I smell cookies?

Cookies...don't they make everyone smile? The smell of them baking, the joy of dunking them in milk, and of course, eating them with the master spokesmonster, Cookie Monster...who could ask for anything more? Luckily, we at KLRN had the opportunity to provide this type of event for children and families who really do deserve a "special" night.

Earlier this week, we held the first of several events at the Warrior and Family Support Center at Fort Sam Houston. Families were able to make an average Wednesday an extraordinary one where everyone was able to step away from their own reality to paint and personalize an apron, play games and of course munch on freshly baked cookies with Cookie Monster himself. In essence, kids were able to be kids and parents were able to be kids...again.

It sounds so cliche to say that "it's the little things that make the biggest difference" but for these families who are coping with the stress of having a parent, spouse or loved one wounded and/or hospitalized, every bit of help matters. We already look forward to our next visit...

Yet Another San Antonio First

And KLRN is there to tell you all about it. I'm talking about the opening of Morgan's Wonderland, San Antonio's brand new theme park. Every theme park has a theme, and this one's is regardless of your disability, you're welcome here.

Its creator is former neighborhood builder Gordon Hartman. If you've watched San Antonio television you've surely seen his commercials. They virtually drip with optimism and the sense that all of us can--ought--to make this world a better place.

So when we went to do a Conversations with him I had to wonder "is this guy really that nice, that optimistic?" I can report that yes, the guy you see on those commercials is the guy who showed up to tape our show.

It's a jaded world out there and many peoples' views have a hard and nasty edge to them. Delightfully not so with Gordon Hartman. Tune in tonight (Thursday) at 8PM and you'll see what I mean. If you can't be there this evening, catch the show on KLRN's spiffy new video player where you can watch it on your own schedule. In either case, I hope you'll watch. It may be the most re-affirming half-hour you've spent in a long time.

As a non-profit, we're always looking for ways to increase our income. Goodsearch is a fun way that KLRN employees have been helping raise money for the station -- and you can help too, without donating a dime. For three days only, GoodSearch is having a $5,000 Giveaway.

GoodSearch will donate a $1 for every toolbar that is downloaded between April 6 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern and April 9 at 9:00 am Eastern. You can download the toolbar by following this link - KLRN Toolbar.

Our new KLRN toolbar is free to download and allows you to raise money for public media in South Central Texas every time you search or shop online! Once added to IE or Firefox, each time you shop at more than 1,300 stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!) a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to KLRN — at no cost to you.

The toolbar also has a search box and each time you search the Internet, about a penny is donated to KLRN. So check out GoodSearch and be sure to select KLRN as your designated charity.

And of course, please pass this along to all of your friends. Last year we raised more than $74 from GoodSearch. I know it doesn't seem like much, but it's fun to raise money for the station while searching the internet for work related or home related needs. The two minutes it takes to add this toolbar to your browser does make a difference for your local PBS station.

Thank you!