As of today, I have a new friend, although I think he has been a fan of weather for a long time. 

   Several weeks ago I received an e-mail telling me about a young autistic boy who loves watching my weather, his family even TIVO's it, and after watching the weather he makes charts and weather symbols of his own.  So, I invited this young man to come in to the TV station and see our weather center and watch one of our newscasts. 

     Today my new friend Garen ,who is 11 years old ,came to visit ABC 4 with his aunt and grandmother.  He was so excited to see the station. I showed him how we put our maps together in the forecast center then I put my headphones on him and sat him in front of the big microphone where I do my radio weathercasts each afternoon.  His aunt took some great pictures of him around the station.  It was then on to the studio to see a live show.  I think Garen liked seeing how I do the weather in front of a giant green chroma key wall.

     When he left with an ABC 4 hat on his head and a smile on his face, I knew I had a new friend who is a very special young man.