Local stations present holiday traditions

Three local holiday TV traditions are back. Just in time for gift giving, KSHB, Channel 41 has issued another home-video compilation of "Kansas City Crossroads," its award-winning series of historical vignettes that air each day at 6:55 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. on Channel 41. Bill Kalahurka narrates these 36 slices of life, and what's exceptional about them - besides their outstanding production quality - is they uncover so many of the small wonders most Kansas Citians drive past or walk by every day unknowing. For every familiar part of the landscape like the Liberty Memorial, there are three did-you-knows: the Nelly Don dress company that started out of a Kansas City woman's attic in 1916 and quickly turned into one of the top apparel designers in the country; former mayor H. Roe Bartle's other career as a Scoutmaster extraordinaire; and the amazing legend of the Bright Star, a mysterious light that compelled a Johnson County farmer to free his slaves nearly 150 years ago. Also returning is another edition of "Holiday Voices," with new footage of Kansas Citians singing favorite hymns of the season. The special airs Christmas Eve at 9 p.m. on KCWE, Channel 29 and Christmas Day at 6 p.m., or whenever football ends, on KMBC, Channel 9. "Holiday Voices," produced by midtown studio Trans Digital Interface and area filmmaker Jay Crotchett, who is also the host, will benefit local charitable organizations with a toll-free donation number during the broadcast. Finally, for those of you wondering what happened to the Project Warmth telethon on KCTV, Channel 5, which normally airs Thanksgiving Eve, it has been rescheduled to Dec. 9. The fund-raiser - actually a series of local breaks during Channel 5's showing of the movie "Hook" - airs from 7 to 10 p.m. with host Barbara Porter. Last year's telethon raised more than $ 100,000. Ins and outs Your columnist has been remiss in noting some of the comings and goings on the Kansas City airwaves. So, starting with the latest change and working our way back: Brad Harvey is departing WDAF, Channel 4, for a morning anchor job at Cleveland ABC affiliate WEWS-TV, which is owned by Channel 41's parent company, E.W. Scripps. (Earlier this year WEWS also wooed reporter Chris Hernandez from Channel 4.) Harvey, an anchor and features reporter, is probably best known for being on the receiving end of a Jimmie "J.J." Walker tirade in 1997 after the comedian and a friend were confronted by station security. Jack Cashill is hosting a radio program on KCNW-AM (1380), an affiliate of the Catholic Family Radio network. The program airs from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. In addition, Catholic Family Radio's Web site says that Cashill "will work on special projects for the network" from the KCNW studio. Tamra Trickey is the new local and national sales manager at KCTV, Channel 5. She has been with the station since 1995. Channel 41 promoted reporter Keith King to Sunday co-anchor alongside Cynthia Gunn. King joined the station in 1996 and won an Edward R. Murrow award in 1998 for his coverage of the Crystal Kipper disappearance. KSHB also signed on stringer Debbie Rodriguez as a full-time reporter. Rodriguez began her career at KQTV in St. Joseph and has also worked for the World Harvest Church in Columbus, Ohio. And Carey Wickersham, daughter of former Royals pitcher Dave Wickersham, has been reporting for Channel 4 since early October. She joined the station from KPVI-TV in Pocatello, Idaho. - To reach Aaron Barnhart, phone (816) 234-4790 or TV Barn Web site at www.tvbarn.com >>>