It is going to be a beautiful weekend to enjoy all your outdoor plans. And there are likely many things on the list–Mother’s Day brunch, graduations, festivals. Jeremy says to expect great weather conditions. You can check out his forecast here.

But be aware, another road work project may get in your way. Gilmerton Bridge along Military Highway in Chesapeake closes at 8 o’clock tonight and will reopen by 5 o’clock Monday. The closure is part of the Gilmerton Bridge Replacement Project, which is expected to wrap up in late 2013.

You can use the I-64 High Rise Bridge or the Downtown Tunnel as alternates. Maritime traffic should not be affected.

Another year, another spirit filled day in Norfolk!

Thousands of  hospitality workers were honored at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center on the downtown Norfolk waterfront on May 8, 2012.

Its all part of National Travel and Tourism Week.

Stephanie Harris, Bruce Rader, Tom Schaad and I, along with O-D-U Football coach Bobby Wilder, judged the most spirited organizations.

Visit Norfolk and the Norfolk Tourism Research Foundation organized the event to honor the best hospitality associates in the mermaid city.

Once again, the band and cheerleaders from
Booker T. Washington High School entertained us.

Erin Filarecki from Visit Norfolk told us: “We have over 7,000 employees in the travel and tourism industry.This is there special day to honor them…everything that they do behind the scenes that visitors don’t necessarily see.”

But something was clearly missing this year, lawyer and philanthropist, Peter Decker, Jr.

“Uncle Pete” as he was affectionately known by many passed away in February.He had served as emcee of this event for several years.  This year’s event served as a special tribute to him. A special video highlighted his contributions to the rally over the years.

His three sons- Pete, Paul, and Phil took over those duties.
The Downtown Norfolk Council won for most spirited small group.

The Norfolk Airport Hilton won for large group.  They wrote and performed special songs in memory of Uncle Pete.  That caused many of us to tear up.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Admissions: Gay Jones, Norfolk Scope

Assistant: Mary Ellen Fournier Virginia Arts Festival

Audio Visual: Mike Villare with Ted Constant Convocation Center

Banquets: Sheneda Latham-Hollis with Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Norfolk

Bartender & Overall Winner: Joe Allen with Norfolk Airport Hilton

Corporate Liaison: Rita Super with Norfolk Southern Corp.

Docent: Hunt Lewis with the Hampton Roads Naval Museum

Driver: Mark Lett with Orange Peel Transportation

Front Desk: Cheryl Mathis with Residence Inn by Marriott – Norfolk Airport

Hostess: Tierra Jones with Shula’s 347 Norfolk Waterside Marriott

Housekeeper Aimee Vidal with Navy Gateway Inns & Suites

Maintenance (co-winners): Orlando Baskfield with Navy Lodge Norfolk
Red Harris with Quality Inn Norfolk Naval Station

Mascot: Rip Tide (Bill Caruso) Norfolk Tides Baseball Club

Parking Attendant: Bee Sutton with MacArthur Center

Public Service Ambassador: Dave Walker with Downtown Norfolk

Reservations: Sabrina Thomas Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel

Retail: Patricia Dunn Nauticus

Server: Chris John with Byrd & Baldwin Bros Steakhouse

Tour Operator: Amanda Wells with Norfolk Botanical Garden

Valet: Yar Khan with Norfolk Plaza Hotel

Volunteer: Carolyn Papafil with The Norfolk Grille

Zoo Ambassador: Chai and Thai with Virginia Zoological Park

For more pictures, check out The Norfolk Tourism Research Foundation’s Facebook page.

Newport News celebrated Hospitality Day as part of National Travel and Tourism Week.

Various contests were held outside near the fountain at City Center at Oyster Point.

I was honored to serve as a judge for the cheering-singing competition.

The Point Plaza Suites won this one.

The Newport News Hospitality Association also hosted a relay race and bed-making and towel-folding competitions.

Several hotel and restaurant employees came out and showed their talents.

Here’s a list of the winners:
· Bed-making competition – Hampton Inn & Suites
· Towel-folding competition – Hilton Garden Inn
· Cheering/Singing competition – Point Plaza Suites
· Relay Race – Hilton Garden Inn

Good morning!

The weekend is almost here and VDOT crews are getting ready to get to work.

The High Rise Bridge along I-64 in Chesapeake will be closed in both directions Sunday, May 6, 2012 from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Crews will be performing rigging operations on the bridge’s lift span.

Here’s an alternate from VDOT:

You can take I-264 Downtown Tunnel as an alternate route. Look for signs that point the way From I-64 west, drivers should take the Route 17 George Washington Highway exit. Next make a left on George Washington Highway and proceed to Frederick Boulevard. Make a left onto Frederick Boulevard, then take the I-264 east ramp on the right. Proceed on I-264 east, through the Downtown Tunnel. Stay in the right lane and after exiting the tunnel take the I-464 south exit. Follow I-464 south until you reach the I-64 west exit.

From I-64 east take the I- 464 north exit. Follow I-464 north to the I-264 west (Downtown Tunnel) exit. Proceed on I-264 west to the Frederick Boulevard exit. Exit at the bottom of the ramp and stay to the left. Make a left on Route 17 south. Follow Route 17 south to George Washington Highway and make a right. Proceed on George Washington Highway to the I-64 east ramp.

Here’s a cancellation from VDOT:
Previously scheduled work at the I-64 Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel for the weekends of Friday, May 4, 2012 and Friday, May 11, 2012 has been CANCELLED. Look for the closures at the H.R.B.T. after the Labor Day holiday, Sept. 2, 2012.

Hey everybody…just wanted to share some photos from today…Day 3…the big one…

The gang's all here!

engine/rescue 10 CVFD

Now THAT’s an escort…fire engines and everthing! Maybe  it was because Friday also always brings out a VIP guest,76th district delegate Chris Jones. We never have to worry about him keeping up, he moved like he just heard Andy Fox was coming back with more questions about tolls…ha ha ha!!!  Actually Chris and Jimmy were stopped in their tracks by the ladies from O Doodle Doo’s donuts!

Carb loading

Forest makes our day!

Forest and his grandmother, Linda.

"For keeping the babies healthy."

beautiful Hampton Roads

     At Hall Chevrolet, we caught up with old friends and new…and got an in person update on one of our favorite March of Dimes ambassador babies…Virginia.

Virginia, 4 years old!

When Virginia was born she was about the size of the purse in her hand, less than one pound. She was 17 weeks early. Now she is getting ready to start kindergarten and her mother is still very supportive of the March of Dimes as the Suffolk walk coordinator. We appreciate Erin bringing Virginia each year and are so happy to see her thriving!

 

After our visit with viewers, listeners and lovers of healthy babies we hit the road again to cover the last 7 miles to the Mid Town tunnel. As much as we love Day 3, we really love when it’s finished…can’t you tell?

 

 

Thanks again to the officers, deputies, fire fighters and EMT’s, Del. Jones (whose baby is in college), Jim Bowles who drives the truck and takes care of business, and everybody back at the ranch at Eagle 97.3 and WAVY Tv/FOX 43

Heads up, weekend travelers!

VDOT has a lot of work to do and closures will take place at two major crossings.
I-664 SB lanes toward Suffolk at the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel will shut down at 8:00 tonight (4/27/12) and will stay closed for re-paving work until 6 a.m. Monday (4/30/12).

The Gilmerton Bridge (along Military Highway in Chesapeake) will close in both directions, also starting at 8:00 tonight and reopening by 5 a.m. Monday.

For your future planning, the HRBT will be closed I-64 EB NEXT weekend, starting at 8 Friday night (5/4/12) and reopening by 5 a.m. Monday (5/7/12).

Here’s a look at your alternates for this weekend’s closures:

MMMBT Weekend of Friday, April 27, until Monday, April 30, 2012

The signed detours for I-664 MMMBT south will be as follows:

· From I-64 east approaching I-664 south (Hampton Coliseum), motorists must stay on I-64 east through the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT). Follow I-64 east to I-264 west towards the Downtown Tunnel. Follow I-264 west through the tunnel to the end of the detour at I-664 north/Route 58 west (Bower’s Hill).

· From I-664 south approaching MMMBT (27th street), crews will have a multi-lane closure in place to reroute traffic to I-664 north towards I-64 east (Hampton Coliseum) and the HRBT. From the I-664 south closure motorists will take I-664 east to I-264 west towards the Downtown Tunnel. Follow I-264 west through the tunnel to the end of the detour at I-664 north/Route 58 west (Bower’s Hill).

Please note: The Route 17 James River Bridge is also a suggested alternate route. However, Route 17 traffic is expected to be much higher in volume than normal. Traffic signal timings have been adjusted to compensate for the additional traffic. Motorists using local streets may experience a longer than usual delay due to the expected higher traffic volumes and increased timing.

Gilmerton Bridge Closure:

· Motorists are encouraged to use the I-64 High Rise Bridge as an alternate route during this weekend bridge closure. The Downtown Tunnel and the I-264 Berkley Bridge are also alternate routes. Maritime traffic should not be impacted.

HRBT Weekend of Friday, May 4, until Monday, May 7, 2012

The signed detours for I-64 HRBT east will be as follows:

· From I-64 east approaching I-664 south (Hampton Coliseum), motorists must stay on I-664 south through the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel (MMMBT). Follow I-664 south to I-264 east towards the Downtown Tunnel. Follow I-264 east through the tunnel to the end of the detour at I-64 east and I-264 east (Barry Robinson Interchange).

· For motorist staying on I-64 east towards the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, they must exit at Mallory Street then head west on I-64 towards Williamsburg. Follow I-664 south towards the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel (MMMBT) to I-264 east towards the Downtown Tunnel. Follow I-264 east through the tunnel to the end of the detour at I-64 east and I-264 east (Barry Robinson Interchange).

ou won’t find a more committed guy than Jimmy Ray. This is the 20th time Eagle 97.3′s morning man-child has gone the distance for the March of Dimes.

Tackling #20

born at 25 weeks, just over one pound

It’s hard to believe a whole year has gone by since the last Walk for Babies, but here we are again ready to walk 70 miles from Williamsburg to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

While Jimmy Ray and I are on the road, people passing by are always asking what are you doing this for? and really it’s an awareness-raising stunt so people will want to learn more about the March of Dimes.

We are both so grateful for the healthy babies in our lives and WAVY TV and Eagle 97.3 and all the organizations that support the walk want to do everything we can so that all babies have that chance at a healthy start and hopefully when people see how much fun Jimmy Ray and I have fun walking together they will want to find a walk in their community and also pitch in to help the babies.

This year is Jimmy’s 20th walk and my 10th and it’s also extra special for me because a few days ago I found out I’m going to be an Auntie. Because there is a possibility of some complications my little niece or nephew may be born a little early, it’s a concern but not as scary as it would be without the March of Dimes. Knowing that because of this organization doctors will know what to do if this little baby can’t go full term is a comfort to my brother, his wife and our whole family.

Over the years, we’ve met many families with a story like that and we look forward to hearing their latest chapters again this year.

Make sure you stop and see us along the way!

My pal Jimmy!

Check out my Twitter page for updates throughout the walk.