Dr. Phillips "Giving Hand" Camaroon Mission Team Updates

Lots of us are prayng for Dr. Phillips and the rest of the Mission Team from NC who are trapped in Camaroon, Africa due to rioting. Here is a link to the Phillips & Cuthrell website where they are regularly updating the team's status.

http://www.winstonsalemdentistry.com/index.php?subpage=159

"From Year of the Frog" to "Fear of the Frog"

I used to be petrified of frogs, so I really appreciate this little ditty from Rhett and Link. For more of Rhett and Link's musical stylings, visit: rhettandlink.com

Leaplings Unite

There are a few freebies available on February 29th if you were born on that day. Here's a list...these have not been totally verefied, so you may want to check them out.
Leap Day Deals:

Papa Johns:
Leap Day Babies(AKA”Leaplings” get a free personal pan pizza when ordered online. http://www.papajohns.com/leapday/
There are other special online offers for non-leap babies
on Friday, like three large pizzas with three toppings, all for $29.29.

Boston Market:
Free leap day lunch — choices include chicken pot pie and meatloaf — to those born on Feb. 29

Whole Foods:
Whole Foods grocery store will be giving away free a 6 inch cake and a $10 gift certificate to any Leap Day Baby with a valid driver's license. If your Leap Day Babies do not have driver's licenses yet, take in thebirth certificate.

Dance Praise 2

To find out more about this Christian Music version of DDR, visit: http://www.digitalpraise.com/.

Here's a link to the video of today's dance challenge (Spoiler: I lost miserably!).

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/wbfj

The Tax Man Cometh

Thanks to Keith S. Hiatt, CPA for spending some time with us to talk taxes. Here is his contact info -

Firm: Breslow, Starling, Frost, Warner, Boger, Hilton, Hiatt, PLLC
Phone: 336-292-6872
Web: www.bsfwb.com

Best Customer Service in the Triad

Thanks to everyone who called in this morning to offer their opinions about the best customer service in the Triad. Here are your favorite businesses for customer service:

-Stokes Tire in King (part Mock Beroth Tire and Automotive)
-Harris Teeter, Cloverdale Avenue, Winston-Salem
-Wachovia Bank
-Brueggers Bagels, Friendly Shopping Center, Greensboro
-Lowes Foods, Greensboro
-Time Warner Digital Cable/Phone
-Moose Cafe, Triad Farmer's Market
-Chick-Fil-A
-Cagney's Restaurant, Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem
-Taco Bell, University Parkway, Winston-Salem
-Food Lion in Thomasville
-Fire Mountain Grill, Kernersville
-Power Medics, Tommy Cranford
-Sutton Flooring, Steve Sutton
-Piedmont Aviation Credit Bureau
-Something Different Restaurant, Asheboro
-Phillips and Cuthrell, DDS, Winston-Salem
-Lowes Foods, Robinhood Road
-State Employees Credit Union
-Gullions, King
-Just 4 Kids consignment shop in Walkertown (in the shopping center with Lowes)
-Starbucks
-Downtown Wachovia Bank in Asheboro
-Zaxby’s and Chick Fil A on Dixie Dr. in Asheboro
- BB&T Main Branch in High Point

Finally, I love what Amanda had to say about our responsibilities as Christian customers...

I also wanted to point out that while it's wonderful to receive good customer service, there's yet another flip side to this whole issue. I waited tables to pay for college and graduate school and I can say that my six years of experience (sometimes on my worse days I call them my six years of purgatory) in the food service industry has led me to tell people many times that the best way to get good customer service is to be a good customer. In other words, recognize that the world doesn't revolve around you (as I used to tell my friend Angie in college, "Ang, it's the universe, not the Angie-verse!") and even if your food is bad or takes too long to come out or whatever, you can bring it to your server's attention in a pleasant manner. You don't have to be ugly about it. Why would you be ugly to someone who sees your food before you do and has a certain amount of control over how long it takes to come out to you?? And, having worked at three different Cracker Barrels during that six years, I can honestly say that church people are some of the worst about expecting servers to bow and scrape to their every whim. Church people tend to come in huge groups on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday nights, are loud and rowdy, don't understand that food for large parties takes longer to get together, don't understand that it's practically for one person to bring 16 drinks out at one time, leave horrible tips (sometimes they leave only tracts!!), and then, if you're working on a Sunday afternoon, ask you why you didn't go to church that morning. (The reason would be that employees have to get to the restaurant at about 10 am if everything is expected to be ready by noon for the people who don't want to cook on Sundays; I grew up in South Carolina and the only businesses open before 1:00 pm on Sundays were restaurants, which really ticked me off because it seemed very hypocritical to me.)

Anyway, so that's my soapbox. If you're a Christian, show the love of Christ by not trying to turn servers into servants, recognize that servers still are only paid $2.13/hour and need tips (they're not "extras"), be patient, be merciful, and realize that the world really doesn't revolve around you. Then you're more likely to get good customer service. :-)

Cookin' with Bacon Video

Here's the video of Chef Jeff as he prepares
Pan Seared Steak Au Poivre w/Bourbon Sauce

Cookin' w/ Bacon-Pan Seared Steak Au Poivre w/Bourbon Sauce

Thanks again to Chef Jeff Bacon from Triad Community Kitchen
for sharing his time, expertise and FOOD with us today.
Here is his recipe from Monday, 2/18/08.

Pan Seared Steak Au Poivre w/Bourbon Sauce

Recipe By :Jeff Bacon CEC CCA AAC
Serving Size: 6 Preparation Time :0:30
Categories : beef

2 1/4 pounds steak -- Totally Trimmed
2 tablespoons oil
1/2 cup cracked black pepper (or coarse ground)
1/2 cup onion -- minced
1/2 cup bourbon
1 cup demi glace (or brown gravy)
1 tablespoon dijon mustard (or spicy brown)
2 tablespoons cream
1 dash kosher salt


-Trim steaks of all fat, gristle and silver
-Press a liberal amount of cracked pepper into each
side of the steaks.
-Heat oil in heavy pan.
-Sear steaks in pan until nicely
browned on both sides(very thick steaks
may need to be finshed in oven).
-Remove steaks to a warm pan or oven.
-Saute onions in remaining oil.
-Add bourbon and ignite (take care not to burn hair or face)
-Reduce until only about 1-2 tablespoons of liquid remain.
-Add brown sauce and mustard.
-Return steaks to pan and simmer a couple of minutes.
-You can finish to cooking temperature here.
(128-130 Rare 132-134 MR, 135-140 M,
141-145 MW 145 and up Well Done)

-Add cream and stir in. Turn off heat
-Place steaks and serve with sauce.

Yield:
"6 ounces"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving: 521 Calories; 36g Fat (71.1%calories from fat);
26g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber;
100mg Cholesterol; 337mg Sodium.
Serving Ideas : Great served with Sautéed Mushrooms.
Try serving with sauce under steaks.

Pastor Jackson Senyonga

Pastor Jackson will be speaking at several area engagements. Please arrange your calendar to hear his amazing, encouraging story!

Sunday, February 17, 9:30AM & 11:00AM
1st Presbyterian Church, Winston-Salem
http://www.1stpres.com/

Sunday, February 24
First Assembly Winston-Salem
http://www.firstassembly-ws.org/

Tuesday March 4, 2008 7:00pm
Millenium Center, 101 West 5th Street Winston-Salem
The Caroline's Promise 4th Annual Seeds of Hope Banquet
Call 336-669-7340 or email info@carolinespromise4u.org
for reservations and learn more about becoming a
Sponsor or Table Host. This event is complimentary
thanks to our committed sponsors.
www.carolinespromise4u.org

Singing Valentines

Yet another cool and totally unique idea for Valentines Day! Send your sweetie a Singing Valentine performed by the Triad Harmony Express. It only costs about $50.00 and all the proceeds will be donated to Hospice. They'll go pretty much anwhere to deliver your Valentine. Packages include 2 songs, a rose and a personalized card. For more information or to arrange a Singing Valentine, call 774-4044 in Winston Salem or 292-4941. Or visit their website at www.thechorus.com .

Chef Jeff's Recipe of the Week, February 4

Chicken Saltimbocca

Recipe By : Jeff Bacon CEC CCE AAC
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:12
Categories : poultry

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
24 ounces chicken breast, no skin, no bone, R-T-C -- 6 oz each
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon fresh sage -- minced
8 each fresh sage leaves -- optional
2 ounces prosciutto -- 8 thin slices
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
4 tablespoons butter -- cut in 1/2" slices
1 tablespoon parsley -- minced
1 dash salt -- to taste

Either purchase pre formed chicken cutlets (approx 3 oz each)
or cut 6 ounce breasts in half and pound until an even thickness

Mix flour, salt and black pepper together

Dredge cutlets in seasoned flour then sprinkle with the minced
sage, then place one slice prosciutto on top of each cutlet pressing
to adhere.

Put two TBS olive oil in a 10-12 inch pan (not non stick) and heat until
oil shimmers

Fry fresh sage leaves about 10-12 seconds each then remove
and reserve for later

Place 4 cutlets prosciutto side down in hot oil and sauté until
beginning to brown on sides (do not pick up or move
until time to turn) about 3 minutes

Turn and brown other side, about 2 minutes. Remove cutlets to warm oven

Pour off used oil and repeat process with other 4 cutlets.
Remove to warm oven when done.

Remove old oil and any burnt pieces from skillet and return pan to heat

Deglaze by adding wine and simmering for 4 minutes then
add broth and simmer until reduced to approx 1/2 cup liquid

Return cutlets to pan, then add butter piece by piece and turn
off heat, swirling pan to incorporate and melt butter into sauce

Serve two cutlets per portion with 1-1 1/2 ounce of sauce each
and a fried sage leaf (optional) on top of each cutlet

Description: "Easy Italian Classic" Yield: "6 ounces"

Start to Finish Time: "0:25"

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 501 Calories; 18g Fat
(36.8% calories from fat); 46g Protein; 26g Carbohydrate;
1g Dietary Fiber; 145mg Cholesterol; 1362mg Sodium.

Serving Ideas : Serve with pasta or rice side dishes

For more info about Chef Jeff Bacon and the Triad Community Kitchen, visit: http://www.hungernwnc.org/about-us/tck.html

You can email Jeff at jbacon@secondharvest.org

Father Daughter Dances

There are some great opportunities this month for Dads and Daughters to have a lovely night out. Here are a few ideas:

Parent/Child Dance
South Fork Elementary in Winston-Salem
2/8, 6:00-8:00 PM

Daddy/Daughter Dance
St. John’s Lutheran, Winston-Salem
Friday, 2/22, 6:00-9:00 PM
Tickets:
Advance- $22/Couple
At Door-$25/Couple
Additional daughters $5 each
Phone: 725-1651

Daddy/Daughter Date Night
Children’s Museum of W-S
Friday, February 8, 6:00-8:00 pm
$10 per person for members/$13 per person for non-members.
Make this a special evening with your daughter!
Dress up for an early Valentine date that includes dinner
(salad, pizza, drink and dessert), dancing, Valentine Bingo, and more fun activities.

Father/Daughter Dance
Westover Church, Greensboro
2/8/08, 7-9 PM
Contact: Church Office(336) 299-7374
info@westoverchurch.com

Who's Your Man (or Woman)

Still un decided about your favorite candidate for the 2008 Presidential election? Try this cool "Candidate Match" tool I found on WGHP Fox 8's website...

Thinking Out of the Box (of Chocolates) for Valentine's Day

School Kid Chronicles is a business in Greensboro that produces professional videos of kids which can be done on a yearly basis, providing parents with wonderful memories of their kids as they grow up. And, for Valentine's day, they are offering "Valentine's Chronicles" as a unique gift for that special someone. Your Valentine's Chronicle gives you a chance to tell your love story and will include a videotaped interview with you along with your choice of music professionally produced on a DVD. The DVDs label is customized with a picture of your choosing. At $49.95, I think it's a great value.

For more information, call School Kid Chronicles at 336-698-3888. Or, visit their website: http://www.schoolkidchronicles.com/.

They have another wonderful service, called Adoption Chronicles, done in partnership with the Children's Home Society. Adoption Chronicles offer a unique way of viewing children who are waiting to be adopted. Here is the website: http://www.adoptionchronicles.com/.

Samaritan's Feet

This is a great story...here is the article as featured in the Indy Star. For more info, visit www.samaritansfeet.org.

January 25, 2008

Samaritan's Feet
IUPUI's Hunter up to his ears in donated shoes
Charity drive to put shoes on feet of African children more than exceeds IUPUI coach's goal
By Curt Cavin
curt.cavin@indystar.com
January 25, 2008

IUPUI basketball coach Ron Hunter got his pedicure, his game victory and, as a bonus, more athletic shoes than he'll ever be able to carry to Africa in July. All on bare feet.

Hunter completed one of the most inspirational walks in this college basketball season by coaching Thursday night's game shoeless for children of impoverished homes.
An announced crowd of 1,059 were on hand at IUPUI Gymnasium for the 82-69 victory over Oakland and only a few of them went barefoot, but significantly more nationwide recognized Hunter's effort.

A staggering 110,000 pairs of shoes have so far been donated to Samaritan's Feet, a nonprofit, Christian-based charity that seeks to put shoes on 10 million people throughout the world over a 10-year span. Close to $20,000 in cash was donated. More is expected.

IUPUI announced that the Department of Homeland Security, which offered 10,000 pairs, told Samaritan's Feet to hang loose while officials determine how many more shoes they can donate.

Hunter, who appeared on ESPN's top morning shows Thursday and will be ABC's Person of the Week tonight on "World News Tonight," was humbled by the response. His goal was 40,000 pairs of shoes, a figure symbolic of the 40th anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He had that many by lunch.

Soles4Souls, a Nashville, Tenn.-based charity, donated 40,000 pairs. Wal-Mart gave 25,000; Nine West, a women's shoe company, offered another 5,200. During Hunter's appearance on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike in the Morning" show, a Converse representative joined the program and promised another 15,000.

Most were directly shipped to Charlotte, N.C., where Samaritan's Feet is based. Hunter's office took all it could hold, becoming an impromptu warehouse. An estimated 500 pairs arrived at the gym prior to the game.

At one point in the afternoon, Hunter looked up to find 20 bags of shoes dropped off. They came without a name, just a note that read, "Coach, hope this helps."
"When we started this I thought 40,000 was going to be tough," Hunter said. "When they told me before the game we already had 100,000, honestly, I almost broke down in tears."

At that moment, he cried.

"Imagine if every coach would pick a game to coach barefoot and use their influence," said Emmanuel "Manny" Ohonme, a Nigerian who founded the charity four years ago. "We'd exceed our goals pretty quickly.

"And we're getting e-mails every couple of minutes from people who want more information or to say they just bought a pair," he said. "Plus, there's all these high school coaches around the country who say they want to coach a game barefoot."
For the record, Hunter's exposed feet weren't stepped on during the game. It bears noting that he almost never sits down when the action -- and the feet -- are flowing.
"My feet hurt so bad," he said after the game. "But imagine a child or a human going their whole lives without shoes."

Hunter, 43, said his month-long association with Samaritan's Feet has already affected him, and he knows it could be on the verge of changing the lives of others.
Several of his players have vowed to join him on the summer trip, which he'd like to take to Cameroon, home to Jaguars freshman guard Christian Siakam. In Siakam's family, shoes are a luxury; not everyone has them.

Now, a man with no ties to IUPUI has offered to charter a jet to fly the team to Africa, pending NCAA approval, of course.

"I knew when I saw Siakam's face we were doing the right thing," Hunter said.

People Who Go Above and Beyond

Today (1/24) on the Morning Show I shared a story about the Principal of Hanes Middlle School in Winston-Salem, Mr. Childers. He went way above the call of duty last night when he spent an hour on the phone with me and my son Andrew to talk about his school. And, it made a big difference for Andrew who is now really excited about the idea of going to school there. And it turns out that lots of you have experienced someone whose extra effort made a big impression. Here are some examples:

India is a Nurse on the Oncology Floor at Wesley Long Hospital. Will Dorsett says she was a real blessing to his family while his Grandfather was battling Lung Cancer.

Delores says that Mr. Fitzpatrick at Kernersville Elementary School is amazing!

William says Bryan Bryant with Aircare Heating and Cooling in Kernersville worked on his faulty home heating system. He was there working late last night and then called early this morning to make sure the system was working well. And, it's not the first time Bryan has worked at Williams house and he always does a great job.

Cindy says she called Westover Church in Greensboro last week to inquire about a Bible Study. The woman she called, Beth, was working from home because of icy road conditions. Even though it was a snow day, Beth called around to make sure there was still room left in the class and then called Cindy back, letting her know that she could sign up.

Terry is a Hostess at Texas Land and Cattle. Terry's mom was so proud of her daughter when she was recently given a tip by a customer, which doesn't usually happen to a hostess at a family style restaurant. Terry checked with her manager to make sure that she was allowed to accept tips. Once she had his approval, she thought it over and then left the tip on the customer's table for the waitress who served them.

J. emailed this story about a teacher whose caring made a difference in her child's life...

It brought to mind Beth Scott - when my (now 11th grader) was in 2nd grade at High Point Christian academy, he was intensely frustrated with school. We know he had ADHD and some learning challenges, but at that time there was no resource available there. Beth had made herself available to the school, as she felt God calling her to this school to work, even though there was no such position yet. Mr Hardee did in fact hire her in the late winter/early spring. She was proctoring in my son's Stanford Achievement testing and recognized many signs of a very frustrated little boy. With Mr Hardee's permission, she called me at work, and in fact came to the hospital where I worked in order to discuss my son, and his educational needs. We prayed, cried and planned for his next year at the academy, and oh, what a difference she made in my child. By placing him with a teacher who not only understood his needs, but could also make the necessary accomodations for his learning style, he blossomed into a happy, loving student, who has gone on to overcome his learning differences, is an AB honor roll student and is in the Beta Club at the academy. He will graduate next year and plans to major in psychology - he is an Eagle Scout, and is truly a wonderful kid. I was despairing of ever being able to reach him educationally and did not see what God had in store for him back then. Beth has moved on to many other things, and I have lost touch with her - but I will never forget the teacher who followed God's leading in her life, came to my son's school as a teacher, and made all the difference in his world - I thank God for such teachers every day - thanks for asking this morning about special teachers in our childrens' lives - they truly are my heroes!

Do you have a story, too? Leave a comment about this blog and I'll add it!

Chef's Ball 2008--Mmmmmmmm!!!!

Here's a tasty event for the weekend...

ANNUAL CHEF’S BALL TO BENEFIT AREA NONPROFITS

WHAT:
The American Culinary Foundation –Triad Chapter, will hold its Annual Chef’s Ball next Sunday, Jan. 27 in Greensboro. Funds raised benefit three nonprofit efforts - Triad Community Kitchen, a program of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, The Chef and the Child program – a nonprofit branch of the ACF that fights childhood hunger through education, grants and crisis intervention programs; and to culinary scholarships at Guilford Technical Community College. The ACF Triad Chapter’s Presidents Ball has raised over $120,000 toward this goal since it’s inception in the early 1990’s.

Events this year:

Culinary extravaganza prepared by the Triad’s Top Chefs
Awarding of 2007 Triad “Chef of the Year”
Other local culinary awards
Live entertainment by the Wally West Quartet
Ice Sculptures by Fire and Ice as well as top ice carvers from around the Triad.


WHEN:
Sunday, Jan. 27, at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE:
Embassy Suites, Greensboro

Admission:

Tickets are $60 per person, $100 per couple, or $400 for a table of ten. Call 399-6774.

Chefs Ball 2008 Menu

January 27th 6:30 PM – Embassy Suites – Greensboro

Passed Hors d’oeurves

Bruleed Bananas and Foie Gras in Dark Rum and Cane Sugar

Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna with Wasabi and Pickled Ginger on
Won-Ton Crisp

Main Features
Bayonne Ham Wrapped Wild Boar Rack Chops, Hot Oven Roasted, Served with a Morello Cherry and Blood Orange Cumberland Sauce

Warm Crepinet of Rabbit on a Warm Red Skin Potato Salad With a Dried Cherry Vinaigrette. Micro Greens and a Chive Cracker.

Mesclun Greens with Toasted Almonds, Orange Segments, Scallions in Herb Vinaigrette

Mini Osso Bucco Braised in a Rich Tomato Sauce, Served on a Bed of Wild Mushroom Risotto and a Parmesan Crisp.

Lamb Wellington, Boneless Lamb Loin with a Porcini Force, and French Foie Gras

Teres Major Stuffed with Roasted Root Vegetables and Wrapped with Pancetta

Curried Chicken Terrine with Pistachios, Dried Tomatoes and Roasted Garlic (Display)

Spinach Salad With Candied Pecans, Red Onion Confit, Crumbled Gorgonzola, Red and Yellow Teardrop Tomatoes and Dried Cranberries in a Honey-Sherry Vinaigrette

Pancetta Crusted Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Foie Gras Hash and Charred Marshmallow

Bowtie Pasta Salad with Lemon Caper Vinaigrette with Smoked Salmon

House Cured Ham and Salmon

Butter Poached Lobster with Ginger-Apricot Couscous Salad and Vanilla Scented Baby Vegetables.

Shrimp & Chive Beignets with a Honey & Smoked Chili Dipping Sauce

Fried Green Tomato w/ White Cheddar Grit Cake

Desserts

Orange Cardamom Chocolate Truffles

Lemon Crème Daisies

Raspberry Chocolate Mousse Triangles and Hazlenut Carmelized Apple Filo

Baskets by Ganache Bakery and the Area’s Top Chefs

Tracking Santa

Find out where Santa is on his Christmas eve route!!! Click here: www.noradsanta.org

WBFJ Men's Acapella Group?

So here's the deal...the AMAZING version of "The 12 Days of Christmas" was actually performed by a Men's Acappella group from Indiana State University. Here is the video and s a link to buy the concert on DVD: http://www.a-cappella.com/product/646/video-performance-pop

Karen Kingsbury is Coming to Town!

Millions of women world wide have fallen in love with the heartwarming stories of Karen Kingsbury. Now you have an opportunity to meet her at a special women's event called "Winter Blues" at First Christian Church in Kernersville. Mark your calendar for January 18th, that's the date of the event. For details visit go http://www.fcc-kville.org/Home/Kernersville/Articles/Women