Thanks Houston for your support of the 2008 CW39 School Supply Drive. Presented by Papa John's Pizza Houstonians helped raise $5,000 towards the purchase of school supplies for children waiting to be adopted through the Adoptation program. On Monday, August 18th Keith Sullins of Papa John's presented the "big check" to Adoptation Managing Director Laurie Glaze. It's estimated that the funds will provide supplies for more than 150 children.

For nine years CW39 has partnered with Adoptation to help find children loving homes and in that time more than 5,000 children have been adopted. Although we have been successful there are still 1,500 children still waiting. If you are interested or for more information on adoption www.adoptation.org

Following the check presentation we were invited to join the Papa John's team and make our own pizzas. CW39 Vice President and General Manager Roger Bare joined in and I have to tell you we all had a great time. I have included a few of the highlights.

OK, so it's not mine but it sure does look good :-)

Britney Benjamin, Cleverley Stone and Ricardo Molina

The organizers of Houston Restaurant Week kicked off the weeklong celebration with a spectacular party on Sunday, August 10th. The event was a food and wine tasting held at three of Houston's premiere restaurants the Oceanaire Seafood Room, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse and GiGi's Asian Bistro. Guests were given the opportunity to stroll between restaurants sampling great food and wine from Texas area wineries. www.houstonrestaurantweek.com

2008 Sugar Land Superstar Melanie Finley

The final round of Sugar Land Superstar was held on Saturday, August 9th and Fort Bend county resident Melanie Finley walked away with the title. The dynamic songstress blew away the crowd with her rendition of a Whitney Houston classic. As the new Sugar Land Superstar Melanie will be the featured performer at the Sugar Land Town Square Christmas Tree lighting and other Fort Bend County events. www.sugarlandtownsquare.com

(l-r) 2nd Runner up Renee Miura, Melanie Finley and 1st Runner up Megan Whitfield. Top row Judge Michael Garfield

Five-A president Ramon Manning and his lovely wife Karen

The African American Art Advisory Association (Five-A) held their 2008 Gala and Auction on Saturday, August 2nd at the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. The live auction showcased 15 distinctive works of African American art with proceeds going to support the expansion of the museum's permanent collection of African and African American art. Mrs. Wendy and Dr. John Codwell served as the dinner chairs while art enthusiasts Ms. Melanie Lawson and John Guess were the honorees. www.mfah.org

Yohance Turk and I had a great time at the event.

Gala Chairs Wendy and Dr. John Codwell posing wth Anita Smith

Bryce Kennard and Gabrielle Gunn

Mrs. Phyllis Williams

The Honorable Hillary and Ronald Green

Fort Bend County Commissioner Grady Prestage celebrated his 50th Birthday surrounded by family, friends and supporters. Commissioner Prestage hosted a down home affair at Jazz It Up Cafe in Missouri City. A native of Louisiana the commissioner and his family prepared a buffet of southern delicacies’ including gumbo, fried chicken, mustard greens, and shrimp Creole and shrimp ettouffe.

Grady Prestage (Right) poses with a supporter

I had an interesting time today as Keith Sullins from Papa John's Pizza stopped by the channel 39 studios to help with a new project. Papa John's has signed on board as the proud sponsor of the CW39 School Supply Drive benefiting children waiting to be adopted.

Papa John's is donating a portion of the proceeds from all pizzas sold August 4th - August 15th to the Adoptation program. The funds will go toward purchasing much needed school supplies for thousands of children living in foster care.

There were plenty of young smiling faces present for the taping most of whom were related to CW39 staffers. I want to thank Keith and the folks at Papa John's for throwing an awesome after party for our young 'superstars'. www.papajohns.com

Stuck in the hotel elevator

It's not often that I take extended periods of time off from work, but due to a special event I traveled to Washington, D.C. for a weeklong convention. While on vacation I found myself wishing that I stayed at home. The first incident occurred on the third day of my trip, after socializing with friends I was returning to my hotel room for some much needed rest. I got on an elevator with six other women and it wasn't long before we realized that we weren't going anywhere, we were stuck. It was my first time being stuck in an elevator and I have to tell you would prefer not to have that experience again. It was about a half an hour before the fire department was able to get us out. The good news that three of the other detainees were friends of mine and we made great conversation (and jokes) to help ease the tension.

The other major event that occurred during my vacation happened on the day that I was scheduled to fly home. It was early on a Friday morning when I went to answer the door for housekeeping and BROKE MY TOE!!! Ouch!! As Beyonce's song goes my toe went "to the left, to the left”

So the next time you see me on Outlook Houston I will be sporting a hot new "blue boot" while my toe is on the mend.

My fellow judges Craig, T.J. and Michael

I am a proud Sugar Land resident and I love participating in Sugar Land area events. For the third year in a row I am serving as a judge for the Sugar Land Superstar competition. Superstar allows aspiring singers to show off their talents in Sugar Land Town Square. The latest competition was held on Saturday, July 11 and five contestants advanced to the finals to be held on Saturday, August 9th. I invite you to stop on by the land of sugar and check out the competition. www.sugarlandtownsquare.com

Sugar Land City Concil Member Jackie Baly Chaumete

The 2006 winner sings the National Athem

I'm all smiles visiting with Yohance Turk, Dr. Charleta Guillory and Ernestine Pina-Sandoval

Dr. Charleta Guillory works everyday to save the lives of premature babies and she's also a spokesperson and avid volunteer for the March of Dimes. I had an opportunity to visit with Dr. Guillory and the director of the Texas March of Dimes, Ernestine Pina Sandoval, about the "Honey Child" Prenatal Education Program. Honey Child is designed to help pregnant women have a healthy pregnancy; the program provides support by partnering with local churches. Taking the village approach "Honey Child" provides participants with support groups, mentors and educational tools. To learn more www.marchofdimes.com/texas

Mr. and Mrs. Wilton LeBlanc

There are individuals that you meet along the road of life that leave a lasting impression on your soul. Mr. and Mrs. Wilton LeBlanc are two wonderful people who have made a powerful impression and impact in my life. On June 18th, they celebrated 53 years of marriage. Although they have 7 kids and 13 grandkids of their own, the LeBlancs have never hesitated to make every person that enters their home feel like family. In this day and age when we see so many marriages end in divorce and "dysfunctional" families, it warms my heart to see their love and family withstand the test of time. I want to thank them for allowing me to be a part of their wonderful family and for serving as such fine examples.