Bob Cooks Italian For WRBL Staff

July 10, 2009

Only two dollars a plate for Spaghetti and voila more $$$ came in. Guilt or just hunger? It worked. They couldn’t resist

For 93 years, the West Central Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross has served as a HERO to countless men, women and children in our community—families who lost their home and everything in it to fire, people devastated by tornadoes, and military families who rely on the Red Cross 24/7 in times of emergencies. Please join me in serving as a HERO FOR Red Cross.

I have committed to serve as a HERO volunteer in support of the Red Cross mission and I am asking for your help. HEROES for Red Cross is a campaign to raise money for our local Chapter, with every penny raised staying right here in our community. I am asking for a donation to reach my goal of $5000. Any amount would be appreciated and your donation may also be pledged over a period of several months prior to December 31.

I know there are many worthy organizations requesting financial help during this struggling economy. I am especially grateful for your consideration in helping me reach my goal, but more importantly, to support Red Cross and our community. The success of HEROES for Red Cross insures the Chapter is always there to offer Help and Hope when it’s needed most.

May I count on your help in reaching my goal as a HERO for Red Cross? Your donation may be mailed to:

American Red Cross
3940 Rosemont Drive
Columbus, GA 31904

In the FOR section, please indicate HERO Bob Jeswald, so the Red Cross knows I am honoring my commitment as a HERO for Red Cross and for our all our neighbors who depend of them to light a candle of hope.

Sincerely,

Bob Jeswald
HERO for Red Cross                

Alabama Drive-In Runs Out Of Road

By WRBL Staff

Before I even start my rant, I want to say, upfront and honest. I LOVE drive-ins.

They feel like such an adventure, but yet such a tradition. If your feeling like a rebel you can sneak in your dinner in the backseat (as opposed to paying the small charge). I have been known to carry in a gallon of ice cream complete with Hershey’s syrup.

Let’s talk about the mystery of drive-ins….... You can take your shoes off, talk on your cell phone, text without anticipation, cuddle up in a blanket. You don’t have to wear makeup and you can actually wear your pajamas in “public”.

Kevin (our Cheif Photog) and I spent three or so quality hours at the Field of Screens in Crawford, Alabama earlier in the week. It is nestled between the corn fields and quail pens on a 200 acre family farm. The screen looks like a patchwork quilt of plywood. But I have to say it is utterly AWESOME. It’s located on “Hollywood Blvd” off Highway 175 or Bleeker Road. It’s slightly hard to find, but that makes it oh so much more charming.

The coolest thing about the whole venture. It is run by a group of four friends. They’ve been together for decades, high school, college and beyond. They told me there have no regrets about this escapade and they had a great four month run. 

I now know the three biggest enemies of a drive-in: Location, weather and the economy. Unfortunately, you can’t really fight mother nature or Wall Street, and as for location, picking up a 28x44 screen sounds easier than it is.

Bad news for everyone that is now enticed to drive out there…. They are only taking bookings for special events. I asked, out of curiousity, what that would run. They say roughly $250-$300 bucks for one movie (you pick the title).

I am thinking a “Sex and the City” themed birthday party. Look for your invitation soon.

New Pet Airline

By Jennifer Serda
Anchor

A few months ago Mo, my dog, and I flew back to my home state of Virginia. Before we left we stopped by his vet and picked up a few tranquilizers and the store to get a cozy travel bag.

Mo was nice and relaxed for the flight and fit right under the seat in-front of me with no problems so overall our experience was pleasant, but air travel for pets is about to get even better!

The first “pets only” airline takes flight next week!

Each flight has room for 32 crates in the main cabin. It will travel initial routes from New York to Los Angeles—with stops in Washington D-C, Chicago and Denver. Along with bathroom breaks, runs and refreshments at those stops, the pet passengers will be taken care of by an in-flight pet attendant.

You can book your pet’s ticket online at petairways.com. Owners can even track their furry friend’s flight. Introductory fares start at 149 dollars each way.

While it is not in our area now hopefully it will expand soon but until then it’s the old school way of under the seat! For tips on flying with your pets check out PetPlace.com

New Pictures In From 3rd Brigade at NTC

July 09, 2009

By WRBL Staff

These just in- from the National Training Center at Fort Irwin.

They were taken by Spc. Ben Hutto in 3rd HBCT Public Affairs.

 

 

 

 

The Power of People

By WRBL Staff

Kevin and I spent the morning watching people work. We were technically working too, but not quite as hard as them (although the camera is heavy).

These guys were out in full force roofing, painting, cleaning the streets and putting up siding.  200 teenagers, or I should probably say young adults, helped eleven homeowners on 5th Avenue spruce up their property. The kicker- it was all free (to the homeowner).

Highland Community Church on 5th Avenue has been working with an association of 13 churches from Tennessee and Kentucky. These churches sent teams , for a week, to work on these projects. They are troopers too. They have been sleeping on classroom floors and in the gym at Cavalry Baptist. In fact, many of these guys were around 18. I would say it is a pretty safe assumption that most 18 year olds are not spending a week of their “Farewell to High School Summer “cleaning gutters.

We talked to several homeowner on the street. They were thrilled and humbled that such a large group would devote so much time and money to their homes. Highland Community Church itself raised somewhere in the ball park of $13,000 dollars. Pastor Rob Strickland says the whole project cost around $20,000. The groups raised somewhere around $4,000. $13,000 plus $4,000 still leaves them $3,000 short. Strickland says the Church will make up the difference.

It was a humbling experience for me. It was also refreshing. Refreshing to see that so many young people were willing and ready to donate so much of their time to help people they may never see again. Humbling, because I realized I should be doing more of the same.