Sunday, November 4, 2012

Podcast: Let's Talk Month

Here's the podcast of my conversation with Erin Zabel of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia about "Let's Talk Month," a program aimed at helping parents talk to kids about sex education

Download episode

This is my final episode as host of this program.  I have begun a new career as a teacher in Virginia Beach Public Schools. To all of the people who have been in studio with me these last 14 years, and to everyone who has listened, thank you.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Let's Talk Month

Sunday, October 28th @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle

Should parents be talking to their kids about sex? When should they? What about Sex Ed in schools? This Sunday on Topics, I'll ask Erin Zable of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia about their program, "Let's Talk Month," encouraging grownups to educate their young people about sex.

On the web:
www.PPSEV.org

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Podcast: Epilepsy Awareness Stroll

Linda Bright, Patty Hood and Pat Lane of the Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia talk about epilepsy, it's causes and treatments.  Also discussed is the upcoming Epilepsy Awareness Stroll, which is scheduled for Saturday, November 4th at Mount Trashmore Park in Virginia Beach.  For details, visit www.efva.org



Download Episode

New Podcast: Honor Flight

Listen below to my conversation with Kelly Hall, the veterans liason for Honor Flight Historic Triangle Virginia, which makes bi-annual trips with World War II veterans to the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C.  Also on the show are two veterans who have made the trip:  Ed Knight and Gene Evans.

Download episode

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Honor Flight

Sunday, October 14th @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle 

The topic this week is Honor Flight Historic Triangle, an organization devoted to taking World War II veterans on an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. to see and experience the World War II Memorial.  The memorial opened in 2004.  Honor Flight began a few years later with a single chapter and has since grown to 33 hubs in a number of states.

My guests on the program are Kelley Hall and two World War II veterans who made the trip last year, Ed Knight and Gene Evans.  Honor Flight's next trip to Washington is scheduled for Saturday, October 20th.

On the web:
www.HonorFlightHTVA.org
www.HonorFlight.org

Monday, October 8, 2012

Podcast -- Flu Season

My interview with Chesapeake Health Director Dr. Nancy Welch about the recommendations for flu shots this year.


Download episode

Friday, October 5, 2012

Flu Season

Sunday, October 7th @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle 

This Sunday on Topics, I talk with Dr. Nancy Welch, the Director of the Chesapeake Health Department, about the upcoming flu season.  Dr. Welch says the best time to get a flu shot is now, before the predicted height of flu season in January and February.

For information on where to get a flu shot, contact your doctor, local health department, local pharmacy, or visit www.Flu.gov

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Podcast -- CHROME Sponsor Launch

Listen below to my interview with Theodosa Wyatt and Sherman Pressey about CHROME, a 30 year local effort encouraging minority students to pursue studies in science, math and engineering.

Download episode

www.Chrome.org

Friday, September 28, 2012

CHROME Sponsor Launch

Sunday, September 30th @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle   

Sunday's edition of Topics looks at CHROME, which stands for Cooperating Hampton Roads Organizations for Minorities in Engineering.  Guests Theodosa Wyatt and Sherman Pressey discuss how public schools, universities, and private companies are teaming up to encourage students, particularly minority students, to study engineering, math and science.

Norfolk State University is inviting CHROME sponsors and potential sponsors to the CHROME Sponsor Launch on Saturday, October 6th from 8am to 3pm.  

For information, visit www.chrome.org/forms/2012_sponsor_launch.pdf

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Hampton Roads Sustainability Expo

Agencies from all over Hampton Roads will gather at the Virginia Beach Convention Center on Saturday, September 29th, for the 1st Annual Hampton Roads Sustainable Living Expo.  The event is presented by the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach Public Schools, and the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center.

Sustainability refers to the steps that people, families, communities and governments can take to meet the needs of the present and future.  This means the three R's:  reduce, reuse and recycle.  It also means community design that minimizes environmental impact, storm water runoff, and resource usage.

Listen below to my interview with Clay Burnick of the City of Virginia Beach and Tim Cole of Virginia Beach City Public Schools.


Download Episode

www.hrsustainablelivingexpo.com

New Podcast -- In the Shadow of Greatness

Listen below to my interview with Navy Lt. Commander Josh Welle, the creator of the new book, In the Shadow of Greatness: Voices of Leadership, Sacrifice, and Service from America's Longest War.



Download episode

www.shadowofgreatness.com

Thursday, September 13, 2012

In the Shadow of Greatness

Sunday, September 16th @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle   

This Sunday on Topics, I talk with Navy Lt. Commander Josh Welle, the creator of a new book. In the Shadow of Greatness: Voices of Leadership, Sacrifice, and Service from America's Longest War, is a compilation of stories from the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 2002, and how the events of 9/11 affected their lives.

Welle, the 2002 Class President, compiled and co-edited the book. Following 9/11, he and his classmates faced the prospect of graduating from the Naval Academy and being deployed to Afghanistan as a result of the attacks. He speaks of September 11th as the glue for the narrative of what he calls the "9/11 Generation."

The book was released Tuesday on the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. Demand for In the Shadow of Greatness has been very high on Amazon.com.

On the web:

shadowofgreatness.com

Monday, September 10, 2012

Walk for PKD

PKD, or Polycystic Kidney Disease, is the nation's most common life-threatening genetic disease, but it's also one of the least known.  David Damiani of the Tidewater Chapter of the PKD Foundation is working to change that.

PKD does not exhibit itself overtly; the damage it causes is entirely internal.  The condition causes cysts to grow in and on kidneys, leading them to grow in size but diminish in function.  Most people don't know they have it until the damage has been done.  For many, the ultimate "cure" for PKD is a kidney transplant.

Damiani became involved with the PKD Foundation when he discovered the wife of a friend had been diagnosed with PKD.  Her children could carry the gene as well.  PKD is carried by a dominate gene, meaning offspring of a PKD patient have a 50% chance of contracting the disease.

The Walk for PKD is a chance for the PKD Foundation to raise money for the cause of treating and (hopefully) curing the disease.  It's also a chance for Damiani to educate the public about this largely unknown disease.

The 2012 Walk for PKD will happen Saturday, November 3rd at 17th Street Park in Virginia Beach.  For information, visit www.WalkForPKD.org/Tidewater.

To hear my interview with David Damiani about PKD, visit the show's podcast page.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Walk for PKD

Sunday, September 9th @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle  

This week on Topics I learn about the Walk for PKD, which is scheduled for Saturday, November 3rd at 17th Street Park at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.  PKD stands for Polycystic Kidney Disease, a genetic disease that causes cysts to form on kidneys, eventually limiting their function.  The condition is not uncommon...it affects approximately one in 500 people.

My guest is David Damiani of the Tidewater Chapter of the PKD Foundation.

To learn more about the Walk For PKD, visit www.WalkForPKD.org/Tidewater

Sunday, August 26, 2012

The Out of the Darkness Walk

This week on Hampton Roads Topics, I talk with Chris Gilchrist about the 7th Annual Out of the Darkness Walk.  The walk will happen Saturday, September 8th at Mount Trashmore Park in Virginia Beach.

Gilchrist describes the walk as a celebration for those left behind by people who take their own lives.  The walk also serves as a chance to educate the public about mental health, depression, and the warning signs of suicide.

Listen to the podcast here

For information about the walk, visit www.sos-walk.org.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Podcast: The American Red Cross Needs Blood Donors

Kristen Hatfield of the American Red Cross Mid-Atlantic Blood Services Region talks about the organization's critical need for blood donors.  To find a blood drive in your area, visit www.redcrossblood.org
 

Friday, August 10, 2012

The Red Cross Needs Blood Donors

Sunday, August 12th @ 6am
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle  

Kristen Hatfield of the American Red Cross Mid-Atlantic Blood Services Region comes on the show to talk about the critical shortage of blood donors.  In Hampton Roads, the Red Cross needs 500 to 600 donations of blood per day to meet demand, but donations are down about 10 percent this summer.  Hatfield says the blood supply is at its lowest level in 15 years.

To learn more about how and where to donate, visit www.RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-GIVE-LIFE. 

Monday, August 6, 2012

Podcast -- Back to School

With back to school time only about a month away, I invited Krista Barton-Arnold, the new principal of Linkhorn Park Elementary School in Virginia Beach, to the Topics studio to talk about helping kids get ready.  For and foremost, she says, parents who are new to the area need to make sure their child is fully registered for school.  She advises contacting the school system first.

Parents should be speaking positively about school to help children make the transition from summertime to school time.  Encourage (or even require) your child to read, especially non-fiction if the student is in high school.  "Newspaper articles, online articles...keep up with the election," she says.  Help your child practice math facts a little each day.  Take advantage of open house nights so you and your child can meet the teachers and get a feel for the school's layout. 


For school supplies, Barton-Arnold advises checking the website for your child's school for a list of supplies they will need.  Middle and high school students will often get their supply lists from their teachers after school starts, she says.

For more back to school information, consult your school division's homepage.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Back To School

Sunday, August 5th @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle  


Back to School time.  It's less than a month away.  What will your kids need to be ready?  What will their teachers need?  This Sunday on Topics, I ask these questions of Krista Barton-Arnold, the new principal of Linkhorn Park Elementary School in Virginia Beach.


The Virginia Beach Public Schools website, VBSchools.com, has a whole section devoted to back to school information.


By the way, this weekend is Virginia's School Supplies Tax Free Holiday.  School supplies costing less than $20.00 each and clothing costing less than $100.00 each are exempt of Virginia's 5% sales tax.  Learn more here.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Paying for the Midtown Tunnel

January 2014.  That's when drivers using either the Midtown or Downtown Tunnels will be required to pay a toll.

The upcoming Midtown Tunnel expansion project is the subject of this week's Hampton Roads Topics.  My guests are Lauren Hansen of the Virginian Department of Transportation and Leila Rice of Elizabeth River Crossings, the consortium that will operate and maintain the Midtown and Downtown Tunnels for the next 58 years.  Here's the interview...



If you're dreading a return to the old days of traffic tie ups at the Route 44 toll booths near Mount Trashmore, think again.  Commuters won't have to stop to pay the toll.  Drivers with an EZ Pass transponder will pay the toll automatically.

Drivers without EZ Pass will "Pay by Plate."  According to ERC's website,
"Pay By Plate, an electronic system whereby video cameras are used to capture license plate data, will also be used on the project. Vehicles that do not have E-ZPass transponders will be mailed an invoice for the toll due. Invoiced customers will be charged for cost recovery, which by Virginia law is capped at two times base toll rate."

The project will include the construction of a second Midtown Tunnel and a new road that will connect I-264 with Martin Luther King Freeway, thus creating a mini beltway between Portsmouth and Norfolk.


Preliminary work on the Midtown Tunnel is already underway.  Construction work at what will become the openings to the second Midtown Tunnel tube will begin this fall, according to Rice.

On the web:
www.DriveERT.com
www.MidtownTunnel.org

Friday, July 27, 2012

The Midtown Tunnel Project

Sunday, July 29th @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle 

The Midtown Tunnel Expansion Project.  When does it start?  How will we pay for it?  How will you pay to use it?  This Sunday on Topics, I get answers to those questions from Lauren Hansen of the Virginia Department of Transportation and Leila Rice of Elizabeth River Crossings, the consortium that will be running both the Midtown and Downtown Tunnels for the next 58 years.

For information about the project, go to www.MidtownTunnel.org

Friday, July 13, 2012

Girl Scouts 100th Birthday

Sunday, July 15th @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle  

Sunday's edition of Hampton Roads Topics will focus on the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts. Locally, the Girl Scout Council of the Colonial Coast is celebrating the centennial by inviting anyone who has attended, volunteered or worked at a Girl Scout camp to attend a Girl Scout reunion in late July or early August.  My guests are Tiffani Addison and Marcie Germanotta.

For details about the reunions, visit www.GSCCC.org

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

HR Topics -- Hot Latin Nights

The 7th Annual Hot Latin Nights, presented by VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads, will happen Saturday, July 14th at the VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads offices in Ghent.  VHR CEO Beth Lloyd says the event features music, catered food and a number of items up for silent auction.

For details, visit www.volunteerhr.org

Saturday, July 7, 2012

HR Topics -- Sports Concussions

I learned a lot recording this edition of Topics with Dr. Joel Brenner of Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters.  In our discussion on concussions, Dr. Brenner told me bike helmets and football helmets do protect against skull fractures and other serious head injuries but NOT against concussions.  We also discuss the symptoms of concussion and the amount of time an athlete with a concussion should wait before returning to play.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Sports Concussions -- Next Hampton Roads Topics

Sunday, July 1st @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle  

This Sunday on Hampton Roads Topics I speak with Dr. Joel Brenner of Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, a leading authority on concussions in youth sports.  Dr. Brenner talks about how concussions are vastly under reported and are too often ignored by patients and their families.  Dr. Brenner authored the sports concussion guidelines now utilized by Chesapeake Public Schools.

On the web:
www.chkd.org/Services/SportsMedicine/Concussions.aspx

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

HR Topics -- The Longest Day

Gino Columbara of the Alzheimer's Association of Southeastern Virginia talks about The Longest Day, a fundraiser for Alzheimer's.  David Goldberg discusses his Longest Day project, an all-day team tennis marathon.

Hear this and other podcasts on the podcast page.
On the web:
www.alz.org/seva

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

HR Topics -- Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy

My interview with Admissions Director Jeremy Phillips of the Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy is now available in the podcast.  The academy is run by the Virginia National Guard to help students at-risk of dropping out.  I also talk with cadets Andrew D'Amato and Latisha Burgess, who are very open about the mistakes they made in school and how the program helped get them on the right path.

Hear this and other podcasts on the podcast page.

Monday, June 4, 2012

UPDATE -- Portsmouth Humane Society Furball Gala Rescheduled for August 4th

Just got the word that the 2nd Annual Portsmouth Humane Society Fur Ball Gala, which had been scheduled for late January, has now been officially rescheduled for Saturday, August 4th, at a new venue, the Norfolk Waterside Sheraton Hotel.

Back in mid-January, Portsmouth Humane Society Director Christie Chipps Peters came on the show to talk about the gala.  She described it as a formal affair open to pet owners and their "well mannered" dogs.

For information or to purchase tickets, visit www.portsmouthhumanesociety.org

Friday, June 1, 2012

Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy

Sunday, June 3rd @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle 


This Sunday's interview will focus on the Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy, a division of the Virginia National Guard that provides education and support for students at-risk of dropping out of school. My guests are academy admissions direction Jeremy Phillips and two cadets, Andrew D'Amato and Latisha Burgess. The two students talk openly about their past troubles in school and they share how the academy program has changed their outlook.

Learn more about the Commonwealth Challenge Youth Academy at www.ngycp.org/site/state/va

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

HR Topics -- American Red Cross

My interview with Kristen Hatfield of the American Red Cross is now available in the podcast.  Kristen discusses how blood donations typically slow down during the summer months.  Click here for the podcast.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

American Red Cross

Sunday, May 27th @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle 


This Sunday on Hampton Roads Topics I talk with Kristen Hatfield of the American Red Cross Mid-Atlantic Blood Services Region. Hatfield says they usually have the hardest time meeting demand for blood products during the summer because people are traveling and because high schools and colleges where students could donate are closed for the summer.

The criteria to be eligible to give blood are pretty basic. A blood donor must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in overall good health. The appointment for giving blood lasts about an hour, but the actual donation takes only 10-15 minutes.

To learn where you can donate blood, visit www.redcrossblood.org

Sunday, May 20, 2012

New Podcast: Jumping for a Purpose

Visit the podcast page to hear my interview with Matt Thompson and Jay Redman about their upcoming event, Jumping for a Purpose.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Jumping for a Purpose

Sunday, May 20th @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle 


Sunday's edition of Hampton Roads Topics will feature an upcoming event called Jumping for a Purpose. On May 26th and 27th, 50 military veterans who have been wounded in combat will be given the opportunity to go skydiving with trained experts.  My guests are the event's founders: Matt Thompson of Troopswap and Jay Redman of Wounded Wear. For details, visit www.TroopSwap.com or www.WoundedWear.org

New Podcast -- Beacon of Hope 5k Run/Walk

Guests Kathy Wakefield and Elaine Roberts discuss the upcoming Beacon of Hope 5k Run/Walk at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.  The event is an education outreach and fundraiser for the suicide prevention organization, INeedALight.org.

Click for the podcast.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

New Podcast -- Run for the Dream

The podcast of Sunday's interview with Kelly Cannon about the 2nd Annual Run for the Dream is now available on the podcast page.

For information about the race, visit www.RunforAchievableDream.com

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Run for the Dream

Sunday, May 6th @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle 

The topic of this week's edition of Hampton Roads Topics is the second annual Run for the Dream, a weekend of fun and competitive runs and walks in Colonial Williamsburg May 19th and 20th.  The weekend includes a half-marathon.

The event is a fundraiser for the Newport News Achievable Dream Academy, where students learn not only the basics of education but about life as well.  Students are taught etiquette, finances, healthy living, and resolving conflict.

My guest is Kelly Cannon, the race director for Run for the Dream.

For more information about the race, visit www.RunForAchievableDream.com

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

New Podcast -- Run on the Wild Side

Carol Olsen of Lee's Friends joins me on Hampton Roads Topics to talk about the 2012 Run on the Wild Side, the group's annual fundraiser at the Virginia Zoo.  Lee's Friends is a support group for cancer patients.  For more details, visit www.LeesFriends.org

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

New Podcast: Chesapeake Rubber Duck Race

Trish O'Brien of the Children's Health Investment Program (CHIP) comes on the program to talk about the annual Chesapeake Rubber Duck Race.  For more information about the race, visit www.ChesapeakeDuckRace.org

Thursday, April 19, 2012

The Chesapeake Rubber Duck Race

Sunday, 4/22 @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle 


This Sunday's editon of Hampton Roads Topics looks at the 6th Annual Chesapeake Rubber Duck Race. This fundraiser for Children's Health Investment Program allows anyone to adopt one of 10,000 rubber ducks that will be simultaneously dropped into the Intracoastal Waterway at Great Bridge on Saturday, April 28th. The person whose duckie crosses the finish line first will win a new Nissan Versa. My guest is CHIP's president, Trish O'Brien.

For more information about the race, visit www.ChesapeakeDuckRace.org

New Podcast: Still Standing

My interview with Elaine Roberts, the founder of Still Standing: Surviving Suicide Support Group, is now available in the podcast.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Still Standing: Surviving Suicide Support Group

Sunday, 4/8 @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle


This week on Hampton Roads Topics I talk with Elaine Roberts, founder of the new organization, Still Standing:  Surviving Suicide Support Group.  Elaine founded the group after losing her 15 year old daughter, Kaila, to suicide.  Still Standing provides support for the people suicide leaves behind, who may have intense feelings of guilt and depression.


Elaine is still setting up the group's website.  In the meantime, who you can contact the group at 757-464-9289.

New Podcast: The Power of Belief

The complete interview with Laura Smart of Virginia Beach Public Schools and student Jealously Finkbinder is now available in the podcast.  They are discussing The Power of Belief, a collection of essays by Virginia Beach Public School students, teachers, and parents.  The featured essayists detail the key decisions and events that change their lives.  During the interview, Jealously reads her essay, The Best Gift Ever.

The book is available for $10.00 at the Virginia Beach Schools website. 

Friday, March 30, 2012

The Power of Belief

Sunday, 4/1 @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle 

This Sunday's edition of Hampton Roads Topics will feature The Power of Belief, a collection of essays by Virginia Beach Public School students, teachers, and parents. The book was inspired by the NPR feature, This I Believe

My guests are Laura Smart of Virginia Beach Public Schools and Kellam High School freshman Jealousy Finkbeiner, one of the essayists featured in the book.  Hear Jealousy read her essay, The Best Gift Ever, below.

The book is available for $10.00 at the Virginia Beach Schools website

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Red Cross Month

The program on American Red Cross Month is now available in the podcast.  My guests are local Red Cross spokesman Rob Shapiro and Steve Clayton, a Red Cross volunteer, who has some interesting stories to tell about responding to disaster scenes in our area and elsewhere.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Red Cross Month

Sunday, 3/25 @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle  
 
March is Red Cross Month.  This Sunday on Hampton Roads Topics, I talk with local Red Cross spokesman Rob Shapiro about the work of the Red Cross, particularly their response to disasters and fire scenes.  I'm also joined by disaster response volunteer Steve Clayton, who explains why he's willing to go out in the middle of the night to help total strangers who've lost everything in a fire.

For information about the American Red Cross in Hampton Roads, visit www.MyRedCross.net

Thursday, March 15, 2012

4th Annual Wounded Warrior 5k

Sunday, 3/18 @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle  

This Sunday's edition of Hampton Roads Topics will be a preview of the 4th Annual Wounded Warrior 5k, which is set for next Saturday at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.  The event is a fundraiser for the Wounded Warrior 5k.  My guests are the event's founders, Jimi Partyka and Rebecca Dejardins, and the Warrior of the Day, Navy Sr. Chief Tim Johns.

To learn more about the Wounded Warrior 5k, click here.

HR Topics -- World Glaucoma Week

The podcast of last weekend's show about World Glaucoma Week is now available.  My guest is Dr. Constance Okeke of Virginia Eye Consultants.

Glaucoma is a disease of the eye's retina that can lead to blindness.  More than two million Americans have it.  Glaucoma is easily diagnosed through screening and is treatable.  For people under age 40, even those who don't wear glasses, Dr. Okeke recommends an eye exam every two to four years.  For people 40 to 55, the screenings should be every two to three years, and past 55, every one to two years.

On the web:
www.WGWeek.net
VirginiaEyeConsultants.com

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

HR Topics -- School Bullying

The Hampton Roads Topics program on school bullying is now available as a podcast.  My guest is Danielle Mele, a school psychologist with Chesapeake Bay Academy.

Friday, March 2, 2012

School Bullying

Sunday, 3/4 @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle  

This week Hampton Roads Topics looks at the issue of school bullying.  My interview is with school psychologist Danielle Mele of Chesapeake Bay Academy, who says one of out every three students is either a bully or a victim of a bully.

Monday, February 27, 2012

HR Topics -- Hospice Alliance of Hampton Roads

The podcast of this week's program about the Hospice Alliance of Hampton Roads is now available.  My guests are Doug Price of the Hospice Alliance, Mary Vince of Interim Home Health and Hospice, and Jennifer Ellsworth, who is co-chair of the 4th Annual Hospital Alliance Masquerade Ball in March.

Hospice care, as I have learned from previous interviews with Doug and his wife, Debra, involves the care of people nearing the end of their lives.  Doug says hospice care is a benefit to the patient because of the comfort and care they receive outside of a hospital setting.  The patient's family also benefits.

Mary and Jennifer discuss how they learned about hospice care through loved ones facing end of life issues. Their experiences led both to become supporters of the Hospice Alliance.

To learn more about the Hospice Alliance of Hampton Roads, visit www.hrhospicealliance.com

Monday, February 13, 2012

HR Topics -- Child Safety Seat Roundup

The podcast of the program on the 23rd Annual Old, Use, Borrowed and Abused Child Safety Seat Roundup. My guest is Georjeane Blumling of the AAA of Tidewater Virginia.

Blumling says a safety seat could be unsafe when it's more than six years old, has been purchased used, or been involved in an accident.  Through the month of February, people can get a $5.00 Walmart gift card for first two old or used seats they bring in.  In addition, the seats will be recycled.

For more information, call 757-498-2562 or visit the Drive Safe Hampton Roads Facebook page.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Child Safety Seat Roundup

Sunday, 2/12 @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle  

This Sunday's edition of Hampton Roads Topics will deal with the 23rd Annual Old, Use, Borrowed and Abused Child Safety Seat Roundup.  My guest is Georjeane Bluming of the AAA of Tidewater Virginia, one of the presenting organizations.

The annual roundup targets child safety seats that are over eight years old, have been in an accident, or were bought used.  Blumling says any of those factors could make the seat more prone to failure in a traffic accident.

During the month of February, the roundup offers a $5.00 Walmart gift card for each of the first two seats turned in.  Seats can be turned in at any AAA office, DMV office, or Walmart location in Hampton Roads.

In years past, the roundup made a big show of gathering all of the old child seats in a big pile and crushing them.  Today, though, the old seats that are turned in are recycled.

For more information, call 757-498-2562 or visit the Drive Safe Hampton Roads Facebook page.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

HR Topics -- Stopping Hit and Run

The podcast of Sunday's Hampton Roads Topics focusing on hit and run accidents is now available.  I talk with Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney Harvey Bryant and Adam Bernstein of Virginia Beach Police about a recent rash of hit and run incidents.  Two, each involving a cyclist on Shore Drive, happened within a few weeks of each other.  Both remain unsolved.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Stopping Hit and Run Accidents

Sunday, 2/5 @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle 


Over the past 12 months, Hampton Roads has endured several high profile incidents of hit and run. In Virginia Beach in February, 12 year old Camryn Johnson McCall was left for dead when a van struck her just off Lynnhaven Parkway and then left the scene. The driver, Mark Tiejen, a man with a long history of vehicle violations, was later arrested and pleaded guilty to felony charges.  Over the summer, two cyclists were struck and injured in separate hit and run incidents along Shore Drive.  Those two cases remain unsolved.

I talk with Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney Harvey Bryant and Adam Bernstein of the Virginia Beach Police Department about why some people run instead of stopping to help, and what can be done to stop hit and run incidents.

Monday, January 30, 2012

HR Topics -- AskHRGreen.org

The podcast of my interview on greener ways to host a Super Bowl Party is now available.  My guests are AskHRGreen.org's Brianna Venner, Katie Culipher and Deidre Harmon.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Ask HR Green: How to Throw a Greener Super Bowl Party

Sunday, 1/29 @ 6am
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle

This Sunday on Hampton Roads Topics I talk with Brianna Venner, Deidre Harmon and Katie Culipher of AskHRGreen.org about ideas for a greener Super Bowl party. First and foremost, they are encouraging residents to refrain from dumping cooking grease or uneaten food down the drain or into the garbage disposal. Food and grease will coalesce in drains, possibly creating a clog.

Instead, they suggest throwing uneaten food in the garbage. For grease, they recommend pouring it into a jar and then freezing the jar. Once the grease has solidified, the jar can be thrown away.

Ideas on hosting the party in a greener fashion include reusable plates and cups, and having recycling bins handy for used drink cans.

AskHRGreen.org is part of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.


www.AskHRGreen.org

Monday, January 23, 2012

HR Topics -- Fur Ball Gala Podcast

The podcast of Sunday's interview with Portsmouth Humane Society Director Christy Chipps Peters is now available.  However, since the show aired Sunday morning, I have learned that the Fur Ball Gala that we discuss during the interview has been postponed to an unspecified date later in the year.  I will update this podcast when I learn the revised date of the event.

Besides the Fur Ball, Peters discusses the Portsmouth Humane Society's new and greatly improved shelter on Seaboard Court.  Of particular interest is the "cat colony" room, where as many as 30 cats roam freely.  Peters says visitors can enter the room and bond with the cats.





www.PortsmouthHumaneSociety.org

Thursday, January 19, 2012

The 2nd Annual Fur Ball Gala -- Next Hampton Roads Topics

Sunday, 1/22 @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle 


Sunday's edition of Hampton Roads Topics will preview the 2nd Annual Fur Ball Gala, a benefit for the Portsmouth Humane Society, which happens Saturday, January 28th at the Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel. It's a formal affair in which pet owners and their "well-mannered dogs" are invited to an evening of food, dancing and live music. My guest is Christie Chipps Peters, the Executive Director of the Portsmouth Humane Society. We will also discuss the organization's brand new shelter on Seaboard Court, which is triple the size of the original shelter.

To learn more about the Fur Ball Gala, visit www.PortsmouthHumaneSociety.org

Monday, January 16, 2012

Evenings at St. Patrick Podcast

The podcast about this year's adult education classes at St. Patrick Catholic School in Norfolk is now available.  My guests are Cathy Thaden and local historian Robert Hitchings.

For information about Evenings at St. Patrick, visit www.STPCS.org

Friday, January 13, 2012

Evenings at St. Patrick

Sunday, 1/8 @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle 

Sunday's edition of Hampton Roads Topics will focus on Evenings at St. Patrick, an annual series of adult learning classes from St. Patrick Catholic School in Norfolk.  This year's catalog has 108 course offerings, including cooking, history, wine and beer, exercise and more. 

My guests are Cathy Thaden and Robert Hitchings.  Thaden is offering two cooking classes this year.  One, entitled "Casserole Throw Down and Cornhole Tournament," is a combination cooking class/bar game.  Her classes tend to fill up quickly.

Hitchings, a librarian and historian, is offering two classes.  The first is a starter course in geneology.  The other, called "Scandals and Murders and Embezzlements!  Oh My!," deals with some of Norfolk's more unseemly history.  Hitchings describes how there were public hangings in the 1800's near where MacArthur Center now sits.  His enthusiasm for local history really comes through in the interview.

St. Patrick's classes cost $30.00 each.  For more information or to register for a class online, visit www.STPCS.org 

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Next Interview -- Evenings at St. Patrick

This week I'm talking with Cathy Thaden of St. Patrick Catholic School in Norfolk about their annual "Evenings at St. Patrick."  It's a series of  classes and seminars on a variety of subjects, including cooking, couponing and local history.  There are even two classes about beer. 

This show will air Sunday, January 15th at 6am on these stations:  92.9 The Wave, Star 1310, ESPN Radio 94.1 and 97.3 The Eagle.

For information about Evenings at St. Patrick, visit www.stpcs.org

Monday, January 9, 2012

Cervical Health Awareness Month Podcast

Here is the podcast of my interview with Erin Zabel of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia about Cervical Health Awareness Month.  Zabel says cervical cancer is one of our most preventable cancers.


Friday, January 6, 2012

HR Topics -- Cervical Health Awareness Month

Sunday, 1/8 @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle 

Congress has designated January as Cervical Health Awareness Month.  It's an effort to remind women to

  • Pap test regularly, once a year after age 21
  • Test for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), THE cause of cervical cancer
  • Get vaccinated against HPV if under age 26.
My guest is Erin Zabel of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia, one of several local and national health organizations that are supporting Cervical Health Awareness Month.  Erin talks at length about the HPV vaccines Gardisil and Cervarix, which can stop infection of the strains of HPV that cause the vast majority of cervical cancer cases.

Erin says cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, but only if steps are taken early in life.  The virus that causes it is widespread; an estimated 75% of sexually active Americans ages 15 to 49 carry it.  The HPV vaccines are recommended for females under age 26.  In Virginia, state law mandates that girls get the HPV vaccine before they enter sixth grade, but parents can opt out of the requirement.  The vaccine has also been approved for use in boys to guard against genital warts.  Boys in Virginia are not required to get the vaccine, however.

I will take a moment here to address the fact that Planned Parenthood is controversial for the services they offer in abortion, which is one of the most divisive political issues we have.  We don't discuss abortion in Sunday's segment, but in prior interviews, Zabel has pointed out that abortions amount to only 3% of the services offered by Planned Parenthood.  She realizes that abortion is a stigma that the organization must work through to provide the other 97% of its services, which include family planning, birth control, and public outreach and education, such as this week's appearance on Hampton Roads Topics.  Zabel adds that if abortion were outlawed today, Planned Parenthood would still be there, providing those other services.

Links:
Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia
Virginia Immunization Requirements
WebMD's report on HPV
Report on the study on teen HPV vaccine beliefs

Monday, January 2, 2012

HR Topics -- Senior Medicare Patrol Podcast

The New Year's Day episode of Hampton Roads Topics, focusing on Virginia's Senior Medicare Patrol, is now available on the podcast.  My guest is Susan Johnson, who describes how Medicare fraud is a $60-billion per year problem in the United States.



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Download previous editions of Hampton Roads Topics from the podcast page.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

HR Topics 01-01-12 -- Senior Medicare Patrol

Sunday, 1/1 @ 6am 
92.9 The Wave, ESPN Radio 94.1, Star 1310 and 97.3 The Eagle

Hampton Roads Topics is starting off the New Year with a look at Virginia's Senior Medicare Patrol, or SMP.  SMP is a volunteer-based program under the Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging that aims to reduce fraud in the nation's Medicare system.  It's estimated that 60 to 80 billion taxpayer dollars are lost every year to Medicare fraud, waste and abuse.  My guest is SMP Project Manager Susan Johnson

For more information on the Senior Medicare Patrol, visit www.VirginiaSMP.org