A girl's best friend... well, one of them.....

What woman doesn't enjoy going to the hair salon? (Shoot, men enjoy it too!)

Wouldn't you enjoy it even more if it was free?  Wouldn't you enjoy it more if you felt like royalty every time you walked into the salon?
 

Well, you will have the chance to bid on an item from my favorite salon in the Washington DC area!
 

I met David in 1999 when he worked at Bubbles in Springfield Mall. A friend of mine was getting married and I was in the wedding. A coworker of hers introduced her to David and that's how it all started.......All of the girls at this salon are in awe of the fact that I've been going to him for over 15 years not to mention the fact that we are great friends!
 

About three years later, David opened his own salon, the Jon David Salon in Springfield off of Commerce Street in a building that used to be a bank.  After a horrible experience with a hairdresser in Alexandria, I remembered meeting David and found him again. The rest is hair and friendship history!
 

In 2012, David branched out and opened a shop in the Clarendon area of Arlington and then two years ago he opened up a third shop in Clifton. I couldn't be more proud of him! 

I can't imagine ever letting anyone else touch my hair! I'd follow him wherever he goes! David and I have become fantastic friends and he never fails to make me look and feel beautiful.  His welcoming and fun-loving personality as well as his tall, dark and handsome looks sure don't hurt either! David has a heart of gold and always asks not only about my dad but makes sure that mom is being taken care of as well.
 

As long as I've been trusting David with my hair, I have seen a variety of clients come in and out of his three shops - from kids, prom and wedding events, professionals, men, women, and even grandparents. It doesn't matter what you want or who you are, David and his staff will make it happen and won't let you leave until you are 100% satisfied!

When asked about something unique that he wanted clients to know about him, he replied, "I am always honest and straightforward about recommendations for your best look. Reinventing people's hair and the instant gratification that comes from the end result of my work is my favorite thing." How can you go wrong with that attitude?
 

Click here to visit David's website.

http://jondavidsalon.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=featured&Itemid=521

I cannot thank my dear David enough for his more than generous donations to support Denny's Shotgun Riders.  I am overwhelmed at his graciousness and so thankful for our one of a kind relationship. Whoever is the lucky winner of this auction item will be extremely fortunate!

Perfect getaway!

How does a three-day stay in the Outer Banks sound?

 

My incredible cousin, Terra, has generously offered up a three-day stay in her 2 bedroom, 1 bath house in Kill Devils Hills! (https://m.airbnb.com/listings/5767766) Dates of stay will be determined by the winner of the auction and the owners.  This one level, dog-friendly house with a fenced backyard is small but perfect! You won't be wasting time inside (even though it does have central a/c and heat) when you're in the Outer Banks, anyway!  The house is about three blocks from the beach and located "in between the highways" if you are in tune with OBX lingo! 

This year, the beach house comes with a gift card to Barefoot Bernie's Tropical Grill and Bar! http://barefootbernies.com/home! It pays when to have a friend who is a "local" and can work his magic with the restaurants in the off-season for my cause!  Thank you, Sean!

Whether you are a sunbather, a boater, a lighthouse climber, a wildlife photographer, a lover of delicious fresh seafood, or you're like me, and just feel at peace near the ocean, the Outer Banks has it all!

 

The magic of photography!

In planning and soliciting for donations from businesses for last year's fundraiser, I was so overwhelmed and humbled at the amount and variety I received. One thing that I was hoping for but didn't receive was photographic services of some sort.


I have had a love for photography my entire life. I worked for a photography company during college and shot numerous weddings on my own in the early 2000s. I am truly in love with my Nikon. I fought the digital age when it happened because I loved the raw appeal of actually using film. I finally succumbed and got a digital Nikon and, of course, I don't know how I lived without it.


I can't draw a straight line with a ruler and if I try to paint I get more on me than on the canvas. Capturing moments in time through a lens is where I get creative though. Let me grab my Nikon, a pair of sunglasses, and off I go - nothing better. Easiest way for me to lose track of time with a smile plastered on my face.

Recently, engagement photos of my friend Sarah and her fiancé, Hugh, showed up on my Facebook page and I was in awe. Not only were they beautiful, but they were unique and they captured the love between the two of them in such a raw way. I instantly had to ask Sarah who was responsible for these photos!

Call it fate, call it what you will. Thanks to that one inquiry, I now have made a new friend in Christyal and she is graciously donating her talents to help raise money in support of my dad and the family members she's lost to the dreaded "C" word. The winner of this auction will receive a gift certificate for an hour session of unlimited shots, including up to four people with a location to be determined. (Specific details will be included with the gift certificate.)

"I love taking photos. I had a camera in hand all the time at all the events since I was young. I became a photographer in college six years ago. I would photograph different events such as fashion shows, pageants, modeling events and Homecoming. When I graduated college is when I started to truly develop my own style. My favorite thing to photograph is people I meet on the street. I enjoy meeting the people that are less fortunate or just overlooked. You can find those photos on my website under the category "Street". I also love to create. I like to try new things/ideas, doing things that are out of the box.  I want people to see my work and fall in love ;not look at it as if it's just another photo. I want it to leave a lasting impression that is positively impacting."

- Christyal Rood

I am truly honored to have Christyal represented at my fundraiser this year!

Check out her website here: http://www.christyalphotography.com/

ALL men are at risk; even famous ones

Here's just a quick list of famous men who have been affected by prostate cancer. Food for thought. All men are at risk. Period.

Marion Barry - successfully treated in 1995

Harry Belafonte - diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer in 1996 and successfully treated. He is now a prostate cancer advocate, raising awareness of the disease in men

Bill Bixby - actor - diagnosed in 1991 and died in 1993

James Brown - Godfather of Soul - diagnosed in 2004 but survived. He died of heart failure in 2006

Robert DeNiro - diagnosed with early-stage cancer in 2003 at the age of 60. He has kept details of his treatment private. His father died of prostate cancer at the age of 71.

Sen. Bob Dole - diagnosed in 1991 and successfully treated, became an outspoken prostate cancer advocate. He became a spokesperson for Viagra because of the problems prostate cancer survivors often experience with erectile dysfunction.

Louis Farrakhan - diagnosed in 1991. In 1994, he received brachytherapy seed implants. In 1999, he had a near-death experience caused by complications from radiation therapy. In 2003, he founded the Louis Farrakhan Prostate Cancer Foundation. In January 2007, he underwent 12-hour abdominal surgery to correct problems from the 1994 seed implant surgery.

Robert Frost - poet - diagnosed in 1962, had a radical prostatectomy the same year, and died in 1963

Rudy Giuliani - former New York City mayor - diagnosed with prostate cancer in April 2000, had surgery to implant radioactive seeds in September 2000. Giuliani's father died from prostate cancer in 1981 at the age of 73.

Robert Goulet - diagnosed in 1993 at the age of 60 after a routine blood test, underwent a radical prostatectomy and is now free of prostate cancer. He has remained an outspoken prostate cancer advocate.

Merv Griffin - diagnosed in 2000 at the age of 75 and underwent 7 weeks of radiation therapy

Alec Guinness - English actor - diagnosed in January 2000, spread to the liver in July, and died a month later


Langston Hughes - died on May 22, 1967 at the age of 65 after complications from abdominal surgery related to prostate cancer

John Kerry - diagnosed in late 2002 with early-stage prostate cancer and had successful nerve-sparing prostate cancer surgery in 2003. Kerry's father died of prostate cancer in 2000 at the age of 85

Phil Lesh - Grateful Dead bassist - diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer in October 2006

Nelson Mandela - diagnosed in 2001 with early-stage cancer, underwent seven weeks of radiotherapy and made a full recovery

Roger Moore - former 007 - successfully treated with surgery in 1993

Laurence Olivier - diagnosed in 1967 and underwent radiation treatment that successfully eradicated the cancer

Jerry Orbach - actor - well known for Law and Order and Dirty Dancing - died from the disease in Dec. 28, 2004 at the age of 69

Linus Pauling - Nobel Prize winner - diagnosed in 1991 at the age of 90 and died of the disease in 1994

Colin Powell - underwent surgery in 2003 for early-stage prostate cancer and made a full recovery

Johnny Ramone - guitarist - died in 2004 at the age of 55 after a five-year battle with the disease

Telly Savalas - "Kojak" - died of the disease in 1994 at the age of 70

Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf - diagnosed in 1993 and underwent successful surgery

Pierre Elliot Trudeau - Prime Minister of Canada - died of prostate cancer in 2000 at the age of 80

Bishop Desmond Tutu - diagnosed after a routine exam in 1996, treated in the United States with hormone therapy and radiation

Earl Woods - Tiger Woods' father - diagnosed in 1998 and successfully treated with radiation, but the cancer returned more aggressively in 2004. Woods died on May 3, 2006 at the age of 74.

Frank Zappa - died of complications from the disease on December 4, 1993 at the age of 52

Dennis Hopper - actor - diagnosed in October 2009, died in May 2010 at the age of 74

Andrew Lloyd Webber - composer - diagnosed 2009 in early stages, at the age of 61,

Charlton Heston – "Moses" - diagnosed in 1998 while he was undergoing hip surgery, went through a round of radiation therapy, at the age of 74,

Dick Sergeant - "Bewitched" - diagnosed in 1989, aggressively spread and he died in 1994 at the age of 64


Prostate cancer doesn't discriminate.
It doesn't matter if you're wealthy or poor.
It doesn't matter if you're black or white.
It doesn't matter if you're young or old.
It doesn't matter what you do for a living.
It doesn't matter what credible or noteworthy accomplishments you have in life.
It doesn't matter if you are a good father or husband.
Prostate cancer can affect ALL men.
Think it can't happen to you? Think again.


Please help me raise funds to bring awareness, find treatments for and put an end to prostate cancer! Click below to make a donation. All donations matter - none are too big or too small. I'm never giving up on Generation ZERO!


http://support.zerocancer.org/site/TR/RunWalk/RunWalk16?px=1102458&pg=personal&fr_id=1082

When-the-limo-breaks-down kind of friend.....

Denise and I have been friends since the 6th grade. We were 11 years old when we met and 31 years later I can say she is still one of my best friends. Our friendship is not only one of my longest and dearest but Denise is family. We may not see each other as often as we'd like but our friendship is one that keeps us always connected.  My family and I are definitely blessed to have her in our lives. When something goes wrong, she's the first one I call. When something goes right, she's the first one I call.  She is a devoted and loving mother and wife; a true role model to all women in this world.

Without a second thought, Denise make an incredible quilt to be auctioned off at last year's fundraiser. Last Fall, she also surprised Dad with a Redskins quilt, specifically made for him, to provide warmth as a result of chemo treatments.

Not only is Denise one of the most loving, compassionate, intelligent and giving people I know but she's also incredibly creative! What I'd give for just an ounce of her creativeness.

About 15 years ago, Denise's mom bought her a sewing machine for Christmas. She took it out of the box and couldn't figure out how to thread it and immediately returned it to her mom.  A few years later, she became involved with Project Linus, an organization that meets quarterly to make quilts for critically-ill children.  Becoming part of Project Linus enabled her to build her sewing and quilting skills.

 

She made her first quilt in 2008 and has made close to 50 more since then for friends and family for different occasions.  She progressed from simple patchwork quilts into detailed designs and patterns.  Her favorite quilt is a log cabin quilt she made for her parents' wedding anniversary.   In November 2014, she invested in an embroidery machine and plans to learn how to do designs on the quilts after they are made.

I cannot begin to express how honored I am that she is making a quilt again for the fundraiser to support my dad and our plight against prostate cancer!

This year's special masterpiece is a jelly roll quilt which is a pre-cut collection of quilting fabric that has been cut into strips that measure 2.5” by the width of fabric. Jelly rolls are the perfect way to get a sampling of all the prints in a fabric line or collection and the one she made and donated specifically for my fundraiser is full of bright and happy colors!

Here is a photo of the quilt in progress!
I can't wait to see the finished product!

Whoever is fortunate enough to win this auction will not only be receiving a beautiful quilt but one that has been handmade with such marvelous compassion and talent!

Thank you Denise... for everything.

 I don't know what my parents and I would do without you!

"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."

 ~Oprah Winfrey

Thank you, Purcellville!

Sometimes in life people pleasantly surprise you. This doesn't happen often in my world but it's pretty magical when it does occur. I have found in my plight to bring awareness, and put an end, to prostate cancer is where this seems to happen most often. It gives me hope that there still are good people out there - especially when they are complete strangers.


I love the town of Purcellville in Loudoun County, Virginia. It's a little over an hour away but it feels like escaping to another world.   Purcellville lies in the heart of the Loudoun Valley, approximately nine miles west of Leesburg with the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. I spent one of my birthday celebrations out there a few years ago and  I take any chance I can get to go back. My favorite guy and I love experiencing all that is Main Street USA!

Two weeks ago, we went out to our favorite small town to pick up donations for this year's fundraiser. Otium Cellars (http://otiumcellars.com/) is one of my favorite wineries in this area - from the service, to the atmosphere, to the wine.  The manager, Tarah, didn't hesitate to donate once again and I, of course, jumped at the opportunity to personally pick it up and taste their wines!  I am a California Chardonnay lover and Otium's is one that comes so very close to transporting me to the West Coast. I love the Blaufrankish and Dornfelder as well! Tarah was on maternity leave but she left my information with Jordan and he took great care of us! What a great way to start off our trip! I could have stayed there all day but onward we went....


Next stop on our journey was Monk's BBQ for lunch! I love a good pulled pork sandwich but I love a tender, moist brisket even more. Throw in a side of potato salad, smoked gouda mac and cheese and custard filled cornbread and I am in pure food heaven. My favorite guy introduced me to Monk's almost two years ago and I couldn't be more thankful. I hate that it's so far away but it's well worth the drive. For incredible food, I'll travel just about anywhere. I had never met Brian before and his generosity truly floored me. Not only did I think he made a mistake with the amount of zeroes on his gift card but he even mentioned wanting to attend the fundraiser! I can't begin to express the appreciation I have for this hometown BBQ joint and the way it touched my heart.   Click here to check out this family owned business: http://www.monksq.com/


As I got back in the truck and looked straight ahead, I saw an abandoned house and instantly thought, "I could totally live here." Well, part time, at least. My other home would have to be at the beach.


Now that our bellies were happily full, it was time for some exquisite craft beer to wash it down at Adroit Theory Brewing http://www.adroit-theory.com/. Adroit is a perfect example of how we should not judge a book by its cover.  Walking into Adroit is like walking into a Stephen King novel - it's dark, satirical almost, and all who work there have some form of body art - tattoos, piercings, rods, you name it. To some, this may be frightening. To me, it's refreshing. I don't care what people look like - I never have. I care about their character and their inner self. It was the fourth time I'd been to Adroit and while its beer still continues to excite me and my taste buds, the unselfish and giving attitude of the staff impressed me even more. Even though the manager with whom I had been conversing for a month wasn't there, all the staff knew who I was and were expecting me. It was difficult for my favorite guy and I to contain our excitement when we realized what they were donating for the fundraiser! If you've been to Adroit, you'll appreciate it. If you haven't been to Adroit, you need to go after these items - you won't be disappointed. It will change your outlook on beer, art and even humanity!


The last stop was to see Scott at Catoctin Creek Distilling http://catoctincreekdistilling.com/. Like Otium, Scott graciously donated to the fundraiser for the second year in a row. If you were at last year's event, you'll remember how his bottle of Roundstone Rye Whiskey was a show stopper. I truly thought there was going to be a knock down drag out (in a good way) for this bottle! I am a huge lover of rye and always keep a bottle of Scott's Roundstone in my home. This year, Scott added a special touch. You'll have to come to the fundraiser to check it out....


As we were driving home that afternoon, my heart was so full. It felt as if Purcellville had wrapped its arms around my heart and said, "We got you, Val. We're riding shotgun with Denny, too!" These businesses didn't have to donate a thing. They could have ignored my request. They have no obligation to me. For God's sake, I live, and the fundraiser is even being held, in a different county!  I wouldn't have blamed them one bit if they chose to not participate. But I love that town. I love the feel of it. I love the businesses there. I love the fact that the owners of most of these businesses are born and bred in Purcellville. Scott and Becky, the owners of Catoctin Creek Distillery, grew up in Purcellville and chose to remain there, raise their family and hold their business. Purcellville makes me feel like I am part of its local family and that is something I have always yearned for.  I never feel like a stranger in Purcellville. Ironic because when I describe my dad, I often say that he's never met a stranger.


In a world filled with uncertainty, fear, anger and hate, Purcellville restored my hope in the fact that there are still genuine, good and unselfish people out there! Many thanks to my favorite small town in Northern Virginia! I can't begin to express how full you made this girl's heart feel!

Women supporting women in the name of prostate cancer!

In Spring 2014, I met Rebecca Evans, Attorney-at-Law, and she became my and my parents estate planning attorney.   I could not ask for a more intelligent attorney who handles such important matters with grace, respect and compassion. I highly recommend her and suggest you check out her and her mom's Northern Virginia firm here: http://www.deblaw.com/.

Last year, Becky donated to Denny's Shotgun Riders, and I was very appreciative. This year, she came to me with a suggestion and I just couldn't pass it up! She recently joined Thirty-One as an independent consultant because she fell in love with the products after having her second child in October 2015.  Having two kids has required her to stay better organized in order to stay sane with the two of them and working full-time! Her love for the products grew and she wanted to share them with others!  Becky told me, "It's a great company that provides great incentives to its consultants but also offers me the flexibility to donate my commission to fundraising causes I believe in - which is great!" Well, I also think it's great, because Becky has graciously created her first online fundraiser with Thirty-One and offered to donate 20% of all product sales to Denny's Shotgun Riders!

If you are on Facebook, look for an invite to the fundraiser site from me.
You can also click this link and it will take you to "Val's Fundraiser!"

https://www.mythirtyone.com/organizewithbecky/shop/party/parties

All you have to do is "shop now" and place an order. The online event is officially open and will close on May 31. Take your time, peruse the site, and purchase some incredible items while helping me raise money to put an end to prostate cancer!

I didn't know much about this company except that another friend of mine in Pennsylvania was a consultant. She donated two items for the fundraiser so those of you who will be attending the actual fundraiser on April 28 will have an opportunity to bid on those items. Because of Becky, you now can purchase as many items as you want, in the comfort of your own home between now and May 31.  Again, 20% of sales will be donated to Denny's Shotgun Riders!

About Thirty-One (direct from the website):

"Thirty-One Gifts is about so much more than just a bag. We are a family of individuals who share a passion for empowering women, and who are committed to celebrate, encourage and reward others for who they are. The name Thirty-One Gifts comes from Proverbs 31, which describes the attributes and the importance of a “Virtuous Woman.” Our mission is to help women by giving them the opportunity to own their own business, providing them with all the tools and support necessary to find success and possibly build a new career! We believe in the power of relationships, and while the modern world says relationships can thrive from a distance, we know better. We’re passionate about bringing women together and creating opportunities for them to shop face-to-face while building new friendships."

What a great concept! Empowered women encouraging each other!  How ironic that a beautiful woman and mother who is an independent consultant with this company is offering up almost all of her commission to help another passionate woman bring awareness and raise funds to put an end to a man's disease!!

I am woman! Hear me roar! Let's do this ladies!! Together, we can change the world! Or at the least make a dent in it!

 

Thank you, Becky!

 I am truly honored that you have chosen my cause and my dad's journey as your first fundraiser event!