Steve Noviello Goes Viral... With A Mermaid Pillow

FOX 4's Consumer Reporter, Steve Noviello, is a 6-time Emmy Award winning journalist known for money-saving advice, bargain hunting & product reviews (like his story on the Samsung S4 phone battery malfunction that caused the phone to catch on fire - yikes!). His popular "Deal or Dud" series tells you what's hot and what's so not... He was just at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas bringing viewers technology trends of the future. Heck, he's the guy who tracked down the thief who hacked his credit card and busted her on camera.

But he never imagined that one of the biggest news stories of his career would take place shopping on his day off. Steve and a pal were at Nebraska Furiture Mart when they stumbled across some fun throw pillows that feature a reverse sequin pattern. It's called a Mermaid Pillow. Rub the pattern one way and it's one color, reverse your flow and it turns into a different color altogether. They thought the pillows were cool and made a short video showing what you could do with them by moving your hand back and forth to create patterns or write words. Steve posted this video on his Facebook Page thinking a few people would also find it fun. He was right! Within 24 hours the video had racked up 20+ million views. Nice!

Top Hats & Tails 2012

(top left)  Monica Greene and Cynthia Smoot  (top right)  Tara Harper and John Brodrick 
(bottom) Father and his kiddos enjoy the event

Host Preston Pearson and Master of Ceremonies Scott Murray were back again to help Paws In The City raise funds to rescue dogs and cats set to be euthanized at the city shelters in last Saturday's 5th annual Top Hat & Tails Gala.

The event featured a silent auction and seated dinner but the real entertainment was a dance competition that paired local celebrities with Arthur Murray dance instructors ala ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. Each couple performed one dance routine. Steve Kemble, Drew Pearson and Claudia Marshall from Arthur Murray Studios comprised a celebrity panel of judges awarded scores based on style and performance. Guests could also vote for their favorites.  The female contestants wore dazzling costumes actually worn on the ABC hit show.

Ron Corning, Melissa Newton, Monica Greene and Shelly Slater

(top left)  Linda Armstrong and partner  (top right)  Steve Noviello and partner  (bottom)  Rodney Anderson and partner

This year's celebrity dancers were:

1. Rodney Anderson, Executive Director of Supreme Lending
2. Ron Corning, host of WFAA's Daybreak
3. Lynae Fearing, co-owner of Shinsei restaurant
4. Monica Greene, owner of Monica's Nueva Cocina and Mi Lounge
5. Linda Armstrong, Mother of Lance Armstrong and motivational speaker
6. Melissa Newton, CBS 11 reporter
7. Steve Noviello, Fox 4 consumer reporter
8. Shelly Slater, WFAA anchor/reporter

Congrats to WFAA's SHELLY SLATER who took home the "Lucy Trophy" this year with fantastic performance!!

Click here to see a gallery of photos from this event on Facebook.

photos courtesy of Peter Wynne aka "Plano Pete"

Lone Star Park celebrates the Kentucky Derby (and my Birthday!)

"Don't miss the greatest two minutes in sports!" Lone Star Park's website proclaimed in anticipation of the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby.   Lone Star Park celebrated the 138th running of the Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown, on Saturday May 5. The crowds arrived early in the afternoon for live racing and the Kentucky Derby simulcast occurred at approximately 5:24 p.m.  Fox 4's Fiona Gorostiza kicked off the day by performing the National Anthem.  Guests also enjoyed live music featuring the Roof Raisers on the Courtyard Stage.

The Top 10 Finalists

The big excitement of the day (outside of the horses) was the Kentucky Derby Hat Contest.  Because of my experience with over-the-top hats, I was asked to participate as a judge, along with Jody Dean from KVIL/103.7 Lite FM and Steve Noviello from Fox 4 News. The competition was fierce and we were tasked to hand out prizes for "Most Stylish" and "Most Creative" with the winner's taking home a $500 prize.  There were at least 100 entries, so we had a LOT of amazing chapeaus to select from. We decided to just pick out our 10 favorites and then pick the 2 winners from that pool.  I loved that we had a handful of male entries!

The man in the photo below (yellow hat with red roses around his neck) was our winner for "Most Creative". His hat was a Kentucky Derby-themed creation and it had a clear plastic tube running through it. When he blew into the tube, confetti shot out of the top. It was so cool and very creative. How could we not pick this guy!?  The woman in the first photo on this post wearing the lavender polka-dot dress and a humungous purple hat was our pick for "Most Stylish".

On top of the Kentucky Derby celebration, it was also Cinco de Mayo and my birthday! So much to celebrate!  Thanks to the marketing and PR folks at Lone Star Park who really went out of their way to make it a super-fun day for me and my family. The best part was when they gave me a big 'ole shout out on the Jumbotron - and re-ran it about 25 times throughout the day. That was so cool! It didn't hurt that Moet de Chandon champagne was one of the sponsors and I got to sip on some delicious bubbles all day. Whoo hoo!

Click here to see a complete gallery of photos from this event.

Lone Star Park is located at 1000 Lone Star Parkway  Grand Prairie, Texas 75050, (972) 263-7223.  For more info., visit  http://www.lonestarpark.com. You can also connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.