When bears attack (not)

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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You know it’s sweeps when…

Bears attack. Almost.

The local TV station ran a report tonight about the dangerous of bears nearly attacking people. It had a good supply of home video shot by a local resident, but that was about it. At least until they pulled out the fact that this is National Bear Awareness Week. What a great save!

The report when on to give us some sage advice from a WNC Nature Center dude about what to do in case you see a bear. (Hint: run like hell.)

You also know it’s sweeps when: A) A glass of water could kill you. Leave it to TV news to make drinking a glass of water dangerous. B) Your treadmill can’t count calories. In this stunning investigative report, we find out that treadmills and other exercise machines don’t really give you accurate accounts regarding calories burned and such. Whew – I’m glad that’s out there.

Where are they now?

Reuben Mayfield was a photographer for the local TV station for several years in the mid 1990s and should probably be given a courage award for how he lived his life.

Reuben was one of those guys always lugging the sticks and cameras for the on-air talent, doing all the grunt work. He was out in the community, wherever the story was.

Then Reuben started showing up doing his camera slinging wearing red lipstick and earrings. Eventually he started calling himself Ruby and going all the way with wearing women’s clothes.

In small town Ashvegas, that’s a bold move. That’s a courageous move anywhere, but especially so here. Even in the early to mid 1990s, what Ruby did was unheard of, especially for a person so visible in the community.

Ruby eventually left the station and pursued a local musical career, singing and making appearances at local nightclubs. I don’t know where she is now. But if I ever saw her, I would tell her how inspiring she is. Others could learn a thing or two about how to live a true life.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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1 Comment

  1. anon May 19, 2005

    I like your post, but Ruby still works for WLOS. She is now a producer there.

    Reply

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