Hot Wheels For A Good Cause

I decided to give my Weekly Salute to Casey Knott and his sons for something great they're doing for charity. A close friend, Scott Griffin has a son who has a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Called Duchenne, a website the Griffin family set up said 1 in every 3,500 boys are born with this and there is little funding for research. There is no cure to the disease and, since there is little funding for it, the boys that have Duchenne are often called "The Lost Boys" as little is known about them or the disease. 

As a result, Casey decided to do something epic to raise money for Duchenne MD research: he built the world's largest Hot Wheels track. The track has multiple loops and curves and even goes outside on the sidewalk in front of their house. With the help of his sons, Casey spent many hours putting the track together and filming the Hot Wheel going through it. Now the video has gone viral and the Hope For Gabe Foundation has raised over $10,000 because of it. So I salute the Knott family for their work towards this great cause. I hope you continue to have success!

If you want to learn more or donate, go to HopeForGabe.org

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State Fair 2011

As the sun sets on yet another State Fair, I wanted to take time out to reflect on all the deep fried goodness I had. I ended up getting to go twice and got to taste a lot of different foods while I was there! I went on a rainy Wednesday evening to see David Nail in concert. The concert was great and I even got his autograph after. That's one thing I love about the concerts: if the artists want to, they'll let you stand outside their tour bus and get autographs. I didn't really do anything else except get Deep Fried Cookie Dough which was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I could probably write an entire post on just that alone but I'll spare you the salivating, haha!

Now on to the photo competition. Like I figured, I did not win anything this year. I will say, though, that the photo that won first place was amazing! It was much better than the photo that won last year. It definitely deserved it. I plan on doing it again next year and I even got a cool pic of the new Sky Diver ride that I may beef up and use next year. They have a category called "Best N.C. State Fair Scene" and this would be a good one to do for that.

And last but not least...the food. As always, they had tons of crazy eats as well as more traditional favorites. One very interesting thing was a BBQ Sundae. No, it's not BBQ with ice cream but they took BBQ, beans, and cole slaw and put them all in a cup, one on top of the other. I love me some BBQ but I don't know about that one.

Now, the deep fried stuff. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to try the Deep Fried Kool-Aid but, the more I got to thinking about it, I'm not that big a fan of Kool-Aid anyway so I don't think I would've liked it. I did try a Deep Fried Brownie. Holy crap that was amazing! All they do is take a moist brownie, deep fry it, and top it off with whipped cream, powder, and cinnamon. The same place that had the brownie also had Deep Fried Banana Pudding Bites. Now that's some good eats! And if that wasn't enough? I saw a place near Dorton Arena selling, yes, Deep Fried Candy Apples and even a place that had Deep Fried Cheesecake! I tell you, it was the year of deep fried stuff at the Fair. But, wait a minute, isn't that every year?

Another quirky thing I tried (that was not deep fried) was a Lemon Stick. If you've ever had Fun Dip, this pretty much had the same concept. What they do is take a whole lemon, cut the top off, and put a peppermint stick right in the middle. Then, you just pull out the peppermint stick and lick it. Who knew lemon juice and peppermint would go together? Now you know!

Well, another State Fair is in the books and I have to say I had a lot of fun. I ate to my heart's content but I've come to the realization that that's the whole purpose of going anyway...well at least in my book! If you went to the fair, I hope you had a great time too and (cough, cough) saw my picture. If not, you should come on down for next year's fair. It's always a great time!

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Game Time

Ah, college basketball. This is my favorite time of year because I know the season is just about to get started. That said, the preseason polls were released today and here's my take on the top ten:

10. Florida (2010-11 Record: 26-7, 13-3 SEC)

The Gators are a little of a surprise for me, being ranked this high. We haven't heard a lot out of them in this regard in a few years so it'll be interesting to see how they handle this high ranking. The Gators have a tough road ahead as their non-conference schedule includes trips to play at Ohio State and Syracuse who are both ranked in the preseason top ten. Not to mention having to play against #2 Kentucky twice. It'll be tough for a Gator team minus Chandler Parsons but it'll be interesting to see what happens. 

9. Memphis (2010-11 Record: 25-9, 10-6 C-USA)

The Tigers have a pretty interesting schedule as well, including trips to play #8 Louisville and an always tough Georgetown. Their schedule also features a home match up against #15 Xavier as well as an early season neutral court match up against #18 Michigan. If the Tigers want to be a top level team, they will need returning players Will Barton and Joe Jackson to step up their scoring averages. Barton led the team but only with 12.3 points per game last season and Jackson averaged 9.9. They will need to up their game if they want to compete at the level they're ranked.

8. Louisville (2010-11 Record: 25-9, 12-6 Big East)

Rick Pitino always knows how to build a team up and this team is no different. The Cardinals are ranked 8th in the preseason. With the graduation of their top two scorers (Preston Knowles and Kyle Kuric) they will still need to beef up their scoring game. Their are some pretty interesting games on tap for Louisville, including an early season away game against unranked Butler; as well as home games against #7 Vanderbilt and #9 Memphis. They also have to play against #2 Kentucky at Rupp Arena, which is never an easy task. However, with Peyton Siva, the assist leader last year, as well as other talented players returning; it looks like it'll be another good year for the Cardinals.

7. Vanderbilt (2010-11 Record: 23-10, 9-7 SEC)

Don't let the record fool you, this is a good team. Returning their top two scorers from last season, the Commodores definitely have a chance to compete with Kentucky and Florida for the SEC crown. They do have some pretty good non-conference games as well: playing #15 Xavier at home and traveling to #8 Louisville and #21 Marquette. They will also have to play #2 Kentucky and #10 Florida twice.

Sidenote: NC State will have to play them at home (11/19)

6. Duke (2010-11 Record: 30-4, 13-3 ACC)

After a disappointing loss to Arizona in the NCAA Tournament last season, the Blue Devils are back with a boatload of talent. The roster features a very talented Freshman class that includes highly touted Austin Rivers. And, as if two Plumlees weren't enough, Duke has added yet another: Marshall. If nothing else, they will definitely confuse a lot of people this season. Their most intriguing non-conference match up is a game at #3 Ohio State. Of course, the games against UNC are always special but this year should be very interesting as well as both teams will more than likely be ranked in the top ten by that time.

5. Syracuse (2010-11 Record: 26-7, 12-6 Big East)

In what will be its last season in the Big East before joining the ACC, Syracuse is once again a team to watch. With Kris Joseph, Brandon Triche, and Scoop Jardine all returning this season, it's no wonder the Orange are ranked #5. Their non-conference schedule is highlighted by a game in the Carrier Dome against #10 Florida on December 2. They will have to face an always tough Big East Conference schedule as well.

Sidenote: NCSU will also play Syracuse at home (12/2)

4. Connecticut (2010-11 Record: 26-9, 9-9 Big East)

The defending champs are once again in the hunt for a title this year. The absence of Kemba Walker will be felt but the Huskies return talented players such as Alex Oriakhi and Shabazz Napier, who will need to step up if UCONN wants to have success this year. One thing that may hurt them ranking wise and come Selection Sunday is their non-conference schedule. They do not play a single Top 25-ranked team during non-conference play. This may come back on them but we'll have to wait and see.

3. Ohio State (2010-11 Record: 32-2, 16-2 Big Ten

Although David Lighty is not with the team this season, don't discredit the Buckeyes. They should be a force especially with big man Jared Sullinger returning. They will need a team effort, though, as they have a very early test against #10 Florida as their second game of the season. They also have a road test against #13 Kansas in one of the toughest places to play in college basketball. Other than that, they should breeze through the conference schedule, although the away game against #14 Wisconsin and the home-and-home match up against #18 Michigan should be ones to watch.

2. Kentucky (2010-11 Record: 25-8, 10-6 SEC)

The Wildcats came very close to winning it all last season; however, coach Calipari's team looks stronger than ever this year with returning players Darius Miller and Doron Lamb. Their non-conference schedule is pretty weak other than the fact they play #13 Kansas, #1 North Carolina, and #8 Louisville. The only problem is all these games are at Rupp Arena which is okay but it would look better if at least one game was played away. Despite that, the Wildcats are poised for another banner year.

1. North Carolina (2010-11 Record: 26-7, 14-2 ACC)

I know I'm going to be a little biased but, where do I begin? The Heels return a plethora of talent including Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller, Kendall Marshall, Dexter Strickland, Leslie McDonald, and John Henson. Adding a very talented Freshman class of Stilman White, Desmond Hubert, P.J. Hairston, and James Michael McAdoo; I think the NCAA Championship is theirs to lose. Their non-conference schedule features the highly anticipated "Carrier Classic Game" against Michigan State on an aircraft carrier. The Heels will also welcome #14 Wisconsin and Texas to Chapel Hill while facing #2 Kentucky at Rupp Arena. I think it'll probably be another fight to the finish between UNC and Duke for the ACC crown.

There you have it. So, who will be cutting down the nets in New Orleans this year? Well, like I said, I'm a little biased but I think UNC will of course! I called it back when they won in 2009 and I'm doing it again. It should be another great year of college basketball!  

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State Fair To-Do List

Even though I didn't have success with the photo competition for the third straight year, I still love going and taking in all that the NC State Fair has to offer. From the food, to the concerts, to the exhibits; here are some of my "can't miss" things to do at the fair:

1) The Food

How can you go to a state fair without eating the food? I'm sure anyone reading this who goes to a fair eats at least something while they're there. This is one of my favorite parts because you get to try things you don't get the chance to try on a daily basis. For instance, there's a place that serves fried alligator on a stick. And let's not forget homemade ice cream and all the deep fried stuff.

Every year I go, I'll try any kind of new concoction those crafty vendors come up with. Last year, I tried the Krispy Kreme Burger and deep fried cookie dough. A few years ago, I had deep fried Coca-Cola. This year is full of interesting eats. If you haven't heard already, the most publicized deep fried foods are Kool-Aid and bubble gum. Some lesser known ones are deep fried brownies and, yes, even banana pudding (my grandpa would love that one)! You would think that's all but you can always find something new and exciting.

If you're not in the mood for eclectic foods, my personal favorite is McBride's concession stand, located on or near the midway. They have just about everything from foot long hot dogs to Italian sausages. All are cooked on a grill right there in front of you. Plus, you don't have to fight to find a place to sit. They offer seating right there under their big red tent. You can't beat it!

What about dessert? My favorite place to go is Smitty's Apples. This is located right across from the Village of Yesteryear in a trailer-like structure. They have fritters, turnovers, you name it. But the best thing they have is their apple dumpling. They serve it hot and fresh with this great apple drizzling on it. Simply amazing! I advise you not to wait to get it. I'll normally wait until near closing to get one, but I didn't get one last year because of that. Get it early!

2) The Concerts

For the past few years, I've been going to one of the concerts/events at Dorton Arena. I have to say I was pretty disappointed in the lineup this year, but managed to find a concert I wanted to go to: David Nail. He's a country singer who has a hit "Let It Rain" on the radio right now. The first year I did this, I saw chef Bobby Flay which was pretty cool. I even got his autograph afterward. Now that the Fair has moved solely to concerts, I've seen Julianne Hough in 2009 and Darius Rucker last year. Julianne was my grandma's idea since I got to see who I wanted to see the year before. The concerts are pretty cheap so it's a nice alternative if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the fair for a while.

3) The Exhibits

The exhibits are also pretty cool to go to. Of course, there's the photography exhibit, located in the Scott Building near Gate 11. There are other exhibits where you can try out new things and taste things you never tasted before. There are also many booths set up, espcially those featuring our local news stations. I like these because you can meet and get a picture/autograph from your favorite TV personalities. In recent years, I've met Gerald Owens, Pam Saulisby, and Greg Fishel as well as others from WRAL, ABC 11 and NBC 17. Plus, you can enter to win cool prizes and get a ton of freebies. I know you can enter to win a trip and an iPad at the WRAL tent this year. If you're a journalism buff like me then you'll like this.

I know it's kind of long but that is my to-do list for the NC State Fair. I always love this time of year and I hope you can go out and take part in our fair here or one in your area!

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Photo Competition Update #3

It looks like third time's not the charm with the photo competition. For the third straight year, I didn't receive any notification that my photo won an award. The competition hands out awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place, as well as Honorable Mentions. By not getting a call nor an email I assume my photo did not win anything; not even Honorable Mention! The thing that makes me the most frustrated is you don't receive any feedback at all from the judges.

When you enter, you have to hope and pray you submit artwork that the judges deem worthy enough to award. You have no guidance on what the judges are looking for. For the past couple years, I didn't receive a call or anything and end up finding my photo hanging up for display at the Fair without a ribbon. That's pretty much how it works. I know I said this last year but, unless if things change, this may be my last year of competition!

If you're heading out to the Fair, you can see my photo on display in the Scott Building, near Gate 11 (Blue Ridge Road). 

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Weekly Salute: Rascal Flatts

Who else should I give this salute to than, in my opinion, the greatest country music band ever? Rascal Flatts started about ten years ago as a duo in Ohio. When they moved they added a third member, which began a great career for all.

Now, after many hits and countless awards, the band has been inducted as members of the Grand Ole Opry! They definitely deserved this honor and I was so grateful to see it all in person! So congrats to Rascal Flatts, newest members of the Opry and this week's recipients of my "Weekly Salute!"

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Fall Break 2011

I'm normally at home just chilling out during my fall break, but I decided to do something different this time. Several months ago, I saw that Rascal Flatts would be performing at the Grand Ole Opry during its 86th Birthday Bash. It just so happened that this was the same time as my fall break! I saved up the money and, this past Wednesday, I headed out on vacation. We made a stop in Asheville (about half way) for a couple days then arrived in Nashville on Friday. We stayed in, where else, but the Opryland Resort and it was amazing! I've been told it was a vacation in itself and boy was it! It's huge and there are so many things to see and do there. I got to eat at the Jack Daniels restaurant in the resort and got a Sweet Tea Porkchop. 'Nuff said!

On Saturday, I first took a tour of the Grand Ole Opry. This was a backstage tour so we got to see everything from where the stars came in, to the Opry member mailboxes, to every single dressing room. Each dressing room had some sort of theme to it. For instance, there was one dedicated to the USA. Another dedicated to the women of country music. There was even one dedicated to the legend Little Jimmy Dickens and is his room, no questions asked. Probably the coolest dressing room I saw was Roy Acuff's room. This room was not only used by the great himself but other artists such as Vince Gill. The tour guide said the Opry honors his memory by keeping an "open door policy" on the room like he did. This meant we could actually go inside the dressing room. That was a pretty unique experience as we couldn't with the other dressing rooms. At the end of the tour, we got to get our picture taken on the Opry stage. The stage where legends have performed and history has been made. It was an experience I'll never forget.

But that's not all! I then went to downtown and walked along Broadway, the main drag in Nashville. I ate at a place called Merchants. The restaurant opened in what was Merchants Hotel where many country music stars have stayed, including Dolly Parton and Hank Williams. I also passed by many iconic places along Broadway, including The Stage, a restaurant/bar where many celebrities and country music stars have visited. After that, I visited the "Mother Church of Country Music" the Ryman. I ended up getting the last backstage tour of the day and it was fascinating as well! For those that don't know, the Ryman was the previous home of the Grand Ole Opry and was built to be used as a church before that (hence the nickname). Our tour guide was great and knew so much about not only the history of the Ryman itself, but the artists that performed there. I got my picture taken on the Ryman stage as well, and even could've recorded a song in the studio there but decided not to.

Now on to the Opry show itself. It was amazing! There were legends such as Jimmy Dickens, Charley Pride, and Jeannie Seely there as well as Ronnie Dunn and Craig Morgan. But the best came last...Rascal Flatts! They are great to see in person! This was my first time seeing them in person, and what better way than to see them? Not only did the Opry celebrate its birthday that night, but the group became the latest members, making the night even more special!

I've never had as much fun on a fall break as on this trip. I can't believe all the great things I got to do and all the history I came in contact with while in Nashville. This will be a trip I never forget!

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