My name sake stops by with tips on Holiday Shopping. Yolanda Green is with Kross the Street Market Place.

I truly enjoyed my recent taping of Outlook Houston. The show featured items that you can purchase this holiday season that won't bust your budget. Yolanda Green of Kross the Street Market Place brought in various items from Afro centric Nutcrackers to scented teddy bears.

Hiram Smith, of Hiram Style, stopped by the set of Outlook Houston to share tips with viewers on how to transform your home for the holidays. Hiram is incredibly talented and very well known. His clients have included Russell Simons, Lynn Whitfield and a host of other celebrities. I was honored to have him stop by and share advice that even made me look like an expert. Hiram encourages everyone to keep in mind that lighting is everything and you can transform an ordinary table setting into something dramatic with the use of candles.

Ivory Harrison of Coca Cola Bottling Company and her sister Dimetrice Barnes

I would like to congratulate the local UNCF office on hosting GREAT gala. The host committee and staff did an outstanding job of holding an event that was short on speakers and long on fun. It is truly a joy when you can attend a black tie affair where you get the opportunity to take full advantage of the entertainment, which by the way was the legendary band Con Funk Shun. Special thanks to Ivory Harrison of Coca Cola Bottling Company for the outstanding work she does in the community and for being my host at the Coca Cola table.

Diedra and Terrance Fontaine

Laura Collins and Renee Comeaux

Ed Smith and Jackie Martin

Kimberly and Roy Phillips

Judge Clarease Rankin Yates and friends

(L-R) Lishan Chang, T.K. Lee, Elizabeth Lee, Robin Liao, Pat Smith and Dane Chang

About twice a year I am invited to have lunch with representatives from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. The visit allows me to learn more about the activities of the Taiwanese community and to spend time with some wonderful people. CW39 Reporter Elizabeth Lee along with Community Relations Assistant Pat Smith joined me for the afternoon discussion that ran the gamut on various topics, including the Chinese Fable about the origin of the Chinese Zodiac calendar. Director T.K. Lee hosted our recent meeting at Matsusaka Sushi and Grill. Although the restaurant specializes in Japanese food the owner Robin Liao, is from Taiwan.

Robin Liao, owner of Matsusaka Sushi and Grill

Hanging out with the students of I Have a Dream - Houston

I love spending time with students and my recent visit with the teens of I Have a Dream - Houston reminded me of why I enjoy it so much. They were a BLAST! We had a wonderful discussion that started with my career in television and went on to a number of issues including dealing with racism and teen pregnancy. The high school students attend a number of different campuses including Jones, Willowridge, Lamar and Yates. They all were very clear on their plans for the future and had plenty of questions for me. www.ihad-houston.org

Santa's helpers have come through in a big way for the children who attend the Children's Assessment Center. Hundreds of toys, games, electronics and bikes have been donated to the agency by generous and caring Houstonians. The sheer volume of donations blew me away and I wanted to share a behind the scenes look with those of you reading my Blog. It's a gentle reminder of the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of helping those less fortunate than us. I invite you to post comments and let me know what you've done to make a difference this holiday season. www.cachouston.org

My daughter Britney and Nikki Williams of Kenny Cole Salon

Outlook Houston viewers offten stop to compliment or ask me about my hair. So today I decided to tell you a little bit about the woman who makes sure my "do is done" :-) Her name is Nikki Williams and she is the owner of Kenny Cole Hairsalon. Going to the salon has always been like therapy for me because not only do I come out looking like a queen but the time spent in the salon usually involves great conversation and plenty of laughs. I would share with you some of the conversation topics but as the old saying goes "what happens in the salon, stays in the salon". I do want give special thanks to Nikki and all of the other wonderul hairstylists in Houston that help women stay beautiful. YOU GO GIRL!!! www.kennycolesalon.net

Nikki Williams

CW39 Staffers Theressa Virgil and Anesha Evans pose with Houston Mayor Bill White.

It was a fun filled evening as Mayor Bill White hosted a festive holiday reception for members of the media. Held at The Grove restaurant downtown, it gave me an opportunity to get a sneak preview of things to come when the new Discovery Green Park opens to the public. For those of you that haven't heard of Discovery Green, check out the website for a preview of the 11.78 acre park that will be located in the heart of downtown Houston. www.discoverygreen.com

Krishna Giri and Kalyani Giri of Indo American News

CW39 Staffers enjoying the fun

There were smiling faces all around as the CW39 and Adoptation hosted the 8th Annual Season of Smiles Holiday Party for foster and adopted children. Hundreds of little ones and their families enjoyed a day of fun and entertainment including food provided by James Coney Island and Fiesta along with crafts and a professional caricature artist. Special thanks to the Windsor Villiage Senior Girl Scout troop for their hard work with the arts, crafts and face painting. Each child also left the party with a goody bag and a $50 gift card compliments of the CW39 Cares for Kids Fund and the McCormick Tribune Foundation. www.adoptation.org

CW39 Community Relations Assistant Pat Smith and Laurie Glaze of Adoptation

CW39 Staffers Jeanne D. Polocheck, Chad Dunham, Ashley Dunham and Harvey Saxer

KHCW employees celebrated another great year at the annual employee holiday party. I enjoy having the opportunity to spend time with my coworkers outside of the station. The wonderful thing about working at CW39 is that we have a staff of employees that "really get along". The holiday party is about more than having a good time; it is also the time when the KHCW Employee of the Year is announced. This year's award recipient is Geoff Campbell of our sales department. I want to also congratulate our two runner-ups Pat Smith and Holli Monroy.

Mrs. and Mr. Bob Chase

Charlotte Gilman, Janice Lee and Cruz Saldana

Jason Morrow and his lovely wife

Local Sales Manager and 2007 Employee of Year, Geoff Campbell

Sherry Williams and Minister Quanell X

CW39's newest program, "The Conversation with Sherry Williams", will premiere on Sunday, December 23rd at 10am. Hosted by CW39 News Anchor Sherry Williams, the program will focus on controversial and topical issues. The premiere show will include an appearance from Minister Quanell X and a discussion of the recent shooting of two suspected burglars in Pasadena. The show is destined to be a big hit so be sure to tune in and let me know what you think.

Minister Quanell X captivates Sherry and I with engaging conversation