon Caldwell with the Windsor Village United Methodist Church, Lakewood Church's Pastor Joel Osteen, Rabbi David Lyon and Mark Zindler.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

The Zindler family requests that instead of flowers, send donations to:

Pancreatic Cancer Research
MD Anderson Cancer Center
c/o Dr. Robert Wolff
PO Box 4486
Houston, TX 77210-4486

VIDEO: More 1970s classic Marvin Zindler stories

There was such a great response to the Classic 1970s Marvin Zindler stories I put on abc13.com that I added some more! These are some great stories including one where Marvin poses as a trash collector, talks about the Rice Hotel reopening, takes on some bees, helps a magical rabbit fly and we even get to see one of the first rat and roach reports!

More items at Marvin Zindler's memorial at the gates of KTRK

I stopped by the gates of the KTRK studios on Bissonnet and found more items had been added to Marvin Zindler's memorial area along the fence.  The first picture is from inside the station's lobby:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures from Marvin Zindler's visitation

Here are pictures I took at Marvin Zindler's visitation on Tuesday July 31st:

 

 

 

 

 

VIDEO: Marvin Zindler's stories from the 1970s

You've seen clips of Marvin's 1970s era stories for the past few days, now we're giving you the opportunity to see some of the entire stories.

Marvin was tough as nails and over the top as ever in these classic stories.

VIDEO: Shara Fryer remembers Marvin Zindler

Former Eyewitness News anchor Shara Fryer discusses her Marvin Zindler memories with Melanie Lawson. Melanie also talked with Ed Brandon, Deborah Duncan, Jan Glenn and Alan Hemberger. Click here to see those videos.

The Marvin Zindler memorial in front of KTRK

Monday morning, Channel 13 viewers starting putting together a makeshift memorial with various gifts for Marvin Zindler.  Local media came out and took pictures.

Legendary broadcaster Marvin Zindler dies at age 85

(HOUSTON) Legendary television broadcaster Marvin Zindler died this evening at M.D. Anderson Hospital from complications of pancreatic cancer.  He was 85.

Marvin is survived by his wife Niki, his five grown children, nine grand children and one great-grand child.

Known for his trademark white hairpieces, blue lenses and signature sign-off, Marvin was a fearless, flamboyant and trail-blazing broadcaster.  His nightly reports helped create a new genre of broadcast journalism that became a staple in television newsrooms across the country.

Marvin Zindler made his mark as a consumer advocacy reporter and was one of the first in Houston to investigate controversial issues and institutions.  He became a household name for exposing a brothel in La Grange known as The Chicken Ranch.  The nationwide notoriety over the brothel's closing inspired the Broadway musical and movie, "Best Little Whorehouse In Texas."

Marvin went on to use his nightly Eyewitness News segments to expose substandard care at nursing homes, obtain special medical care for those who couldn't afford it, help thousands cut through bureaucratic red tape and help many more successfully resolve their consumer problems.  Ranking high among Marvin's accomplishments was his investigation into restaurant health violations that resulted in a nationwide requirement for salad "sneeze bars."  His weekly "Rat and Roach Reports" improved cleanliness and food safety in restaurant kitchens.  Marvin traveled extensively documenting how Houston doctors helped alleviate pain and suffering in poor countries around the world.  One of his recent noteworthy accomplishments was assisting seven Iraqi men with getting replacements "hands" for the ones cut-off during Saddam Hussein's regime.

Henry Florsheim, KTRK-TV President and General Manager, said, "Marvin was one of the most valued and beloved people in Houston.  For nearly 35 years he was welcomed into the hearts and homes of millions of local viewers.  This is a deep loss for me both, personally and professionally, my prayers are with his family, friends and co-workers."

David Strickland, Vice President of News, said," Marvin never hesitated to question the status quo or to take on the toughest problems for folks who had no one else to help them.  He was an inspiration in our newsroom and will be missed by everyone at Eyewitness News."

Dave Ward, Eyewitness News Anchor said, "Marvin was one of kind.  He was one of the most compassionate people I have ever met and deep in his heart he believed in helping folks who needed someone on their side."

Marvin Zindler joined KTRK-TV on January 1, 1973 after a colorful career with the Harris County Sheriff's Department.  He brought a unique on-air presence and reporting style to his Action 13 segments on Eyewitness News.  Many credit his nightly reports as one of the major contributors to KTRK-TV's long time reign as Houston's most-watched television station. His Action 13 office says for many years they received nearly 100,000 requests for assistance on a variety of consumer issues. As recently as June of this year, Marvin, at age 85, was still reporting five days a week.

Marvin has been recognized with awards from every news organization, many charity groups and from several in the medical fields. A medical award of special note was presented by the Plastic Surgeons of America.  They honored Marvin for his openness and honesty in talking about his cosmetic surgeries and for the help he obtained for charity patients who desperately needed reconstructive surgery.  Marvin had the Scottish Rite Masonry 33rd Degree conferred upon him, the highest honor one can receive in the Masonry. In 2003, Marvin was inducted into the "Silver Circle" of the Lone Star Emmy Association for his historic contributions to broadcast journalism in Texas.

Marvin began his broadcasting career in 1943 as a part-time radio disc jockey while working in his family's clothing store business.  In 1950, he became a reporter and cameraperson for Southwest Film Production Company, which produced the 6:00 PM news for KPRC-TV. Two years later, Marvin joined the Scripts Howard Houston Press to work part-time as a crime reporter and photographer. He joined the Harris County Sheriff's Department in 1962 and handled Civil Process for two years before moving over to the Fugitive Squad where his work took him all over the world to extradite fugitives.  While working for the Sheriff's Department, Marvin was responsible for establishing the Consumer Fraud Division within the Harris County District Attorney's Office. The Fraud Division is still in operation today.

Marvin Zindler was born on August 10, 1921 in Houston. He attended public schools and went to John Tarleton Agricultural College in Stephenville, Texas. He joined the Marines in 1941 and received an Honorable Discharge. In that same year, Marvin married Gertrude, his wife of 56 years. They raised five children before she passed away in 1997.

We have built a Marvin Zindler tribute page on abc13.com where you can leave your condolences to his family.

Marvin Zindler passes away

It is with great regret that I must tell you Action 13's Marvin Zindler has passed away. He lost his battle with pancreatic cancer Sunday shortly after 6pm.

We have built a Marvin Zindler tribute page on abc13.com where you can leave your condolences to his family.

This is a truly sad day for Houston and the KTRK family.

My personal thoughts on Marvin are on my other blog.

Marvin Zindler getting support from all over the web

After Marvin Zindler announced his battle with pancreatic cancer, he has received a lot of support from ABC13 viewers.  That support has been in the form of message board posts, emails and blog comments.  However we're also seeing folks express their well wishes from social networks like Facebook.  We talk with David Godberg, a Facebook user who started a group called 'I Believe Marvin Zindler Can Beat Cancer.'

Mike McGuff:  Why did you start the Facebook group about Marvin's fight?

David Goldberg:  When I saw the Marvin's announcement on abc13.com I felt like a close member of my family had said the same thing to my face.  I was just overwhelmed.  So without really thinking about it, I made the Facebook group.  I guess I just had to write it all down.

Mike McGuff:  Are you surprised by the reaction the group has received?

David Goldberg:  At first I was surprised.  There are millions of Facebook groups out there and I really just thought I was dumping a thimble into the ocean.  But now that I think about it, it's not a surprise at all.  Marvin Zindler continues to make an impression on all Houstonians and I think most of us cannot even picture the nightly news without him.

Mike McGuff:  What does Marvin mean to you?

David Goldberg:  Even though I never met Marvin beyond a quick hand shake in a local eatery, I really feel a close connection to him.  When I was little boy, my father would go out with friends every Wednesday night.  That left my mother and I to have our own ritual.  I got to stay up to 11PM and watch TV with my mom.  Every week, instead of watching cartoons, I watched the news.  I was glued to the television the whole time waiting for Marvin to do his report.  It was our special night and I Marvin was a big part of it.  My mother died of breast cancer when I was eight so I really don't many memories of her, but this one will be with me forever.  Also, I see a lot that is similar between Marvin and I.  We both believe in making the world a better place through small acts of compassion.  With Marvin it's never been about some larger agenda, but rather helping one needy person at a time.  He just does the right thing, time and time again.  His life is consumed with public service and I hope to do the same.

Mike McGuff:  What do you think Marvin means to Houston?

David Goldberg:  As seen in the Facebook group, I'm not the only one who cares about this man.  I think Marvin reflects the basic ideals of Houston, strength, compassion, and most of all, neighborly love.  Time and again, Houstonians are able to work together in time of need.  Marvin does it every day.  He's not like any other TV personality.  Marvin doesn't talk to the masses, he speaks to the individual.  Every report feels like I'm just talking to my neighbor.  I think that's why people feel so close to him.  While TV, like the rest of the world, is constantly changing Marvin has always been there.

Mike McGuff:  Anything else you want to add?

David Goldberg:  I don't really think of Marvin as a celebrity.  Celebrities are distant faces with no real connection to our lives.  Marvin is different.  Many times I see him at a restaurant or the movies, and of course he's always good for a handshake and a kind word.  When was the last time Jennifer Anniston did that?  Most of the news, even local news, always seems distant and removed but Marvin's reports are always

I was actually supposed to be interviewed by Mr. Zindler for my recent city council run.  Apparently he ran for Mayor of Bellaire at the age of 22.  I don't get excited very easily, but ask anyone at Bellaire High that week and they will tell you that I was practically skipping through the halls.  When my principal delivered a message that Marvin wasn't coming I kept my bearing, but I was truly distraught.

Difference between channel 13 and channel 313

Don wrote The Consumer Blog with this question:

Please tell me the difference between your channel 13 and channel 313? Do I get HD on both?

Here is the difference.  If you have Time Warner Cable (soon to be Comcast), channel 13 is our analog cable (non HD). Channel 313 is our high definition channel where the picture will be at a very high quality. You need a high definition television set to take advantage of the enhanced picture quality.

At least someone likes us

We don't put many viewer emails up here, but sometimes you just can't help yourself:

You probably saved 2.5 million lives with your consumer story on GE dishwashers.  We're having ours repaired tomorrow, May 23.  Thank you!!!  My friends had NOT even heard about this.  Your report on Comcast prepared a LOT of people who had not already known that the houston.rr.com was changing to Comcast.com.  Your segment is extremely helpful.  Please keep up the good work.

-Sandy,
Houston

Thanks Sandy!

Jeff on the Job 4 links

You saw Jeff on the Job Sunday night, now here are the links to the stories!

Cut your beauty costs in half
If you think you can't look great on a budget, think again.  The Houston-area is full of places you can get haircuts, facials, even massages for a fraction of what you'd expect.

How to cut the costs of medical care
You don't need us to tell you how expensive it is to go to the doctor, but we've learned there are ways around high medical bills.

Auctioning your home may be an option if you're facing foreclosure
There isn't a lot of good involved in a foreclosure, but there may be a way to get out from under a home about to be taken by the bank. Selling the house at auction just might be the way to avoid the financial ruin associated with a foreclosure.

What plants to buy this season
If you have the overwhelming urge to plant something, you're not alone. Right now it seems everything is in bloom.

How to work from home
If you have a job you hate or dream of working for yourself, we've got a few leads for you.

Links:
- Recycling Home Builder
- Celebrity Calculator
1. Movie Stars
2. Athletes

RELATED:
- Jeff on the Job 3 links
- Jeff on the Job 2 links

Email us a news tip

 

Today is Ed Day!

Just wanted to point out to you all that it was Ed Brandon Day today. 

I went to City Hall where councilman Michael Berry made the proclamation. 

CHECK OUT THE EVENT

On the above link, you will be able to access the slideshow I created for the event.  Lots of familiar faces.

After it was deemed Ed Day, then actors Richard Roundtree and Vivica A. Fox came in.  What an all star studded event today in downtown. Click here to see pictures

Ed Brandon announces retirement

Weatherman Ed Brandon had decided to announce his retirement exclusively on the mikemcguff blog. I consider it an honor he would choose my personal blog when he could easily go anywhere else.

Click here to see Ed's statement and after that will be an interview I conducted with him a month ago about his life in the television business.

SEE THE INTERVIEW