The case of the possibly stolen wallet

We've had an interesting episode in the Schwartz household this past week.

On Sunday evening, Dave either lost his wallet or it got stolen. The act happened at the gym where Dave is unsure if he locked his locker. The jury's still out as to exactly what happened and the details seem to be as fuzzy as Dave's recollections. But that doesn't really matter. Someone wound up with the stolen wallet and all the credit cards, and were probably initally disappointed to find out we don't normally carry cash.

They were disappointed when they tried to use the credit cards too, because Dave acted quickly and had everything cancelled and reordered within 45 minutes of discovering the stolen wallet. He reported it missing at the gym. Then, he walked around looking for guilty culprits. I'm not sure how he would've known someone was guilty unless they showed him his stolen wallet, but he felt like this gave him purpose. It did burn off a bit of stress, and I didn't mind him prowling the gym looking for wallet-stealers.

Fastforward to this morning at 6am. A local police officer woke us up by knocking on our door. By the time we actually woke up and made it to the door, (hey, we work evening shifts normally)he'd left a note on Dave's truck and left. After calling the officer back to the house (all before 7 am of course), it seems someone discovered Dave's stuff (minus the wallet) at a trailer park not too far from the community center. We didn't even know there was a trailer park around there. The stash even included business cards that Dave had picked up on the job.... but no wallet, which was incidentially part of his wedding gift from me.

Somewhere a thief out there is very unhappy. He or she made a grab and all they have to show for it is one lousy wallet. Not even a business card.

Alpha Xi Delta told to "simmer down" on Today Show

Alpha Xi Delta adopted a new philanthropy on April 2nd, World Autism Day, and it's been a big deal in the fraternity. A group got up at 5 am to be on the Today Show to promote Autism Speaks. The philanthropy used to be 'Choose Children,' which was rather vague and unfocused. This should give Alpha Xi a clear, direct philanthropy, and it doesn't hurt that this is one of the "hot" causes right now. I have done numerous autism stories in the past few months--my first ones in seven years of reporting.

My only concern is that this does take out the non-financial aspect of volunteering. Most college kids don't have money. They give time, not money. Sure, they can go ask for money, but who likes that? It's hard to donate "time" to autistic children--sometimes special training is required. It will be interesting to see how the fraternity defines and promotes this.

The Minneapolis-St Paul Alumnae who could met up downtown at the Mary Tyler Moore statue on Nicolette between 7th and 8th Streets for a quick picture and lunch. We are planning to participate in the Walk for Autism at Canterbury Downs in September. I am slated to the on the officer board of the alumna chapter and I'm on the advisory board for the Epsilon Alpha chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. It's been a great outlet to meet professional women my age who are all transplants to the Twin Cities. Below, there's a teacher, a student, a genetic counselor, a financial person, a museum curator, and a journalist.

Payton has arrived

Okay, the baby blog is back.

Payton Ann arrived this morning in Little Rock. She weighed 7 lbs and 4 oz. Her mama was only in labor for 7 hours.

Congrats to the proud parents and grandparents. The new Grandpa doesn't even have to cancel his fishing tournament that he scheduled on the baby's due date, much to the new grandma's dismay.

But I learned a funny story--the new Grandpa is the yard sale king. He scours weekly yard sales and Goodwill stores for the perfect bargain. One time he even found a KTAL hat at a Pine Bluff Goodwill store! He bought it for 10 cents. Well, as he and Grandma were on their way to the hospital early Friday, he spotted a yard sale... and had to stop and pick up a few things and then had to make a trip back to the house!

Payton looks like her mama.

April Fool's Jokes around here

Note from the sports guy to producer: Ran into someone in Osseo today and they've got a story for you. Call 651. 487.8282 and ask for Mr. Fox. ((That's the Como Park Zoo number))

Note from the producer back to the sports guy: The father of one of the soccer players in Brooklyn Park wants video of his kid. We can't find it. Can you find out more? Name is Andrew Bah. Call 763. 263.7931 and ask for Mr. Bah ((That's the Shonyo Sheep Farm in Elk River))

Meet Zoe and Sofya

No, they aren't babies this time.

But it is the brainchild of my friend, Mary. Mary was one of my students at HSU, then she was an intern at my station, and somewhere along the way we became friends. She and Martin live in Central Florida where Martin works in video at Disney and Mary works in nonprofit work. Mary spent some time working for a church, and she's now undergoing a rigorous process to become a deacon in the Methodist Church.

She and a friend have noticed there aren't many websites out there that meet the needs of younger Christian women. Sure, there are plenty of mom sites, many conservative sites, and several mainstream Christian news sites. But not many appealing to the young, educated modern Christian woman. So, they have created one. (Think, HSU Baptist versus OBU Baptist...and I think you've got it....and I don't mean that in a bad way....They are equal opportunity Christians :) )

Zoe and Sofya means life and wisdom. They hope to spark good debate, much discussion, and thoughtful devotion. If you know anyone that fits this genre, send them to meet Zoe and Sofya.

Honcho finishes sixth in a downpour

I thought about skipping this blog, but it wouldn't be honest, would it?

Shannon's Honcho finished sixth in what my grandmother described as "a flood." She said he was very skittish because of the rain, and then they put blinders on him. So, it was a sixth place finish. She said after the race, he was literally covered with dirt.

Halfway through the batch it's not bad, but here's hoping for a faster finish next time.

L'As De Pique by J. Riquelme
Go Faster Forest by J. Court
My Magical Breeze by L. Espinosa
Ten Commandments by A. Birzer

Pop said "He just didn't like the dirt, I guess. But if he was at the front, he wouldn'ta had that problem." As Oaklawn is about done for the season, Honcho will be running next at Louisiana Downs.

Rush Hour Remorse

So I've complained about rush hour a time or two. I've really wanted to complain a lot more.
I feel a bit remorseful now. My rush hour commute has dropped from an easy hour and fifteen minutes-plus to about 40 minutes. I can make it in 35 on a good day. No jams. No breaking. It's like a holiday. It's like it was when Obama was giving his inaugural address. Smooth driving.

The reason? So many people in this town have been fired or dismissed or given a pink slip or whatever that they just aren't on the roads anymore.

That kinda makes me feel bad.

But, it sure is nice to get home in 35 minutes or so.