Sen. Mark Warner and Rep. Tom Perriello speak at the 22nd-annual Democratic Party barbecue.

It’s 9 o’clock on a Saturday, and I’m eating my dinner (aka Chex Mix and a Butterfigner). And not at a piano bar.

I covered the 22nd-annual Albemarle County Democratic Barbecue today. The goal of the event is to raise money and support for U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, a Democrat who represents Virginia’s 5th District.

Speaking for the congressman today was U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, also a Virginia Democrat. You may have seen him recently on an episode of Top Chef. All this, and I forgot to ask him how the food was. Although he raved about the brisket today. Definitely a foodie, and a very nice man.

To cover all our bases, I talked to a local man via phone interview who attended the Restoring Honor rally in Washington. Many conservatives headed up there for the rally featuring Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin.

Here’s the behind-the-scenes look…

As soon as I get to the barbecue, I obviously head toward the food. The barbecue smelled very good. There are two men under the tent, who I dubbed the “grill masters.” One was wearing a Yankees hat.

“I’ve gotta say off the bat, I don’t like your hat,” I told one of the guys, adding that I’m a Phillies fan. I won’t respond with his exact response. But we had a good laugh.

I then learned to leave rivalries behind and not criticize someone right before asking them for a favor (such as an on-camera interview). But in the end, I spoke to the other grill master.

Turns out, the guy in the Yankees hat went to school in Philly. Not only did he go to school in Philly, but he went to Temple. And not only did he go to Temple, but he graduated with a degree in communications and worked at WRTI.

“And then I got a job in construction and made the real money,” he said.

He showed me his car, where he displays a Temple window cling proudly. It reminded me of mine, which says, “Temple Owls are Everywhere.”

Today, of all days, is proof of that.

Side note… This is my 300th post on this blog. Normally, I’d call that a milestone. But since this is my third post in eight months (and second today), I’ll hold back.

More on this below.

Good news! I remembered my user name and password.

It’s been quite a few months since I updated this lonely blog. In today’s multimedia world, that’s probably considered eternity plus forever. So, I write today with the hopes of changing that (and to make my subscription dollars worth it).

I have been a utility player at the Charlottesville Newsplex for nearly nine months now. I’ve created and updated content on newsplex.com, I’ve produced some shows (most notably the hour-long 6 p.m. newscast), and I’ve done some reporting on the side. I like to consider myself the Greg Dobbs of the Newsplex.

But all of that will change as I make the transition to full-time reporter. Turnover is a curse in small television markets, especially when many leave at once. We have four much-deserving reporters leaving the Newsplex within the next two weeks, and they’re all headed toward amazing opportunities in (much) larger markets. It goes to show the quality of newscast the Newsplex provides.

In other words, I have big shoes to fill.

What I hope to continue with this blog is a behind-the-scenes look at the stories I cover. I won’t get into much commentary — just providing additional information, quirky stories and whatever else comes to mind.

I look forward to creating discussions on this blog and, maybe more, updating more frequently. I appreciate your clicks and your feedback, so keep them coming.

In other news, in the past eight months, I’ve discovered this phrase and find it fascinating.

Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

Yes, that’s a real sentence.

Posts have been sporadic (or nonexistent) as of late thanks to my move to Virginia to work at CBS 19 and the Charlottesville Newsplex. Tomorrow, I’ll begin at the station as a Web producer and reporter.

Charlottesville is an interesting place, from my brief experiences so far. It’s a small, friendly city known for its Downtown Mall, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello and the University of Virginia.

My station is also pretty unique. The Newsplex is a group of network affiliates housed in one complex — CBS 19 (the flagship, WCAV), ABC 16 (WVAW) and FOX 27 (WAHU). The station is just more than five years old, and it’s the only country to have that combination of affiliates under one roof.

And that’s that. The plan is to try this out for a while and to determine what I’d like to do with my life. I’ll update every once and a while with behind-the-scenes information from Charlottesville.

For now, that’s the story. We’ll see how it finishes soon.

Courtesy Mainline Magazine | Dave Roberts (pictured with his grandson and son, actor David Boreanaz) announced his retirement from Channel 6 after more than 30 years at the station.

And the call from AccuWeather is… A goodbye from longtime Channel 6 weather guy Dave Roberts.

6ABC promoted a “big decision” that Roberts made and wanted to share tonight on the 11 p.m. newscast. That decision was to retire from broadcasting after more than 55 years in the business.

The 11 p.m. newscast featured Jim Gardner’s one-on-one interview with Roberts. The show had no commercial breaks until after the tribute to Roberts, coming 23 minutes after the hour. When asked what he’d miss most in retirement, Roberts responded:

It’s the people… That’s what I’m gonna miss and I don’t know how I’m going to deal with it.

The Buffalo, N.Y., native began his career in Syracuse before moving back to Buffalo. The 73-year-old joined WPVI-TV Channel 6 in 1978 and began reporting the weather in 1983. With today’s weather technology and green screens, it’s not hard to forget Channel 6′s magnetic weather board, in front of which Roberts was a staple.

Thomas is the father of Bones star David Boreanaz. His last day on Channel 6 will be Dec. 11. Gardner said more features on Roberts’s life and career will be featured leading up to his final broadcast.

SEPTA launched a more accessible Web site this afternoon.

In the second “long-time-coming” post in a day, more Web site news to share.

SEPTA, the sixth-largest public transportation agency in the country, has launched a sleeker, new Web site.

Schedule information is much more accessible (though, as of today, there are still bugs to be worked out — Regional Rail and trolley schedules are MIA), and important links for riders — including customer service comments — are conveniently posted on the home page.

Next on the agenda, from a rider’s perspective, should be a new “Plan My Trip” feature. The old one is still in tact, but SEPTA also gives the option of Google Transit. But an in-house feature would be much easier to use. I gave up on Google Transit almost immediately.

The Web site for the Inquirer and Daily News, philly.com, recently launched its mobile Web site.

One would think media outlets in large markets — such as Philadelphia — would be ahead of the curve in mobile technology. However, as in many aspects of life, Philadelphia is trying. We’re one step closer with philly.com‘s mobile Web site.

Before the launch, mobile users viewed the regular Web site for the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News on mobile devices. While it’s fairly navigable on a computer’s Internet browser, philly.com was not so easy to navigate with an oversized finger.

As with many mobile sites, not everything found on the regular site is accessible on the mobile philly.com. For example, you cannot separate what appeared in the Inquirer or Daily News on the home page — you’ll find out by the article’s byline. But with larger links and quicker loading, it’s a welcome sacrifice for an easier way to get Philly news on the go.

Fox 29 is the only other local media outlet in the city to have a mobile site, though it’s bare and doesn’t offer links comparable to what you’d see on myfoxphilly.com. NBC10, however, does have a free iPhone application, the first of the market. But I still ask — where are the rest of Philly’s local news iPhone apps?

I appreciate the work of those at philly.com — I have no experience in creating mobile sites, let alone regular Web sites (hat tip to WordPress), and I’m sure much work goes into producing a mobile equivalent of a hefty Web site. Bare with them as they work out kinks, and I recommend following them on Twitter (@phillydotcom, @PhillyDailyNews, @PhillyInquirer) for continuing updates.

Source: Philadelphia Magazine | Dawn Stensland Mendte discusses her life and challenges in a Daily News article.

Former Fox anchor Dawn Stensland Mendte offered the Daily News a tell-all interview that appeared in yesterday’s paper.

Nothing was off-limits. She discusses her job at Fox, a miscarriage last year and her husband Larry Mendte’s relationship with his former co-anchor Alycia Lane.

Despite the turmoil of the past two years, Stensland still appears to be optimistic about the future. She says she loves her husband more than ever, and she hints at a possible new career for the two.

Any thoughts?

Workers of SEPTA's largest union, TWU Local 234, have been on strike since early Tuesday.

In case you haven’t heard, SEPTA is on strike.

I am one of those affected commuters who relies on SEPTA to get to and from work. I began my day open-minded, even after oversleeping and knowing of the possible trials and tribulations ahead of me.

Thus, here was my day:

8:31 a.m. – I arrive at Temple’s shuttle stop, conveniently a half-block from my apartment. The gated, locked Broad Street Line entrance stares at my face, laughing. I tear up a little, but that may be the cold since I failed to check the weather prior to leaving my apartment.

8:51 a.m. – I now realize I could’ve gone back to my apartment, grabbed some gloves, checked the weather and perhaps baked some cookies since I’m still waiting for the shuttle.

8:53 a.m. – As the crowd waiting for the shuttle grows, I begin to wonder if everyone will fit on the shuttle. I also realize people just walking up now will probably be able to board while I’ll be waiting for the next shuttle.

9:04 a.m. – Shuttle No. 1 arrives. My prediction was correct. I wait for Shuttle No. 2.

9:22 a.m. – Shuttle No. 2 arrives. I surprisingly board and find a seat. It’s the first time in six years I’m taking a school bus to school. But it’s a cool looking school bus.

9:29 a.m. – We make the long trek four blocks to City Hall. I think about how this series of events could be a mildly entertaining blog post.

9:30 a.m. – “Cecilia” by Simon and Garfunkel comes on my iPod. My mood improves ever so slightly.

9:34 a.m. – My mother calls me as a girl shoves her red backpack in my face. Clearly, we have decided to disregard the rule plastered at the front of the bus, “Absolutely no standees permitted.” My mom, a SEPTA employee, informs me that my TransPass is, in fact, valid on SEPTA Regional Rail (conveniently not on strike) even during peak hours. My next commute will be different.

Photo: Chris Stover | The shuttle bus that took me from Center City to Temple's campus is decked out in a wrap designed by Tyler students.

9:36 a.m. – Our bus gets into a duel a la 2 Fast 2 Furious with a normal-looking school bus. It’s somewhat terrifying yet equally exhilarating. I never knew bus drivers had it in them.

9:37 a.m. – “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” comes on my iPod. I find it appropriate, as it inspires me to be the arbitrator between SEPTA and the TWU and settle this strike once and for all. And then reality sets in when “We Didn’t Start the Fire” comes on next.

Read more of this exhilarating, edge-of-your-seat tale after the jump.

9:42 a.m. – I pass the University Services Building, my former place of employment until recently. It will be torn down by the end of the year to make way for a dorm. I tear up a little. Since I’m not outside, I don’t have the weather to blame.

9:43 a.m. – I arrive at my first pit stop, Broad and Berks streets, to wait for another shuttle. Upon getting off the bus, the bus driver says, “Don’t let the evil things get on your nerves,” in a very motherly way. Another passenger responded, “Can you be our bus driver every time?”

Come on. You can’t make that sappy stuff up.

9:46 a.m. – I cross Broad Street and wait for the Hunting Park shuttle. It leaves every half hour, so I figure I’ll catch the 10 a.m. one. It got a little colder. There are Temple students wearing shorts, and watching them makes me even colder. Idiots.

9:53 a.m. – A school bus drives by. The sign in the window calls it a UPS Workers’ shuttle. I recall four years ago when I covered the SEPTA strike for The Temple News, a similar shuttle drove down Broad Street to get workers to its South Philly location. I was conveniently wearing a brown shirt and brown jacket. I should’ve posed as a worker, although I’m not sure what I would’ve done in South Philly. But I do love whiteboards.

10:01 a.m. – A southbound Temple shuttle arrives. Jealousy ensues.

10:02 a.m. – Another UPS shuttle goes by. Temple should follow UPS’s example.

10:03 a.m. – I begin to question if the shuttle is actually going to come. I contemplate giving up and going home.

10:05 a.m. – The shuttle I took to Main Campus is now heading southbound back toward my apartment. I’m tempted to jump on, mostly to sit closer to the front so I could talk to the bus driver. I enjoy people telling me to have a good day.

10:07 a.m. – My lower lip begins to quiver. It’s chilly.

10:14 a.m. – I sent an e-mail to my boss earlier in the day, but I follow this up with a phone call to ensure that shuttles are still running. In the scenario I made up in my mind, Temple discontinued all other inter-campus shuttles to pay for the Broad Street service. I needed reassurance this was not the case. I didn’t get it.

10:15 a.m. – I received an e-mail from my mother outlining everything she told me in the phone call. It must be a slow day at SEPTA.

10:23 a.m. – I had almost given up, but alas, the shuttle magically arrives. I board. Other people assume it’s the southbound Broad Street shuttle, and the bus driver turns them away. The driver is typically a nice guy, but I feel like he resents me a bit today.

10:32 a.m. – My shuttle leaves. I’m the only one aboard. Now I really think the driver resents me.

10:47 a.m. – The shuttle passes a SEPTA garage on Allegheny Avenue. The usually opened doors are closed and picketers are waving their cheaply made signs. I snarl.

10:51 a.m. – I arrive at Hunting Park, alone, and the bus driver wishes me a good day. I still feel as though he resents me, but I return the sentiments with a smile. We’re both just doing what we need to do. I think we bonded a bit in the silent shuttle ride.

Alas, here I am. My six-mile journey that typically takes me 35 minutes (and only 20 minutes on the way home) lasted nearly two-and-a-half hours.

Can’t wait to get home. Just not sure how I’m doing that yet.

AP Photo | Some Philadelphians favor Gov. Ed Rendell to return as the city's mayor.

How would you like to have one of the world’s 75 best people back as mayor of Philadelphia?

Gov. Ed Rendell, whom Esquire magazine talked up in its October issue, is a favorite for some to challenge Mayor Michael Nutter in the city’s democratic mayoral primary in 2011, according to Philadelphia magazine.

As stated in the brief:

Lots of movers and shakers think the solution to the city’s problems lies in a Rendell run. “I know people who asked Ed if he’d consider it,” says the CEO. “People are upset. There’s no communication from the current mayor, no direction, no sense that there’s anyone there.”

Rendell responded, saying he’d only run if all 1.4 million Philadelphians signed a petition asking him to do so.

I’m not endorsing. Simply providing links.

• http://www.petitionspot.com/
• http://www.gopetition.com/
• http://www.petitiononline.com/
• http://www.thepetitionsite.com/

...for now.

At least the Phillies are taking Amtrak.

If history is any indication, there’s probably going to be a transit strike. SEPTA‘s largest union, TWU Local 234, is threatening a walk-out that could leave thousands of commuters stranded.

@SEPTA has released two seemingly unrelated “news” stories on its Web site — “World Series Information” and “Service Interruption Guide.”

The “World Series Information” article lists important details about service to and from the World Series games, including increased local service in addition to Sports Express trains running every 10 minutes. This is fantastic and really shows SEPTA’s commitment to getting you to the games, until you read the next article…

The “Service Interruption Guide,” which makes no reference to the World Series article (and visa versa), suggests the following:

• Take Regional Rail.
• Alter your work schedule to avoid peak-hour trains.
• Redeem your Trans/TrailPass if necessary.

Broad Street does have sidewalks extending from City Hall to Citizens Bank Park. Estimated travel time (walking): 50 minutes.

Just like back in 2005, SEPTA and TWU Local 234 have locked themselves in a hotel (the Old City Holiday Inn) to hash out a new contract, conveniently just in time for Philadelphia to be on the national stage for the World Series. The union has been without a contract since the spring. At the core of the negotiations, similar to 2005: wages, benefits and pensions.

This time, though, both parties have new negotiators at the top. TWU spokesperson Robert Wolper, perhaps mimicking an old, popular SEPTA slogan (knowingly or unknowingly), said in reference to negotiations, “We’re getting there. Slowly.”

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, SEPTA is hesitant to dish more money to the union since ridership is down (it reached a peak last year when gas prices jumped), state/federal funding is questionable and operating costs are rising.

The union has set a deadline for Saturday at 12:01 a.m., but a strike could occur before that, the article said.

A strike would affect most city bus routes (except LUCY and CCT Connect/Paratransit), trolleys and subways. Regional Rail will be operating normally, yet with an expected increase in passengers.

Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania are providing shuttles to students, faculty and staff should the strike happen, similar to their plans in 2005. Both universities also encourage carpooling.

For a thoughtful reminder of the 2005 strike, check out The Temple News’ award winning coverage, to which I was proud to contribute:

• Transit workers walk off the job
• Commuters crowd Broad Street shuttles
• Emergency plans put into action
• Dean briefs TSG on transit options

But the all-important question: Will the popular “SEPTA Race to Citizens Bank Park” air at the World Series?