Checking in with Susan Barnett

FORMER CBS3 ANCHOR Susan Barnett has been a regular fixture on Fox News on Saturday mornings. Barnett left CBS3 in April of last year.

"I am enjoying my newfound freedom, except with 3-year-old interruptions," she said as her child's voice on the other end of the phone questioned her about an Elf on the Shelf placement.

I caught up with Barnett after I heard she was working nationally, doing flash sales on the network on Saturdays. "Good Morning America" and the "Today" show have similar segments.

"Every once in a while I get to put my news clothes back on and hang out with adults," said Barnett, who has three kids: Blaise, Steele and Cruise.

The Levittown-raised Barnett teased that she has other projects in the works but didn't want to discuss them just yet.

"It would just have to be perfect. I made a huge decision to leave [the] channel, so the next step would have to be right for my family," she said.

Need a reason to smile? Look no further than Chase Utley.

Tabernacle, N.J.'s Julie Kramer is battling Stage 4 synovial sarcoma at only 23. When Kramer's best buddies heard that Ellen DeGeneres was looking to interview inspiring women, they started a #JulieMeetsEllen campaign that blew up on social media, landing Kramer a spot on yesterday's show.

DeGeneres showed her support for Kramer, who got up and danced only hours after surgery, by giving the massive Phillies fan a check for $10,000 and lots of baseball swag, presented by the one and only Utley.

"Hey, Chase, bring it out will you?" DeGeneres said, surprising Kramer. "Shut up!" Kramer replied, adding to Utley: "You rule."

Besting the merch, Utley told Kramer she was welcome at any Phillies game next season, including a batting practice so she could meet a couple of the guys.

Fox 29's Mike Jerrick is having quite the month. First, he becomes a grandpa for the second time. Now, he's engaged.

Jerrick revealed on "Good Day Philadelphia" yesterday morning that he popped the question to lady friend Shelda at 10:11 p.m. (on 12/13/14) under the clock at Grand Central Station.

I reached out to Jerrick, who kept mum on more details.

On the show yesterday, Jerrick also outlined his Friday evening at Opa (1311 Sansom St.) that ended with him throwing his jacket in a tree. He chalked that up to pre-engagement jitters.

Jerrick said he dined with buddies, including Food Network staple Marc Summers, who is working on a new show with Robert Irvine of "Restaurant: Impossible" called "Fitness: Impossible" here in Philly, as I reported yesterday.

Philly's own Matt McAndrew could be the next winner on NBC's "The Voice." The singer who takes it all will be announced tonight at 9.

* Rapper Meek Mill made his first public appearance after being released from prison, at the Eagles-Cowboys game Sunday night. Mill was there with brand developer and blogger Karen Civil, members of his Dream Chasers crew and former boxer/current clothing designer Simon "One Punch" Carr. I hear Mill was in good spirits, despite the Eagles' loss.

* Ron Jaworski and fellow analyst and former Chiefs coach Herm Edwards dined at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse (260 S. Broad St.) on Saturday night. They sat at nearby tables but dined separately, and I hear both were quite courteous to the staff.

* Novelist and former Inquirer writer Jennifer Weiner was spotted enjoying the Delaware Riverfront's Winterfest (101 S. Columbus Blvd.). Her most recent novel, All Fall Down, was released in June.

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