Students from 30 southside Hampton Roads public and private high schools are collecting food to help feed the hungry this fall.

The 2009 Student Food Drive kicked off Tuesday, September 29 at the Foodbank of  Southeastern Virginia on Tidewater Drive.  Fox 43 is a proud sponsor and the Foodbank asked me to speak to the students at the kickoff rally.

I encouraged them to reach out to their peers and the community to donate non-perishable items and help the less fortunate.

The rally was the spotlight for the students’ talent.  They performed skits about hunger and solving the problem.

Representatives from Granby, Kellam, Booker T. Washington, Atlantic Shores Christian and Tallwood were among those who performed at the kickoff event.   The food will be collected at the participating schools and also through drives the students set up at local businesses.  The 10 most wanted items are peanut butter, chunky soups, canned meats, canned tuna, canned vegetables, juice, cereal, macaroni and cheese, pasta and pasta sauces.

The Foodbank hopes to reach or exceed the goal of 100,000 pounds of food this year. Last year, the students brought in 70,000 with another 30,000 pound donation from Tyson Foods.   The school that collects the most pounds per capita wins the competition.

The competition ends with an awards celebration on Wednesday, November 11 at the Foodbank. Good luck to all of the students who are participating and here’s my challenge to you to do your part and help those in need.  Every bit counts!

Next year, there will be a new sheriff in town. Virginia Beach’s Paul Lanteigne, who’s held the job in that city since 2000, is retiring. Beach residents have a choice between two men with similar views on public safety. Virginia Beach Police Capt. John Bell and State Senator Ken Stolle both say they’re committed to improving, maintaining, and promoting public safety. That’s a good first step for any candidate.

Bell and Stolle differ on other goals and objectives for the Sheriff’s Office.

Stolle, the Republican candidate, says he “will not overturn a judge’s order” to let people out of jail on work release or electronic monitoring. He told me in a phone interview, “if they have 90 days, they serve it.”

Democratic candidate Bell said he does not want to “disregard a judge’s order. I want to work with the judges to increase the use of electronic monitoring and alternative sentencing.” Bell said he does not support the idea for violent offenders, but believes it could be used to take the load off the jail in the daytime, giving deputies more ability to focus on controlling violent offenders. Bell said a person in jail for failure to pay child support is one example of a person who might benefit from electronic monitoring.

As for overall goals, I asked both candidates where would they use the position to make changes in Virginia Beach.

Stolle: “I would use my experience in the legislature to change laws governing the use of inmates for work. Right now Sheriffs are prohibited from using an inmate workforce on private property… I think it could be expanded primarily in two areas. I’d like to see an exception, for example, for graffiti. I’d also like to create a faith-based commission to find and designate indigent people who need repairs. Supervised inmates could do the work.”

Bell: “There’s a trend where we build more cells, I want to address it on the front end… The Sheriff’s Office ought to be more involved in mentoring in neighborhoods, beyond D.A.R.E., but to older youths. We can can be role models for our youth… Also, once people are incarcerated, how are they prepared to re-enter community? …So many people come into jail with drug addictions. We can do more with drug abuse programs in jail. While they’re in jail, they can also get education, so they’re better prepared for when they get out.”

Bell and Stolle have plenty of ideas about how to operate and manage the Virginia Beach Correctional Center. Their campaign signs have popped up all across Virginia Beach in recent weeks. While neither candidate will likely spend money to run television ads, both are spending plenty of time on the streets. If you live in Virginia Beach, look for Capt. Bell, or Sen. Stolle (or one of their friends) to knock on your door in the next few weeks. Just in case you’re not at home when they stop by to ask for your vote, you can click here to take a closer look at Capt. John Bell or St. Sen. Ken Stolle.

We had a strong squall line of showers and storms roll through the area last night.  I doubt you missed it unless you were sleeping.  I was off duty, but I saw some of the coverage.  Pretty rough stuff.  Some of the reports from the National Weather Service showed winds gusting to near 60mph.  A wind of 58mph was recorded 2 miles west of Gatesville.  Also a wind gust to 45mph was recorded near the Virginia Beach oceanfront.  We had some trees down around the Moyock and Knots Island areas in North Carolina.  From the reports it looks like they got hit really hard around the Raleigh area.  Lots of trees down over a large region.  That was the compliments of the cold front that brought us the nice cool weather that we felt today.  Tonight and tomorrow night will be a little on the chilly side.  Lows will be in the 40s in a lot of locations.  However, I’ve seen no indications of frost in the forecast.  We probably won’t see that until either late October or in November.  Still it’s a big change from highs in the low/mid 80s like we had just yesterday. 

Meteorologist: Jeremy Wheeler

What’s a good day fishing for Marlin? Two, five or maybe 8 marlin? How about 42! That’s not just a good day, that’s off the charts when it comes to billfish. The crew aboard the Backlash out of Rudee Inlet had the day of their lives last Wednesday landing 41 white and 1 blue marlin.

Captain Steve Richardson along with mate Cam Carpinelli, Mike Atkinson and Cory Beisel started catching fish around 9:00 am on the 23rd of September and the fish kept biting until the pulled up their lines around 4:30 that afternoon. At several points during the day they were fighting multiple fish at the same time. Three and four marlin hooked at the same time! Three guys fighting fish on the back of the boat, one guy fighting a fish off the bow.

Amazing fishing compliments of a warm eddy of water jutting off the gulf stream some 67 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach. Richardson called it the perfect storm when it comes to marlin fishing. That warm body of water was loaded with bait fish, tuna and marlin all stacked up on top each other. can you say feeding frenzy!

The Backlash wasn’t the only boat making the most of the conditions. Captain Mike Standing and his crew aboard the Waterman landed 25 marlin on that amazing day. For one magical day, Virginia Beach was the marlin capital of the world.

What’s sad about this story was come Monday most of the charter fleet was back at the dock waiting for work.

Pull out your pink shirts, socks and hats and get ready for a TOTALLY PINK weekend.    On Saturday Hampton Roads will kick off a month of Breast Cancer awareness and fund raising events that range from fun to fancy.

First, is the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk sponsored by the American Cancer Society.   Join me and the WAVY Walkers as we make strides and share a few laughs.  Registration starts at 8:00 Saturday morning at Harbor Park in Norfolk, the walk begins at 9:00.  It’s non competitive so come out and have fun with us.  You can join our WAVY team or make a contribution.

Saturday night survivor Ginny Wright Johnson will host her third annual Hat Party at Savannah’s restaurant, 1296 South Battlefield Blvd in Chesapeake.   Dance the night away wearing your favorite hat and bring another hat  or headscarf to donate.  There will also be many great gift baskets and items up for bid.  All the proceeds go to the ACS’s  Reach to Recovery program.  Ginny for details at  757-652-9760 or ginn-rn@cox.net

Then get ready for a ‘truly uplifting experience’ Sunday Oct. 4 at the Bra-Ha-Ha.  Join me at MacArthur Center to check out the fabulous, funny and sometimes fancy bras created to raise awarness of the importance of early detection. 

The event starts at 7pm.  A highlight of the evening will be the unveiling and auctioning of a custom designed bra, the “Angel of Hope,” created by celebrated intimate apparel designer, COSABELLA. The designer label is the lingerie of choice for those fashion-savvy “Sex in the City” girls, and was featured regularly as wardrobe by the actresses on the renowned television show. Sara Jessica Parker is so enamored with their designs that she normally insists on wearing only COSABELLA on the film set of “Sex in the City, The Movie, Part Two,” which is now under production in New York City.

Is that enough pink for you?  No?  Well check back next week.  There are events going throughout October.  I’ll keep you posted.

Here’s some rain totals from last night’s storms.  We had a rough cell move over Hatteras Village, and a tornado warning was issued.  The fire chief from the Village said that there were some trash cans knocked over, an ice machine that fell over, and a few windows on a house were rattled in the night waking a family.   They were ok.  You can see the heavier amounts of rain in southern Virginia Beach back down to parts of Northeast North Carolina.  Another swath of heavier rain fell north of the viewing area.  The showers will be ending this afternoon and we will clear out.  The sunshine and southwest winds will bring us some unseasonably warm weather.  Highs will be in the lower 80s.  Tomorrow the same setup will put our highs in the mid 80s. 

Our next cool down arrives Monday night:

This cold front will finally make it feel Fall-like for a couple of days.  Very cool dry air will work in from the Northwest Tuesday through Thursday.  Highs will be in the upper 60s by Wednesday.  Lows will be in the lower 50s.  We’ll probably see mid-upper 40s in some inland areas Wednesday and Thursday mornings.  Maybe this will get the Fall leaves to change color.  So far they haven’t turned in the metro.  They should really turn by the middle-end of October.  My wife’s favorite season is Fall, but it basically reminds me that it’s time to rake, rake, rake. 

Meteorologist: Jeremy Wheeler

Set against the backdrop of Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach, the ‘Out of the Darkness Community Walk’ took over a beautiful Saturday morning at the park.  Wavy TV/FOX 43 was a proud sponsor of the event once again. Thousands of participants showed up .. some to remember, some to prevent and other to support. The ‘Out of the Darkness’ walk is meant to bridge the gap between Depression and Suicide. The link between the two has been proven and now it’s out job to bring the facts ‘out of the darkness’.  I was lucky enough to emcee/host the event this year and I was just one of many speakers who brought their story to the stage.

Organizer Chris Ghilcrest spoke from the heart.

Take a look at the pictures below. You’ll see a very colorful audience. It was no accident. Each registered walker received a t-shirts of various colors and a ribbon to tie on your arm, also in different colors. The colors were meant to identify someone who died by suicide. I don’t remember exactly which colors represented which .. but for example .. those wearing red ribbons had a son or daughter die by suicide .. and so on. Standing on stage and looking out at these people was a very intense moment. To know what they have lost is powerful.

Huddled together for support.

Colors everywhere.

This was the last time Col. John Green wore his military uniform. Jon read almost 150 names of people who had died by suicide, while family members listened attentively for the ‘closure’ that reading  may bring. One incredible fact many may not know: In January of 2008, the military reported more deaths of enlisted service members by suicide than in combat. Mind you, in Jan. of 2008 the war in Iraq and Afghanistan was very much alive.

The Military presence was strong.

It's a One Woman Show!!

This is another picture of Chris. She is a liscensed therapist in Chesapeake and she takes on the organizational task of this entire event. The process for the next years ‘Out of the Darkness Walk’ literally begins the day after the event. She puts in countless (thousands) of hours to make this happen. She makes a difference. I was proud to work with her on this event.

Through the 'Wall of 1,000 Cranes' the walk begins.

You can see the ‘Wall of 1,000 Cranes’ behind these walkers. I marked the starting point for the trek around Mt. Trashmore. The ‘Cranes’ has a special spiritual connection with depression and suicide.

Johnny Flex spinning some tunes!

And who else?? D.J. Johnny Flex givin’ us some tunes to walk with.

When all the names were counted Chris told me we had more than 2,000 walkers take part this year. In fact last year, our local ‘Out of the Darkness’ walk had more particiapants that cities like Chicagao and Philly. We ranked #3 out of more than 150 walks nationwide. Many thanks there to Chris Ghilchrest .. once again.

I hope the walk this year inspired some and gave others the chance to remember and gain closure. Looking out at the faces in the crowd as I spoke, I think this event brought more than ever expected to everyone in attendance. Hope to see you all next year.  Until then .. keep your eyes and more importantly your ears open. Listen when someone describes how they’re feeling. If you think they may be falling into depression. Get them/yourself help.

Let me hear about you experiences at the walk.

See ya.

Eric

Sorry that I haven’t blogged in a few days.  I am a nerd and proud of it.  I’ve been working on some computer systems over the last couple of days.  We’ve had some mmmm.. hiccups on some of our systems recently.  No worries though.  It wasn’t anything that stopped us from bringing you the info you need. 

That being said… the weather has become a little more interesting lately.  Yesterday’s high temperature was 87 degrees.  That was 3 degrees shy of the record.  Today temperatures are falling into the 60s.  A solid cold front moved through last night.  It brought some good rain amounts to parts of the Peninsula and Southside.  Super doppler 10 showed a swath of 1-2″ of rain from Richmond to Newport News to Virginia Beach down to Moyock, NC.  It’s been a little while since we’ve seen some significant rain.  The front is now in Northeast North Carolina.

  Tomorrow we’ll start with partly/mostly cloudy skies.  We’ll get some overrunning late in the day which will let the showers return.  Remember that’s when warmer/moister air runs over a cooler airmass.  When it lifts over the cooler air, then the general effect is to create rain showers.  The rain chances are good Saturday night into early Sunday.  However, skies will clear Sunday afternoon with some warming expected.  Another shot of cold air will move in next Tuesday.  I put our highs in the 60s on Wednesday as a pretty cold airmass comes out of Canada and clips Hampton Roads. 

Meteorologist: Jeremy Wheeler

Yesterday was the 70th anniversary of “The Wizard of Oz.”  Special screenings of the movie in high definition were shown and sold out across the country.  How appropriate that we had a rainbow yesterday!  With all the moisture in the atmosphere, showers and some sunshine there was a rainbow. 

Rainbow in the Deep Creek section of Chesapeake (from Cindy)

We could see more rainbows later today.  With all the moisture in place, some sunshine and the risk for showers and thunderstorms, you never know.  Carry your umbrella today in case you get under one of those shower or storms.  Otherwise it will be warm and humid!

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson

“Tropical” moisture created problems with areas of dense fog this morning (mainly inland).  Visibility was down to near zero across parts of our western VA and NC counties.  The fog was so thick in parts of North Carolina that Hertford County County schools had a one-hour delay this morning.   Dense fog could be a problem tomorrow morning as well.  Remember to allow plenty of extra time, use your low beams and slow down when driving in foggy conditions.

Meteorologist Cheryl Nelson