Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

Here is your GDC Morning WACH for 1-30-12:

If you joined us for even a few minutes, you might be tuckered out with all the action we had this morning.  Let’s jump right into it with Superbowl numbers!

As we discussed on the show, there is a lot of money spent by fans, across the world, there is a lot of money made by vendors of NFL gear, local hotels, car rentals companies, and of course restaurants all adding to the local economy in Indianapolis.

Just a couple of fun facts for you:

According to Yahoo, the average price for a hotel when it is NOT Superbowl weekend is less than $100, but this weekend, IF you can find a room, be ready to spend anywhere from $500 and up!

If you don’t want to hitch or grab a cab, you can always rent a car for the weekend for about $102.42.  That is, of course, any weekend but THIS one.  Again, the big IF…IF you can find a car, it will set you back about $429.89.

You can check out some other facts and figures about how much the weekend might cost you HERE.

Football is a man’s game right?  Wrong!  We also learned, according to Zoosk, that the Superbowl is the perfect place, according to 91 percent of single women, for a first date! 

Not only that, the QB’s are the favorites, for sure…68 percent of women think that Tom Brady is the bees knees of the Patriots, while 61 percent think that Eli Manning gets motors running when it comes to the Giants roster.

Onto the guest list, and we had several-

Believe it or not, it’s already time for the annual Lexington County Law Enforcement Officer’s Association chili cook-off and car show.  (Say that 10 times fast!)  Lexington County Sheriff James Metts and Brian Haley from the Irmo Fire Department joined us to talk about the event and the secrets of the reigning champs.  You can get more information, including entry info by EMAIL.  A link to their time on the show is right HERE.

A pair of local film makers are looking for actors to star in their upcoming show, shot here in the Midlands.  Matt Lowthian and Winston Butts joined us to talk about auditions for the pilot.  The audition is scheduled for February 4, from 1:00pm to 8:00pm at the Cayce-West Columbia Library on Augusta Road.  If you are interested, you can call 803.699.0880 or email studiocolumbia1@gmail.com.  Take a peek at their appearance HERE.

Lynne Moore from the Alzheimer’s Association shared the fantastic news that over $90,000 has been raised since the annual Walk to Remember, which was held in October at Finlay Park.  Along with the money, the USC Woman’s Basketball Team will be making a presentation to the Tennessee Vols Coach Summit, who suffers from Alzheimer’s.  You can learn more at www.alz.org/SC. Check out Lynne’s visit to Good Day Columbia HERE.

William Starrett made a special appearance on the show to help promote the Columbia City Ballet’s production of Romeo and Juliet at the Koger Center February 3 and 4.  The Columbia City Ballet only presents Romeo and Juliet 1 time every 10 years.  It is a show not to be missed!  You can learn more about the performance HERE, and of course, you want to see him live in the studio, so simply click HERE.

Melanie Murhpy's Tie the Knot Tips discussed wedding traditions.  You know, why do we have a first dance?  Why do we have a wedding cake and feed each other?  check out the segment HERE. 

Did you get Lamped today?  With American Idol in Portland last night, Jeffrey Lampkin had some choice thoughts and words.  Check out his AI recap HERE.

Jeffrey also took time to pay a special tribute to Don Cornelius, who passed away on Wednesday.  You can watch it HERE.

As always, GDC is looking for your input!  Please send story ideas, if you are in looking for exposure for a community event you are involved with, or would like a cast member to speak at your civic group, school, or activity, EMAIL us!  We are part of the community!!