I Made it to the Top 20! Now, Vote for Me!

On my quest to jump back into the TV news industry I entered a competition to become the next host of The Rhode Show on WPRI in Providence, RI. As many of you know, I moved to Boston in July and Providence is only a short car ride away. This would be the perfect opportunity for me to explore the New England area; telling meaningful stories along the way.

Dozens of people entered the competition and I was selected as one of the top 20. Yay!

Please please please watch this video in its entirety. The more people who watch the ENTIRE video the more votes I get.

http://www.wpri.com/rhode-show/search-for-a-star/sfas-66-natalie-kaplan

My Perfect New England Weekend!

Friday:
8 a.m. - Wakeup
9 a.m. - Hit the road...destination Newport, RI
10 a.m. - Pit stop at Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast
11-1 p.m. - Explore downtown Newport shops and marina
1-2 p.m. - Lunch at Black Pearl on Harbor (lobster salad)
2-3 p.m. - Newport Cliff Walk (note to self, buy comfortable sandals)
3-4 p.m. - Audio tour of The Breakers (Vanderbilt mansion)
4-5 p.m. - Mansion drive along Newport coast (I want one)
5-7 p.m. - Most romantic dinner ever at Castle Hill Inn (Actor Robert Duvall sat at our table one week earlier)
7-8:30 p.m. - Drive back to Boston with windows down

Saturday:
6:15 a.m. - Early wakeup
7 a.m. - Hit the road...destination Gloucester, MA
8-12:30 p.m. - Whale watch tour. Saw an unbelievable amount of whales.
1-2 p.m. - Lunch at roadside seafood restaurant Causeway (ate way too many fried clams)
2-2:30 p.m. - Hit the road...destination Rockport, MA
2:30-5 p.m. - Explore Rockport town, shops, art galleries
5-5:30 p.m. - Gelato time! (One scoop birthday cake, one scoop caramel)
5:30-6:30 - Drive back to Boston with windows down again
6:30 p.m. - Easy grilled cheese for dinner

Sunday:
10 a.m. - Late wakeup
11:30-2 p.m. - Brunch in Jamaica Plain with friends
2-3 p.m. - Hit the road...destination North Reading (home of boyfriend's parents)
3-5 p.m. - Lounge at the pool
5-9 p.m. - Birthday celebration for boyfriend's sister with lots of meat for dinner!

Searching for the next BIG thing!

I am officially moving to Boston in two weeks to finally move in with my long-distance boyfriend of two years! Now, the job search begins again. I created this three minute video detailing some of my past experiences. Hopefully, it will give employers an inside look at who I am and some of the things I can do. Since I haven't been on the job hunt for about three years, any advide, tips, suggestions or feedback on potential routes I could take would be greatly appreciated!

Syra-Who? GO BLUE!

In honor of my alma-mater -- University of Michigan -- making it to the Final Four, I decided to try and support the team in a creative way. This is what I came up with!

 

My Letter to President Obama on Gun Control

I mailed the following letter to four senators, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and President Barack Obama on Dec. 18, 2012.

 

President Obama,

I received the worst phone call of my life on March 24, 2007. I was told that my college sorority sister and friend Chiara Levin had been killed after getting shot in the head. She was visiting Boston for her great aunt’s 90^th birthday when she got caught in the crossfire of a shootout. She was 22 years old and was about to start a new job in New York City. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time and lost her life because of it.

About one year later I received another terrifying report; this time it was over the scanner at the television station I was working at in Rockford. A gunman had opened fire on Northern Illinois University in DeKalb killing six people and injuring 21 others. It was Valentine’s Day. I produced that evening’s elongated newscast detailing the horrific incident. I’ve never celebrated Valentine’s Day since, but instead tried to remember the underserving victims who lost their lives that day.

I first learned about the Newtown shooting on Friday around 11 a.m. I am currently the Director of Communications for Township High School District 113 right outside of Chicago and immediately notified the principals of our two high schools. I remained glued to my computer for the rest of the day trying to piece together different news reports. Our staff was put on high alert and we increased police presence on both campuses. We are meeting with other school districts in the area this week to discuss safety measures and procedures. My biggest worry is that no matter how much or how hard we plan, we’ll never be able to protect our students well enough.

These three incidents are examples of how senseless gun violence has impacted my life. Are we willing to live in a country where everyone has their own “three” examples? I’m not and I urge you – as my representative – to do something about gun control immediately. Our forefathers had no way of knowing that a constitutional right to bear arms would lead to this. But since it has, it’s time for someone else to take control.  We need to better regulate the types of guns being sold as well as heighten background checks on the individuals buying them.

The time for action on gun control is now. As my President, I am relying on you to facilitate change and make my hometown, my working environment, and my country a better and safer place to live. I will no longer tolerate procrastination, NRA bullying, or partisan politics on this issue and I hope you won’t either.

Thank you for your time,

Natalie Kaplan

I Want Your VOTE!

A few weeks ago I got to travel back in time and spend the day at my elementary school Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School in Chicago.

I was there shooting and producing a video to enter into a contest. It was supposed to be a two minute piece about how the school impacted my life.

It was an extremely enjoyable experience for me. Besides getting to head back to school and say hi to some of my favorite teachers it gave me a chance to give something back to an organization that I owe a lot to.

Now, I’m asking all my blog followers---and anyone else---to vote for the video. If it wins, Anshe Emet could get thousands of dollars from the Jewish Day School Video Academy. Consider it giving to charity without actually having to write a check!

All you have to do is click THIS link and vote. Feel free to spread the word and forward the video along. Every vote counts.  

Thanks for your help and support,

Natalie

What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger

I googled myself today – I’ll admit it – I have no shame. I just wanted to see what’s floating around the worldwide web. I spotted this post on dexknows.com. I’ve never heard of this website but apparently it allows people to post comments about businesses.

This review of WITN-TV (my old news station) was posted on Nov. 23, 2009 (almost three years ago).

I use to watch the show,"TODAY" everyday and still love it. Then my family moved to NC and now I cant watch it anymore due to a lady on WITN Natalie Kaplan Anchor/Reporter. I dont know what is wrong with her or the way she talks… Read Mo

I use to watch the show,"TODAY" everyday and still love it. Then my family moved to NC and now I cant watch it anymore due to a lady on WITN Natalie Kaplan Anchor/Reporter. I dont know what is wrong with her or the way she talks I cant stand looking at her so then I would just try to listen but even that drove me crazy. I thought it was just me so I had my husband watch her and even he said the same! So now I am sad we dont watch WITN or TODAY anymore.

-SAD by sad southern bell  

Ouch. At the time of her comment I was anchoring the noon news at WITN in Greenville, North Carolina. If I recall correctly, the Today show aired right before the noon news. “Sad by sad southern bell” gave WITN one star based on my performance.

I’m printing this out and shoving it in my face the next time I need a reality check because it sure did work today.