Miss Minnesota USA 2009 Erica Nego Send off Party at the View

Many were there to celebrate Erica's send off to Miss USA! Erica looked gorgeous and Vanessa, Miss Teen MN USA and Bessie, former Mrs. MN America 2007, was also in attendance. We all know Erica will do well at Nationals--she has everything going for her--tune in on April 19th for the Televised Miss USA 2009 Pageant.

My dress was a gorgeous golden Alberto Makali dress with Citrine colored rhinestones on the center from The Pageant Shop by Michaels' in New Brighton.

Macphail Center for Music Petition Signing March 28th

Today I went to Macphail Center for Music in Minneapolis and many parents were there bringing their toddlers and kids to music lessons so I got quite a few signatures for the MENC petition. One of the music teachers, Marjory Black, was so nice and told me that Gretchen Carlson, Miss America 1988 (from MN) studied there as well. She is the only Miss America to have won with a violin talent!

I plan to have my daughter attend next year so it was great to meet everyone and see how many talented children they train! I studied piano when I was younger--I only wish I started when I was 5!

Grey Gardens at the Ordway Theater March 28th at 2pm

I'm a big theater and Musical Theater buff after studying to be an actress for over a decade in NYC and Los Angeles and seeing every show I could get my hands on! Grey Gardens is a quirky musical featuring a mother-daughter from the Bouvier clan (yes the cousin of Jacqueline Bouvier). You can go to You Tube and see clips from the documentary which is what the musical is based upon.

Here is a pic of me and the Little Edie look alike who was attending the show.

Photo Shoot with Jake Armour

Jake Armour is a talented professional photographer in Minneapolis who has photographed Erica Nego, Miss MN USA '09 and the Miss Oustanding Teen. He has a wonderful eye and is the nicest guy! His work has been seen in national ad campaigns, the Mall of America ads and Clothing catalogs and ads.

It was an honor to work with you Jake! Thank you! Make up and hair by Andrea Holton.

www.armourphoto.com
Contact Jake at jake@armourphoto.com

Cookie Creations Girls Scouts Fundraiser- Rochester March 26th 5pm

Today I was a celebrity judge for the Cookie Creations fundraiser for the Girl Souts. Local chefs competed for the top prize in who could create the tasiest dish using girl scout cookies! The winner was delicious and moise Barbeque Ribs by Roscoe's and the drink winner was Thin Mint Martinis---I voted for both of these tasty dishes! YUM! I tasted over 50 dishes and we were pretty much in line with the "People's Choice" selections.

I also met Julie Miller, a former Mrs. Minnesota America! She was an absolute doll and is coming to my pre-pageant party on April 25th so you'll be able to meet her then! Hosting the event was local radio station DJ's --we did the radio ad together!
Here I am pictured with a few of the local Rochester Girl Scouts--adorable!

I won 2 silent auction prizes at the fundraiser so my husband and I will be going to the Minnesota Orchestra and I have a gift to see a play for my friend Brian!

March 21, 2009 Home and Garden Show in Eden Prairie

Today between 11-2pm, I made an appearance at the Chamber of Commerce's Home and Garden Show at Grace Church in Eden Prairie. It was a free, fun, family event with arts and crafts for kids--The police department showed off their new police car as you can see in the photo. My daughter loved doing arts and crafts and petting a salamander.

Wayzata High School Spring Band Concert

Wayzata High School has been so generous in inviting me to come to their remaining concerts in March to gather signatures from the attendees. Chloe took this picture of me with one of the teachers and Cindy Beherns, Head of the Fine Arts Box Office who has been incredibly sweet and helpful! Chloe loved the music at the concert so much she didn't want to leave!

March 12th, Eden Prairie High School Spring Choral Music Concert

Tonight I collected signatures from the parents coming to see their teens sing at Eden Prairie High School. My daughter Chloe helped me pass the petition around too! Here she is with a few of the singers.

March 15th, The Mrs. Minnesota International Pageant

What an exciting pageant this was!! Mrs. Minnesota International 2009 is Tami Krause!! She is a former Mrs. Minnesota America and a choreographer for the Vikings Cheerleaders and Swarm Cheerleaders. 1st runner up was Angeline Gard for the second year in a row and 2nd runner up was Tamara Jett. All three had beautiful gold gowns on and did a beautiful job with their on-stage questions.
Other winners included Jessica Scheu, Miss Teen International 2009, whom I mock interviewed a month prior and Maddy Thoele, Miss Minnesota International 2009 who wore a stunning Sherri Hill gown from Sarah Moses. In fact, all three new title holders bought their gowns from The Pageant Shop in New Brighton.

Carl and Faith Schway and I sat together in the front row of the pageant. Formers Holly Ernst, Donnel Rank and reigning Susan Jackson from Wisconsin were all in attendance.

March 14, Kinship's Annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet

A very busy day of appearances started with taking my mentee to our volunteer recognition banquet, where they took the theme of my platform "Become a Hero: Mentor a child" and asked all volunteers to dress up as superheroes. I dressed as Mrs Mn and one Mentor said "Great costume!" It's true that the crown and banner and gown are a costume of a certain type of hero: a Beauty Queen or Princess! The little boys and girls there rushed over to get pictures with me and to have me sign my autograph cards for them. Tyiteana felt very special to have her Mentor be a "princess".

A Magician performed and Tyiteana made a beautiful frame for the picture of us we had taken.

March 12, Wayzata High School Petition drive at Spring Orchestra Recital

Tonight I went to Wayzata High School's Spring Orchestra Concert to get signatures for the MENC National Signature Drive. The Musical Director allowed me to get on stage and speak about the petition and of course, the audience was much in agreement that music is important for a well-rounded student and curriculum.

St. David's Center for Child & Family Development Fundraiser March 14

The 2009 St. David's Annual Gala was held at the Minneapolis Marriot Southwest in Minnetonka, MN. Honorary Chair Sid Hartman,is a longtime sports journalist for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the WCCO 830 AM radio station, who donated many live auction sports event tickets, raising thousands for St. David's. I helped model the jewelry that was auctioned off during the live auction portion of the event and I also won 2 of the silent auction items! My husband and I enjoyed the dinner and meeting everyone at our table. PIctured above is Sid Hartman and me and Tim Brewster,the Coach of the Gophers and me.

St. David's helps build relationships that nurture the development of every child and family. They help children with autism, developmental problems, victims of family abuse and their families to heal and give families support---what an amazing program that helps thousands of families a year.

March 14th Eden Prairie Foundation Ball-Roaring 20's

The largest fundraiser of the year for the Eden Prairie Foundation which raises money for local non-profit organizations like PROP (People Reaching Out to other People), the local food shelf, the local Fire Department, to name a few. Anne Hanson chaired this fundraiser held at the Sofitel Minneapolis in Bloomington. I donated a purse and wallet from Shop NBC and helped her to get silent auction donations from Santorini's, Breuggers Bagels, Cloud 9 car wash, The Courtyard by Marriott, Redstone in E.P. and Youngquest Fitness.

The Roaring 20's theme is adorable and so many people were dressed the part!

Eden Prairie Magazine Advisory Board at Santorini's

I'm so excited to be a part of this brand Eden Prairie Magazine Advisory Board. Eden Prairie Magazine has a brand new look with fresh ideas with Ann Kohler, Professional Organizer/write/editor at the helm and under the new ownership of Tiger Oak Publications. New Board members include: Joyce Johnson, Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce; Raghavan Iyer, Cookbook Author; Laura Haroldson, Managing Editor, Gary Stevens, President of Eden Prairie Foundation and Lions Club; Sherry Boulk, Registered Dietician & Life Coach; Heather Lambert, Tiger Oak Magazines; Tom Faust, Bachman's; Pat Quinny, President of E.P. Chamber of Commerce; Jason Young of Youngquest Fitness, among others.

March 7th, Dance your heart out for One Heartland Camp

Today at the Mall of America I met the many dance marathon contestants who danced their heart out for children with HIV AIDS. This non-profit organization helps raise money and awareness to enable children with AIDS to go to summer camp in an environment where every child understands that the other is going through.

Actor, Jonathan Bennett, Robbie Amell and Miss MN USA 2009, Erica Nego also helped out at the event. Paris Bennett, American Idol finalist sang her heart out for the cause as well. I am pictured here with JUST LIVE, an incredible band that played at this event---what a talented and altruistic group!

Sarah Moses from the Pageant Shop Visit

Sarah Moses has loaned me many of my appearance gowns this year. My Claire's Collection Competition gown is from Sarah Moses' Pageant Shop in New Brighton. She just recently had all three winners in the Mrs. Minnesota International Pageant this weekend. Consignment gowns are available on her website as well!

Photo shoot with Jake Armour--AMAZING Photographer

Jake Armour has photographed the Diva MN events that I've co-hosted and took some most amazing photos! He has been mainly a commercial photographer for large companies but has recently photographed some major pageant winners such as Erica Nego, Miss MN USA. These are outtakes from the shoot, but the photos are to come!

Party

Kinship Rollerblading Event for Mentors and Mentees February 29th at 4:30pm

I haven't rollerskated in years, but it didn't take long to get back into the groove. Tyiteana, my mentee did a great job and was skating around all by herself in no time! Even my husband and daughter tried to learn to skate and had fun attempting to keep balance--it's easier than it looks! Tyiteana's mom and little sister were also there as a part of Kinship for Kids. I made my t-shirt with swarovski crystal lettering to read: "Be A Hero: Mentor" --I wish more people would take it upon themselves to spend a little time with a child, making them feel special.