Students now compete for the jobs of the future
Last night I met an impressive team of brainy Wake County high school kids as they went over some last minute strategies before their trip to the NASA/VCU Regional Competition in Richmond Virginia, next week. When you think of teams, you may think of sports, but Team Awkward Turtle is competing in a different kind of gameLabeled the Superbowl of Technology or the ultimate mind sportThe rules of the game are framed by an international organization called FIRST or (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology); and each team only has a few week to train for the big game.
I come from the school of thought that robots are for the future. Boy have these kids proven me wrong! Watching how these young people strategize, program and operate such this technology at such an advanced level, made me think of how behind I am technologically. Our future is technology. These young people are our future. The rest of us need to catch up.
Check out the video to see what we talked about or visit MyNC.com and type in the keyword “team awkward turtle.”
Triangle youth share their talents on MyNC.com
Learning in and through the arts should be a vital part of every child’s education — no matter where they live or what their background is.
Throughout my life I have thrived off of the arts. Performing and visual arts have always been and will always be a part of my life.
The arts provided skills and knowledge that helped me to develop the creativity and determination necessary to be successful in today’s global information age.
The MyNC.com online community is full of arts education advocates, focusing on the efforts and successes of local organizations, communities, and schools who are all working to keep the arts (in all of their forms) alive in our youth.
I produced this video to demonstrate how Triangle area youth embraced art, culture, technology and new ways of expressing themselves throughout the month of February on MyNC.com.
Do you have positive and inspiring stories, images and video highlighting the smart young people in your communities and schools?? Then GET SMART! Share them on MyNC.com and you may be featured on Smart Talk on MyNC next!
The Lost Boys of Southern Sudan find a home away from home in the Triangle
This morning I met a Chapel Hill resident that has planned Triangle-area events intended to educate American students, teachers and the general public on both the current and past conflicts of Sudanese history and to raise awareness for the continued suffering of the Sudanese people.
The Lost Boys of Southern Sudan will arrive on March 21st and visit UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State and Meredith College the 23-25th to tell their stories.
40 days and 40 nights of giving.
Every year, around this time, my parents lay the old Catholic guilt on me until I vocalize at least one item I will give up for Lent.
Yesterday, (Ash Wednesday) kicked off the Lenten season which leads up to Easter. I grew up going to Catholic school and understand the whole premise behind Lent. Lent marks a time of humility, repentance, and soul searching as one draws closer to the Passion of Christ.
It seems to be “in style” to give up things like sweets, carbs…even facebook! But, I ask myself W.W.J.D.? Does giving up any of these things make you more conscious of the Lord? Maybe…
My stepdad gives up EVERYTHING for lent. I mean, everything: meat, sweets, dressings, condiments, coffee. Basically, the only things he can consume are plain pasta, bread and water…I commend him for it.
Sure, I thought about giving up the internet for lent, but being that I really need my job, I decided against it. I could give up caffeine or dessert, but i’m a much more pleasant contributor to the world around me when I have those things in my life, so that would sort of defeat the purpose.
Instead, I decided to follow my grandmother’s Lenten wisdom. She’s what I would call a good Catholic and she has always told me that she gives back instead of giving up during Lent.
How can I give back to my family, my friends, loved ones and the world around me during the 40 days leading up to Easter?
I am committed to giving more of myself, sharing words of encouragement and demonstrating positive actions and thoughts until Easter and beyond.
The Lenten sacrifice need not involve giving up something. Making it all about giving back–to me–seems to mean so much more.
Sweet dreams are made of this
Where Kisses Make Dreams Come True
In my opinion, successful relationships are build on a few essential elements. Love, Trust…and Chocolate being at the top of that list.
After a romantic chocolate-covered february weekend at the Hershey Lodge and Hotel Hershey’s Chocolate Spa in Hershey, Pa. you will be hard pressed to convince me otherwise.
Friday, Brendan and I arrived at an unusually crowded Hershey Lodge, where we checked in along with what seemed like droves of other couples (who we later learned were there for some sort of married-people conference).
My Chocolate Martini
We dined at the Hotel Hershey’s Fountain Cafe, where we finished dinner off with the most incredible chocolate mousse pie I have ever tasted–and a chocolate martini.
Saturday, we both crossed town, once again, to the Hotel Hershey where we had a couples day of chocolate spa happiness where I experienced a chocolate scrub, chocolate fondue wrap and massage. I had never had a body wrap and felt a bit helpless laying in my chocolate cocoon under warm overhead lights for 20 minutes, but was pleased with the results. Mom always said that beauty hurts…
Brendan and I reunited in the common areas or “quiet rooms” in between sessions for a spa lunch and sipped on a sinful mix of hot chocolate, chocolate muffins, chocolate kisses–which left me feeling a little dizzy by day’s end.
Hershey's Chocolate World
Relaxed from a day of pampering, as if it couldn’t get any better…we then visited Hershey’s Chocolate World which features a large store selling every Hershey candy (and some that you’ve never seen before) an interactive exhibit on chocolate and a 3-D show about Milton Hershey and the company he founded. We took an entertaining and informative tour of the Hershey Chocolate Factory, which to me was fascinating. I, of course, loaded up on some up the unique “not yet in stores” chocolate items (like New York Cheesecake Hershey’s Kisses) to take home with me.
Love and life…all covered in chocolate? Life is sweet. 
New Way To Get Around This Weekend
It’s the weekend and about now we are all unwinding from the work week trying to figure out what we’re going to do, who we’re going to see and how we’re going to get there.
Well, if you plan to stick around Raleigh this weekend, I have the answer to one of those questions.
Last Friday, Raleigh’s Mayor Meeker formally introduced a new, eco-friendly approach to urban transportation to Downtown Raleigh residents and visitors.
The DOWNTOWN CIRCULATOR (or the R-Line) is a FREE service that features hybrid electric buses that will connect you to restaurants, retail, entertainment venues, museums, hotels, and parking facilities in downtown Raleigh.
I’ve been in Raleigh since 1998. I’ve seen it grow and flourish, but i’ve always been disappointed by the choices available for public transportation in and around the Triangle. This is just what we need to tie it all together. I predict this being a huge step in the right direction for the downtown Raleigh area.
Buses run every 10-15 minutes, so it seems to be a great new way to get around town for resident, employees or visitors. After 6:30 p.m., the R-Line route will also include the City Market area and the warehouse district.
It’s going to be a cold weekend, but there are no excuse not to get out and contribute to our local economy in Downtown Raleigh this weekend…because you can park, ride and it won’t cost you a dime!
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Wednesday (7 am-11 pm)
Thursday-Saturday (7 am-2:15 am)
Sunday (1 pm-8 pm)
Raleigh Convention Center
500 S. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC
(919) 831-6013
How to love a supermodel this Valentines Day…
No Valentine yet? How does mixing and mingling with supermodels for a cause sound this Valentine’s Day?
Here’s your chance…
“Love Stinks…yeah, yeah.” a Black and White Anti-Valentines Day Party on Friday, February 13, from 9-11 p.m. at Mosquito Nightclub at The Depot in Downtown Raleigh benefits individuals with autism throughout North Carolina with the Mr. and Mrs. Love Assassin Competition. The male and female model that raises the most donations for autism wins the model package.
Each vote is $1 and every dollar goes to support individuals with autism.
Votes/purchases will be accepted until 6p.m. on February 13. Results will be announced at the event that evening at Mosquito.
You will be asked for credit card info at checkout. Accepted cards include Visa, MasterCard and Discover.
To learn more about how you can snag a supermodel this Valentine’s Day visit: http://store.appcomm.net/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=asnc2&Category_Code=Feb132009
Everyone is seeing RED this February
This morning while grabbing my daily dose of Chai Tea from Starbucks Coffee, I asked the friendly barista about the difference between the Starbucks (RED) card and the other gift cards that you can purchase from participating stores.
I only noticed the (RED) card today because I know that this week marks the start of the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign and because the color red is abundant just about everywhere between Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
EVERYONE is seeing RED right now and I wondered what this RED could be representative of.
I learned that through 2009, Starbucks will contribute five cents from every purchase made with the card to help save lives through the Global Fund. And when you register your card at starbucks.com/card you’ll also receive exclusive offers and benefits including two hours of complimentary WiFi daily at participating stores in the U.S…Not too shabby, huh?
This Valentine’s Day, the color (RED) is saving lives. From Converse’s newest 1HUND(RED) shoe by The Edge, to Gap’s Graphic T’s, to Dell’s Africa-inspired laptops, Hallmark Cards, Apple’s iPod Nano, Windows Vista Ultimate, Armani Valentine’s Day long-sleeve t-shirt, the (STARBUCKS) RED card and loads more – there are so many ways to show someone you care, and help eliminate AIDS in Africa.
Your (RED) purchases have already generated more than $120 million dollars for the Global Fund in just over 2 years. That’s money going straight to work in Africa to help buy antiretroviral medicine for people living with HIV so they can go on living healthy and productive lives. All because you made the (RED) choice, more than 2.5 million African lives have been greatly impacted.
Life, Health, Good Will, Love? Whatever the color RED means to you now is the time to show it.
You can join the life-loving awareness movement now! February 6th is the day when Americans nationwide will wear red to show their support for the American Heart Association’s women’s heart disease awareness campaign.
This Friday, head on over to your neighborhood Starbucks, in your favorite pair of red shoes and fuel up with a (RED) latte before planting yourself in front of your computer screen to buy (RED) and save lives.
Seeing my “shadow” today means a bright future for us all
Sir Walter Wally, the Triangle’s official groundhog, saw his shadow today, meaning we may have 6 more weeks of wintery weather in the horizon.
At the same time, I saw 10 of my own “shadows” — “job shadows” that is — at work, proving that our future may be a cold one, but it is most certainly a bright one.
Ten students spent the day at NBC 17’s studios in Raleigh, today. They toured NBC 17’s studios during the morning news broadcast, met on-air talent and talked to folks behind the scenes making the magic happen.
While students typically only get to shadow one person on Job Shadow Day, these kids had the opportunity hear from and talk to variety of TV departments including the station’s General Manager, Barry Leffler and representatives from production, marketing, news, and community outreach to name a few.
I can’t begin to express the value of job mentorship programs like this. Just a few hours spent with professionals throughout the years has helped me grow and suceed professionally. Whether you are a senior in high school or a working senior citizen professional mentors can provide the knowledge and inspiration to achieve your professional dreams.
Meeting such talented and motivated young people, today, has given me a fresh perspective on my own career and a positive outlook on the future the media industry.
Good food, good times and great company at The Pit restaurant
First, let me start out by saying that I am still stuffed from last night’s barbeque experience and somehow my mouth is still watering for more.
I love food, I love people, and I love new experiences so I have always been intrigued by Travel Channel and Food Channel show hosts. I’ve always wanted to learn more about how these programs are produced and the lucky people who make a living out of gastro-touring around the globe.
That being said, despite feeling a bit of the flu creeping in, I toughed it out met some of my buddies out at The Pit restaurant, last night, to see if I could snag a chat with Mr. Adam Richman, the dynamic host of The Travel Channel’s “Man v Food.”
Well, thanks to my friend “D” who had “the hookup” after meeting Adam and his crew last weekend, I was given the incredible opportunity to sit down and share candid stories about life–and food-obsession–over a heaping plate mouth-watering BBQ fries.
On top of the fries (which I highly recommend), we tried the tasty turkey BBQ and passed around generous portions of perfectly seasoned collard greens, homemade macaroni and cheese and green bean casserole, as we were serenaded by The Pit’s server, Turner, who is soon to be a downtown Raleigh legend.
Now this isn’t Adam’s first visit to the Old North State, but I’m sure that the combination of friendly restaurant patrons (like me), always gracious staff and delicious pit-cooked BBQ, has made it a memorable one.
Adam’s next stop? Raleigh’s own, Roast Grill, on Friday where he will challenge himself to 17 delicious chili dogs.
You can catch Adam’s culinary adventures on the Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food,” Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET.
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