http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/ Yolanda's outlook on the Houston community. en Copyright 2008 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:15:55 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Friends, family members and supporters gathered as Neiman Marcus hosted a celebration and crowning event for the Ms. Wheelchair Texas Foundation. Michelle Colvard, the reigning Ms. Wheelchair Texas, was crowned Ms. Wheelchair America on July 26, 2008 and because of the numerous responsibilities that require her time and presence across the country, a new Ms. Wheelchair Texas was crowned. First runner up, Dr. Staci Moss of Lubbock, Texas, will assume the duties of Ms Wheelchair Texas. Dr. Staci Moss is a licensed pharmacist in the state of Texas and uses a wheelchair for 100% of her daily mobility. Both women serve as outstanding advocates and role models for people with disabilities. ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/09/ms_wheelchair_america_1.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/09/ms_wheelchair_america_1.html Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:15:55 -0600 Hundreds of women packed a ballroom at the Houstonian Hotel for the Susan G. Komen Survivor Party. The annual affair celebrates Breast Cancer survivors and this year I was honored to serve as emcee. Standing at the podium I was overjoyed looking out at all the faces of those who had faced breast cancer and those who are still fighting. One of the highlights from the evening came when I had the pleasure of introducing Viola Kaplan who is 89 years young and has 43 years as a breast cancer survivor, I have to tell you she is one of the coolest 89 year olds that I have ever met. I also got a chance to see one of my middle school classmates, Tarshia Boutte, who is celebrating her first year as a breast cancer survivor. As one of the honorary chairs for this year's Race for The Cure I invite you to come out and join us on Saturday, October 4th as we walk to raise funds and awareness to help in the fight against Breast Cancer. www.komen-houston.org ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/09/pretty_in_pink_survivor_party.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/09/pretty_in_pink_survivor_party.html Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:15:37 -0600 Miller Outdoor Theatre was rocking as the Community Music Center of Houston presented Women in Jazz featuring Freda Payne. The evening started with jazz selections from the Conrad Johnson Orchestra then Houston's own Carolyn Blanchard joined them for a musical salute to Dinah Washington. Following Carolyn's performance the legendary Freda Payne took to the stage and took us on a musical journey with a salute to Ella Fitzgerald. It was great to watch true entertainers as they captivated the audience and paid tribute to jazz greats. www.cmchhouston.org ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/09/women_in_jazz.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/09/women_in_jazz.html Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:15:17 -0600 To make sure that kids start the school year off right Families Under Urban and Social Attack sponsored a Children's Health Day Celebration. The event was held simultaneously at Northwest and Almeda Malls on Saturday, August 23. Parents were invited to bring their children out to receive free immunizations, CHIPS enrollment, backpacks, school supplies and much more. I served as emcee for the Northwest Mall location where I got a chance to meet a young musician and a group of aspiring praise dancers, all of which did a great job with their performances. www.fuusa.org ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/09/healthy_kids_day.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/09/healthy_kids_day.html Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:13:42 -0600 Let the Fashions Begin held their Annual Men of Style announcement party on Thursday, August 21st at the Oceanaire Seafood Room. The reception serves as a kickoff for the annual Men of Style Gala that recognizes some of Houston's most fashionable and philanthropic men. Founded by Judge Clarease Yates, Let the Fashions Begin is non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds to help in the fight against Sickle Cell Anemia. A few of this year's honorees include Russell Richard, Manager of Consumer Affairs for Kroger; Judson Robinson, Former City Councilman and President of the Houston Area Urban League along with Francis Page Jr., Owner and Publisher of Houston Style Magazine. www.letthefashionsbegin.com ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/09/men_of_style_2008.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/09/men_of_style_2008.html Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:13:15 -0600 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 :-) ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/08/papa_johns_supports_houston_ar.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/08/papa_johns_supports_houston_ar.html Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:42:32 -0600 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 ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/08/houston_restaurant_week_kickof.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/08/houston_restaurant_week_kickof.html Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:47:27 -0600 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 ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/08/sugar_land_has_a_new_superstar_1.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/08/sugar_land_has_a_new_superstar_1.html Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:23:14 -0600 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 ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/08/celebrating_african_american_a.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/08/celebrating_african_american_a.html Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:49:43 -0600 Grady Prestage (Right) poses with a supporter ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/08/ft_bend_commissioner_turns_50_1.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/08/ft_bend_commissioner_turns_50_1.html Fri, 01 Aug 2008 09:33:54 -0600 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 ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/07/papa_johns_and_cw39_helping_ho.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/07/papa_johns_and_cw39_helping_ho.html Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:14:37 -0600 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. ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/07/my_vacation_nightmares.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/07/my_vacation_nightmares.html Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:58:10 -0600 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 ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/07/sugar_land_superstar.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/07/sugar_land_superstar.html Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:33:23 -0600 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]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/07/honey_child.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/07/honey_child.html Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:58:11 -0600 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. ]]> http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/07/endless_love.html http://blogs.trb.com/news/local/yolandasoutlook/2008/07/endless_love.html Thu, 10 Jul 2008 12:35:07 -0600