The Mayor and I had the honor of competing against Camp Fire Boys and Girls supporters from Hollyrood Elementary's kindergarten class last week, at the Camp Fire Columbia Celebrity Talent Show fundraiser on Thursday evening.  It will come as no surprise to anyone (except maybe Sam's mother and mine), that the students won in both performance excellence and fundraising.  They sang an adorable song with the main theme, "I like sandwiches".

The Mayor and I did our best**, with a stirring rendition of the Backstreet Boys song, "Larger than Life", aided by Lyrics Sticks (TM) -- the black squares looking like oversized popsicles or miniature music stands -- invented by my assistant, Milena.

**When I say we did our best, I mean it was the best we could do with five minutes practice backstage before the event.  We don't get a lot of free time in our day jobs.  We promised to practice at least twice as much if we are invited back next year. 

Leaving the stage after humilating ourselves.  It was a very fun event, raising over $35,000 for Camp Fire programs.  And it turned out infinitely better than my last fundraising stint for the organization.

Sam watching the fundraising count with Kenan Ginsberg, School Based Program Director of Camp Fire Columbia. 

Thanks to Lucas Balzer for all the above photographs, and Kristin Trainor, VP of Development & Communications for helping to set up the event and providing information before and after it.

For more on Camp Fire Boys and Girls programs, see their web site here.