You know who the Mavs Maniacs are if you have ever been to a Mavs game. Last night, I had the opportunity to hang out with the Mavs Maniacs just prior to the game tip off. I have always been curious to know what it takes to become a Maniac, so I asked a self-proclaimed “Proud Maniac”…. Rob Maiden. Rob described his Maniac position as a “blessing” because Mark Cuban planned for the Maniacs to add humor to the court as a one-time performance during playoffs of 2002. The crowd loved the Maniacs, and 9 years later, they are still on the court pumping up the crowd. Maiden explained to me that a typical night for his team would start with a feisty meal, focusing on their game face and screaming from the time of tip off to the sound of the buzzer at the end of the game. “Oh, and a little bit of dancing in between” he adds. Maiden told me that becoming a Mavs Maniac has changed his life. “You pluck a regular guy that goes to work everyday, the occasional high school basketball game, and put him in front of 20,000 fans… that will change a guy’s life.” Now that Maiden has been on the dynamic dance team for 8 seasons, he is the person to go to if you want to become a Maniac. “Hit as many buffets as possible and brush up on being wild and crazy when the lights are on you” He further advises: “First and foremost, we look for beefy, then personality. You have to have personality”. Auditions are held during August or September at the House of Blues, usually with celebrity judges. You must be at least 18 to try out, but there is no upper limit on age. “We have guys that range from age 23 to 56.” Maiden stated.If you want to try out to be a Mavs Maniac, Maiden has a message for you: “Come one, come all. We want you if you are beefy and can be taught a little dance.”

It wouldn’t be too bad to get paid to eat, hang out with Mavs dancers, and cheer for the Mavs…would it? Sounds like a good deal too me! If only I was a “beefy” male, I would be at the auditions this year…

Cheri Chafin
Reporter
Cchafin@dfwreporting.com

Click here to watch an exclusive, raw interview with national radio host Michael Baisden and co-host George Wilborn with DFWreporting.com reporter Candice Benjamin before they went on stage at the Dallas Convention Center:

To see exclusive video produced by DFWreporting.com about the One Million Mentors tour started by national radio host Michael Baisden click here:
http://dfwreporting.com/2010/02/26/exclusive-national-radio-host-michael-baisden-searches-for-one-million-mentors-hd/

View Candice Benjamin’s reporter page to see all of her videos here:
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Students and role models gathered in Dallas to try to elevate lives. Powered by Coca Cola, mentoring program Dallas Elevators is expanding to include 2 selected DISD schools. Pat Smith, philanthropist and wife of NFL great Emmitt Smith is one of the newest role models to join Dallas Elevators.

“Because of people that poured back into my life I was able to achieve the things that are possible today, “ said philanthropist Pat Smith.

Click here to watch a video in HD about the Dallas Elevators Program:

“Heart disease is the number one killer of American women today,” said Dallas wellness expert Daniel Crouch. “Whenever you feel the need to go ahead and try to change your life this is the best place to start at the grocery store. We decided to come to the grocery store and pick out a few foods that just might help you save your life.”

Click here to watch a video in HD of wellness expert Daniel Crouch:

Former Dallas Cowboy Daryl Johnston shakes hands with Pope Elementary School student Jacob Reich.

On Tuesday morning in the library at the Berta May Pope Elementary School, officials announced the kick off of one of the largest educational campaigns in North Texas history.

“This is the first education program ever established by a host committee to operate in conjunction with the Super Bowl, and we created it to impact twenty thousand elementary school children through out North Texas,” said President and CEO of the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee.

The North Texas Super Bowl XLV Committee and Dallas based non profit organization Big Thought have teamed up for project SLANT 45. It is an educational program that gives third through fifth grade students in north Texas the chance to think of innovative ways to give back outside the classroom. Pope Elementary School is the launching platform for the SLANT 45 program, and even though all the projects in here are different, it’s all aimed at teaching the kids how to put back into their community. One group of students plan on putting on a game night for residents of the Arlington Villa Retirement Center, while another group is collecting personal hygiene and paper products that will be donated to families staying at the Arlington Life Shelter.

To see a video in HD produced by DFWreporting.com about SLANT 45 click here:
http://dfwreporting.com/2010/02/18/a-first-down-for-slant-45-as-super-bowl-xlv-approaches-hd/

For more information on SLANT 45 and to sign up go to:
http://www.SLANT45.org

Okay, I know we all heard the rumor that cell phones can kill brain cells, but have you heard that cell phones can kill acne and smooth wrinkles? There is a new iphone app created by a dermatologist named Dr. Greg Pearson. He is claiming that the new AcneApp will promote healthier skin by using 550 nanometer red light and 420 nanometer blue light to help kill bacteria on the skin and promote collagen growth. But does this cosmetic app actually work? Some dermatologists have said that they do not believe that the AcneApp really does work, stating that there are plenty of trials which have shown that blue and red light therapy is not particularly effective in acne treatment. If you want to try it out for yourself, at just $1.99, the AcneApp can be downloaded to either the iPhone or iPod Touch.

Cheri Chafin
Reporter
Cchafin@dfwreporting.com

Five days after record breaking snow fell in north Texas the white stuff has melted…or has it? Snow still remains on top of the roof of Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas which is the home of the NFL Dallas Cowboys built by owner Jerry Jones.

Click here to see the video in HD shot by DFWreporting.com photographer Chris Ghanbari:

I am the biggest violator when it comes to texting, checking emails, responding to emails/texts while driving. I know that it is dangerous and I have had some close calls.A friend of mine just told me about this website called http://www.drivesafe.ly/

Its pretty neat. It is an application you can download for free that reads your texts AND emails to you, and then automatically responds to the person. The response goes something like this: I heard your TXT read by www.drivesafe.ly. I will get back to you soon.

I am surprised that this ap was launched in September 2009, but has not been advertised very much. (Especially with all the concern with texting and driving) So, I just wanted to spread the word and let everyone know that there is something available out there to help prevent texting and driving.

Cheri Chafin
Reporter
Cchafin@dfwreporting.com

Many houses sit on the open market for months but when Mansion Minders moved the Earle family into a home in Argyle, Texas it turned from cold to cozy.

“When I walked in a week ago it just felt very vacuous and I thought wow I wonder what it’s going to feel like over here,” said Mansion Minders client Beth Earle.

Beth Earle and her three children are taking part in a housing program called Mansion Minders. The program enables families in need of a place to stay to live in a home currently on the market. By having someone reside in the property it becomes much more attractive to would be buyers than a vacant house but there are conditions.

“I wanted something that would be a win, win” said President of Mansion Minders Brenda Platt.

Click here to watch a video in HD for a sneak peak:

It was an unusual scene at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Instead of Dirk Nowitzki they had dirt, horses, and cowboys. It was all for the children and you can thank Texas Stampede for the western vibe inside the AAC.

“This rodeo features the top rodeo cowboys and cowgirls in the world,” said cowboy Randy Lewellyn.

The organization is here to raise money for Children’s Medical Center of Dallas.

“Texas Stampede is a non-profit organization that exists to raise money for Children’s Medical Center,” said Lewellyn. “Texas Stampede has donated over $2.7 million in first 8 years.”

“I’m excited to see the rodeo because I get to meet Pat Green,” said Gray Braedenbach. “My friends are coming. It’ll just be an awesome time today.”

Click here to watch a video in HD for a sneak peak on this story:

Doctor Bill Johnson at Innovations MedSpa in Dallas is performing a procedure called the Brazilian lift which is a buttocks enhancement procedure using a technique called fat transfer.

“Fat transfer gives us the ability to take fat where you don’t want it and put it somewhere where you would like it,” said doctor Bill Johnson. “We see predominantly three areas. We see buttocks, breasts and then face.”

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons the Brazilian butt lift is one of the fastest growing cosmetic procedures and doctor Bill Johnson is among the few surgeons performing this procedure in north Texas.

Click here to watch a video in HD for a sneak peak on this story:

Want to experience the best food and wine that North Texas has to offer? The sixth annual Savor Dallas on March 5-6 will feature more than 60 chefs and 400 wines all under one roof. No matter if it’s the wine tasting, food sampling, strolling through the arts district or bidding in the silent auction that draws you, Savor Dallas has something fun for everyone. 

The events will take place at different venues, including the AT&T Performing Arts Center, Sheraton Dallas Hotel, and the Dallas Arts District. The International Grand Tasting is the main event and will be held on March 6 at the Lonestar Ballroom in the Sheraton.

Shuttle buses will be running at 5 different locations to transport North Texans to the International Grand Tasting.  Shuttle buses will be departing from Cru-A Wine Bar at Waters Creek in Allen, Cru-A Wine Bar in Plano, Go Fish Ocean Club in North Dallas, Olenjack’s Grille in Arlington and Ferrari’s Italian Villa in Grapevine. All buses depart at 6 p.m., except for the bus leaving from Go Fish Ocean Club, which will depart at 6:15 p.m. Tickets range from $40 for individual events to $425 for the entire weekend. Tickets for all events can be purchased here http://www.savordallas.com/tickets.html .

Melissa Hawkes

DFWReporting.com Reporter

EMail: MHawkes@DFWReporting.com