Photographer Paula Burgoon: look into my fish eye

Famed Norfolk photographer Paula Burgoon and BMLTV go eye to eye in fun at the 7th annual Art Show, "CRUX" at Waterside Place last Saturday.

Edgar Varela Fine Arts: Follow the Art: Becca Milwood: Collette Miller: from the Commonwealth VA to a thriving Downtown Los Angeles culture

written by: abhi ahmadadeen

(BMLTV)-My very first experience with art dates back to the days when I was in Chicago attempting to convey to our clients that art was physical and could bring energy to the mind. A long time colleague and I partnered to take over a small sophisticated fitness studio off the north side of Chestnut Street, just a few blocks away from the vibrant Michigan Avenue. Our thought was, put enough art on the walls and that would boast that we had style, passion and depth. At that time I had never met with a curator or attended any art openings. It was when we hung our first piece of art on our fitness studio wall, the eye contact of that very first display sent a pulsating sensation through my body. That one piece of art hanging on the wall radiated a sense of balance. I felt good.

It was an experiment and an experience which went well for us. As our clients and guess worked out in the studio they felt as if the art heightened their confidence and provided calm.

When you live in Los Angeles, you can become inundated by the many cultures which flourish in the core of the city. One must be willing to keep an open mind in order to absorb like “napoleon ice cream”. I have attended many art openings from San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Malibu, Santa Monica, Venice Beach to downtown Los Angeles. In my diggings I have come to appreciate, not only the simplicity of art at Abbott Kinney in Venice Beach. Over the years I have found myself navigating through the once abandoned warehouse row to make an appearance at an art gathering called “Cannibal Flower”. Many artists took an interest in the Downtown Los Angeles area. Moving from Venice, Santa Monica, Long Beach and various other communities. Artists realized their dreams with large affordable spaces. I’ve had ambitious hopes for art the culture out at Venice Beach as it remains plagued with resistance from wealthy developers. Looking to downtown it seems that my artist friends like Adam Strange and Edgar Varela had hope infused by the determination to see the downtown area become a flourishing neighborhood for the spirited artist. I spoke with Edgar recently about the growth of the Edgar Varela Fine Arts Gallery.He went on to tell me about the progression in the gallery and downtown LA. Edgar went on to tell me that On December 13, 2008 the gallery will host an opening reception featuring: “Look Out” new works by Becca Midwood & Colette Miller.

Internationally renowned as the premier female street artist of her generation, Becca has come a long way from exhibiting under bridges in Downtown Los Angeles, conquering the art world long ago with an edgy combination of feminine grit and a seemingly bottomless wellspring of creative imagination.

Becca received her BFA in sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University and MFA in painting from the San Francisco Art Institute. Becca has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions in venues such as Patricia Correia Gallery, Merry Karnoswsky Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; Track 16 Gallery, Santa Monica, CA; Kantor Gallery, Beverly Hills, CA; Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA; CPOP Gallery, Detroit, MI; Gallery de Magda, Paris, France. Becca’s works can be found in the private collections of Phillip Forbes, Leonardo DiCaprio, Aileen Getty, David Arquette, Neils Kantor, Merry Karnowsky, and Leni & Adam Sender.

Colette has always been creative,- visually her paintings, filmmaking and musically –her most recent band, Day-Glo Aborigines. Past bands include GWAR , Milk and Blest. Art has continued to define most of her life's purpose since graduating Art School at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, continuing some film studies at UCLA, editting and filming for Econews and traveling as much as she can to get a better grasp of this whole planet.

As Ironic as it may seem both Becca and Collette will be showing there life’s work through January 11, 2008, while I will be in Norfolk tagging another assignment. I’m sure that Edgar, Becca and Collette would agree that you have to seize the moment and go where your heart and art takes you. What a coincidence that it would take the two Commonwealth grads to my home city Los Angeles.

The Pirate Hunters

As buccanneering is back with a vengeance, stepped-up law enforcement and high-tech tools work to help protect shipping on the high seas

The attack came after daybreak. The Delta Ranger, a cargo ship carrying bauxite, was steaming through the ink-blue Indian Ocean in January 2006, about 200 nautical miles off Somalia's coast. A crewman on the bridge spied two speedboats zooming straight at the port side of his vessel. Moments later, bullets tore into the bridge, and vapor trails from rocket-propelled grenades streaked across the bow: pirates.

A member of the Delta Ranger's crew sounded the ship's whistle, and the cargo ship began maneuvering away as bullets thudded into its hull. The captain radioed a message to distant Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) operates the world's only pirate reporting and rescue center. In describing the attack, he added that the pirates seemed to be using a hijacked Indian dhow, a fishing vessel, as their mother ship.
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Special Video: Modern day pirates

Surry County: Activists pledge 'all-out war' to block power plant

Environmentalists are vowing to block a proposed $6 billion coal-fired power plant in Surry County, saying it would increase air pollution, would contribute to global warming and is not needed.

Advocacy groups including the Sierra Club, Southern Environmental Law Center and Chesapeake Climate Action Network are gearing up for what one activist called "all-out war" in response to plans announced this week by the project sponsor, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative.

ODEC, a nonprofit utility based in Richmond, said it wants to build the plant on about 1,600 acres in the town of Dendron, about 40 miles west of Norfolk, in order to meet anticipated demand for electricity in the near future in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware.

The utility has given the plant a name - Cypress Creek Power Station - and said it would burn mostly Appalachian coal to produce 750 megawatts to 1,500 megawatts of electricity, enough to power about 400,000 homes. Woody timber wastes, known as biomass, would fuel about 3 percent of the plant.

In comparison, the coal-fired plant under construction in Wise County in Southwest Virginia is expected to produce 585 megawatts and cost about $1.8 billion. That project, led by Dominion Virginia Power, is being challenged in court by environmentalists.
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Norfolk: Aging, ailing Waterside confronts a shaky future

photos: abhi ahmadadeen

(BMLTV)-Ken Kaufhold looked past his empty bar Thursday to the smattering of people sitting in Waterside’s food court.

This, he said, is typical for the downtown festival marketplace. There are fewer customers. Less business. Lower profits.

“It’s been painful,” said Kaufhold, who has owned Pastaria, a restaurant and bar inside Waterside, for nearly two years.

Waterside was once seen as the catalyst for downtown redevelopment, a riverfront magnet drawing tourists and locals to Norfolk.

But as redevelopment has swept through most of downtown – creating more upscale restaurants and entertainment spots – Waterside’s traffic has dwindled. City leaders say they need to examine the marketplace’s future, whether that be renovation, refocusing its purpose or tearing it down and doing something completely different.
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Norfolk: Through the Lens: Captures of Historic Ghent

photos: abhi ahmadadeen

(BMLTV)-The surrounding area of Historic Ghent includes the newly renovated apartments, condominiums and single-family homes, and a complete infrastructure to support residential housing including retail shopping, entertainment, restaurants, grocery stores, highly rated hospitals and strong public and private school facilities. Just a short drive and residents can be in downtown Norfolk, which has and is expected to continue recent exponential growth for the next decade.

The facility is ideal for commercial leasing to small professional firms with moderate traffic. Located along historic Freemason Street, the site is appealing to those tenants seeking the quaint historic aspects of Norfolk while in a contemporary setting. The site is close to the Macarthur Center Mall and Waterside, an urban entertainment complex.

Portsmouth: Kenneth D. Newman: Metro Machine Corp: Sponsers HRAASHF 2008 Scholarship Recipients

Master of Ceremony: Honorable Walter A. Bower

Clara Stanley: Scholarship Recipient Fund

left to right: Danielle Rose Brown, Christina Arlee Chavis, Cyril V. Chavis, Jr., Derrick Lamont Elliot, Marhyah Angelique Stephenson

Kenneth D. Newman: Executive Vice Presitent of Metro Machine Corp.

(BMLTV)-This past weekend, Saturday, November 22, Kenneth D. Newman of Metro Machine Corporation, was awarded with honors for his sponsorship and contribution to the Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame (HRAASHF) and the HRAASHF 2008 Scholarship Recipients Fund.

Mr. Newman is the Executive Vice President of Metro Machine Corporation. In his current role Mr. Newman has been instrumental in creating a partnership between his company and the community in which it is located. He has played a pivoted role in bringing together diverse sectors of the community to address challenging societal issues.

Mr. Newman is the chairman of the Southside Boys and Girls Club; Sponsor of the Southside Senior Center; Member of the Mayors Southside Task Force; President of the Neighborhood Service Center Advisory Board and President of the Norfolk Education Foundation. With an emotionally cracked voice, Mr. Newman spoke passionately about his deep seeded commitment to his community and to all young people, particularly those perusing higher education.

The 2008 HRAASHF Scholarship Recipients were the following; Danielle Rose Brown, Kings Folk High School, Suffolk, Christina Arlee Chavis, Frank W. Cox High School, Virginia Beach, Cyril V. Chavis, Jr., Frank W. Cox High School, Virginia Beach, Derrick Lamont Elliot, Woodrow Wilson High, Portsmouth, Marhyah Angelique Stephenson, Lake Taylor High School, Norfolk.

The objective of the Hampton Roads African American Hall of Fame (HRAASHF) is to identify and honor African Americans who have excelled in Athletics and were born, spent formative years, or participated in athletics in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. The HRAASHF strongly encourages youth to pursue the highest level of personal development.

The HRAASHF Banquet was held at the Portsmouth Renaissance, located on the Elisabeth River in Portsmouth Virginia.

For further information regarding the Hampton Roads African American Sports Hall of Fame (HRAASHF) contact: Yvette Todd at (757)404-1755 or Clara Stanley at (757)340-3056

FMQB: (Friday Morning Quarterback) recently celebrated its 40th

photo: abhi ahmadadeen

(FMQB)- (Friday Morning Quarterback) recently celebrated its 40th anniversary of serving the music and radio industries with high quality unique content, insight articles and news. Founded in 1968 by Owner/Publisher/Radio-TV personality Kal Rudman, FMQB has established itself as the premiere destination for music and radio industry professionals.

FMQB’s famed monthly magazine is read by over 10,000 industry professionals, and our industry leading Web site (fmqb.com) boasts over 3.5 million hits per month with over 300,000 visitor sessions, and an exclusive industry database of over 5,000 music and radio professionals.

In the past five years an increasing number of general consumers have discovered FMQB, and that trend multiplies exponentially each month. FMQB has quickly become a site for music exploration and discovery. Its constituency is an ideal blend of industry pros and general music and radio enthusiasts.
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Chesapeake: Commuters Scramble: The Closing of Jordon Effects the lives of Thousands

photos: abhi ahmadadeen

(BMLTV)-November 8, 2008, 8:00 AM :The Jordon Bridge closes.
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Traffic at the Downtown and Midtown tunnels will be "as bad as it's ever been" when the Jordan Bridge is closed and the Gilmerton Bridge is being replaced, a top regional planning official said Wednesday.

The Jordan Bridge will close Nov. 8, and the Gilmerton project will begin next year. During that time, peak afternoon backups at the Downtown Tunnel that now stretch 2.1 miles will grow to 3 miles, according to a Hampton Roads Metropolitan Planning Organization analysis. Backups at the Midtown Tunnel could increase from a current 2.8 miles to 3.9 miles, the study shows.
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President Elect: Barack Obama will be the next President of the United States

Chesapeake: Young Republicans Stand their Ground Up to the Doors of the Voting Station

photo: abhi ahmadadeen

Chesapeake: Obama Supporters Sit in Damp Weather Waiting to Cast Their Vote

photo: abhi ahmadadeen

Norfolk: Iraq Veterans Against the War

photo: abhi ahmadadeen

(BMLTV)-On October 15th, fourteen members of IVAW attempted to present questions to Obama and McCain at their final debate. The veterans were turned back by police, several were arrested including IVAW member Nick Morgan who was trampled by a police horse. Nick suffered a broken cheekbone.

IVAW members had contacted debate moderator Bob Schieffer in advance, but received no reply. On October 23rd, a debate of third party candidates Ralph Nader and Chuck Baldwin was held, moderated by journalist Chris Hedges. Hedges decided to include a question from Nick Morgan in the debate, which was held while Nick was undergoing reconstructive surgery for the injuries he suffered outside the October 15th debate.

Nick's question is highlighted in the video posted here - to see the whole debate,
Watch the VDO.

Suffolk: Senator Biden makes a stop in Suffolk, Virginia

(BMLTV)-Senator Joe Biden makes yet another stop in Virginia for the Democratic ticket. He visited Nansemond River High School and spoke in front of a crowd of nearly 1,000 people. Well received, Biden's speech covered tax relief for the middle class, assistance for college students, the Iraq war, Replenishing American jobs and the housing crisis. Virginia is a very important battleground state. With just over a week until election day, Biden told the crowd that if they win Virginia, they win the presidency!
Watch the VDO.

Norfolk: Groups Speak Up: The Elizabeth River Still Remains at Risk as the Government and Big Industies Dominates its Waters

photos: abhi ahmadadeen

Norfolk:Tuning the E" String

photos: abhi ahmadadeen

(Barbara Brown Taylor)-Recent research in brain mapping shows that our brains actually do hear discreet pitches such as the E. Until such research, the scientific community thought or at least "observed" that the phenomena of pitch was a human construct as opposed to a physical reality. Now, it seems, we humans really are hard-wired for music. Our brains are like a receptor instrument that responds and creates pitches. Pitches themselves are still something of a mystery, since a musical pitch defies easy analysis.

Chesapeake: Tommy Spain: One of the Many Independent Voters Who Will Be Heading to the Polls Nov. 4

(BMLTV)-My name is Tommie Spain. I have been a lifelong resident of the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. I am currently studying at Tidewater Community College towards a degree in Social Sciences. After completing my Associates Degree, I hope to continue my education towards a pyschology Degree. Meanwhile, I am serving as a student senator. I am working to establish a network of peace activists with the Student Peace Action Network. There are so many atrocities in the world that can be better solved through cooperation than through conflict. The Student Peace Action Network works with other organizations to prevent future wars, petition government officials, and towards establishing a Department of Peace. Another one of my goals as Student Senator is to raise funds for the food bank to help alleviate the need of the hungry in our own back yard. Hopefully, through my efforts and the efforts of others, an awareness of compassion and justice will permeate the minds of other students at Tidewater Community College.
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Norfolk: Flooding: Senior Wades Through Water to Get to Her Car

(BMLTV)-Norfolk Virginia experienced heavy rainfall last night which resulted in flooding in the historic community of Ghent. A Senior wades to her car after water continued to rise while she was in church.
CNN iReport

Fired Up: Artist Anticipate a Cultural Movement this Election Year

Norfolk: Red Flashback: Car and Truck Collector Rolls Out Favorite Fire Engine

Chesapeake: Choices:18 Year Old Auto Technician Persues Continuing Education

(BMLTV)-18 year old Gary Whitehurst says he choose to make a long commute to an Automotive Institute for the opportunity to further his passion for cars. He felt mentally at a dead end. He yearned for a certification “under his hood”.

Being a self-taught professional automotive mechanic, Gary wanted to learn more about Automotive Diagnostic Trouble Shooting(ADTS).
Gary is currently enrolled in the T-TEN (Toyota Technical Education Network) program.

The T-TEN program offers students the opportunity to train and work in a Toyota or Lexus dealership. This 2-year program combines theory, hands-on work, and live shop work in order to give the student the most up-to-date training available. Students train on the latest Toyota products and equipment. After graduating with an Associates in Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology, students continue to pursue their career as an automotive technician at the sponsoring dealership.
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Chesapeake: Campus Activist: Student Holds Workshop to Introduce Recently Formed NGO

Norfolk: HAPPY HOLLOWEEN: Safe Trick-a-Treaty to All

(BMLTV)-The above photos where taken at the Larchmont Methodist
Church in Norfolk.

Yes, they pride themselves as "That 'Pumpkin' Church." Once a year, LUMC members and friends congregate on a fall day -- rain or shine – to offload a tractor-trailer full of pumpkins grown on a Navaho farm in New Mexico and shipped fresh.

Newport News: Obamo Draws a Crowd of 18,000 People in Newport News

(BMLTV)-October 4, 2008 was no ordinary day in Newport News Virginia. It was an extraordinary day as Senator Barack Obama drew a following of 18,000 people on a beautiful sunny day in Victory Landing Park.
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Chesapeake: 19 Years Old and $20,000 in Debt

(BMLTV)-19 year college student talks about her going it alone, her emotional struggles, the commitment and sacrifices she has made to get a descent education.We discuss the burden of credit cards and $20,000 worth of debt.
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Chesapeake: I'm in Debt

(BMLTV)-Jeff Lopez, a 33 year old man who works in the bicycle industry, speaks out about being in debt and how it negatively impacts his life. He is a single father who struggles with medical, college loan, and credit card debt. All he wants in life is to dissolve his debt so that he can properly provide for his daughter and develop an identity of his own as an independent person existing in today's unforgiving economy.
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Chesapeake: Garage Destroyed by Fire at Third and Portlock Ave.

(BMLTV)-A family in a small community of Chesapeake Virginia loose their garage to a fire. At approx. 6:45PM Sunday a 911 call was made reporting a garage on fire at 3rd. and Portlock in Chesapeake Virginia. The Garage and everything in it was completely destroyed. Cause of fire is under investigation.
VDO coming soon.

Norfolk: Ze´'s Love Affair With Yarns

Ze daLuz, a New Orleans artist, talks with BMLTV about her craft and shows us how she gets from raw wool to refined product. She was just one of many featured artists at this years Bayou Boogaloo.
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Norfolk: Is Tatooing Resession Proof?

(BMLTV)-Brian Springer talks with BMLTV about the Tatoo Industry during a slow economy.
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Norfolk: Former Israeli Cabinet Official: The Culture of Peace

(BMLTV)-On Wednesday, September 10, former Israeli Cabinet official and former member of parliament spoke at Old Dominion University on "Building a Culture of Peace in Challenging Times."

Professor Shimon Shetreet is a Law Professor at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel. He has recently been Visiting Scholar at the New York University Global Law Program ,Visiting Prof. at Case Western Reserve University School of Law and Senior Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies at the University of London where he was consulted on the House of Lords reforms. Prof. Shetreet’s book Judges on Trial: A Study of the Appointment and the Accountability of the English Judiciary(1976) was relied upon by the House of Lords in the Pinochet Case in January 1999.

He was Born in 1946 in Morocco and came to ISRAEL in 1949. He completed his education in Israel and in the US ,earning an LL.B., 1968, and an LL.M., 1970, from the Hebrew University. and a Masters., 1971, and a Doctor’s degree in 1973 from the University of Chicago school of Law. He served as Visiting Professor at a number of Universities including NYU School of Law , Case Western Reserve University School of Law ,University of Manitoba, Wuerzburg University, Germany and the University of San Diego and New York Law School of Law.
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18 Year Old Freshman Recalls 911

(BMLTV)-Norfolk Virginia-18 year old Alan Berg is a Freshman at Old Dominion University, majoring in communications. He's originally from New Jersey.He takes a moment to tell us what he remembers about 911.
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Chesapeake: The Chesapeake Watershed is at Peril

(BMLTV)-Sense mid 2008 we have been trying to keep our eye on the critical issues which are straining the Chesapeake Watershed and the pollutens which are being being spewed into the Elizabeth River. There is a heightened alert regarding the extreme threat to the Blue Crab related to recruitment overfishing, when large removals of adults from the stock result in fewer juveniles being produced. Reduced acreage of underwater bay grasses due to poor water quality and irregular weather conditions has also been linked to the decline of Blue Crabs. Bay grass beds provide important habitat for blue crabs by protecting juveniles, molting adults and feeding adults from predators. Field experiments have shown that underwater bay grasses substantially reduce predation on juvenile blue crabs, and also result in higher growth rates compared to crabs living in unvegetated areas.

The Elizabeth River is the most polluted tributary on the bay for certain carcinogens. After four centuries as a world center of maritime commerce and naval power, few rivers are more intensely industrialized, and few are more important to American security and economic vitality than the Elizabeth in Southeastern Virginia.

Download State of the River

SARAH PALIN'S FIRST FIVE DAYS

(INTRADE)-The Intrade prediction market has opened trading on whether "Sarah Palin [is] to be withdrawn as Republican VP nominee before 2008 presidential election." At 8:55 am, Tuesday morning, the market is selling the prediction at 18 a share and rising. That means 18 percent of traders think there is a chance that Palin will be removed from the ticket.

Intrade predicted Joe Biden would be Barack Obama's running mate in August and its traders were also correct about every Senate race in 2006. It fell flat in predicting a Democratic majority.
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Double Commitment to Barack Obama

(BMLTV)-Twins Susan and Meredith Coleman speak up about the Iraq war. While being young, the twins were very on point when they made it clear to us that they were pro Obama, but they still questioned if the Senator from Illinios would bring the troops home as he promised.
Watched the VDO

The Global Exchange Fair Trade Store is your Online
Source for Socially Conscious Gifts

Missing?

(BMLTV)-We spoke with the father of the alleged missing person. Fortunately the alleged missing person returned home last night approx. 11:30 pm, August 28. When the minor was asked where had she been, she stated to a family member that she just wanted to be free.
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How Do Children See Race?

(BMLTV)-We had the opportunity to visit an undisclosed local recreation center to see how white and African American children interacted in a day camp element. The image you see above was posted on the wall depicting children of all nationalities rising up in society on equal levels. In experiencing this particular group of children we saw them as being totally oblivious to race as they tumbled, lunched and napped together. How do children see race?
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Chesapeake: Service to Our Country and Family

(BMLTV)-I recall my Uncle William Alexander Green Sr. as someone mystic. Perhaps I was the only one who saw him that way for what ever reason. I do know that as a child he led me to believe that life was amazing and that I should live it that way. He would remind me that he was equally my friend and uncle. We boated together, fished, crabbed and shared the amazing calamity and beauty which came with an early morning rising sun.

When we loose anyone in our lives it can leave you hollow, particularly if they nourished you with faith. At the least I wished we could have cruised the Chesapeake Bay one last time with a divine imported beer in hand. Uncle Gene, I am sorry……I still owe you one. Heart to heart, blood to blood I’ll miss you my everlasting friend.

Special Thanks to Arleen Brooks: Contributing Photographer

Norfolk: Young Voices of America in a Pinch

(BMLTV)-5 young people speak up about the economy, the lack of trust in politicians, their presidential hopefuls.
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Chesapeake: Obamo Election 2008 Volunteers and Dr. Ella P. Ward Prepare for Town Hall Meeting

(BMLTV)-Senator Barack Obama campaign volunteers and Vice President of the Board of Education, Common Wealth of Virginia, Dr. Ella P. Ward available for a interview, August 20, 2008 - This afternoon we meet with Dr. Ella Ward P. Ward to discuss the ticket distribution for the Town Hall meeting in Chesapeake Virginia, at Oscar Smith High School. Over a thousand tickets were gone by mid-morning and people were still showing up to get on a waiting list.

Doors open Thursday @ 4:30 for the Town Hall meeting.
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Tear Gas and Fruit Loops

(BMLTV)-Yesterday morning BMLTV did a walk through of the crime scene where on Saturday August 10th a 17 year old girl was fatally shot by the police during an alleged standoff. The shooting is currently under investigation.

Chesapeake: Dr. Alan P. Krasknoff: Community Meeting on Crime Prevention Strategies

(BMLTV)-The crime in Hampton Roads Virginia is at a all time high. Young children are victims to fatal gunfire. Homes are being disrupted and now there is a movement for something to be done about it.

Photos: Top, Honorable Dr. Alan P. Krasknoff, Mayor, City of Chesapeake, Sgt. Hammond, City of Chesapeake Police Department.
Gang Violence: A plea for peace.

The Correlation Between a Seed and Stormy Weather

(BMLTV)-When I first heard Seed Is perform, I actually came upon the group by mere accident. I was on my way to the Taphouse in Norfolk when I missed my right turn that lead me to the Boot, an entertainment hotspot. As I entered the Boot I could hear the group performing. You are about to travel on a complete musical journey and in these few moments of phonic bliss we will touch your heart touch your mind touch your soul ….. right?

Our only ambition is to make you realize that music is the one gods creation that transcends all religions, all races all creeds and all colors - so we would now like to take the time to welcome you - a new seedling to this spiritual thing that we call seed.
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What About OPEC?

(BMLTV)- A young business owner speaks out about OPEC and its influence on petroleum sales and therefore gas prices. He asks, "How do you bring down the giant?
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Being Black in America

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Photos of the Week

A Berkley musician celebrates at the 2008 Berkley Reunion

(BMLTV)-Officer Harrison had to endure flash rain showers as it moved through Chesapeake last weekend.

Mans Closes Living Ancestor is on the Brink of Extinction

(BMLTV)-The last remnants of paradise are being destroyed. Tropical forests are under siege. Every beast and being in the jungle is being hunted to extinction. From Congo to Amazon, from Borneo to New Guinea, the corporate cannibal is consuming life. Wild life, aboriginal life, the life blood of the most vital places on earth, symbols of our human origins and our animal dreams are vanishing.
VDO coming soon!

Ms.Esonija S. Fulgham the President of the Association of Black Social Workers of Hampton Roads Virginia

(BMLTV)-Ms.Esonija S. Fulgham, the President of the Association of Black Social Workers of Hampton Roads Virginia, poses a question to both presidential nominees regarding a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(Syndrom) plan for the U.S. Military returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

The spiraling cost of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among war veterans has triggered a politically charged debate and ignited fears that the government is trying to limit expensive benefits for emotionally scarred troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

In the past five years the number of veterans receiving compensation for the disorder commonly called PTSD has grown nearly seven times as fast as the number receiving benefits for disabilities in general, according to a report this year by the inspector general of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

A total of 215,871 veterans received PTSD benefit payments last year at a cost of $4.3 billion, up from $1.7 billion in 1999 -- a jump of more than 150 percent.reference: washington post
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www.nabsw.org

Got Mud?

(BMLTV)-Today at the Wakeboard Fest athletes Byron Johnson, Fields Johnson, Dennis Wiltsey and Gunner Dahlke express themselves in a muddy kind of way.

Attendance for Wakeboarding Fest Expected to Triple from Last Year

(BMLTV)-Yesterday when we arrived at Skiboats UNLTD, Danny Webb,Tournament organizer and Brad Smith, owner of Skiboats UNLTD were working deligently at Oakgrove Lake, Chesapeake, in preparation for todays major East Coast Wakeboarding Fest.

Yesterday, We spoke briefly with Danny Webb and he stated that "there is going to be a lot of activity tomorrow." According to a representative from the corporate office the attendance of the Wakeboard Fest is expected to triple in attendance compared to last year."That's exciting because one of our main goals is to have a tremendous and exhilerating event as we look forward to raising money for Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters".

The Wakeboarding Tournament is today, 8/2, at 9:00 a.m. (rider registration is at 7:30 a.m.), and the City Appreciation Day is Sunday, 8/3, at 11:00 a.m.

To pre-register for your free wakeboarding lessons, tubing and boat rides, please call (757) 547-2337

2007 Photo Album

Profanity and lyrics

(BMLTV)-6 poets come together to talk about the right to free-speech, cursing and its place in art.
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Long Train Running On a Railway to a Broken Economy

You don't want to miss this editorial.

The Berkley Community Reunion

VDO coming soon!

Dave Lichten Going Up in a Helicopter in Israel

(BMLTV)-Dave Lichten is a virtuoso concert guitarist, composer, lecturer and music ethnologist. He has appeared extensively on world stages as a recitalist, specializing in Flamenco Concert, Classical Latin and Gypsy Jazz guitar.

In addition to his accomplishments as a recitalist he has composed musical scores for theater, cinema, television and radio.

Podcasting from Virginia Soil?

(BMLTV)-"Podcasting from Virginia Soil" will be a unique editorial discussing the brain child's behind a San Francisco based company and how their product and resources can influence pop culture media in Virginia, more so in Hampton Roads.
Stay tuned!

The Dominion Derby Girls Partner with the Silver Diner for a Fundraising Event

(BMLTV)-The Silver Diner boasts a consistent history in partnering with Businesses and Sports organizations in order to raise money for community and charitable causes.

For a single evening a non-profit is invited to run the Diner. The Organization or Business provides a recommended number of volunteers to the Diners staff, including servers and host. You get out and spread the word and the rest is all about having an exciting time and raising money.
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We Need Change

(BMLTV)-Ronald E. Williams speaks to BMLTV about the frustration he is experiencing in his struggle to take care of is 2 kids and a wife. Ronald says that in 5 months he is going to loose his job.
Watch the VDO'S
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Hope for a Better United America

(BMLTV)-According to the American Friends Service Committee, while U.S. military personnel continue to die in Iraq, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have died since the U.S. invasion and 4 million have fled their homes. U.S. taxpayers have contributed more than $1 trillion to pay for the current and future costs of the first five years of war.

For what we have spent for just ONE DAY of the Iraq War, we could have funded:

* 95,364 Head Start Places for Children or
* 12,478 Elementary School Teachers or
* 163,525 People with Health Care or
* 34,904 Four Year College Scholarships or
* 6,482 Families with Homes

Stabbing at 2100 Bainbridge Blvd.

This is where Shevelle V. Taylor died of multiple stab wombs.

(BMLTV)- This morning we were able to get Ms. Shevie Taylor on the phone to confirm her going with us on record to discuss the murder of , “which she referred to us as her baby girl”. On June 5, Shevelle V. Taylor was fatally stabbed in the 2100 block of Bainbridge Blvd.in South Norfolk.
VDO coming soon!

Single Mom Speaks Up about Gas and Food Prices

(BMLTV)-Rosemary Monterroso is a single mom of 2 daughters. She is in panic about the high cost of fuel and food. Rosemary says that something has got to be done about the economy right now.
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Fort Eustis Virginia a Bit of Troop Competition to Build Moral?

(BMLTV)-Initial Entry Trainee Soldiers from Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Foxtrot Companies, 1-222 Avn. Reg., and Echo Company, 71st Transportation Battalion battled it out in the semiannual Combatives and Boxing Smoker event. There were 60 combatives competitors and 30 boxers. Bravo company, 1-222 Avn. Regt., won the streamer for the overall event.

Farewell to Dante' Newsome a Former Deep Creek High School Football Star

(BMLTV)-It was a rainy, windy, gloomy day for many whom attended the burial of Dante' Newsome, a former Deep Creek High School football star and former player for Marshall University. Multiple screams rung out as family and friends gathered at Dantes coffin. As I was discreetly trying to capture images of the most grieving, a young women’s voice ripped through the raindrops as she nearly fell to the mud soaked ground. Many rushed to comfort her.

Donte’ DeShawn Newsome, 25, died July 5 after being shot outside a nightclub in Huntington VA, according to police.

His funeral was held today at 1 p.m. at Deep Creek Baptist Church. Dante' was buried in Roosevelt Memorial Park.

Death By Gunfire in Hampton Roads

(BMLTV)-The threat against ordinary citizens within the 7 cities is at an all time surge.Rewind back to 2007. Just within the Bainbridge corridor, give or take a mile our two, records show 177 shootings in Chesapeake, and more than half of those shootings happened within the jurisdiction of the second precinct this spans between South Norfolk and fragments of Indian River.

The crime which took to the forefront in 2007 is when on November 10, Ny-Asia Tillman, 1, her grandmother and her uncle were shot in broad daylight, at the block of 3700 Bainbridge Blvd. Ny-Asia died.

A year and a half after City Councilman C.E. “Cliff” Hayes Jr. made the following statement, “if we don’t respond quickly it’ll get worst”, the blood spilling continues.

On Saturday, June 7, Norfolk PD. received a report of shots fired just before 10 a.m. in the 2900 block of Marne Avenue. Upon arriving, they found a man lying on the ground with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
VDO coming soon.

The Dominion Derby Girls Host a Yard Sale to Raise Money

(BMLTV)-The Dominion Derby Girls brave smokey air fueled by fires in the nearby Great Dismal Swamp to hold a yard sale with the intention of raising awareness and money to help promote the sport of Roller Derby.
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Nikki is a Seed

(BMLTV)-Nikki is a vital artery of one the most truth seeking bands on the east coast. She has the dynamic ability to beat the sense into a base guitar while simultaneously providing a supporting lyrical roll. She’s extreme, demanding, skillful and shy. Nikki is an embryonic element which germinates the Seed Is. Several months ago BMLTV began documenting Seed Is in their entirety. BMLTV looks forward to bringing you the Seed Is trailer very soon.

The Tripps Perform at Summer Concert Series

(BMLTV)-While Chesapeake was recently scorched by multiple days of unbearable heat, a musical ensemble bearing the name The Tripps simmered things up a bit more with their crossover pop-jazz sound at the Summer Concert Series at Towne Place at Greenbrier.
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Happy Fathers Day! Around the World

(BMLTV)- There are many fathers around the world who may be in the most unfortunate situations. Apart from family, your special children whom you hold so dear to your heart.We encourage you to hold fast and find your way back home. To all fathers alike, from BMLTV, Happy Fathers Day! and be well always.

Schooner Virginia and Carefree Boat Club at Harborfest

(BMLTV)-With Harborfest being one of Downtown Norfolk's largest Summertime Festivals, It was a good time for BMLTV to go out to the harbor and explore the potentially carefree opportunities of having access to a huge fleet of vessels without having a deep pocket.

BMLTV also had the chance to speak with an Educator and crew member of the infamous Shooner Virginia.
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Healing Arts at Chesapeake General Hospital

(BMLTV)-There is no mystery of art having some type of supernatural powers on our inner being, or through some deep process of creating colors and imagery we find recovery. Is art of some mysterious origin? Does art heal?

Ralph Irby, a retired Norfolk Police Officer talks about injuries sustained while in the line of duty, his art and personal theory. Angela McPike, VP of Marketing and Business Development for Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, and Carol Abramson, Commissioner of Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission share their professional, passionate thoughts as well.
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Chesapeake: Rural Citizens Speak Up About the Economy and Voting

(BMLTV)-As gas prices peak like Mount Everest, and there seems to be a bout between which one prevails in staggering cost, eggs in one corner and milk in the other- the rural citizens of Chesapeake and South Norfolk are making a plea to the Presidential nominees for change. no matter which side of the track you hail from, both
communities agree that the economy is at peril.

A teenager speaks of his awareness about voting and who he
would likely vote for coming in November.
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Upclose Suffolk Virginia Tornado 2008

(BMLTV)-As many people still remain shaken from the tornado which whirled through Suffolk Virginia at 130 plus miles an hour, there are many issues that plague the recovery of this quaint but historical city to normalcy . Many of the residents and business owners are still questioning why the authorities disallowed them from returning to their homes and properties to assess damage shortly after the worst had cleared. There is also this issue with a local television station filing a lawsuit against Suffolk over media restrictions at the time of the tornado and thereafter.
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The Gas Crisis in Chesapeake Virginia

(BMLTV)-David Edwards, an employee from East Coast Equipment in Chesapeake Virginia talks with BMLTV about the gas crisis and the effect it is having on the daily operations of his employer as well as the effect that the gas crisis is having on his family.
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China Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 69,185

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Virginia Beach: Virginia Goldon Gloves 2008

(BMLTV)-On March 28, 2008 Correspondent John Streit wrote an editorial in the Virginian Pilot titled 2008 state Golden Gloves Championships coming here. Interesting title, BMLTV will take a much different perspective on the issues which the sport of boxing is facing in Virginia.
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The Grand National Championship by the Sea

(BMLTV)-Approximately 2000 young athletes, ranging from the ages 7-19 competed in the 2008 Grand National Championship by the Sea in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Grand National Championship is a Cheer-Dance competition which enables the athlete to via for the highest achievement in his/her category. had the exciting opportunity to speak with a few of the coaches and team members while they were warming up.The Championship was held at the Virginia Beach Convention, just blocks away from some of the greatest tourist attractions in the world.
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Euro Night at the Granby

(BMLTV)-The future of Euro night at the Granby Street Theatre is inevitable. At least we've got our own prediction, and the facts come from an experience we embarked upon at a recent Euro Night.
All the elements were there.
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They Came by Horseback and Camel

(BMLTV)-On March 24, 2008 we spoke with Michelle M. Falck who is a PR/Marketing Specialist of University Relations at Old Dominion University. We made every effort to try and arrange a pre-lecture / post-lecture interview with Mia Farrow who would be lecturing at the Presidents Lecture Series to raise awareness of the Genocide occurring in Darfur, Chad and the Central African Republic. Ms. Farrows management declined our interview due to the fact that scheduling wouldn’t allow it. We wanted to ask Ms. Farrow, in her personal opinion what she thought would end the catastrophe and bring about a peace process in Darfur.
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Norfolk Catholic Worker Honors Victims of the Iraq War

(BMLTV)-On March 18, 2008 a representative from the Norfolk Catholic Worker made this statement while speaking in honor of both the American and Iraq victims of war. “The media treats the numbers of deaths like the score of a football game.” In defense of BMLTV’S view of the casualties of war, we like millions of other people around the world are stunned. But in no way are we numbed to the point that we don’t take the death count in Iraq less serious than we did 5 years previously. Our hearts go out to all those who have fallen victim to the tragic war in Iraq.
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Interview with Alison Crockett

"With the bad weather looming we knew we had to be quick in getting in our interview"


(BMLTV)-The night that we met with Alison Crockett it had begun to thunder and lightning as well as amass tremendous high winds and pouring down rain. With Camera equipment and additional gear in tow, we headed over to the Sheraton at Waterside in Norfolk to meet with Alison for a brief interview prior to her stepping up on stage at the Boot. With the bad weather looming we knew we had to be quick in getting in our interview. Everything worked out well. Alison sat very erect and elegant as she spoke articulately about her musical influences. She spoke about how her performing at the Boot came about.
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Symphonic Celebrates their Second Annual Juried Art Show

"The churches mission is to focus on building natural relationships, rather than forced friendships"


(BMLTV)-What we found to be rather unique about the Renewal Art Show was that it was hosted by Symphonic, which is a City of Norfolk based church. The churches mission is to focus on building natural relationships, rather than forced friendships. By doing this, the church attest that they immerse themselves in true community...with God and with each other. As the media, BMLTV went to this faith based event with an open mind. When all said and done, Symphonic out did themselves in a measureable way, by providing a wealth of hospitality in a very light artsy manner. Symphonic hosted a cadre of remarkable artist as they maintained a sense of humbleness in a very innovative atmosphere.
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Greening of Ghent

(BMLTV)-We arrived at the location where the Greening Of Ghent was to launch at 5:45. It was early so we expected a light gathering of people. Earlier that day we had spoke with a representative from the The Ghent Business Association and they assured us a hefty turnout of Greenie die hards.
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Channel 47 Unveils their New Studio

"We are inspired to bring expanded and diverse programming to our citizens"


(BMLTV)-At the recent unveiling of the all new Channel 47 Studio, we had the opportunity to speak with Beverly Penn, Cable Station Manager about their massive upgrades in advanced technologies. “We can now be at service to our City better than ever, at a fraction of the cost. We are inspired to bring expanded and diverse programming to our citizens and to also offer a continuing partnership between Hampton University's Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications"
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CBF Teams Up With Virginia Artist Gallery to Raise Awareness

(BMLTV)-The forming of alliances between Artist and Environmental Organizations is at an increase throughout the USA. There are Coastal Artist Galleries which are taking serious notice to the degradation of the environment around them and want to enforce change through the stroke of a paint brush.
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"A Boutique owner was afraid to go on record stating who they had voted for. They actually feared retaliation from locals."


(BMLTV)-As we were out gathering news in the Ghent community, We were rather taken back by the responses we were receiving from people who we’d approached with questions like… "have you been following the Republican and Democratic Primaries? Didyou vote? What’s your thought on NAFTA?" Interesting enough a few people seemed to be challenged with our questions. For example, we asked a college student if he had been honing in on the Texas Primaries, and his response was… “what are Primaries?” A Boutique owner was afraid to go on record stating who they had voted for. They actually feared retaliation from locals. A group of 5 males between the ages of 35-55 sat outside of a Starbucks. We asked them if they would go on record and discuss the most recent Presidential Primaries held in Texas and Ohio. It appeared as if we were going to have a bit of dialogue brewing, but one by one they declined not to speak.


On February 12, 2008, 986,203 Virginian’s went to the poles. David Hardt, the President of Young Democrats of America, alleged that voters between the age of 18-29 made up 18 percent of the electorate (which is 5% more than voters over 65), and cast twice as many votes as they did in 2004."


We knew that some of those enthusiastic voters had to be within our grasp, so we stayed in the field until we came across a few people who were more than willing to share their thoughts.
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(BMLTV)-I anticipate that the independent news revolution shall prevail in line with the internet explosion, this meaning with the rapid expansion of RSS feeds, podcasting and streaming video-without a doubt, there is a movement in place.

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Inside of perhaps the most enviable career in all of music, two-time Grammy® Award-winner Marcus MIller has been the composer/producer of eight critically acclaimed and genre-defying solo albums. Each project showcases his astounding and singular technique as among the world’s most gifted and eclectic electric bassists. On his ninth and latest CD, simply titled Marcus, he continues to work his one-of-a-kind magic - from the ferocious Middle Eastern funk of “Blast” to the cozy Quiet Storm strains of the Deniece Williams classic “Free,” featuring special guest Corinne Bailey Rae.

Mandate of Heaven

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