The girl who tackled turkey

Whatever happened to . . .

By Angie Drobnic Holan, Times Staff Writer
Published November 18, 2007

THE STORY: Kira Bear, then 13, was getting ready to cook a Thanksgiving Day meal for 25 family members and friends in 2005. We're not talking about just the 24-pound turkey here. We mean dressing, potatoes, green beans, cranberries, pumpkin pie. The whole deal. Her two-day cooking schedule even included a short nap on the big day.

FROM THE STORY: What do you want to do when you grow up?

I want to be a chef and own a restaurant. It's something I've always liked, making stuff, my own creations.

What are you most thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day?

Jasmine, our black Lab. She's our first dog. We got her from the pet shelter.

What's on the menu for Jasmine?

Canned dog food and dry dog and cat food and a Popsicle for dessert.

THE REST OF THE STORY: The 2005 Thanksgiving Day meal went off with out a hitch. Even mom says so. "She did a really good job on the stuffing," said Donna Bear. But Kira's interest in cooking has waned a bit in the last two years. Her new interest: computers. Kira is a sophomore at Gibbs High School and enrolled in the Business, Economic, Technology Academy, a program with a strong computing focus. She loves computer games, but ask her what her favorite is and she says, "Oh, I can't pick just one." Press her a little and she'll say she's quite fond of Naruto Clash of Ninja II.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: This Thanksgiving, the family will be apart for the first time. Donna Bear is taking her older daughter, Amanda, to New York City for a birthday trip; Amanda turns 18 on Wednesday. A serious dancer, Amanda will be fitted for custom pointe shoes while there. Kira will stay at home in St. Pete Beach with dad Ron Bear.

As for her future career, Kira's not so interested in becoming a chef. She wants to do something with computer design.

[Last modified November 16, 2007, 16:34:00]