El Paso Times from El Paso, Texas • 59

Ei Paso Times Continued from IF Sunday Ma 18. 2008 eipasotmes.cooi ea. Sufi El Paso Times Gary Warner in his office at the KVIA studios. he retires, Warner plans to help his wife, artist Brigitte von Ahn, open her own art studio and gallery. He also plans to read more, travel more and not worry about deadlines.

in which Warner reads from and responds to mail from viewers. But station officials instead decided to let Cabrera take over the segment. The two are still trying to find a free moment to go over the ins and outs of the segment, Warner said. A natural iwwinun Warner said he understands that he's a local celebrity, though he's not necessarily comfortable with that. Since his announcement, he has received a number of letters and phone calls from viewers who want to wish him well.

Many viewers, he said, tell him they've been watching him on the news since they were kids. For Warner, the nightly ritual of co-anchoring the news was first and foremost a job one he took very seriously. "I like the feeling that, at the end of the day, I've given people information they should know in a professional manner," he said. "The copy was written well, and it had an impact on the viewers. "It's like any other profession, such as a lawyer or doctor.

If a doctor writes a wrong prescription, someone can get hurt. If we mess up and give the wrong information, there's the possibility that someone can get hurt." The past few weeks have been busy as Warner has been the honored guest at several functions. The station will have its own farewell party, but Warner said he didn't plan any long speeches for his final newscast. He does, however, have a few parting words for his viewers and El Paso friends. "Thanks.

I could've gone to a number of places other than El Paso and not have been accepted the way I was here." He also has some homework for viewers. "Continue to hold the news accountable," he said. "The media needs to be held to a high standard." Maribel Villalva may be reached at mvillalvaelpasotimes.com; 546-6129. ot the station were sure to change once Warner leaves. "It's definitely a big loss.

Everybody is replaceable, but there are some people who bring certain qualities that can't be replaced," she said. "He has such high standards: the writing, making sure everything is correct, balanced and interesting. He definitely laid the groundwork for us." When Warner announced his departure, station officials announced he would be replaced by KVIA veteran Rick Cabrera, who was co-anchoring "Good Morning El Paso" at the time. Within weeks, Cabrera began co-anchoring the 6 p.m. newscast to ease the transition once Warner leaves.

Warner said his successor would do a good job. "Rick has a good feel for the market," he said. Cabrera said he's aware that all eyes will be on him as he takes over Warner's spot on the news desk. He's quick to say it won't be easy. Warner is "a broadcasting legend, and this is a little overwhelming and intimidating," Cabrera said.

"I definitely have my work cut out for me, but at the same time, I'm excited about the opportunity. "I'd be lying if I said the station isn't going to miss Gary. He brings such a calming presence to the station. He's the voice of wisdom and he's the leader behind the scenes, too." Cabrera, who joined KVIA in 1999 as a weekend sports anchor, said he immediately knew Warner was a man to be respected. He also said he could never replace Warner, but does want to emulate one of Warner's signature traits.

"I want to be cool under pressure like he is. Many broadcasters, especially young ones, want to speed things up when things start falling apart. But he has this wonderful trait where nothing fazes him." Warner said there was discussion at the station about ending the popular segment "ABC -7 Listens," More about Wantor Among Gary Warner's career highlights are interviewing Presidents Ford and Reagan, Henry Kissinger, and both George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush before they became presidents.

He has had few embarrassing moments, but he said most of them had to do with minor technical difficulties, such as not having his microphone turned on or reading poorly written copy from the teleprompter. For young Journalists who want a successful career in broadcasting, Warner offers this advice: "For someone who is starting out, I would tell them they need to focus on their mass media classes. They should have an interest in civics, government, elections and history. They should also have good writing skills, something that is really lacking in a lot of the young market, I couldn't identify with the national news coverage as much." Over the years, Warner has witnessed the television news market change dramatically. The amount of news, he said, can be overwhelming.

"It's so much more of a 247 operation, and it's almost information overload. Look at the cable news, there's the crawl at the bottom (of the screen), boxes on the side," he said. "Our station just used to have the 30-minute newscasts at 6 and 10 p.m., but now we have the morning show, the noon show, the 4, 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts, and the weekend shows." He credits KVIA for taking risks in its market. "I think the station has always been willing to change and be innovative," he said.

Many El Paso viewers also associate Warner as the Warner Continued from IF list of things he'd like to do: go through an ever-growing pile of books, travel, visit family and not live with the pressure of daily work deadlines. "I'll get to do things at my pace," he said. For Warner's final night, KVIA general manager Kevin Lovell said, the newscast will be extended by 10 minutes to allow for a proper tribute to Warner. The retirement is "a landmark change for TV in El Paso," Lovell said. "To be at one station for three-and-a-half decades and to be the lead anchor for so long is unprecedented in this town." Wednesday night's tribute will involve testimonials from well-known El Pa-soans, as well as nationally recognized individuals, Lovell said.

Lovell said Warner's departure would be a loss for the station. "He's a pure journalist in every sense of the word," Lovell said. "Anyone who has ever worked with Gary for any amount of time will recognize his contributions. He's the kind of man who fixes things quietly and efficiently goes about his day." Lovell, who has worked at four stations, said, "I have never met anyone who can approach Gary's commitment to the task day in and day out." A career begin Warner first came to El Paso in 1968 after graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a major in political science and a minor in history. He enlisted in the Army and was sent to Fort Bliss.

He returned to Illinois in 1970 and began working at a farmhouse radio station in Havana, 111. When that station was sold, Warner packed up and made the trek back to the city he had fallen in love with El Paso. Once back, Warner got a job with KELP-Channel 13, a combination radio and television station. He read the news over the radio and then switched to television. KELP eventually became KVIA.

In his career at KVIA, Warner has worked in a number of reporter positions general assignments, special projects, medical and political. He's also organized election coverage at the station and, from 1991 to 1993, was the station's news director. Warner did take his shot at the big leagues. From late 1983 to late 1984, he was a producer and anchor with CNN in Atlanta. While he said the experience was excellent, he missed El Paso and the sense of covering local news.

He returned to the Sun City and was welcomed back to KVIA. "I always tell people that it's not about the quantity of life, but rather, the quality of life," he said. "I learned a lot at CNN, but after having grown up in a local news people today." KVIA general manager Kevin Lovell said he'd never heard anyone say an unkind word about Gary Warner. "I have never received a single complaint about Gary, whether it's about his atti- loyal co-anchor of Estela Casas. For nearly 15 years, the two have sat side by side as they deliver the day's news.

They have been advertised by KVIA as "El Paso's longest-running anchor team." Warner said it's hard for an anchor team to develop instant rapport with audiences, but for whatever reason, El Paso audiences liked the combination of Warner (a Chicago transplant with German roots) and Casas (an El Paso native). "You never know what's going to work until you try it, but she's very professional and dedicated to her tude or his performance. In a way, that's more significant than his tenure because it shows he does his job in such a meticulous way that he doesn't offend people. He is so respected by his peers." job," he said. "Had I been teamed up with someone else, it might not have worked as well.

"This market accepted us." Casas said the partnership has worked for so Tong because of trust. "We're very different, but we can fill each other's void and compensate for the other," she said. "If one of us is having an 'off then the other will step in to help. We're always ready to bail each other out, and that's part of the trust factor that has developed through the years." Casas said the dynamics All in Good Time by Jane Kendall Illustrations by Alexandra Tebow Copyright Hoi Topic) Hoi Seriili 2007 til Chapter Seven Yes, We Have No Bananas The story so far: Eddie and Glory spent the whole day in the movie theater and just as they were leaving, they ran into Barney, the thug who beat up Sollie. "How'd you find me?" Glory said in a strangled voice.

"Everyone hides out in the movies," Barney said acidly. "I done it myself. 1 just kept lookin', and there you were." He made a motion with the hand in his pocket, and with a stab of horror Eddie saw what he feared might be the outline of a pistol. "Go on," Barney said, and jerked his hand. "Don't make me mm dawselpaso.com 7714 GATEWAY EAST (Between Hurtw Mcftoe) 915.594.3030 rrwiYMf FRAME SALE (.95 $29 shoot a hole in this nice jacket now." That was a long black Buick idling at the curb, a burly man behind the wheel.

As Barney gestured Glory and Eddie toward the open rear door, an idea popped into Eddie's bead. His mother Susie's favorite movie of all time was Beverly Hills Cop, which she and Eddie's father had seen on their first date. Eddie liked to tease her that she'd named him for Eddie Murphy, not her uncle as she claimed, and he'd gotten her the DVD for Christmas. Would Axel Foley's banana trick work with a different fruit? he wondered as his hand closed around the apple in his pocket. With his heart pounding and his mouth dry, Eddie took the apple, quickly bent down, and jammed it, hard, into the tailpipe of the car.

"Whatcha doin'?" Barney growled as he shoved Glory into the back seat. "Nothing," Eddie gulped, "lying my shoes." "Get in, I don't got all day." Barney slammed the door shut and got in front, and, as the car slid into traffic, Eddie took hold of Glory's hand and grabbed the door handle with his other hand. After four or five blocks the engine started to cough, and the car began to lose speed. "Goose the gas," Barney snapped. "I am, I am," the driver whined.

"It's gone all hinky." The oar sputtered to a stop. Eddie flung open the door and leaped out, pulling Glory over the running board and into the street "Runt" he yelled, and they were off. He dared a quick glance back, and saw the stalled Buick surrounded by honking can and Barney with his head out the window, arguing with a very large traffic cop. "I know a shortcut," Glory panted as they dashed along the sidewalk, weaving in and out of startled pedestrians. "It's not far." Glory lived in a fourth-floor walk-up on 48th Street near 9th Avenue.

As Eddie trudged up the stairs behind her, he couldn't help thinking of the pleasantly appointed "doorman building" he called home. The halls here were narrow and smelted of cooking, and through the thin walls he could hear radios blaring, voices squabbling, and babies crying. Glory's brother Jimmy, who ran to the door when he heard her key in the lock, was a scrawny eight-year-old with red hair and a face full of freckles. Mrs. Mattenon was a wispy blonde with a sweet manner and only a trace of her daughter's peppy style.

Dinner was cabbage, potatoes, bread and butter, and coffee. Eddie took one look and knew there was barely enough for three, let alone a guest. "I'm not hungry, Mrs. Masterson, really," he told her, "but that coffee looks delicious." After dinner, Glory grabbed a blanket and she and Eddie crawled through a window onto the fire escape. "I didn't want to read Sollie 's letter in front of Ma," she explained as she unfolded it "Dear Glory," she read out.

"You're too good for this racket. Make a fresh start and don't look back. This is for you. Your friend, Sol." She peered into the envelope, and the color drained from her face. "Oh, Eddie," she breathed, her eyes shining.

"There's a hundred dollars in here!" They sat on the fire escape for hours, Glory telling Eddie about hard times and how, with no help from "those stinkers in Washington," you pretty much relied on your wits. Eddie talked about bis friends and his family and West Side Prep and then he told her about Mrs. Finster and the mysterious subway tokens. When he finished, Glory yawned and elbowed him in the ribs. "You slay me, Eddie," she said.

"What an imagination! You should go out to Hollywood and write for the pictures. Ooh, I gotta hit the hay I'm beat. Some day, huh?" Eddie dozed fitfully on the Mastersons' lumpy couch, waking before dawn as the sky lifted from black to charcoal to a deep cloudlets blue. It's going to be a beautiful day, he thought and then he remembered another beautiful fall morning and two planes streaking low over the city. They don't know about 9 1 1 he thought.

Glory and her mother and Jimmy didn't know about 91 1 or World war II and the Holocaust or Vietnam or Watergate. They knew about war and poverty, but the worst of the Twentieth Century lay ahead, and as Eddie watched the sun rise over the rooftops and water towers, he envied their innocence. And, as he lay there, he went over the phut he'd devised to keep Glory safe. Maybe it wasn't the best plan, and it was pretty simple. Then again, simple was usually the way to go.

All he had to do now was talk her mto it. Custom Frame any ItemJorW- Your ov w' And town? NoHioiwChMajV No Urn on 01l1- Look for Chapter 8 in next Sunday's paper! For more information, or to request supplemental teacher's guides to go along with the story, please contact El Paso Times NIE Coordinator Mona Pacheco at 546-6297 or mpachecoelpasotimes.com Climes Btpssodtnos com 9.