The Booker T. Washington High School band provided the welcoming beats and the area mascots gave hugs and put smiles on our faces.

The Champions of Hospitality Rally is put on by VisitNorfolk as part of National Travel And Tourism Week.

We never forget our dear Uncle Pete Decker who was one of Norfolk’s biggest cheerleaders and the star of this show for years. His sons Paul, Peter and Phillip have taken over for the late great local legend who died last year.

Norfolk Airport Hilton won for large group most spirited. They’re employees put on a quite a skit with a boxing theme.  The Downtown Norfolk Council won for small group. They consist of those always helpful ambassadors who greet visitors to the city and guide us all in the right direction. The competition was fierce and one thing is  certain, there are a lot of hospitality workers in Norfolk who absolutely love what they do!

My  co-workers Bruce Rader, Tom Schaad and Stephanie Harris joined me on the judging panel for most spirited – along with Old Dominion University’s football coach , Bobby Wilder.

Here’s the complete list of winners:

Admissions/Box Office – Megan Gullickson of the Virginia Stage Company & Virginia Arts Festival

Audio Visual – Everett White of Norfolk Special Events

 Banquets – Lenora Southall of Norfolk Waterisde Marriott

Bartender – John Queen of Kincaid’s

Concierge– Ellie Porambo of Hilton Norfolk Airport

Front Desk – Amelita Avendano of Navy Gateway Inn & Suites and Loleta McGary of Navy Lodge

Host – Mikah Haydu of Shula’s

 Housekeepers – Quenella Somerville of Courtyard by Marriott Downtown and Mary Matthews of Residence Inn Downtown

 Kitchen – Mary Hearvey of Holiday Inn Airport and David Moore of Sheraton Norfolk Waterside

 Maintenance – Rafael Rosado of the Ted Constant Convocation Center

 Military Tourism Ambassador – Gregory Bell of USN

 Parking Attendant – Ruth Jones of MacArthur Center

 Public Service Ambassador – Marcia Oubre of Norfolk Botanical Garden

 Receptionist – Sarah Gilbert of Ted Constant Convocation Center

 Retail – Elizabeth Joseph of Nauticus

 Server – Mark Montgomery of 219 An American Bistro

 Valet – Marcus Watterson of Byrd & Baldwin

 Volunteer – Don Pipes of Nauticus

 Zoo Keepers – Aubry Hall of Virginia Zoo

 Zoo Ambassador – Oscar the Red Panda

I had a great time bowling at  AMF Lynnhaven Lanes in Virginia Beach Saturday.

Our team was made up of WAVY & Fox 43′s Liz Palka and Stephanie Harris, Liz’s boyfriend Mike and Stephanie’s sons.  The other local t.v. stations had teams, too and we all had a great time interacting with each other and folks who came out to support the cause.

I hadn’t been bowling in a few years and my skills certainly didn’t get better during that stretch.

Chesapeake native and New York Mets star David Wright was the main attraction (for many reasons).

He is a huge supporter of Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters in Norfolk.  He has donated a lot of money and equipment for the kids who spend time there for medical treatment.  This bowling event was organized by  the “Circle in the Bridge” of The King’s Daughters.

Circle In The Bridge (from their Facebook page)

They are career women who raise money and awareness for CHKD. The group is made up of the most caring folks. The smiles on their faces and willingness to help was really evident. They had a silent auction and sold raffle tickets to help raise money. I have seen first hand how CHKD helps local sick children and their families.

Nijel hanging out with Alvin from The Chipmunks

A dear family friend named Nijel was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2010. Doctors successfully removed most of it and treated Nijel for a few months and when I visited him, his spirits were good and he received great care and attention. I spent time with him in the play room on his hospital wing. The toys, games, and electronics were amazing. I made sure I told David Wright about it when I met him. Folks were tugging on him for pictures and to chat (and he was actually bowling, too) but he made time for all of us with a gracious smile.    That’s what I’m talking about!

“It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” — John Cassis

What have you’ve seen in Hampton Roads,  and where,  that shocked you?  Where should society draw the line and what should be the consequences if any?  Let’s talk about it.

Judges, Nicole Livas and Bruce Rader. Photo by Kristi Schneider

My WAVY colleagues Bruce Rader, Stephanie Harris and Tom Schaad joined ODU Football Coach Bobby Wilder on the judging panel for most spirited large and small organization. The organizations always bribe us with food, drink and cool knick knacks that reflect their organizations. We could barely carry all of the goodies out of there! DJ B*Ryte from 103 JAMZ (Boodah Brothers Morning Show) helped engage the crowd.

Booker T. Washington High School Cheerleaders performing

Once again, Booker T. Washington’s marching band and cheerleaders got the crowd amped up! Norfolk’s one and only philanthropist, Attorney “Uncle Pete” Decker served as emcee and got lots of hugs and kisses, cheers and praise from the crowd once again.

This year, we had the added touch of fans with Uncle Pete’s beautiful face on them!

Peter Decker and Anthony DiFilippo present award to Most Spirited Large Organization, Sheraton Hotel Norfolk Waterfront

The big winners were:  Sheraton Waterside Hotel in the large organization category; and DNC (Downtown Norfolk Council) in the small organization category.

Downtown Norfolk Council, winners, Most Spirited, small organization with Peter Decker, Master of Ceremonies, far left and Anthony DiFilippo, second from left.

Here’s a look at the other winners:

Norfolk’s 2011 Champions of Hospitality

2011 Overall Winner and Favorite Driver award winner, Frank Brooks, Black and White Cabs

2011 Overall Winner & Driver: Frank Brooks with Black & White Cabs

Admissions: Ricky White with Nauticus (Guest Relations)

Assistant: Chris Russell with Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel (Sales Assistant)

Banquets: CJ Newton with Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel (Banquet Captain)

Bartender – Fine Dining: Kristen Crowley with Byrd & Baldwin

Bartender – Casual Dining:  Brynn Larsen with 219

Front Desk – Hotel: Rachelle Viar with the Norfolk Waterside Marriott

Front Desk – Restaurant: Kat Curtin with 3-Way Café

Hostess: Tierra Jones with Shula’s

Housekeeper: Shandesa Simmons with the Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown

Houseman: William Vincent with the Hilton Norfolk Airport

Kitchen: Ronald Taylor with Lake Wright Quality Suites & Sleep Inn

Maintenance: Susan Rogers with MacArthur Center (Facilities Admin Coordinator)

Military/Government: Jackie Washington with the MWR

Group picture of all of the 2011 winners

Parking Attendant: Garcia Ortiz with the City of Norfolk

Public Service Ambassador: Rudy Walker with the Downtown Norfolk Council

Receptionist: Mellina Talamantes with the Norfolk Airport Authority

Reservations: Casey Williams, Navy Gateway Inn & Suites

Retail: Ladymar McClintic with Cora’s Beauty Connection

Server: Frances Pettus with the Navy Lodge Norfolk

Tour Guide: Angela Springer with the Chrysler Museum of Art

Valet: Josh Schweitzer with the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown

Volunteer: Welland (Doc) Shoop with the Hampton Roads Naval Museum

Virginia Zoo Ambassador: Rhima

Norfolk’s favorite mascots were there.

As a proud Norfolk resident, it’s always great to participate in this event and see some longtime friends who work in the service industry and to meet new ones. We need to remember those who make our lives easier all the time, not just during  National Travel and Tourism Week so don’t forget to say thanks to that bartender, ambassador, waitress, receptionist, cab driver, housekeeper,parking attendant, bellman, assistant and others who go above and beyond to make sure we have a great experience. Thanks to all in the service industry for a job well done! Cya again next year!

Vice Mayor Anthony Burfoot with Norfolk CVB's Tony DiFilippo

**Thanks to photographer Kristi Schneider who took the best looking pictures in this blog!**

My question is will you watch?  I guess I can see this service coming in handy if I’m say, stuck in the airport,   but otherwise I’m not sure I’m a fan.

Call me old-fashioned but I just can’t “snuggle up” with my sweetie on the couch and hold the laptop.  I’d rather hold his hand.  Renting a movie, for me, means date or family movie night.   Can you imagine you, your other half, two kids and a dog vying for the view on a laptop or iPad?

Of  course I’m sure there is a market for this.  Those who commute by bus or train, kids on a camping trip (don’t laugh because you know they would) or my favorite airport scenario.    So I guess I like the idea,  but probably won’t be hitting the like button anytime soon.

CureSearch Champions 2010

When it comes to cancer fighting IS fun.  These are the  CureSearch Champions of 2010.  Childhood cancer survivors in Hampton Roads.   We walked together on Saturday at Mt. Trashmore.

• Ella Wells is a surivor!

• Jacob Ralston  is a suvivor too!

Nick's Ninjas

• Nick’s Ninja’s raised more than $9,000 in his memory.

We all had so much fun walking, talking eating and playing.   Amid the bounce house, face painting, food and fun however, talking to Nick’s Dad was a sobering reminder of why we gathered on this  beautiful Saturday morning.       As he told me about their family’s fight to save Nick, and the 8 year old’s death,  I turned to look at my own 8 year old boy standing next to me.   Then when I introduced Nick’s 6 year old brother  to my 6 year old son I couldn’t help but fight back a tear as I thought ‘how would my son cope if he’d lost his brother?’    I can only imagine what their family goes through, what way too  many families go through because of this disease.

It’s not too late for you to help.   Go to my facebook page or directly to  CureSearch, where you can contribute.  You’ll also find more pictures from the event that raised nearly $30, 000 for childhood cancer.

Reba Bloom and Stephanie Harris

Yes, this year’s Bra-ha-Ha was another huge success!  My friend Reba and I had so much fun.

Winner: "Forget Me Not"

It just amazes me how people can come up with such creative and original ideas every year.    Just think, when they started this three years ago the team at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center was worried they wouldn’t have any entries.

Stephanie Judging Entries

This year more than 260 bras were entered for judging and more than 300 are on display.    All the money raised will go to pay for mammograms for women who can’t afford one.

Kudos to Chesapeake General!  Now, others across the country are looking to follow in their footsteps to create their own Bra-Ha-Ha events.

Go check out the bras at MacArthur Center before Oct 16 and check out all the great pics on my facebook page from the Gala Sunday night.

Stephanie Harris and Dr. Howard Jones

Dr. Howard Jones is undeniably one of the most inspirational people I have ever met.       I just spent an afternoon with him for a story about his 100th Birthday,  which is being celebrated tonight (actual birthday is Dec. 30).    Not only is he still going to work nearly every day, he is thriving from it.    What struck me most about Dr. Jones  is his passion for medicine and his late wife,  Dr. Georgeanna Jones.    Together they founded the Jones Institute in Norfolk and became the Mother and Father of In Vitro Fertilization in America.  In 1981 amid much hype and controversy they announced the first successful IVF birth in the United State, Elizabeth Carr.

The husband and wife doctor team was inseparable,  from what I gathered.   Their assistant of 30 years, Nancy Garcia,  told me their offices were once separated by a few floors, and “that didn’t work”.   Marrying Georgeanna,  he attests,  was his greatest accomplishment.   She died five years ago.  Ms. Garcia told me she can see him sometimes staring out the window at work and she knows he is thinking of her.   All of the pictures of the couple show them holding hands or her touching his arm.  It was Garcia said, a marriage like none she’s ever seen.

Dr. Jones gave up seeing patients years ago but is still active in research and writing.  He just finished a book with an attorney “Legal Conceptions” and is working on another.

I asked about his secret to staying so sharp both mentally and physically.  He said he exercises every morning.  Which consists of him standing and then sitting 160 times.   As for his diet, nothing special. He tells me he eats anything.   One clue as to his mental status though came when he pulled out his I Phone.  He says he’s lost without it.   I will conclude from then that challenging ones mind will keep it sharp.

As for  retirement he told me , “I don’t think that’s for me to decide.  I think nature will take care of that in due time.”

I am personally a big supporter of the cause and am honored to be part of several local events

Thursday afternoon I helped kick off the Susan G Komen race for the cure at the survivors luncheon.

These women always make me smile.   On this day I met Sara Jones, (the woman with the bald head) of Norfolk.  She is now fighting breast cancer for the third time in 10 years.  She’s only 37 years old.    Her doctors tell her this is terminal.  Its now spread throughout her body.  Sara isn’t giving up though.  Because of organizations like Susan G Komen and the American Cancer Society, she knows another treatment or cure could be right around the corner.  Her grace is inspirational.  Her strength nearly unimaginable.  If you were on the fence before,  wait no more.   You can run the  Race For The Cure, walk in the Making Strides walk or simply donate.

If there’s one thing I realized talking to Sara Jones,  this disease can and does strike anyone, and it will continue until enough of us strike back.

Mind you they are not professionals, or even competitive players at this point,  they’re 6 & 8 for goodness sake!

This,  along with another article I read on the decline of veggie consumption, really got me thinking.  It really does cost a lot more to raise healthy children.  (Consumption of vegetables by the way,  is going down again.     Curiously it costs more to buy fresh veggies then it does a bag of chips.)

I guess I could  let the kids  sit around and eat potato chips and play video games all day.   I’d have a lot more cash.  Of course I could never do that, but just think about those people who’ve lost jobs or can’t afford their mortgages in this economy.  Do you think they can afford $250 for soccer and fresh veggies?

Now, I know someone out there will say,  you don’t have to pay to exercise.  The kids can just run around the yard like I did, and that is true.  However,  try telling your child that they can’t play with the rest of their friends and classmates. I’m pretty sure they’ll be sulking at home, not running.  I can’t blame them.

I know it costs money to buy equipment and maintain fields and so on … but really, somethings got to give or we’ll be paying a much higher price when the kids whose families can’t afford sports and healthy food end up with heart disease and diabetes.

What do you think?