Chuck Gaidica is moving from meteorology to ministry.
After 27 years at WDIV-TV (Channel 4), Gaidica announced Thursday that he plans to step down as the stations director of meteorology in August.
Gaidica, 55, a Chicago native who joined the NBC affiliate in 1987, said in a news release that hes stepping down from his longtime post so he can join the staff of Oak Pointe Church in Novi as its pastor of world outreach.
■ Related: Chuck Gaidica to leave WDIV weather post to become a minister
I think maybe we all would like God to send us a message in skywriting but that didnt happen, Gaidica told the Free Press on Thursday afternoon. God leads people with whispers and nudges.
Former WJBK-TV (Channel 2) morning meteorologist Ben Bailey will take over as Channel 4s chief meteorologist. In July, he left Fox affiliate Channel 2 after nine years as its morning meteorologist. Bailey will immediately begin contributing to the stations weather forecasts and will join anchors Carmen Harlan and Devin Scillian on the evening and 11 p.m. newscasts later this year.
Channel 4 news director Kim Voet said she hopes Gaidica will continue to contribute to the station after he signs off in August. A three-time Emmy winner, Gaidica is a popular personality who has hosted a variety of metro Detroit community events and specials for the station, including Americas Thanksgiving Parade. He also was formerly a radio host on WNIC-FM (100.3.)
The one and only William Shatner will be beamed up to Novi in May for Motor City Comic Con.
Shatner, best known for his iconic role of Captain James T. Kirk in the beloved sci-fi TV series Star Trek, will be at Suburban Collection Showplace for the silver anniversary of the event, a three-day pop culture spectacle built around B-movie stars, cult Hollywood heroes and comic book creators. Last years event featured comic book king Stan Lee (co-creator of Iron Man, Spider-Man and others) and Walking Dead star Norman Reedus.
This years event runs May 16-18. For info on the show or advance tickets, go to www.motorcitycomiccon.com.
Cue Colbert and the nuts! During Sundays Super Bowl, you can catch the handiwork of Detroit native and University of Michigan graduate Anne Wilson Kurtzman, who directed Comedy Central Colbert Report comedian Stephen Colbert in Super Bowl ads pitching Wonderful Pistachios.
Kurtzman, who lives in the Los Angeles area, grew up on Detroits west side and attended St. Suzanne, Rosary and Bishop Borgess Catholic schools before becoming a Wolverine. Shes got deep roots in the advertising business. Her dad, Lee H. Wilson of Birmingham, was the executive secretary for the Adcraft Club of Detroit from 1960 to 1997.
SeaWorld Orlando says Kid Rock and Alan Jackson will headline a concert series thats being shunned by other performers because of a documentary critical of the marine park.
Jackson will perform Saturday at the Bands, Brew & BBQ concert series, followed by Kid Rock on Sunday.
■ Related: Alan Jackson, Kid Rock head SeaWorld lineup
Nine recording artists have backed out of performing as part of the concert series, including country stars Trace Adkins, Martina McBride and Trisha Yearwood and rockers Heart, 38 Special and Barenaked Ladies. They made their decision after fans launched campaigns on change.org citing the documentary Blackfish. The film explores what might have caused an orca to kill veteran SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.
■ Torontos embattled Mayor Rob Ford is rising to the defense of fellow Canadian Justin Bieber, who was charged with assault Wednesday after it was alleged he hit a Toronto limousine driver several times in the back of the head last month. The news broke just hours after the pop stars attorney entered a separate not-guilty plea in Florida to drunken driving and other charges. Well, you know what, hes a young guy, Ford said on Washington, D.C.-based radio show The Sports Junkies. At 19 years old, I wish I was as successful as he was. ... Think back to when you were 19.
■ The Oscar folks are rescinding the Academy Awards original song nomination for Alone Yet Not Alone from the film of the same name after discovering that composer Bruce Broughton e-mailed members of the groups music branch to make them aware of his submission during the nominations period. Broughton serves as a member of the music branchs executive committee and is a former governor for the academy. Oscar officials said Wednesday that using a position within the organization to promote ones own Oscar submission creates the appearance of an unfair advantage. An additional nominee will not be named.