Seven Cities Media President Matthew Lockhart announced preproduction of his horror film, “The Watermen” today. The film is slated for production in late July and August, and will shoot in numerous Virginia locations.

I was talking with a new friend, Dean Teaster, and remembered one of our mutual old friends, Terry Jernigan. It made me recall one of our favorite pranks at Virginia Stage Compony in Norfolk.

TJ may (MAY) have mellowed a bit, but…. (I know what a practical joker you are!) We pulled some whoppers during Hamlet. (We love you Ed, but…)

There was one actor who liked to fu – mess with “the locals”. During one particular scene in the play, TJ would shake Ed’s hand as one of the visiting Players in the King’s Court. Ed, playing Polonius would pretend to be exiting, but not let go of TJ’s hand.

Each night, the director would scream at TJ during notes to hurry up and exit the scene, but night after night Ed would hold that hand, while at the same time, looking annoyed that TJ wouldn’t leave.

One night, we put Vaseline on TJ’s hand. Even though Ed registered a split second of surprise, without missing a beat, he grabbed TJ’s arm with the other hand in a warmer greeting than someone of his rank might normally. Didn’t matter. TJ got read the riot act by the director….

So next night before this Polonius made his grand entrance down a very T-A-L-L staircase – at least twenty steps up – and then down again; we tied a cowbell to the bottom of his robes! I forget which one of us distracted, and which one attached, but that was one of my favorites. (I like to remember TJ shaking his hand, and telling him what a pleasure it was working with him. It is kind of poetic that way.) Polonius clanged up one set of stairs and down the other. What must have seemed like an eternity to him went all too fast for the assembled Players bent over in hysterics backstage and in the wings. He didn’t figure out how he was making that unholy racket until he neared the very bottom. He then gathered up his robes, the cowbell, and his last shred of dignity before reaching sanctuary, and addressing His Majesty….Never screwed with us or anyone else on stage again. I miss that Teej. God, we were dangerous together, lol. We need more cowbell.

Feb 09, 9:00 pm
(60 minutes)
The Bureau
The Hunted
TV-14 (V), CC
Discovery ID

Two teens make an unsettling discovery: someone has been stockpiling weapons in hidden caches throughout the countryside. It isn’t long before an FBI agent connects the strange arsenal to a series of crimes that have baffled the bureau for over 20 years. Ethan Marten stars as Carl Gugasian.

Running Shoes!Mayor Meyera Laces Up Her “Running Shoes”
for New TV Ad Campaign on CNN, MSNBC and BET

Wearing her now “trademark” red high-top shoes, Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf is putting her best foot forward in an edgy new television advertising campaign. Oberndorf declares the eye-catching red high-tops to be her “Running Shoes” and invites viewers to “stand up, step forward and continue the progress” in Virginia Beach.

Oberndorf is seeking re-election to the mayoral post she has held since 1988. “The red shoes,” says Oberndorf, “are a symbol of my love and passion for this great city and show that I’m still energetic and young at heart. They’re also a wonderful way to connect with a new generation of younger citizens who will be voting for the first time.”

Mayor Oberndorf wears the distinctive red canvas shoes to all her campaign events and appearances where, she says, people have taken notice and responded positively. “That’s why we decided to take the red shoes campaign to television,” explains Oberndorf’s husband and campaign manager, Roger. “Everyone knows that Meyera is always on the go as Mayor. This will show that she ‘walks the walk’ and is ready to take bold new steps to move Virginia Beach forward.”

The incumbent’s symbolic red shoes are intended to address issues and aspects of all her opponents’ campaigns for Mayor. Oberndorf is running a lean campaign that doesn’t rely on a massive war chest. The youthful shoes appeal to and energize young voters; and they show that Oberndorf is not a big spender and knows how to maximize the impact of every dollar.

In addition, they are the Mayor’s brightly colored “sign” that she is in the race and running hard to win. “I don’t use yard signs because I don’t want to clutter our beautiful city,” asserts Oberndorf. “So, you could say that my red shoes are really ‘green’ because they’re an environmentally friendly way to promote my candidacy.”

The Mayor’s new 30-second TV ad can be seen on a number of channels, including CNN, MSNBC, BET, HGTV, and Lifetime.