Hampton City Broadcast: Holiday Concert and Community Features – December 17, 2020

This broadcast, aired on December 17, 2020, at 8:30 PM EST, consists of a holiday concert by the United States Air Force Band of Flight followed by several segments from the City of Hampton's "Round Robin" program and a fitness segment. No city council meeting or formal government business was conducted; instead, the content highlights community events, local history, health topics, and resident profiles.

Holiday Concert by the United States Air Force Band of Flight

• The concert, titled "Holiday in Blue," was held at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Chief Master Sergeant J.R. Herb welcomed the audience and introduced the musicians.
• The concert included jazz renditions of holiday songs, a tribute to deployed service members (approximately 170,000 members serving out of country), and a community sing-along. The Spirit of Freedom brass group performed a jazz journey through various eras (ragtime, Dixieland, big band, bebop, cool jazz, free jazz, etc.).
• Key performances: "It Must'a Been Old Santa Claus," "I Love the Winter Weather / I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," "Frosty the Snowman," and a medley of "Jingle Bells" in multiple styles.
• The concert concluded with a call to keep deployed service members and their families in thoughts.

Round Robin: Book Discussion on the History of Phoebus

• Host Robin McCormick interviewed author Tim Receiver about his book detailing the history of Phoebus, Virginia.
• The book covers Phoebus from the Civil War era through Prohibition, highlighting its unique character: a large number of saloons (83 saloons in 1898 for a town of 1,500–2,000 people, likely the highest per capita in the world), an integrated police force, and the election of two African Americans to the town council in 1901.
• Receiver noted that Phoebus was the site of the first freed slave community in the South after the Civil War, and that the town had a more racially integrated atmosphere than much of Virginia at the time.
• The book is available at the Hampton History Museum and Robert's Antiques.

Round Robin: Young Musicians Kendall and Kirsten Gonzalez

• Kendall (age 10, cello) and Kirsten (age 12, violin) discussed their musical journeys, starting lessons at ages two and three, respectively. They practice two to three hours daily, and have performed at NBA games (Houston Rockets) and other venues.
• They are homeschooled and take private lessons from Virginia Symphony members. Kirsten expressed interest in a career in music or law; Kendall in orthodontics and horse ownership.

Round Robin: Vascular Surgery Innovations with Dr. Todd Gensler

• Dr. Gensler, a vascular surgeon at Centera, explained common vascular issues such as atherosclerosis and aneurysms.
• He described minimally invasive procedures: endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) can now be done percutaneously (through a needle in the groin), with patients going home the next day. For carotid artery blockages, recovery is typically one day in the hospital.
• A new procedure, wavelength, creates an endovascular arteriovenous fistula for dialysis patients without incision. CarePlex Hospital is the only facility on the peninsula offering this.
• He emphasized symptoms: leg pain while walking (claudication), pain at rest, and non-healing sores as signs to seek treatment.

Round Robin: School Crossing Guard Ann Holliman

• Ann Holliman, 75, has been a crossing guard at Phillips Elementary School for years. She was nominated by the school community for her dedication.
• She was hit by a car while on duty; she landed on the hood but was not seriously injured. The driver falsely claimed Holliman jumped on the car, but witnesses provided the license plate.
• She and her late husband donated $1,000 for a marquee at Phillips School and plan to do the same for Kecoughtan High School.
• She works from 6:30–7:30 AM and 1:30–2:30 PM daily, in all weather, and says the children give her purpose.

Round Robin: Hampton City Attorney Sharon Ivory

• Sharon Ivory, the city attorney, explained her role: advising city council, departments, boards, and commissions; ensuring compliance with the Freedom of Information Act; and managing a staff of attorneys, paralegals, and administrative assistants.
• The city receives about 2,200 FOIA requests per year. One paralegal is dedicated to handling them.
• Ivory shared her personal story: she grew up as the daughter of a judge, attended law school with a young child, passed the bar while pregnant, and started her career as a paralegal before becoming an attorney. She became Hampton city attorney in 2019.
• She lives in Hampton as required by code and appreciates the community.

Fusion Fitness Segment

• A dance fitness routine led by instructors, set to music, with choreography including steps like single-single-double-double, kicks, and turns. The segment was produced in partnership with Newport News Public Schools and Medicine Productions.

Key Outcomes

• No formal decisions or votes were recorded, as this was a community broadcast. The program served to inform residents about local history, health resources, public safety, city government, and cultural events.