What a pleasant surprise to walk through downtown Norfolk on the first day of December and see three guys dressed in Santa suits- playing music on their horns.

They say they are all locals who are doing this with the Downtown Norfolk Council.  What a great way to spread a little cheer and make the holidays a little brighter during this busy time.

http://www.downtownnorfolk.org/dnc/whoweare

Thanks to everyone who came out to our Shred-It event on Saturday, November 8, 2008.  It was a rainy gray day, but that didn’t stop folks from bringing their bags, boxes and carloads of documents to be securely shredded.

In return, most people brought non-perishable food for the Peninsula Foodbank.   We really met some generous people.  One man stuck around and helped people lift their  items on the Shred-It trucks.  One woman brought an SUV full of cases of canned and boxed goods.  She told us she and her family are fortunate they don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from and they want to help others.  Still others donated money to the foodbank.

The weather could’ve been better- but hey, at least it wasn’t snow!! Thanks again to all who stopped by. Stay tuned to WAVY & Fox 43 tv- and online- to find out when the next Shred-It event will be.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008. What a night!   I took some pictures of WAVY/Fox 43 employees in the newsroom on the night of the big election.

I think most people are glad that the election is over and ready for the hard work to begin for all political parties to bring change in Washington- and ultimately our country.  For a lack of repeating what everyone else has said about it being historic, I wanted to share these photos I decided to take on this eventful night in a tv newsroom.

We were hitting the national and local elections from all angles- on the air and online. Thank you for being a part of it!

Here’s some information a dear family friend sent me about a group she thinks everyone in Hampton Roads should know about- just in time for Veterans Day.

The 369th Veterans Association (South East District) is comprised of men and women who have served honorably in all branches of the military- including Merchant Marines- since World War II.  This includes the Korean, Vietnam, Desert Shield and Desert Storm wars.  The requirement for joining the organization:  you must have been honorably separated and discharged from an enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces- having served not less than 180 days.  This also applies to active duty personnel.

The group was founded  in 199 to develop and preserve the spirit of fellowship among its memebers and memorialize the patriotic service of those memebers.   They support the ACTSO (Afro Academic Cultural-Technological and Scientific Olympics), the Tom Joyner scholarship fund, collection of clothing and sundries for members of the Armed Forces and an annual picnic for disabled and hospitalized patients at the Hampton Veterans Administration Hospital.  These are pictures from one of their picnics.

The man on the gurney, next to organizer Randy Laurel, must remain in that position- ALWAYS.  He is wheeled to the picnic every year.

They invite the community to participate in their quest to enhance the lives of those who have given so much to our country.   Contact Randy Laurel at (757) 482-9233 or by mail:

369th Veterans Association, Inc., Southeastern District

P.O. Box 15391

Chesapeake, VA 23328-5391

email:  369th-Veterans-SE@cox.net

http://www.va.gov/

The March of Dimes 2008 Signature Chefs Auction was held on Sunday, October 12, at the Cavalier Golf & Yacht Club in Virginia Beach.

The views of the water provided the perfect setting for sampling delicious food from chefs around Hampton Roads.

My favorite dish was the  halibut cheeks.

They were prepared by Harbor’s Edge retirement community in Norfolk.  I went back for seconds, and um- thirds! Yum, Yum!!

Eric Harryman and I introduced the chefs to the crowd.

Pete Decker III served as emcee.

Matthew Holiday was the professional auctioneer for the live auction.

There was a silent auction, as well. I scored a couple of gift cards in that.

This year’s ambassador recognition went to the Earl Family.

Mr. David Earl talked about how his babies, Zachary and Brynn were so tiny when they were born premature, and required lots of medical attention.  David and his wife Wendy praise the research and support of the March of Dimes for helping their twins to survive.  They are now vibrant 6 year olds!

Against All Odds provided the music.  They are smooth!

Together, this event raised an amazing $54,245.

Here’s the breakdown:

Sponsorship                              $5,000

Tickets & Tables                        14,700

Star Sales                                     950

Fund the Mission                         6,750  triple from last year

Live Auction                               23,000

Silent Auction                              3,845

Total                                   $54,245

For more information on the event and the chefs who donated their valuable time and talent, log on to http://www.hrsigchef.com/.

Fox 43 is a proud sponsor of the event!

Special thanks to photographer  Michael Huizenga for pictures of the event.

And good luck to Cheryl Lee, the Executive Director of the Greater Hampton Roads chapter.   She’s retiring from the March of Dimes, but says she will continue to serve as a volunteer.

WAVY TV partners with Shred-It 4 times a year (February, May, July and November) to offer free community shreds to the citizens of Hampton Roads.  Lots of folks come out and we always get lots of phone calls asking about our next event.

So get all of those old documents-bills, mail, medical records ready- because here’s the information about our next event:

Saturday, November 8th

11a-2p

Farm Fresh

353 Chatham Drive

Newport News, VA

I’ll be there to collect your documents and paperwork you want to keep private. Gather up your stuff and stop by and say hello!!

Cya there!

September is National Ice Cream Month and Cold Stone Creamery is celebrating and helping Make-A-Wish at the same time.

The stormy weather didn’t keep ice cream lovers home tonight.  They came out for a good cause.

Tonight, Eric Harryman, Katie Collett and I volunteered at the Cold Stone in Harbourview in Suffolk.

We sold raffle tickets and collected donations for the Make-A-Wish foundation- which will help children with life-threatening medical conditions fulfill their wishes.

I ate way too much ice cream, but we all had a good time.

Special shout out to Make A Wish kids Ryan, Ben and K.C.   Thanks for making us smile!!!

September is National Ice Cream Month and Cold Stone Creamery is celebrating and helping Make-A-Wish at the same time.

The stormy weather didn’t keep ice cream lovers home tonight.  They came out for a good cause.

Tonight, Eric Harryman, Katie Collett and I volunteered at the Cold Stone in Harbourview in Suffolk.

We sold raffle tickets and collected donations for the Make-A-Wish foundation- which will help children with life-threatening medical conditions fulfill their wishes.

I ate way too much ice cream, but we all had a good time.

Special shout out to Make A Wish kids Ryan, Ben and K.C.   Thanks for making us smile!!!

Join us for the March of Dimes “Black Tie & Boots” Chefs Auction on Sunday, October 12, 2008.  It runs from 5-8:30pm.

Eric Harryman and I will announce the winners of different categories in the chef’s competition. This will be my 7th year and it’s always a lot of fun. This year it’s at the Cavalier Golf & Yacht Club in Virginia Beach.  There will be soups, entree food and desserts.  See some of the pictures from last year. You can sample the best of Hampton Roads restaurants.  There’s also a silent and live auction! 

For More information- visit www.hrsigchef.com or call (757) 361-0000

Cya there!