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This festive time of the year brings to mind wonderful memories of Christmas' past - memories of holiday traditions, cherished moments with loved ones and friends, and then you have those memories of events that just make you look back with laughter, those memories that make you realize that no matter how hard we try to make everything perfect in preparation for the holidays, sometimes life just throws us a curve. And, at the time it might not have been funny, but it sure is when you start to remember it. Just writing this put a smile on my face and let me relive some pretty funny moments. It was always a tradition in our home when the kids were young to set aside that one, special day for putting up the Christmas tree, decorating and baking. The Christmas carols would ring loudly through the house and the kids and I would sing along. Well, we decided to buy a live tree that year as we had always had an artificial one. So, with anticipation and excitement, we went and picked the perfect tree, brought it home and began to set it up. Unfortunately, the tree trunk did not want to cooperate with the tree stand and so my husband worked diligently for quite some time, cutting and sawing. All the while the kids and I waited in anticipation to start placing the lights and pretty bulbs on the tree. The sounds of BE Taylor Christmas were blasting in the background and then, the next thing I know, my husband takes the tree through the living room and throws it off the deck! He had had it...it just wouldn't go in the stand. He was completely frustrated, I started crying and the kids were laughing hysterically. What happened to my perfect day? What about the tradition? After the adults calmed down, we retrieved the tree from the backyard and calmly went back to the task and finally, that tree went in the stand and it was upright! Another year, we had the bright idea to tie string to our ceiling fan and have a Christmas bow dangling from the end thinking that it would be a neat play toy for our kitty. Cats like to have fun during the holidays too, right? We flip the power switch to the ceiling fan and next thing we know, the string tightly winds around the motor and burns it out. So much for that idea... the kitty lost his toy, but Momma got a new ceiling fan for Christmas. Last year, I was attempting a new recipe, Oreo balls, and the recipe called for the addition of baking wax to some other ingredients to make the icing. Well, I didn't have any wax and really dreaded the idea of going to the grocery store, so I figured I would compromise and use vegetable oil in lieu of baking wax. I proceeded to microwave the concoction thinking I was pretty smart and saving time and the next thing I know, the microwave starts throwing off sparks. I reached inside the microwave to retrieve the bowl and the kitchen started to fill with gray smoke. Not sure what to do, I put the bowl outside on the deck and watched it smolder. The kids were laughing hysterically and, of course, I wasn't a happy camper. That wasn't supposed to happen; everything's supposed to be perfect, right?! Next thing, I hear my son say, "Moms baking again," and that brought me to laughter. So, me being the persistent, never give up type of person that I am, I went to the grocery store and started over. And yes, the Oreo Balls were delicious! Lesson learned. The morale of the story, although we want everything to be just so-so, is that we need to remember to relax and take the good with the "unexpected" during this very busy season. Treasure all the memories and enjoy the "bloopers," as those are the ones that bring laughter and will put a smile on your face for years to come. Merry Christmas, All!   This festive time of the year brings to mind wonderful memories of Christmas' past - memories of holiday traditions, cherished moments with loved ones and friends, and then you have those memories of events that just make you look back with laughter, those memories that make you realize that no matter how hard we try to make everything perfect in preparation for the holidays, sometimes life just throws us a curve. And, at the time it might not have been funny, but it sure is when you start to remember it. Just writing this put a smile on my face and let me relive some pretty funny moments.

Tune in to this week's episode of the Bordas & Bordas Legal Review wherein Jamie Bordas and Chris Regan discuss the new Republican West Virginia Legislature and what type of agenda it might bring for West Virginia in the coming years. Will West Virginia institute the death penalty? Will action be taken on abortion bans after twenty weeks of pregnancy? Will there be changes to our legal system? Most of all, will any of the changes implemented by the new Republican majority actually benefit ordinary West Virginians? Jamie and Chris discuss it all in an episode you won't want to miss. You can view the Bordas & Bordas Legal Review locally on Comcast Channel 14 or also online, both streaming and in the archive. The current episode is embedded within this post. You can tune in to Comcast Channel 14 or watch this episode in the Vimeo archives. Check out the WLUTV schedule for other B&BLR show times and programming from WLUTV.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings These are a few of my favorite things Sometimes you come across things or products that change your life. Things you become passionate about because they either work so well or add something extra to your daily activities that you can't imagine life without them. When I realized that I hadn't written a blog in a while, I thought that perhaps I should share some of my favorite things...tis the season to appreciate them after all. Dog Portraits by Jess I'm consistently in awe of individuals who have artistic talent. While my creative talents lie more in the conceptual arena, those who can actually bring ideas to life have my ultimate respect and admiration. Dog Portraits by Jess provides the ability for you to get a custom canvas portrait of your pet done by local artist Jessie Wheaton. She's brilliant. She's affordable. And for individuals who have pets that are part of their families, she provides the ability to create a beautiful piece of art that they will adore. I had a portrait painted for a friend, and it remains one of the best gifts I've ever given. She's amazing. And her art is too. ThinkGeek I'm a geek. I've embraced it. And because of that I like the quirky, geek centric products that websites like ThinkGeek offer. Whether it is a Star Wars themed AT-AT lawn ornament or a Back to the Future Flux Capacitor car charger, ThinkGeek has everything you can imagine. I could spend way too long sifting through this website and if I purchased everything that captured my eye as being awesome, I may get more than my share of strange looks. Just doing "research" for this blog I spent waaaaaaay too long looking at Big Bang Theory Bazinga pajamas. From Dr. Who to Marvel Comics to retro items, they have every geekified thing you can imagine. Seriously. Check it out. You know you want to. Yu*be A friend that works in a salon introduced me to this moisturizing skin cream. According to its simple orange and white packaging, it says it is highly concentrated glycerin moisturizer enriched with Vitamins B2, C & E. It's made in Japan and is designed to hydrate, smooth and sooth rough, scaly and dry skin. I'm convinced it's infused with the tears and sweat of Samurai warriors because I've never found anything that works to heal distressed skin like this product. It's magical. And, it is the number one selling skincare cream in Japan. It does so without sulfates and a bunch of synthetic dyes, fragrances and chemicals. You can find it in some Sephora stores (mostly the ones in Pittsburgh) but it's just as easy to just order it online. You can thank me later. Ann's Fabulous Finds I suppose you would say that buried deep down inside me is a closet fashionista. Big Bang Theory jammies aside, I love designer clothes and shoes and bags as much as the next girl. That being said, I often struggle with the "do I need that or do I want that" conundrum that is often fueled by the amount of cash (or lack thereof) in my wallet. Ann's Fabulous Finds solves this problem by offering pre-loved, high quality, authentic designer accessories with the ability to lay them away and pay as you go. They will also sell your items for you on consignment. I've used Ann's way more than once as a buyer and a seller and have never been disappointed. Just wait until you see what I've got on layaway. Giant Eagle Market District It's like a mall of food. If you haven't stopped into one, make it a point to do so. I'll drive to Robinson just to shop here. Designed like a European outdoor market, you have access to nearly everything you could ever want in your fridge or pantry. Add to it that they have the biggest olive bar I've ever seen, fresh cut meats and seafood and a whole section dedicated to cheese and I'm in heaven. I'm not ashamed to admit that I've driven almost an hour just for their fresh squeezed orange juice. They even have curbside take out for their bistro. So. Worth. The. Drive. Conundrum I'm not a wine snob. Not even close. But, with that being said, I know enough to know when I come across something makes me ask, "What was that?" and "can I have another glass?" The first time I experienced Conundrum white was as a drug rep and a physician ordered a bottle for the table. I expected the bill to be outrageous...the wine was amazing and everyone was commenting on how good it was. Instead of the pricey vintages that were often the favorites at physician dinners, what I found was an affordable and delicious option that now is a staple for gift giving and special events in my home. True wine aficionados may turn their nose up to the fact that the whole concept of these wines focuses on being a blend, but for those tuned in to taste and affordability, you can absolutely go wrong with the flavor of this wine. And, at a ridiculously low price of less than $30 a bottle, you'd be doing yourself a disservice not to at least give it a chance. I buy mine at Good Mansion wines. Spotify I've been on the spotify bandwagon for a couple of years. For those of you happy with Pandora, I urge you to take the plunge and try this application for your smartphone or your desktop computer. Like Pandora, you can listen free to millions of songs. But spotify takes listening to a different level. You can choose artists, albums or playlists that you create or choose one already made for you. Spotify also has a discover feature where it will suggest new music and artists based upon your preferences. The feature I like is that you can make your music a social experience. Share your songs and playlists on Facebook, Twitter and Blogs and subscribe to friends and artists that you want to follow. If you're brave enough, find me on Spotify. You might just like Carrie's Mac Daddy Playlist. Carrie Scanlon's Spotify Rent the Runway Rent the Runway takes the headache and hassle out of finding that perfect dress for special events, weddings and galas. It is as easy as hopping on their website, searching for the look and formality of the gown and selecting the dates you need it. They will send it to you in two sizes, just in case. You can rent gowns that on the rack would be thousands of dollars for less than one hundred. It's amazing and a way to look like a million bucks without breaking the bank. Plus, you don't have to spend a ton on something you may wear only once. It's brilliant and New Years Eve is coming up. SeatStir SeatStir, formally FilASeat, Pittsburgh, gives you the opportunity to get extraordinarily low cost tickets to live theatre, comedy and musical events around Pittsburgh. When shows don't sell out, you get the chance to fill these seats at a fraction of the cost. You can search by date and the site will tell you what's available. It's great for when you want something to do on the weekend but don't want to shell out a bunch of cash and still get high quality entertainment. You'll love it. These are the things that stood out as I prepared to write this blog. Things that I'll go the extra mile to have in my life. Things that make life easier or more enjoyable. As I sit here, I feel guilty that I didn't include a couple others. Two very honorable mentions go out to my Babybliss professional hair dryer which has been worth every penny of its expensive price tag and cut my drying time from more than an hour to about 20 minutes and the ridiculously awesome Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix which is the secret ingredient in more than a handful of recipes beyond just the obvious (try it in your chili). What are some of YOUR favorite things? Comments about this blog can be addressed to carrie@bordaslaw.com or simply comment below. Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings These are a few of my favorite things

Every year at Christmas time, churches and other organizations host giving trees and ask us to select someone from the tree and buy them a Christmas gift. Everyone wants the children, but the reality is, if you can't get help for your children at Christmas, you're not really looking. A multitude of organizations gather donations for toys. Nearly every time you make a purchase you're asked to make a donation or purchase a toy for children in need. God bless them each and every one. Isn't Christmas for kids? This year however, I vowed I would select an adult in addition to a child. Yes, like most people I wanted to feel the joy of making a child's Christmas brighter. But I didn't want to forget the forgotten. The man I selected had been hosted by someone from a homeless shelter. He asked for two things: a pillow and two towels. I knew nothing about him except that he wanted a pillow, maybe for the times he wouldn't be in the shelter and he wanted to be clean. I couldn't bear the thought that he had nothing and would only receive the meager gifts he had requested. Off I went. My list included a battery-operated radio, toiletries and tasty, healthy (and some not so healthy) snacks. It didn't seem like enough. It didn't seem meaningful. So I decided to write him a letter. I told him that I hoped he always found a safe and warm place to stay if there was no room in the shelter. I told him I hoped when he was hungry, that there would always be someone willing to feed him. I told him that my Christmas wish for him was the gift of hope. Hope that things would improve in his life, hope that he would find love, hope that he would be reunited with whatever family he had. I told him that I was praying for him and asked him to pray for my family. The homeless, especially the men, are often forgotten at Christmas. Some believe them all to be alcoholics and drug addicts. But sometimes, behind an alcoholic is a man, who as a child, had such unimaginable things done to him that he can never forget. Sometimes behind a drug addict is a man, who in service to his country, had to do things that haunt his every waking moment. Sometimes behind a homeless man is someone who lost his job and never found another one. How do you get hired when you have no address or phone number to put on an application? How do you get to Target or Wal-Mart when you don't have a bike, much less a car? No one chooses to be homeless. But sometimes the cycle is endless and it's hard to find the road home. This year, consider the homeless. It won't be the gift that counts. It will be knowing that someone, just one single person, cares. During the Christmas season, the best gift you can give yourself is the joy of knowing you have helped someone else. The gift doesn't have to be grand. Even those who have little to spare can always find something to share. To some, a gift of so little is a lot. To some, it's all they've got. Let this video remind us of the impact the smallest gift can make. Every year at Christmas time, churches and other organizations host giving trees and ask us to select someone from the tree and buy them a Christmas gift. Everyone wants the children, but the reality is, if you can't get help for your children at Christmas, you're not really looking. A multitude of organizations gather donations for toys. Nearly every time you make a purchase you're asked to make a donation or purchase a toy for children in need. God bless them each and every one. Isn't Christmas for kids? This year however, I vowed I would select an adult in addition to a child. Yes, like most people I wanted to feel the joy of making a child's Christmas brighter. But I didn't want to forget the forgotten.

When purchasing or building a home, many people try to choose a neighborhood that they find desirable. Ever hear the term-location, location, location? But what does that mean? Does that mean a particular amount of acreage between homes? Does that mean a quicker commute to work and more access to shopping areas? I suppose that could mean many different things. Some people move forward with the purchase of a home strictly on the home itself as long as they believe it is an "acceptable" neighborhood fit for their family's needs. Consider this-what if you found what you felt was your dream home in a suitable neighborhood and then you were all moved in to come to find out, the neighbors are not so desirable? This could have a devastating effect on your life. Homes are our personal space. Memories are made and children are raised. For these reasons be aware of just what you're getting into and who you will be facing every day when you pull into that driveway. I've lived in some neighborhoods that I would consider desirable and "acceptable" and then less than a year ago, I moved. My eyes have been opened to what a great neighborhood I live in. Yes, I love the house. Yes, I love the location. But most of all, I found I have great neighbors and this sure does make life sweeter than I ever imagined. To me, this kind of unity among neighbors is irreplaceable. Children from ages five to young adults and they all get along. The kids have stayed overnight with each other and get involved in community activities together, even though several of them attend different schools. Recently, they all even pitched in and built a tree house together in one neighbor's backyard. Everyone watches out for each other. We have had neighborhood gatherings and everyone joins in the fun. You can be sure to have a friendly chat or welcomed wave from any neighbor on that street on any given day. We even have alaugh, poking fun at each other from time to time. For instance, there's my good neighbor, Scott Blass, who yells across his lawn for me to "pick up the pace" when I'm out for a job or imitates my run. One thing I know is if my car ever breaks down, I've got a ride to work. There's my friend, Audrey, across the street that is not only one of the kindest women I have ever met, but she brings my Avon right to my doorstep. The list goes on and on. I recognized almost immediately what good people I surrounded my family with and for that I am particularly grateful. So, if you find yourself making a decision of this magnitude, do your homework. Find a realtor that knows you and your family and the people around the homes they show you. After all, HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS or where it should be.

I would like to congratulate our friends at Wheeling Jesuit University on a successful rugby season. The team, the coaches and the administration all deserve a great deal of praise for working hard all season long and contributing greatly to showcasing all of the positive things WJU has to offer. I became acquainted with WJU rugby this season because my alma mater, West Point, came into town on Veteran's Day. I always look forward to seeing the Army Team play, no matter the sport, but little did I know in advance what a first class event WJU was ready to put on. My friend, and WJU alum, John Reasbeck, first made me aware that WJU planned to honor the Army team and all area veterans at the game, so I contacted Army's Head Coach and the West Point Alumni Association to see what I could do to help. They informed me that Father Fleming, WJU's President, had already been in touch with them to make plans for the event. The day of the game, Father Fleming and the WJU family hosted an amazing reception that drew West Point graduates from around the area. It was an incredible opportunity for WJU to display all of the great things going on at the school. The reception was followed by a moving ceremony at the newly dedicated Bishop Schmitt Field that highlighted the commitment to selfless service shared by the two schools. From there, it was on to a highly competitive game that saw Army jump out to a big lead only to hold off a late charge by the Cardinals in the second half. We can all be proud of the role WJU and Father Fleming are playing in promoting all of the good things Wheeling has to offer. Although I was rooting for Army that afternoon, WJU made a fan of me. Go Cardinals.   I would like to congratulate our friends at Wheeling Jesuit University on a successful rugby season. The team, the coaches and the administration all deserve a great deal of praise for working hard all season long and contributing greatly to showcasing all of the positive things WJU has to offer.

Since I moved to Moundsville, I have had the pleasure of attending, becoming a member of and now serving on the Trustees Committee of Simpson United Methodist Church. I also had the bigger pleasure of getting married to my lovely wife, Amanda, at Simpson in 2007. Simpson is located at the corner of Seventh Street and Morton Avenue in Moundsville and has community outreach programs and events that we are all proud of. The beautiful stone building is located only a few blocks up the street from the new Bordas & Bordas office in Moundsville. The last few years Simpson has started a new tradition which has quickly become popular in our community. Each December, Simpson sponsors and holds a "Breakfast with Santa Claus." This year's event will be held on December 13, 2014 from 9:00 am to noon at Simpson United Methodist Church. The event is always a lot of fun and draws a substantial crowd of children and parents alike. The event is free of charge and includes a pancake breakfast, Christmas carols and music, a craft for the kids and an opportunity to sit on Santa's lap and get a picture taken. There will also be drawings for Toys R Us Gift cards. While the event is free, there will be a Christmas shop which will be open during the event with a variety of vendors and crafters that will have items for sale. The Simpson Church community very much enjoys having the opportunity to bring kids and families into our church for this event. It is such a joy and pleasure to see so many children and parents having fun and enjoying their time together. While Santa Claus has become the symbol of the season for many people, the real "Reason for the Season" is celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. This event gives the Church an opportunity to bring people into our doors that might not otherwise come in. It is our hope to show all those who enter that Simpson is a loving, caring and giving community that welcomes everyone. If anyone is looking for a fun family oriented event to attend, please come down and visit us on Saturday, December 13 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. Be sure to thank the many volunteers who make this such a memorable and fun event. Church services are held at Simpson each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. with Sunday school classes available at 9:00 a.m. for ages three to Adult. Nursery services are available for younger children during worship service. There are also various Bible study and group meetings available throughout the week. Simpson is also the home of the Feeding Body & Soul Community Kitchen. This wonderful program provides warm lunch to hundreds of individuals in our community each Monday through Saturday. Simpson is proud of its community outreach and I would personally like to take the opportunity to invite anyone who would like to attend our services at any time. The holiday season is a most joyous occasion and we often get caught up in the Christmas decorations and presents. Make sure to enjoy the time with your family and remember why we celebrate Christmas.   Since I moved to Moundsville, I have had the pleasure of attending, becoming a member of and now serving on the Trustees Committee of Simpson United Methodist Church. I also had the bigger pleasure of getting married to my lovely wife, Amanda, at Simpson in 2007. Simpson is located at the corner of Seventh Street and Morton Avenue in Moundsville and has community outreach programs and events that we are all proud of. The beautiful stone building is located only a few blocks up the street from the new Bordas & Bordas office in Moundsville.

A couple years ago, when my niece was four years old and her sister was only one year old, I decided to send them a Christmas gift a few weeks in advance. They did not know it came from me; however, they believed it was sent all the way from the North Pole from Santa Claus himself. This gift was an "Elf on the Shelf." I will be the first to admit, I kind of thought these elves were a little terrifying...I would see pictures of them on social media fishing in the toilet for gold fish, hanging from ceiling fans or hiding out in the fridge eating leftovers. The social media posts were never ending! So, finally, I Googled, "What is an Elf on the Shelf?" I clicked on the "official" webpage and started reading. The story behind these little elves made me feel like a little kid who believed in Santa again. For those of you, who don't know about the Elf on the Shelf, let me fill you in. During the Christmas season, usually after Thanksgiving, special scout elves are sent from the North Pole to help Santa Claus keep track of the naughty and nice lists. When the scout elf arrives you must first give him/her a name. Once you have named your elf that is when they receive their Christmas magic. This magic helps the scout elf fly back to the North Pole each and every night to report to Santa Claus about the days adventures. Each morning the scout elf returns and hides in a different spot, and waits for the family to find them. Oh! And how could I forget? You must not touch the scout elf, because if you do, they could lose their magic. But don't worry if you accidentally touch the elf just sprinkle a little cinnamon around the elf before you go to bed and it will help get them back to the North Pole where the doctors can check them out because in case you didn't know, cinnamon is like vitamins for elves! Now, back to my nieces' scout elf, her name is Bells. This will be her third Christmas with the Whorton's. She made her return from the North Pole this past Saturday. The day before, my sister, brother-in-law and my nieces' went to pick out their Christmas tree and when they got home they set it up and decided to wait until Saturday to decorate. When the girls woke up Saturday morning who else did they find perched in their Christmas tree? It was Bells! The girls were thrilled that she had returned and spent the day decorating the tree around her because as I mentioned before, you can't touch her or she might lose her magic. Early into Sunday morning, my sister and brother-in-law awoke to a loud crash, they rushed down the stairs to find the Christmas tree on its side, water everywhere and ornaments shattered on the floor. They put the tree upright, cleaned up the water and ornaments and went back to bed. Sunday morning the girls asked what happened to the tree and my sister explained that it had fallen over in the middle of the night. Then, there she was, Bells, their imaginations began to come up with the best story as to why the tree fell over. You see, when Bells was trying to get back to the North Pole, she must have gotten stuck in the tree, and in her attempt to break free she knocked the whole thing over! My sister didn't have the heart to tell them that maybe Daddy forgot to tighten all the screws around the tree and that's why it fell over. But then again, maybe it was Bells? Maybe she has a little more Christmas magic than we thought?! We may never know... Hope that everyone has a very magical holiday season!

Finally! The recognition I've been waiting on for 41 years has arrived. Moundsville, West Virginia has been ranked the 6 th Most Exciting Place to Live in West Virginia by some real estate website I've never heard of. Sure, it's not U.S. News and World Report, or even USA Today, but I will take it! After all, Moundsville is where I was born, on Olive Avenue straight across from East End Playground. It's where my father was born too. On "Spanish Row," just off Jefferson Ave. It's where most of my family has always lived and worked, all of my grandparents, my aunts, uncles and cousins. My Uncle Larry opened and ran Pink Door Pizza (still going strong today). My Grandma, Mary, and my Aunt, Ramona, opened and ran the Flavor Mate soda shop. And though we moved up the road a little ways when I was still young, on balance I'd venture to say I've spent as much time in Moundsville as any place else. At least enough time to know that to grow up in Moundsville is to love it. For me Moundsville has always held a certain All-American mythos. I feel both peaceful and optimistic when I'm there. That feeling was born through my Dad, who still has great stories to tell me about being raised in Moundsville. My Dad grew up at the height of Moundsville's population, when East End Playground teemed every night with the electricity of a community fully engaged in youth sports, when the Moundsville field house would boast the likes of basketball players like Hot Rod Hundley and the Harlem Globetrotters or famous wrestlers like Gorgeous George. When real hot rods ruled on Jefferson Avenue, lines formed around the block to take in the latest picture at the Strand and the Spurr Pool teemed with teenagers from everywhere for the weekly Swim Dances. My guess is when Jimmy Stewart came to Moundsville to film Fool's Parade he felt a lot like he'd entered a living, breathing Frank Capra set. After all, Moundsville always felt like the best parts of Bedford Falls to me. In an era of sock hops and soda shops, Moundsville had it all. Working class sensibilities with a strong sense of community and togetherness. Americana writ large. I was fortunate enough to get some time in the afterglow of that vibe and it was just as magical for me. In many ways, the Moundsville of the 80's and 90's was the same place as my parents' Moundsville. From the dances to the Strand to the nightly ballgames at East End, I was lucky enough to catch that wave, even if it wasn't quite the monster my folks got to ride. I can remember many summer nights when the fence line would still be filled with parents, fans, and girls (apologies to my wife) watching us hoop or play baseball. I still got to spend many a night at Spurr Pool, just on the basketball court instead of on the dance floor. Moundsville is where I learned to drive a car, date a girl, play Pinochle and swing for the fences. Moundsville taught me about hard work and respect. Moundsville gave me confidence. And wonderful memories. And a lot of good friends. And Moundsville also taught me how to become mentally tough and compete in a healthy way. Starting from the time I was about 14, my friends and I would bum any ride we could get to Moundsville to play basketball at East End or Spurr Pool, wherever the best games were (and most nights that was a toss-up). It was there that we encountered the likes of Moundsville natives Dave Ealy, John Harler, Mark Crow, Kent Yoho, Gunnar Rose, Al Ingram, Steve Lavenski and plenty of other legitimate, adult athletes still in their prime. Now you might think those guys would have gone a little easy on us youngsters still trying to learn their way in the game. But you'd be wrong. Those men treated us kids like any other players. They posted us up, muscled us, stole the ball from us, blocked our shots, elbowed for position and did everything else they could to win. In short, they did us the best favor they ever could have. Of course none of us liked it at first. When we were 14 and 15, my friends and I would lose every game, sometimes never scoring more than a point or two. But we stuck together and learned we'd never get very far without each other. Although we couldn't see it at the time, those older players were doing their best to help us build character. And by the time we were 16, the benefits of those hard lessons started to pay off. We'd still lose a lot, but we started to be able to hold our own, to gel as a unit and even occasionally win a game or two. By the time we were seniors, our transformation was complete, and we were the ones dominating the win column. That street-level education paid off in spades during my senior basketball season when we boasted one of the most competitive teams in Monarch history. We had size, shooters, depth, athleticism and a toughness forged on those Moundsville playgrounds. But more than that, we were bolstered by a community that was genuinely invested in our team; the same way Moundsville always got behind my dad's teams growing up. Something special happened over the course of those summers we spent battling the locals. Even though they treated us as adversaries on the court, those men came to embrace us off it. And by the time we were seniors, the City of Moundsville could boast a legitimate claim to our team. We had three great coaches and mentors on the court and at least a dozen more off it. We had more than just a High School team. It was truly a community's team. And I remain convinced that it was that community foundation that played a pivotal role in our success and helped us to thrive in a hugely competitive sea of local talent (folks who played or followed hoops in '91 know how loaded every team was that season). Dunking in warm-ups was forbidden at the time, so we'd always try to get on the floor as early as possible, before the referees came out (sorry John Artimez), to put on our own dunk contest, and fans would actually show up for that in droves. Whatever energy I'd expended trying to go all out in warm-ups was immediately replaced the moment we came back out of the locker room to a jam-packed house of cheering fans. The Moundsville Fieldhouse was at capacity or more for every home game we played that season and it all felt like one big, happy family. I've never felt anything quite like that special feeling, on that scale, since, and I'll always be grateful to Moundsville for gifting me with that. That kind of wholesale communal embrace has always been in somewhat short supply, but never in Moundsville. And, for me, that embrace was hardly limited to sports. From doctors to judges, to police officers and in practically all other walks of life, this City has always offered support and insight to help me grow in a healthy, positive way. Today, I've moved even a little further up the road, but I've never truly left Moundsville, and I never will. I remain so blessed to be able to work in Moundsville. To shop, eat, visit, and bring my family to Moundsville. To tell my kids the same kind of stories my Dad told me about growing up in Moundsville. What a gift it is to be able to work in a City where almost every time I walk outside, or down the street, I run into someone I know who is genuinely happy to connect with me, even just for a minute or two. A City where I see still get to interact with many of the same folks who were so supportive of me growing up. To this day, I still feel that same electricity I felt when I was a kid on a Fall Friday night when the Monarchs are about to kick it off, or when the Strand hosts an event or even when I ride by East End on a warm summer night and see the kids playing basketball and the people lining the fence watching a game. As society seemingly becomes more insular with each generation, I think communities like Moundsville become rarer and rarer. But near as I can tell, Moundsville has done its best to stay the course. To my eye, Moundsville remains as in tune with the resonance of its rich history as well as any place. So I'm thrilled to see Moundsville get some well-deserved recognition, even if it is from some obscure website. My hats off to you Moundsville. And take that Charleston (which ranked 7th)! Thanks for everything Moundsville! You got my vote.

As I was relaxing on a recent Sunday night, the show 60 Minutes came on to CBS with a very interesting topic for those of us living in Pittsburgh and throughout the Ohio Valley. The title of the segment was: "Falling Apart: America's Neglected Infrastructure," and the preview indicated that the segment would focus on the current condition of bridges in America. Like most people who cross at least one bridge during their commute through the City of Bridges, my wife drives over the Fort Pitt Bridge while heading to work and, needless to say, the show grabbed my attention. During the first commercial, before the show began, I was wondering if it would discuss Pittsburgh. My question was soon answered, as the show began by showing pictures of the Liberty Bridge and many of Pittsburgh's other identifiable structures. The statistics presented in the show were alarming. According to the government, there are 70,000 bridges across the country that have been deemed "structurally deficient," which means the bridges need to be replaced or repaired in a dramatic way. While there were many cities mentioned, Pittsburgh was one of the three examples in the segment. A past president of the American Society of Civil Engineers led a helicopter tour around Pittsburgh and stated that, "there are more than 4,000 bridges in metropolitan Pittsburgh and 20 percent of them are structurally deficient." The show continued by discussing the Liberty Bridge, which was built in 1928 and designed to last for 50 years. After watching the show, I decided to do a little research for myself; after all, the news media loves a good story and no one would watch a segment on the safety of Pittsburgh's bridges. Currently, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation ("PennDOT"), Pennsylvania has the third-largest number of bridges in the nation and leads the nation in the number of bridges classified as "structurally deficient." However, PennDOT has a different take on the term "structurally deficient." According to PennDOT, a bridge classified as structurally deficient does not mean it is unsafe and, instead, indicates that the bridge has deterioration to at least one of its major components. PennDOT continued by stating that structurally deficient bridges are safe, as the State of Pennsylvania monitors bridges and would close or limit a bridge's use if it was unsafe. In order to combat the current problems facing our bridges, PennDOT has spent over $670 million to preserve more than 2,200 bridges through the Bridge Preservation Program. Moreover, new weight restrictions are being added to approximately 1,000 bridges statewide and other measures are being taken to ensure safe travel. While the problems with Pennsylvania's bridges cannot be ignored, there have also been many positive news stories covering the Steel City. In addition to continuously being named one of America's most livable and educated cities, Pittsburgh has also fought to keep and bring jobs to the region. For example, with rumors that U.S. Steel may move its headquarters outside of Pennsylvania, a recent announcement stated the company would instead be moving its headquarters to a new building that will be constructed where the Civic Arena once stood. Moreover, technology giant, Google, has confirmed it will expand its Pittsburgh office by 66,000 Square Feet at Bakery Square 2.0, which is currently under construction.   As I was relaxing on a recent Sunday night, the show 60 Minutes came on to CBS with a very interesting topic for those of us living in Pittsburgh and throughout the Ohio Valley. The title of the segment was: "Falling Apart: America's Neglected Infrastructure," and the preview indicated that the segment would focus on the current condition of bridges in America. Like most people who cross at least one bridge during their commute through the City of Bridges, my wife drives over the Fort Pitt Bridge while heading to work and, needless to say, the show grabbed my attention.

To many, fall means football, winter means basketball and spring means baseball. All three of the sports are very exciting and round up a number of fans. Professional, college or high school, we all have our favorite teams that receive our utmost respect for thriving at their sports. Although all take an incredible amount of physical fitness and athletic ability, there is one sport that I feel does not receive enough credit--wrestling. Perhaps it's because I have been dragged to wrestling tournaments since I was about 3 years old. Having two brothers who wrestled meant one thing-- packing up every Saturday to travel to a gymnasium filled with boys who wore an attire that was uncomfortably too similar to my dance leotards. My fondest memories of those days were playing with my Barbie dolls in the stands, going out to the mats during intermission and doing my gymnastic skills (yes I have some tricks up my sleeve) and swearing to myself that I would never, ever have a relationship with a boy that participated in this stinky, sweaty sport they call wrestling. Fast forward about 18 years later, and here I find myself sitting in the stands, in a hot gymnasium, laughing at the fact that I now love a sport that I once despised. Don't get me wrong, it is still a very stinky and sweaty sport that I sometimes feel grossed out about, but I will do what it takes to be West Liberty University's heavyweight's number one fan. I have watched my boyfriend, Aaron, wrestle from pee-wee tournaments, where he had "cooties," to NCAA Division II tournaments. All I can say is that it has been one heck of a ride filled with ups, downs and plenty of exciting moments. To me, and I'm sure many wrestlers will agree, wrestling is one of the most physically tough sports out there. It requires large amounts of strength, hours upon hours of commitment and dedication in and out of the wrestling room and tons of will power for those who cut weight. Although being physically fit is a huge part of wrestling, one must also be mentally strong. Wrestling is one of those sports where there is a team, but winning is an individual goal. Over the years, I have seen upsets and knowing that one cannot blame anyone but himself for his loss, is what makes it an even more difficult sport. The rules of wrestling are also extremely interesting and learning the scoring system, as well as the names of all the moves, makes it even more exciting. The problem with wrestling is that many do not give it a chance. At this time I would like to encourage you to attend one wrestling tournament, the OVAC Ron Mauck Wrestling Tournament would be a great place to start giving the sport a chance. These athletes do incredible things and deserve the credit that other sports have received over the years. Best wishes to all wrestlers, coaches and teams for a successful and injury-free season!   To many, fall means football, winter means basketball and spring means baseball. All three of the sports are very exciting and round up a number of fans. Professional, college or high school, we all have our favorite teams that receive our utmost respect for thriving at their sports. Although all take an incredible amount of physical fitness and athletic ability, there is one sport that I feel does not receive enough credit--wrestling.

Oglebay Institute's Towngate Theatre Presents A Christmas Carol I'm an actress now, don't you know? Don't laugh, I am! My teenage daughter, Aleigha, expressed a great interest in theatre and decided she wanted to try out for Towngate Theatre's A Christmas Carol. On the evening of tryouts, I could see she was a little nervous and understandably so. We had no idea what to expect, as there was no preparation involved. They handed out scripts and assigned parts to "read," in order to give them a general idea of your skills. On the way in, she said, "Mamma, would you try out with me?" And, I thought, "Oh sure, why not?" I turned and looked at my husband and said, "Are you going to try too?" "Well, why not," he said. So there we were - full support for our daughter. We wanted her to take the plunge and explore her interests, so of course we would do whatever we needed to nurture those interests. The Director, Tim Thompson, and the writer, Jeremy Richter, were absolutely marvelous. This must have been one of the largest casting calls and it was only day one of the tryouts. They were so kind and encouraging to every person who came in. It didn't matter if you were well-versed in theater or a newcomer. Age and sex did not matter. All were welcome and all were given a chance. About two weeks later, the casting list came out. Much to our surprise, we all landed parts! And what fun it has been from there. We have learned so much over the past couple of weeks. We have learned some dancing and we have been working on our "English" accents, which aren't as easy as you might expect. Aleigha is one of the Fezziwig daughters, as well as one of the daughters of Belle, you know the one who used to be engaged to old man, Mr. Scrooge? Yep, that's me, the present day Belle, and my husband is played by my husband. We also partake in some dancing as well. I never knew that so much went into putting on a performance like this. It has been an awesome experience to see all the hard work coming together and to watch adults and children evolve into their roles. It is going to be a magnificent show and I assure you it won't be the last show we do. On another note, I can't thank my little Aleigha enough for opening my eyes to show me to believe that I can still do many things that I've never tried before. My sincere thanks and appreciation to Tim Thompson and Jeremy Richter for all the support, encouragement and commitment you have provided to everyone in the cast. I've observed firsthand what you have put into this and I've watched people learn so much from you. It has been an invaluable experience. So, if you are looking for some good old fashioned holiday wholesome family fun, please come out and see the show! The show times are December 5 and 6 at 8 p.m.; December 7 at 3 p.m. and the last two shows are December 12 and 13, both at 8 p.m. Towngate Theater is located in Wheeling's Centre Market at 2118 Market Street. Hope to see you there! Merry Christmas and --- God bless us, everyone!! -Erin Dodd